No longer in the pink
The world is going to have to start thinking thoroughly to save its coral reefs. Corals are comeback creatures. As the world froze and melted and sea levels rose and fell over 30,000 years, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, which is roughly the size of Italy, died and revived five times. But now, thanks to human activity, corals face the most complex mixture of conditions they have yet had to deal with.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a rise in global temperatures of 1.5°C relative to pre-industrial times could cause coral reefs to decline by 70-90%. When waters become unusually warm, corals throw out the algae, leaving reefs a ghostly white. This ''bleaching'' is happening five times as often as it did in the 1970s.
Corals need protection from local sources of harm. Their ecosystems suffer from coastal currents, whether dirty water or waste from farms. Plastic and other rubbish block sunlight and spread aggressive bacteria. Governments need to carry out tighter rules on these industries, such as tougher local building codes, and to put more effort into strengthening rules against overfishing.
Many reefs that have been damaged could benefit from restoration. Coral's biodiversity offers hope, because the same coral will grow differently under different conditions. Corals of the western Pacific near Indonesia, for example, can survive higher temperatures than the same species in the eastern Pacific near Hawaii.
Stronger measures to fight against the larger threats corals face should also attract more research. Shading reefs using a polymer film as a sunscreen to cool them is under discussion for parts of the Great Barrier Reef. Other schemes to help corals involve genetic engineering, selective breeding and brightening the clouds in the sky above an area of the reef by spraying salt into the lowest ones, so that they turn away more of the sun's energy. These measures may sound extreme, but people need to get used to thinking big. Dealing with the problems caused by climate change will call for some far-reaching ideas.
1.Thorough thinking is needed to save the coral reefs because __________.
A.corals have come back in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia
B.corals are frozen and melted five times over 30,000 years
C.corals are strong enough to survive human activity
D.human activity are threatening the condition of coral reefs
2.The underlined word ''bleaching'' most probably means _______.
A.warming B.throwing out
C.whitening D.dying
3.Corals are being damaged by the following local sources EXCEPT ___________.
A.coastal water flows B.more sunlight
C.waste from farms D.bad bacteria
4.Some extreme solutions to saving corals are mentioned in the passage in order to ______.
A.encourage people to come up with more ideas
B.introduce some advanced technological progress
C.raise people's awareness of protecting the environment
D.warn people of the threats and risks corals are facing
Singapore Garden Festival (SGF) is the only show in the world to gather the world's top award-winning garden and flowery designers under one roof. This ''must-see'' event will impress you with a wide range of displays and activities that have been planned specially for you. An experience of a lifetime awaits at the Singapore Garden Festival for you and your family. Mark your calendar today!
Jacob Ballas Children's Garden
Worry that your child is bored? Sign him or her up for a guided tour in Jacob Ballas Children's Garden. It will stimulate a sense of wonder in your child as it promises a unique discovery and provides interesting learning experiences in a garden setting. Let your child explore and play so that they will learn to take care of plants and the environment while you admire the exhibits with a peace of mind.
Far East Organization Children's Garden
Your child can have a fun-filled day with interactive games, water play features and educational programs in an abundant natural setting at Far East Organization Children's Garden! The play zone contains play such as a sway (摇摆) bridge and stepping springs, and the Fish Fountain with an interactive landscape of water tunnels and different fish-Shaped sculpture.
Marine Cove Children's Outdoor Playground
Come and bring your child to the 3500-square-metre playground suitable for children of various ages! It is located next to the beach, offering users open spaces and a good view of the sea. Your child can also join in the fun at a play area with talking tubes, fun mirrors and a drum set! The playground also has play equipment for children who have disabilities to play together. This includes special needs equipment such as sensory play panels.
1.Why is Singapore Garden Festival a ''must-see'' event?
A.It is the only show to gather different roofs.
B.It is a grand awarding ceremony for designers.
C.It attracts flowery designers to the competition.
D.It brings together the world-class garden and flowery designs.
2.What can the children do in Jacob Ballas Children's Garden?
