Unit 1 Natural in balance
核心 词 汇 词 组 harm, soil, overseas, region, continent, million, length, biodiversity, species, nut, variety, wildlife, beneath, mass, towering, hardwood, living, survive, frog, insert, microorganism, nutrient, carbon, oxygen, thus, disappear, agriculture, cattle, impact, extinction, damage, climate, global, greenhouse, gas, drought, application, brochure, organization, absolutely, belt, medal, image, shark, whale, deer, track, habitant, nowhere, dolphin, resident, chief, committee, entirely, smog, protest, profit, defence, various, process, economic, policy, branch, strategy, recycle, subway, former, official, poverty, poison, chemical, consequence, further
brazil nut, water lily, in turn, break down, breathe life into, due to, build up, come up with, call for, spring to mind, get rid of, give rise to
核心 语法 在语境中掌握“省略”这一语法项目的用法。
必备 能力 语篇：纪录片的语篇结构特征，写作特点； 表达：运用省略手段，让表达更加简洁、有力。
学科 素养 1. 就动物保护话题进行交流和写作； 2. 如何保持自然界的平衡。
核心 价值 发展经济与环境能保护之间的关系。
引言解读
Let us not, however, flatter ourselves overmuch on account of our human victories over nature. For each such victory nature takes its revenge on us.
— Friedrich Engels
释义：然而，我们不要因为人类战胜自然而过分自鸣得意。对于每一次这样的胜利，大自然都会向我们进行报复。
——弗里德里希·恩格斯
启示：这两句名言出自弗里德里希·恩格斯所著的《自然辩证法》：《劳动在从猿到人的转变中所扮演的角色》一文。上百年前，恩格斯就告诫人类：要敬畏自然，注重环保，学会与自然和睦相处。我们每天遇见的花草树木，初看极其细小平常，但正是这些我们习以为常的不同植物，点缀了由钢筋水泥围成的高楼大厦，让我们感受到自然的魅力。本世纪以来，我们的环保意识不断增强，国家的投入不断增加，措施得当，监督得力，效果显著。周围的环境，变得越来越好。“绿水青山就是金山银山”，这句话也越来越深入人心。
与自然平衡相关的名言欣赏 1. Nature can seem cruel, but she balances her books. — Alison Lurie 大自然看似残酷，但她会平衡收支。 ——艾莉森·卢里 2. Our essential nature is one of pure potentiality. —Deepak Chopra 我们的本质是一种纯粹的潜力。 ——迪帕克·乔普拉 3. From dawn to dusk, winter to spring, summer & autumn; the contrasts of nature refresh the mind & renew our sense of balance. —Phil Harding 从黎明到黄昏，从冬到春，夏到秋；大自然的对比使人精神焕发，恢复平衡感。 ————菲尔·哈丁
Can humanity conquer nature The people who, in Mesopotamia, Greece, Asia Minor and elsewhere, destroyed the forests to obtain cultivable land, never dreamed that by removing along with the forests the collecting centres and reservoirs of moisture they were laying the basis for the present forlorn state of those countries. When the Italians of the Alps used up the pine forests on the southern slopes, so carefully cherished on the northern slopes, they had no inkling that by doing so they were cutting at the roots of the dairy industry in their region; they had still less inkling that they were thereby depriving their mountain springs of water for the greater part of the year, and making it possible for them to pour still more furious torrents on the plains during the rainy seasons. Those who spread the potato in Europe were not aware that with these farinaceous tubers they were at the same time spreading scrofula. Thus at every step we are reminded that we by no means rule over nature like a conqueror over a foreign people, like someone standing outside nature — but that we, with flesh, blood and brain, belong to nature, and exist in its midst, and that all our mastery of it consists in the fact that we have the advantage over all other creatures of being able to learn its laws and apply them correctly. (231 words) (by Friedrich Engels, The Part Played by Labor in the Transition from Ape to Man) 美索不达米亚、希腊、小亚细亚以及其他各地的居民，为了想得到耕地，把森林都砍完了，但是它们梦想不到，这些地方今天竟因此成为荒芜不毛之地，因为他们使这些地方失去了森林，也失去了积聚和贮存水分的中心。 阿尔卑斯山的意大利人，在山南坡砍光了在北坡被十分细心地保护的森林，他们没有预料到，这样一来，他们把他们区域里的高山牧畜业的基础给摧毁了；他们更没有预料到，他们这样做，竟使山泉在一年中的大部分时间内枯竭了。而在雨季又使更加凶猛的洪水倾泻到平原上。在欧洲传播栽种马铃薯的人，并不知道他们也把瘰疬症和多粉的块根一起传播过来了。 因此我们必须时时记住：我们统治自然界，决不象征服者统治异民族一样，决不象站在自然界以外的人一样，——相反地，我们连同我们的肉、血和头脑都是属于自然界，存在于自然界的；我们对自然界的整个统治，是在于我们比其他一切动物强，能够认识和正确运用自然规律。 恩格斯 《劳动在从猿到人的转变中所扮演的角色》
本单元旨在帮助学生认识环境保护的重要性，培养他们保护环境的意识。以“人与自然”为主题语境，通过“环境与环境保护”这一话题，结合歌曲、纪录片脚本、电视访谈节目脚本、小册子等语篇形式来实现教学目标。
