1、Unit 1 Nature in the balance Reading: TheAmazon 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 _1_ (large) rainforest in the world, it plays a significant role in _2_(maintain) the fine balance of the
2、Earths ecosystem. The Amazon rainforest crosses into eight countries, including Brazil and Peru, and one overseas region of France, all on the South American continent. With _3_ area of around 6 million square kilometres, the Amazon rainforest is _4_ than half the size of China. The Amazon River, fr
3、om which the rainforest gets its name, _5_(be) close to 6,400 kilometres in length_6_(rough) 100 kilometres longer than the Yangtze River. On its journey from the mountains _7_ the ocean, the river supports many different _8_(ecosystem). They give this area the richest biodiversity on the Earth: one
4、 in ten _9_(know) species in the world can be found here. Of the 390,000 plant species known to us, more than 40,000 can _10_( find) in the Amazon. This tall and ancient brazil nut tree produces nuts_11_ we can eat; these water lilies are big enough_12_( lie )down on. The forests different levels su
5、pport an unbelievable _13_(various) of wildlife. At the bottom, there is a system of roots beneath the ground. Above that is the mass of leaf litter on the dark forest floor. The next level_14_(make) up of shorter plants with large leaves. Then there are the towering ancient hardwoods, and finally t
6、he tops of the tallest trees many metres above the ground. Each level of the forest forms its own little world, home_15_ different kinds of living things. More than 1,300 species of birds and over 400 species of mammals hide among the jungles plant life. This jaguar is one example. It has a yellowis
7、h-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 _16_ at least 87 species, including frogs. These frogs, in turn, feed on insects _17_ eat leaves and fruit. When a jaguar dies, a tiny army of microorgan
8、isms helps break_18_ its body and return the nutrients to the earth. The Amazon rainforest breathes life into the planet by fixing carbon and _19_(produce) over 20 per cent of all the Earths oxygen. Thus, it is often known as the “lungs of the planet”. _20_, the Amazon rainforest is a treasure house
9、 of species that can be used for food or medicine. Yet there is one major danger to these irreplaceable plants and animals: us. Over the past 50 years, about 17 per cent of the rainforest_21_(disappeare) due to human activities such as agriculture and cattle farming. As the impact of human activitie
10、s continues _22_( grow) and the list of species _23_ danger of extinction becomes longer, we are left with a question: can we afford _24_( damage) the “lungs of the planet”? Extended reading: News that Matters: pollution in Norgate HOST:Good evening and welcome to News that Matters. Our topic today
11、is _1_(pollute) in Norgate. _2_ (join) us in the studio tonight are James Smith, a local resident; Vincent Brown, senior manager of a local factory; and Julie Archer, chief of the Norgate Environmental Protection Committee. Welcome. Norgates rapid _3_(develop) has had significant environmental costs
12、. 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 I first moved here, the air was fresh, the grass green and the water clear. Then heavy industry factories moved in, and things became _4_(entire)
13、 different. I dont enjoy outdoor _5_(activity) any more. The river is dirty and _6_(smell). The smog in the air has coloured the sky a smoky grey; its also given me a cough_7_ I cant get rid of. For health and safety reasons alone, heavy industry has to go. HOST:Mr Smith protested _8_ heavy industry
14、. Mr Brown, would you like to respond? BROWN:Well, Im sorry you feel that way, Mr Smith. People tend to connect factories _9_pictures of clouds of dirty smoke and irresponsible businessmen eager_10_ ( make) huge profits. In defence _11_ the factories, however, Id like to point out that we also try _
15、12_(control) the amount of pollution we produce. I think I speak for all factory managers when I say were_13_ (deep) concerned about the environment. Weve been taking_14_ (vary) measures, including the use of new technologies, to reduce pollution in the production process, even though these measures
16、 raise our production_15_ (cost). Id also like to draw your attention_16_ 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 pollution levels _17_ the rise, the Norgate Environmental Pr
17、otection Committee is searching for ways_18_ ( fight) the problem. Mrs Archer, what are your thoughts on how_19_ (deal )with pollution? ARCHER: Well, our committee has a major role _20_( play) in maintaining air and water quality. We have to achieve a balance between environmental protection and eco
18、nomic development. Weve made environmental_21_( poliy) for businesses to observe, like strict clean-up requirements. We also work hand in hand with other branches of government_22_ (ensure) that development strategies_23_ (follow) in an environmentally friendly way. However, _24_(fight) pollution is
19、nt just a task for factories and the government. It has to be a community-wide effort, and everyone can help by _25_(follow) the golden rule: reduce, reuse and recycle. For example, you can save energy by taking the bus or the subway, or _26_(use)the bike-sharing system. HOST:Thank you, Mrs Archer,
20、and thanks again to all of our guests. A former UN official once _27_(say), “Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic_28_ (grow). these are one and the same fight.” The fortunes of our environment and our economy are inseparable. Its our duty to protect the environment _2
21、9_ we aim for economic development. Its our duty_30_ (leave) a better, cleaner and healthier planet to our children. Its our duty to build a human community with a shared future. 答案： Unit 1 Nature in the balance Reading: TheAmazon rainforest: a natural treasure Welcome to the jungle, a huge sea of g
22、reen 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 rainforest crosses into eight countries, including Brazil and Peru, and one overseas region of
23、 France, all on the South 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, is close to 6,400 kilometres in lengthroughly 100 kilometres longer than the Yangtze
24、 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. Of the 390,000 plant species known to us, more than 40,000 can be found in the Ama
25、zon. This tall and ancient brazil nut tree produces nuts that we can eat; these water lilies are big enough to lie down on. The forests different levels support an unbelievable variety of wildlife. At the bottom, there is a system of roots beneath the ground. Above that is the mass of leaf litter on
26、 the dark forest floor. The next level is made up of shorter plants with large leaves. Then there are the towering ancient hardwoods, 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.
27、 More than 1,300 species of birds and over 400 species of mammals hide among the jungles 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 l
28、east 87 species, including frogs. These frogs, in turn, 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 ov
29、er 20 per cent of all the Earths oxygen. Thus, it is often known as the “lungs of the planet”. Moreover, the Amazon rainforest is a treasure house of species that can be used for food or medicine. Yet there is one major danger to these irreplaceable plants and animals: us. Over the past 50 years, ab
30、out 17 per cent of the rainforest has disappeared due to human activities such as agriculture and cattle 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
31、 planet”? Extended reading: News that Matters: pollution 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 James Smith, a local resident; Vincent Brown, senior manager of a local factory; and Julie Archer, chi
32、ef of the Norgate Environmental Protection Committee. 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 I first moved he
33、re, the air was fresh, the grass green and the water 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 I c
34、ant get rid of. For health and safety reasons alone, 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 irresponsi
35、ble businessmen eager to make huge profits. In 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 I say were deeply concerned about the environment. Weve been taking various measures, i
36、ncluding the use of new technologies, to reduce pollution 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
37、economy grow. HOST:Thank you, Mr Brown. With pollution levels 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
38、air and water quality. We have to achieve a balance 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 strateg
39、ies are followed in an environmentally friendly way. 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
40、or the subway, or using the bike-sharing system. HOST: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 protect 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.