A.Have a good view of the sea.
B.Participate in interactive games.
C.Learn to look after the plants.
D.Know about ways to design gardens.
3.Which of the following venues suits disabled children most?
A.Marine Cove Children's Outdoor Playground.
B.Far East Organization Children's Garden.
C.Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden.
D.The Fish Fountain.
某英文报社举办以“I Like Reading”为主题的征文活动，你打算投稿。请根据以下要点写一篇短文：.
你为什么喜欢读书；请给出至少两个理由。
你喜欢读哪一类的书（例如：历史、科学、文学等）？请给出至少两个理由。
注意：短文开头已给出，并不计人总词数（100词左右）。
I Like Reading
Reading is my favorite hobby.
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：每句只有一处错误多改不计分。
1.I’d like to apply to a credit card.
2.Do you feel delighted when it comes learning English songs?
3.There is series of science books on the table.
4.My boss leaned against his table with his arms crossing.
5.The new well is twice as deeper than the old one.
6.This is the first time that I heard him sing.
7.Tao Xingzhi devoted his lifetime to educate the young generation in China.
8.The only way to influence others is to talk about that they want and show them how to get it.
9.It is estimated that the number of high school basketball fans is three times bigger than one of Canada.
10.All parents, teachers and students have a desire to achieve his best.
原文填空（每空只写一词）
In Britain and the USA, the managing directors 1. presidents of big companies are often 2. of being ‘fat cats’, i.e. bosses 3. salaries are often twenty-five times more than the company’s 4. worker. When times are hard and workers are 5. off, they receive very little. Departing directors, on the other hand, get big golden6.. 7. contrast, in Japan the ratio between the 8. and lowest paid is normally a more modest seven or eight to one. In 9., large Japanese companies have the 10.of taking care of all their employees, and the concept of a ‘job for life’ is still, by and large, true.
I remember when I was young, people often asked me, “What are you going to be when you grow up?”
It _______ being a cowboy or some super hero. Later it was a fireman, a policeman, a lawyer. As I grew older, my dreams for the future _______. When I was in college, I set my heart on becoming _______ like my father. _______ I studied and prepared for that. I reached the _______ in the end and I was teaching _______ full-time for much of my adult life.
However, there is a “thief” that goes around stealing our _______. Sometimes, the thief will come as a parent, or a friend, but the _______ thief is usually _______.
We find ourselves just about reaching the top, and a “small” ________ inside says, “You’ll never make ________.” “You ________ possibly do this.” On and on the “small” voice predicts our failure. Failure, ________ is one of the most important tools we have may teach us valuable ________. When we learn these lessons well, we are ready ________ success.
I always tell my children that you are ________ to do anything that your heart desires. Remember the saying, “Nothing is ________ to a willing heart.” There are ________ “overnight” successes, but with determination, they will come. Imagine ________ a life you dream of. Then in your heart, believe it will happen to you. Then work, work, work. You’ll get the picture.
So, be true to your dream, and don’t let anyone ________ it from you---especially yourself.
1.A.insisted on B.kept on C.felt like D.started out
2.A.changed B.planned C.failed D.left
3.A.a doctor B.an engineer C.a musician D.a teacher
4.A.But B.Or C.So D.As
5.A.aim B.agreement C.decision D.position
6.A.hardly B.nearly C.slightly D.extremely
7.A.money B.plan C.dreams D.friends
8.A.greatest B.poorest C.tallest D.oldest
9.A.themselves B.ourselves C.yourselves D.itself
10.A.sound B.noise C.speech D.voice
11.A.it B.her C.him D.me
12.A.can B.can’t C.must D.mustn’t
13.A.where B.who C.when D.which
14.A.stages B.lessons C.suggestions D.choices
15.A.to B.for C.at D.with
16.A.able B.ready C.likely D.necessary
17.A.interesting B.important C.impossible D.necessary
18.A.many B.some C.different D.no
19.A.spending B.planning C.living D.changing
20.A.buy B.fool C.steal D.borrow
