1、Reading The amazon rainforest: a natural treasure Welcome to the jungle, a huge sea of green alive with the sounds of animals. This is the Amazon rainforest. As the largest rainforest in the world, it plays a significant role in maintaining the fine balance of the Earths ecosystem. The Amazon rainfo
2、rest crosses into eight countries, including Brazil and Peru, andone overseasregion ofFrance,all on theSouth American continent. With an area of around 6 million square kilometres, the Amazon rainforest is more than half the size of China. The Amazon River, from which the rainforest gets its name, i
3、s close to 6,400 kilometres in lengthroughly 100 kilometres longer than the Yangtze River. On its journey from the mountains to the ocean, the river supports many different ecosystems. They give this area the richest biodiversity on the Earth: one in ten known species in the world can be found here.
4、 Of the 390,000 plant species known to us, more than 40,000 can be found in the Amazon. This tall and ancient brazil nut tree produces nuts that we can eat; these water lilies are big enough to lie down on. Above that is the mass of leaf litter on the dark forest floor. The next level is made up of
5、shorter plants with large leaves. Then there are the towering ancient hard woods, and finally the tops of the tallest trees many metres above the ground. Each level of the forest forms its own little world, home to different kinds of living things. More than 300 species of birds and over 400 species
6、 of mammals hide among the jungle s plant life. This jaguar is one example. It has a yellowish-brown coat with black spots. While a significant number of jaguars survive here, they are only one element of this forests food chain. They feed on at least 87 species, including frogs. These frogs, in tur
7、n, feed on insects which eat leaves and fruit. When a jaguar dies, a tiny army of microorganisms helps break down its body and return the nutrients to the earth. The Amazon rainforest breathes life into the planet by fixing carbon and producing over 20 per cent of all the Earths oxygen. Thus, it is
8、often known as the “lungs of the planet”. Moreover, the Amazon rainforest is a treasure house of species that can be used food or medicine. Yet there is a major danger to these irreplaceable plants and animals: us. has disappeared due to the impact of human activities such as agriculture and cattle
9、farming. As the impact of human activities continues to grow and the list of species in danger of extinction becomes longer, we are left with a question: can we afford to damage the “lungs of the planet”? integrated skills Human activities cause increasing harm to animals When you think of a fearsom
10、e hunter, images of lions and sharks may spring to mind. Recent research by environmental scientists, however, shows that in fact, humans are the most fearsome hunters who have the greatest impact on animal populations. Human activities have brought many animals closeto extinction.In thelast 500 yea
11、rs,over30() species of animals have gone extinct. Some activities, such as hunting and fishing, directly harm animals, while other activities, such as development in towns and cities, impact indirectly on animal populations. Hunting and fishing have directly influenced the worlds animal populations.
12、 Some people hunt animals for food: whale meat is eaten in some parts oftheworld.Some peoplehuntanimals forfashion：animal skinis usedto make coats and bags. Still others hunt animals just for fun: deer are tracked and shot by people who enjoy the excitement of the sport. Human activities that have i
13、ndirect effects on animals can be just as harmful. When we build farms or factories, we destroy animal habitats and leave many animals with nowhere to live, or no food to eat. We can also put animals in danger without ever entering their habitats. Air, water, noise and light pollution can all have a
14、 deep and damaging influence quite far from their source. Partly due to pollution caused by ship traffic and other human activities, the dolphin population has dropped greatly. As the human population continues to grow, so does the effect we have on animals. Extended reading News that matters: pollu
15、tion in Norgate HOST: Good evening and welcome to News that Matters. Our topic today is pollution in Norgate. Joining us in the studio tonight are Janies Smith, a local resident; Vincent Brown, senior manager of a local factory; and Julie Archer, chief of the Norgate Environmental Protection Committ
16、ee. Welcome. Norgates rapid development has had significant environmental costs. Mr Smith, youve lived in this city for over 20 years. How would you describe the effects of pollution over that time? SMITH: Its been awful, really. When 1 first moved here, the air was fresh, the grass green and the wa
