Nature has provided us with many kinds of resources. It is like a great magician(魔术师), creating wonders on Earth. One of them is the Amazon rainforest, the world’s largest and home to millions of plants and animals. Nicknamed”the lungs of our planet”, it produces about one-fifth of Earth’s oxygen. However, this wonderful natural wonder is now in danger.
Thousands of fires have broken out in Brazil, endangering much of the rainforest. These flames have lasted several weeks and are believed to be the”most intense”in almost ten years, according to BBC News.
The Amazon has seen a large number of fires in 2019. Between January and August, there were over 74,000 fires – the highest number since 2013, the BBC reported.
Forest fires are common during the dry season, which runs from July to October. They are usually caused by natural events like lightning. However, most of the fires this year are believed to be caused by farmers, who use fire as a traditional part of tropical agriculture(农业) to clean land, reported CNN.
“It’s the best time to burn because the plants are dry. Farmers wait for the dry season and they start burning and clearing the areas so that their cattle can have grass,”wrote CNN meteorologist Haley Brink.
The disaster has raised concern(关注) around the world. The Amazon rainforest is important for preventing climate change, said the BBC, absorbing millions of tons of carbon annually. When trees are cut down or burned, the rainforest’s ability to absorb carbon is reduced.
Brazilian climate expert Carlos Nobre told Reuters he’s worried. If more than 20 percent of the ecosystem is destroyed, the Amazon rainforest could reach a”tipping point (临界点)”, where the thick jungle will turn into a tropical savannah(大草原).
Nobre warned that it is not far off, with between 15 and 17 percent of the rainforest having already been destroyed.
The Brazilian government has sent soldiers to fight the fires. Many people have offered their support and called for recovery efforts. For example, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, said he wanted to donate money and US Actor Leonardo DiCaprio’s environmental charity, Earth Alliance, created a donation fund to help deal with the disaster.
The public are also encouraged to donate to charities concerned with rainforest protection. “Every little bit helps in a bad situation like this,”commented Gizmodo.
1.The underlined word”intense”probably means ______.
A.natural B.terrible C.common D.unexpected
2.What is the main cause of forest fires in the Amazon rainforest this year?
A.Lightning. B.Hot weather.
C.Agricultural activities. D.Garbage left by tourists.
3.What was Nobre worried about in the article?
A.Global temperatures will rise.
B.The Amazon rainforest is close to disappearing.
C.Animals in the Amazon rainforest are under threat.
D.It will take tens of years for the Amazon rainforest to recover.
4.What are the last two paragraphs mainly about?
A.Efforts made to save the Amazon rainforest.
B.The possible future of the Amazon rainforest.
C.What the Brazilian government has done to fight fires.
D.Celebrities(名人) who care about rainforest protection.
My family and I never talked about school as the ticket to a future. I was in the classrooms, but I wasn’t there to learn to write, read or even speak. When it was my turn to read, I wanted to hide. I was 13 years old, but I already hated being who I was.
I had an English teacher, Mr. Creech, who knew I couldn’t read. In one of my first lessons the teacher said that anyone who had a reading age below six had to stand up. I felt so embarrassed. But at the same time, it made me realize that I needed to change the situation. I was determined it wouldn’t happen again. Later that day, Mr. Creech encouraged me and promised he would try his best to help me learn to read. From then on, I never gave up practicing reading.
Now I was 41 years old. One day, I planned to fly back to Texas to visit my friends and family. On my way from the airport, I saw Mr. Creech buying himself a drink. I rushed over and reached into my pocket to pay for him.”Do I know you?”he asked.”Yes, sir, you do know me,”I answered excitedly.”My name is Anthony Hamilton. You taught me English.”The look on his face told me that he remembered the boy he’d once encouraged.
“I’m so glad I had a chance to see you,”I said.”And Mr. Creech, I have great news to share.”I told him I had learned to read. But that wasn’t all. I had become a published author and an active speaker.”The next time you get another Anthony Hamilton in your classroom, please encourage him to read as well.”I added.
The experts say what once worried me has a name: dyslexia(诵读困难症). But I can tell you it was a lack of desire for education.
1.Why did the author want to hide?
A.Because he didn’t have a ticket. B.Because he couldn’t read at all.
C.Because he felt sorry for himself. D.Because he hated being laughed at.
2.Which of the following could best describe Mr. Creech?
A.Friendly and humorous. B.Strict and eager.
C.Emotional and devoted. D.Kind and responsible.
3.What can we infer from the passage?
A.The author was thankful to Mr. Creech.
B.Mr. Creech taught two students called Anthony Hamilton.
C.The author had become a published author and an active speaker.
D.Dyslexia was the hidden reason that made the author unable to read.
Got 48 hours to relax yourself? You’ll make full use of your timeand have great fun at these amazing destinations.
Alabama: Gulf Shores
For relaxing weekend getaways in Alabama, head south to the white-sand beaches of Gulf Shores. Get on the water for some deep-sea fishing. History lovers can get a lesson in the Civil War along a 90-mile path with more than a dozen historic sites.
Alaska: Homer
How does fresh seafood sound? You’ll find it in Homer, located in south-central Alaska, which is either a short flight or a great four-hour scenic drive on the Seward Highway from Anchorage. Get your fill of fishing in Kachemak Bay, explore local trails and enjoy exceptional birding in this remote natural setting.
Arizona: Sedona
Adventurous types can get their fill in the magical red rocks of Sedona, which is said to be the location of healing centers of energy. People flood to the area to meditate, practice yoga and more. Sedona also offers fantastic hiking, off-roading, biking, and even climbing.
Arkansas: Hot Springs
Relax and renew in Arkansas’ hot waters in Hot Springs, an art community with Art Deco architecture that is also the home of Hot Springs National Park. Make time for a visit to Bathhouse Row, a National Historic Landmark of eight bathhouses, and Superior Bathhouse Brewery, which produces beer made of the hot spring water inside the National Park. Don’t miss these National Parks that are off the beaten path.
1.Which activity can be found in both Gulf Shores and Homer?
A.Going fishing. B.Taking a flight.
C.Enjoying beautiful birds. D.Visiting historic sites.
2.What is Superior Bathhouse Brewery known for?
A.Its bathhouses. B.Its paths.
C.Its self-made beer. D.Its architecture.
3.Where is this text most likely from?
A.A diary. B.A survey. C.A novel. D.A magazine.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What did the speakers’ parents advise him to do?
A.Stay at home. B.Take a raincoat. C.Go camping nearby.
2.How did the speaker get to the village five years ago?
A.By car. B.By subway. C.On foot.
3.What does the speaker want Polly to bring?
A.Food. B.A tent. C.Drinks.
4.Where will they meet at a quarter to four?
A.At the bus stop. B.In the village. C.At the subway station.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What’s the man’s plan for this summer?
A.Doing a market survey.
B.Working at musical festivals.
C.Going on holiday with his family.
2.Where will the woman probably work this summer?
A.In a hotel. B.On a farm. C.In a restaurant.
3.How long will the woman work every day?
A.4 hours. B.5 hours. C.6 hours.
4.Fromwhom did the woman get the job information?
A.Her teacher. B.Her friend. C.Her parents.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the man going to do tomorrow afternoon ?
A.To buy some tea.
B.To drink some coffee.
C.To drink tea with his friend.
2.Why does the man want to go to the teahouse suddenly ?
A.Because he likes tea most.
B.Because his friend invited him to go there .
C.Because he has taken an interest in China’s tea culture recently.
3.What do the Cantonese like to drink ?
A.Coffee. B.Black tea. C.Green tea.
