A
More than 11,000 scientists are warning that the Earth, in their words,“clearly and unequivocally (明确地) faces a climate emergency”.The scientists represent several fields of study and come from 150 countries around the world.They approved a report that appeared in the publication BioScience earlier this month.It warns that the world would face “untold human suffering” if it does not make deep and lasting shifts in human activities that influence climate change.Three leaders of the study are from the United States.They worked on the study with scientists from universities in South Africa and Australia.This is the first time a large group of scientists have jointly (共同地) used the word “emergency” when talking about climate change.
“Despite 40 years of global climate negotiations ...we have generally conducted business as usual and have largely failed to address this worrying situation,” the study said.“Climate change has arrived and is accelerating faster than many scientists expected.”
The report identified five areas that the world needs to deal with immediately.The scientists appealed to nations to use energy more efficiently and cut their use of fossil fuels.They suggested that lawmakers approve taxes on the burning of carbonbased fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas.The report urges people to move toward more of a plantbased diet.Other areas of concern include preventing the destruction of forests and permanent loss of some plant and animal species.The report noted that it will most likely take strong action by the public to move politicians to approve lasting policy changes.
The scientists added, “We believe that the prospects (前景) will be greatest if decisionmakers and all of humanity quickly respond to this warning and declaration of a climate emergency, and act to support life on the planet Earth, our only home.”
语篇解读:本文是一篇说明文。文章讲述了针对当前气候变化的一份报告,科学家们认为当前地球气候已经明显处于一个紧急状态,人们需要马上行动起来,应对气候变化、保护地球。
1.What will happen to people if they don't stop the activities that influence the climate change?
A.They will have no places to live in.
B.They will be fined and lose their jobs.
C.They will become bored with their life.
D.They will go through a lot of sufferings.
解析:选D 细节理解题。根据第一段第四句可知,如果人们不停止影响气候变化的活动,那么人们将遭受更多的痛苦或灾难。
2.What have people done when facing the climate change in the past 40 years?
A.They have ignored the scientists' warning.
B.They have solved the problem successfully.
C.They have talked too much but done too little.
D.They have realised the problem isn't that serious.
解析:选C 细节理解题。根据第二段内容可知,在过去的40年里,人们围绕气候变化展开了许多对话,但最终一切照常,人们并没有采取行动来解决令人担忧的气候变化问题。
3.In which paragraph can we find the advice from the scientists about ways to control the climate change?
A.Paragraph 1. B.Paragraph 2. C.Paragraph 3. D.Paragraph 4.
解析:选C 段落大意题。通读第三段内容可知,本段介绍了科学家们提出的有关控制气候变化的方法。
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.Scientists' Hard Work of Saving the Earth
B.The Important Reasons for Climate Change
C.The Impact of Human Activities on Climate
D.Scientists' Warning of a Climate Emergency
解析:选D 标题归纳题。本文介绍了科学家的一份报告,科学家警告人们,地球的气候变化已经形成危机,人们需要立刻行动起来,应对气候变化。由此可知,D项适合作文章标题。