17、ter clear. Then heavy industry factories moved in, and things became entirely different. I dont enjoy outdoor activities any more. The river is dirty and smelly. The smog in the air has coloured the sky a smoky grey; its also given me a cough that 1 cant get rid of. For health and safety reasons alo
18、ne, heavy industry has to go. HOST: Mr Smith protested against heavy industry. Mr Brown, would you like to respond? BROWN: Well, Im sorry you feel that way, Mr Smith. People tend to connect factories with pictures of clouds of dirty smoke and irresponsible businessmen eager to make huge profits. In
19、defence of the factories, however, Id like to point out that we also try to control the amount of pollution we produce. I think I speak for all factory managers when 1saywere deeply concerned about the environment. Weve been taking- various measures including the use of new technologies, to reduce p
20、ollution in the production process even though these measures raise our production costs. Id also like to draw your attention to the economic benefits factories have brought to Norgate. Weve created many jobs for local residents and helped the citys economy grow. HOST: Thank you, Mr Brown. With poll
21、ution level on the rise, the Norgate Environmental Protection Committee is searching for ways to fight the problem. Mrs Archer, what are your thoughts on how to deal with pollution? ARCHER： Well, our committee has a major role to play in maintaining air and water quality. We have to achieve a balanc
22、e between environmental protection and economic development. Weve made environmental policies for businesses to observe, like strict clean-up requirements. We also work hand in hand with other branches of government to ensure that development strategies are followed in an environmentally friendly wa
23、y. However, fighting pollution isnt just a task for factories and the government. It has to be a community-wide effort, and everyone can help by following the golden rule: reduce, reuse and recycle. For example, you can save energy by taking the bus or the subway, or using the bike-sharing system. H
24、ost: I thank you, Mrs Archer, and thanks again to all of our guests. A former UN official once said, “Saving our planet,lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth . these are one and the same fight. The fortunes of our environment and our economy are inseparable. Its our duty to protec
25、t the environment while we aim for economic development. Its our duty to leave a better, cleaner and healthier planet to our children. Its our duty to build a human community with a shared future. Pupils lives spared during Falmont earthquake FALMONTOn 17 March, 476 students and 36 teachers at Falmo
26、nt Primary School escaped an earthquake that hit the county at 2:27 p.m. Only 5 students suffered slight injuries, despite the current figures of 7 killed and over 200 injured in the disaster area at large. Alice Brown, head teacher at Falmont Primary School, was teaching when the floor began to sha
27、ke. Her students reaction was quick and correctthey moved under their desks, head first, and held on to the legs of the desks. At the same time, Miss Brown quickly opened the classroom door, in case it became damaged during the shaking and could not open. There were loud crashes of glass breaking an
28、d things falling to the ground, but the students remained still and waited calmly and quietly. The moment the shaking stopped, Miss Brown sensed it was the best time for the class to make their escape. She signalled to her students to exit the classroom in an orderly line covering their heads with t
29、heir hands. Within one minute and twenty seconds, the whole class went down the stairs and rushed to the playground. Soon students from other classes arrived too. After a roll call confirmed that all were safe and sound, they relaxed, laughing, crying and hugging each other. We practise earthquake s
30、afety procedures twice a year, said Miss Brown, so the kids were calm enough to protect themselves during the earthquake? Girl saves 100 from tsunami By Jessie Cable 21 December NEWDALEOn 20 December, a series of huge waves caused by an undersea earthquake raced across the ocean near Goldshore and l
31、eft thousands dead. Goldshore Beach was the only local beach to survive the disaster without any loss life. A 10-year-old girl, Sabrina Andron, helped around 100 people escape danger with her knowledge of tsunamis. The day began like any other on Goldshore Beach. People were walking, running or simp
32、ly sitting on the sandy beach, enjoying the warm sea air and the soft wind that brushed their hair. Sabrina was one of the happy tourists until she noticed something odd. The water was like the bubbles onthe top ofa beer/ shelaterexplained. It wasnt calm andit wasnt going in and then out. It was jus
