At least 200 elephants have died in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe in the past two months due to a serious drought (干旱) in the country. National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesman Tinashe Farawo told The Associated Press. Other animals, including giraffes, zebras , hippos and buffaloes are also dying due to the drought."The situation cannot improve until it rains, "Farawo said.
"Almost every animal is being affected," Farawo said. "Of course, elephants are easily noticed, but some bird species are seriously affected because they can only breed (繁殖) in certain tree heights and those trees are being knocked down by elephants."
"In a desperate attempt to locate food and water, animals have come in the park and nearby communities, threatening human populations as well. Thirty-three people have died because of these animals this year," the park said.
"Six hundred elephants and two lion prides will be moved to less crowded parks. A pack of wild dogs, 50 buffaloes, 40 giraffes and 2,000 impalas will also be relocated, " Farawo said.
"The animals have exceeded their ecological carrying capacity (生态承载力)," he added."If the populations go unchecked, the animals will threaten the very ecosystem they depend on for survival."
Typically, park leaders follow a policy of not intervening (干预) to help the animals , but the hard conditions have persuaded them otherwise. Fearing more deaths before the rainy season, they have started bringing in food to help the animals, which usually rely on natural vegetation.
"We used to say nature should take its course,"said wildlife officer Munyaradzi Dzoro."We are now forced to intervene. We are not sure when and how we will receive the rain. To avoid losing animals, we have to intervene to maintain population sizes.
In addition to a lack of food and water, muddy ponds have turned into death traps for the animals. Many have gotten stuck in the clay (泥土) while attempting to reach Long Pool, the park's largest watering hole, which has shrunk to 5% of its normal size, the Associated Press reports.
The drought has affected an estimated 11 million people, according to the World Food Program, which is planning large-scale food distribution.
1.Why are some bird species being affected?
A.They can't find enough food and water.
B.They lose many proper breeding places.
C.They are often killed by big land animals.
D.They become ill easily because of other animals' death.
2.What measure will be taken to improve the serious situation?
A.Building fences between the park and nearby communities.
B.Killing the animals which went into human communities.
C.Providing enough water for the animals in the park.
D.Moving some animals to less crowded places.
3.What did Farawo think is the basis for the survival of animals?
A.A healthy ecosystem. B.A policy of not intervening.
C.Large populations of animals. D.Limited ecological carrying capacity.
4.Muddy ponds have become deadly to the animals because_________.
A.their clay is very attractive B.much of their water is gone
C.they have become much deeper D.there is much food in their water
Twenty-year old Brian, our eldest son, was riding his motorcycle home from work when a drunken driver ran him down. The driver, Ruben Gonzalez, was accused of man-slaughter (过失杀人). For three years we had waited. Now we were to be in court (法庭) in three weeks' time, when the judge would sentence (判决) Gonzalez at last.
"Jeri," our lawyer said,"there is a chance that the judge might delay (延期) Gonzalez's sentence because his boy has a bad heart and may only live six months. Please be prepared." "Prepared for what?" I shouted. "The possibility of Brian's killer going unpunished?"
In the car, I sat in silent agony as my husband Charles drove us home. I believed that the man who had killed my beautiful son should be punished. It might teach others a lesson about drinking and driving. All I wanted was a twenty-month prison term.
On the day of the sentencing, the courtroom was filled with our relatives and friends. When it was time for me to read my statement, I glanced at Mr. Gonzalez and said, "I pray that God will let your boy live. But if you lose him, you will know the feeling we have known losing our son." Then judge Gilroy called Gonzalez forward and pronounced the sentence. Twenty months in prison, to be served immediately.
I just sat there, feeling no relief. The lawyer said we could go if we wished, but I couldn't move. My mind spun all the next day. I said to Charles, "I know this sounds strange after all we've been through, but I feel very strongly that we should ask the court to let Mr. Conzalez be with his son." Relief flooded my husband's face and I knew he felt the same. He picked up the phone and dialed the judge's office. "I hope it's not too late, " Charles said.
The next day we were back in the courtroom. Ruben Gonzalez was called forward by judge Gilroy and told that he would be allowed to spend his son's final days with him, after which he would complete a six-month prison term.
1.What had the author and her husband probably waited for?
A.Apology from Gonzalez. B.The police arresting Gonzalez.
C.The court putting Gonzalez into prison. D.The judge delaying Gonzalez's sentence.