33、t coming in and in and in? Sabrina had just learnt about tsunamis in a Geography lesson. It immediately occurred to her that these were signs of an approaching tsunami. Sabrina was frightened, but she soon kept her head. She warned her parents of the danger, though at first they just thought she was
34、 joking. However, Sabrina wascertain that a terrible disaster was on its way and kept asking her parents to talk to a safety officer. To her great relief, the officer immediately realized the coming danger. The beach was rapidly cleared of people, just before the huge waves crashed into the coast. C
35、aught in a flood (Part I) Mary and her parents were downstairs in the living room. Mary was looking through the windows at the endless rain outside. It had been raining non-stop for three days. She had never seen a storm this bad. It was making her nervous. The wind roared and the rain beat on the r
36、oof and windows. Dad was listening to a weather report on the radio, while Mum was putting their important documents and disaster supplies into a bag. Mum, Dad, said Mary suddenly, “I think we should leave here right away!” No, said Dad. Its too late! The radio says the city has already been flooded
37、.” “We can drive our car through the floodwater! Lets just leave! Im really scared!” cried Mary. “We cant do that, honey, explained Mum, “otherwise the moving water could wash the car away!” Mary walked to the door. She was curious to see how much water there was outside. “Dont open the door!” shout
38、ed Muin and Dad at the same time. The water may flood in!” Dad moved the dinner table against the door, in case the floodwater forced the door open. Mum waved to Mary to sit on the sofa. Mary, dont worry. Everythings going to be OK, she said softly, trying her best to comfort Mary. Her voice was cal
39、m, but Mary could tell she was worried too. Without saying a single word, Dad walked to the sofa, sat down and hugged his wife and daughter. The sudden silence in the house seemed to make the wind and rain more frightening outside. What could they do?, Extended reading The Last Days of Pompeii Edwar
40、d Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) was a talented British writer who left his mark on the English language. His classic novel The Last Days of Pompeii imagines life in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii in the year 79, when Mount Vesuvius erupted. This terrible natural disaster destroyed Pompeii completely,
41、 but it also kept the ancient city as it was for future ages. Since 1748, Pompeii has been systematically unearthed. Today it is an international tourist destination. Pompeii was a typical Roman city. In its little shops, its tiny palaces, its forum, its wine bars, its theatrein the energy and skill
42、 of its people, you saw a model of the whole Roman Empire. Trading ships bringing imports to the city or carrying exports overseas, along with golden pleasure boats for the rich, were crowded together in the glassy water of the port. The boats of the fishermen moved rapidly in all directions. Above
43、all, the cloud-capped top of Mount Vesuvius appeared. Its ashy rocks, now dark, now light, told a story of past eruptions that might have warned the city what was to come! The awful night rolled slowly away, and the dawn greyly broke on THE LAST DAY OF POMPEII! The crowd looked upwards, and saw, wit
44、h unspeakable fear, a huge cloud shooting from the top of the volcano. It took the form of a huge tree: the trunk, blackness, the branches, fire! This fire moved and changed in colour with every moment: now it was wildly bright, now of a pale and dying red, and now again it burnt with an unbearable
45、light! The cries of women broke out; the men looked at each other, but were silent. At that moment, they felt the earth shaking beneath their feet; beyond in the distance, they heard the crash of falling roofs. A moment later, the mountain-cloud seemed to roll towards them, dark and rapid, like a ri
46、ver; at the same time, it threw out a shower of ashes and huge pieces of burning stone! Over the empty streetsover the forum- far and widewith many a noisy crash in the stormy seafell that awful shower! Each turned to flyeach running, pressing, pushing against the other. If, in the darkness, wife wa
47、s separated from husband, or parent from child, there was no hope of their meeting again. Each hurried blindly and fearfully on. So came the earthquake . and so ended life in Pompeii. Nearly seventeen centuries had rolled away before the city of Pompeii was dug from its silent resting place. Its wal
48、ls were fresh as if painted yesterday; not a single colour changed on the rich pattern of its floors. In its forum, the half-finished columns seemed as if just left by the workmans hand. Long after fire and ash came for the people of Pompeii, the remains of their beautiful city survive to remind us that human lives burn bright and short.