2.What does the underlined word "agony"in paragraph 3 probably mean?
A.Doubt. B.Pain.
C.Shame. D.Peace.
3.What can we know from the original sentence for Gonzalez?
A.It brought much relief to the author.
B.It completely met what the author had wanted.
C.Gonzalez was slightly punished because of his son.
D.The author's statement had a large influence on it.
4.Which of the following can best describe the author and her husband?
A.Heartless. B.Undetermined.
C.Merciful. D.Honest.
Here are four fun Thanksgiving tradition facts.
Turkey and cranberry sauce (小红莓果酱)
While the Native Americans and Pilgrims are believed to have feasted on geese, lobster, cod and deer, present-day Thanksgiving dinners mainly feature turkey. Some experts believe the birds were selected because they were cheper, and easier to rise. The bird was suggested by Sarah Josepha Hale to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. Since President Abraham Lincoln loved roasted turkey, he happily included the bird on his Thanksgiving menu. The idea of pairing the bird with cranberry sauce is believed to be the brainchild of Civil War Union General Ulysses S. Grant in 1864.
Turkey Trots
Many Americans build up their appetites (食欲) for the holiday feast by participating in their town or city's morning runs, or "Turkey Trots". The fun tradition was started in 1896 by six people of Buffalo, New York. It is the world's oldest footrace, attracting over 14,000 runners of all ages and abilities every year.
Thanksgiving parades
American retailer Macy's has been holding a Thanksgiving parade along Manhattan's 77th Street and Central Pack West since 1924. Though the popular event, which attracts over 3.5 million people in person and about 50 million television viewers, now contains giant floats (花车), the first parade featured animals from New York's Central Park Zoo.
The Presidential turkey pardon
Every year, two lucky turkeys escape the Thanksgiving table due to a special pardoning supported by the US president. People credit the fun tradition to President Harry Truman (April 12, 1945 to January 20, 1953). Though at first, just one bird could be freed, a "spare" was added in 1981, after a turkey named Liberty escaped by accident before President Ronald Reagan was able to grant (授予) his pardon at the ceremony.
1.Which of the following traditions has the longest history?
A.Turkey Trots. B.Thanksgiving parades.
C.Turkey and cranberry sauce. D.The Presidential turkey pardon.
2.Which is a benefit of many Americans observing the tradition "Turkey Trots"?
A.Building good relationships with others. B.Winning awards given by the government.
C.Adding a new tradition to the festival. D.Physically preparing for the coming holiday feast.
3.The presidential turkey pardon was changed in 1981 probably to ___________.
A.make it easy to name the turkeys B.attract more people to participate
C.give the pardoned turkey a partner D.make sure the pardon could be carried out
假定你是李华，你校即将举办“中国民歌节”。请你写封信邀请你的好友Jack参加，内容包括：
1. 写信目的；
2. 时间和地点；
3. 活动内容。
注意：1. 词数100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：
1. 每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
I seldom have the chance to talk native English speakers, even though I have learned English for many years. Last year my school had a cultural exchange program or there were some foreign students came to study in my school. I was lucky to become the foreign student's partner. My job was to help him solve daily problem. At first, I was such nervous that I couldn't speak very fluent when we talked in English. As we communicated more, he taught me some interested idioms, which made me to sound like a native speaker. How a valuable experience!
阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。
Lijiang Ancient Wall Painting is a special culture and art1.(absorb) the culture of other nationalities. These wall paintings 2. (find) in tens of temples of minority villages in Lijiang County, Yunnan Province. Baisha Town, Yunnan, is the place 3. the most people of Naxi nationality live in. The wall painting of the Big Baoji Palace in the town of Baisha 4.(be) considered to be the center of the Lijiang Ancient Wall Painting and it was well preserved.
There are the 5.(language) of Han and Tibetan (藏语) on the walls of the palace. There is a large painting, 6.(paint) with 118 statues. In the late Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty, people found that each ancient wall painting melts many different kinds of figures from different nationalities. The painters are 7.(most) from Naxi nationality. However, the making level cannot reach 8. formerwall paintings.
The value of the Lijiang Ancient Wall Painting is from the artists of Han, Tibet, and Naxi nationalities, which reflected the 9.(society) life of Naxi nationality. Nowadays a lot of people10. all over the world are attracted to the Lijiang Ancient Wall Painting every year.