名篇精读 The World’s Third Biggest Cat Under Threat 出处：https://www.worldanimalprotection.org Jaguar Spirit is a World Animal Protection & National Geographic-funded film. As Emi Kondo, NatGeo Explorer and Jaguar Spirit director say: This film is a wake-up call as we experience how we have distorted our relationship with nature, and the animal that was once worshipped as a God by countless cultures in the region is now being hunted and killed for profit. Jaguars have been part of the spiritual world of Latin American local cultures for centuries. They have been warriors, gods and the spirits that connect the dead with the living. For years they have been worshipped and celebrated. Now, with the world jaguar population suffering severe decline, they’re considered “near threatened”. Jaguars are victims of the global wildlife trade, a multibillion-dollar industry that exploits wild animals all for the sake of profit. The jaguar’s beautiful fur means that there is high demand for them, and their sharp teeth and claws are seen as valuable symbol of victories. Jaguars are also often killed for use in traditional Asian medicine, reduced into a paste used for various purposes, from treating arthritis to improving our immune systems. This practice may be considered isolated within Asia, but as the increase in demand is growing all over the world, this issue has become a serious problem.（220 words） 英文翻译 世界第三大猫科动物面临威胁 《捷豹精神》是一部由世界动物保护协会和国家地理资助的电影。正如Emi Kondo，NatGeo Explorer 和 Jaguar Spirit 总监所说：这部电影为我们敲响了警钟，因为我们经历了如何扭曲我们与自然的关系，曾经被该地区无数文化视为神的动物现在正在被猎杀以获取利润。 几个世纪以来，美洲虎一直是拉丁美洲土著文化精神世界的一部分。他们是战士、神灵和连接死者与生者的灵魂。多年来，他们一直受到崇拜和庆祝。 现在，随着世界美洲虎数量严重减少，它们被认为“濒临威胁”。 美洲虎是全球野生动物贸易的受害者，这是一个价值数十亿美元的产业，为了利润而利用野生动物。 美洲虎漂亮的皮毛意味着人们对它们的毛皮有很高的需求，而它们锋利的牙齿和爪子被视为宝贵的战利品。 美洲虎也经常被杀死用于传统医学，被制成糊状用于各种目的，从治疗关节炎到提高我们的免疫系统。这种做法可能被认为只是出现在亚洲而已，但随着全球性需求的增长，这已成为一个严峻的问题。 词块积累 1. worship v. 崇拜, 崇敬 2. warrior n. 战士 3. for the sake of 为了……起见 4. claw n. 爪
Balance of nature https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balance_of_nature The balance of nature, also known as ecological balance, is a theory that proposes that ecological systems are usually in a stable equilibrium or homeostasis, which is to say that a small change (the size of a particular population, for example) will be corrected by some negative feedback that will bring the parameter back to its original "point of balance" with the rest of the system. The balance is sometimes depicted as easily disturbed and delicate, while other times it is inversely portrayed as powerful enough to correct any imbalances by itself. The concept has been described as "normative", as well as teleological, as it makes a claim about how nature should be: nature is balanced because "it is supposed to be balanced". The theory has been employed to describe how populations depend on each other, for example in predator-prey systems, or relationships between herbivores and their food source. It is also sometimes applied to the relationship between the Earth's ecosystem, the composition of the atmosphere, and weather. The balance of nature, as a theory, has been largely discredited by scientists working in ecology, as it has been found that constant disturbances leading to chaotic and dynamic changes are the norm in nature. During the late half of the 20th century, it was replaced by catastrophe theory, chaos theory, and thermodynamics. Nevertheless, the idea maintains popularity amongst the general public. (230 words) 自然的平衡 自然平衡，也称为生态平衡，是一种理论，认为生态系统通常处于稳定的平衡或稳态，也就是说，微小的变化（例如特定种群的规模）将会得到纠正。通过一些负反馈，将使参数回到其与系统其余部分的原始“平衡点”。这种平衡有时被描述为容易被扰乱和微妙的，而另一些时候，它又被相反地描述为强大到足以自行纠正任何不平衡。这个概念被描述为“规范性”和目的论，因为它提出了自然应该如何的主张：自然是平衡的，因为“它应该是平衡的”。该理论已被用来描述种群如何相互依赖，例如在捕食者-猎物系统中，或食草动物与其食物来源之间的关系。它有时也适用于地球生态系统、大气成分和天气之间的关系。 自然平衡作为一种理论，在很大程度上已被生态学科学家所质疑，因为人们发现，不断的干扰导致混乱和动态的变化是自然界的常态。20世纪下半叶，它被突变理论、混沌理论和热力学所取代。尽管如此，这个想法在公众中仍然很受欢迎。
Passage 1
主题语境 主题群 话题 推荐指数
人与社会 科学与技术 四种发明的介绍 ★★★★
Humans invented many new things, but whether they are all beneficial to us I’d like to explore some of them that influenced the world.
The leaf blower
It is guessed that the machine was invented by a mysterious Dom Quinto in the 1950s (Dom may or may not be real), the blower continues to use huge amounts of fossil fuel, while also producing excessive noise, and sometimes spreading leaves onto neighbor’s backyards. One test found that leaf blowers sent off 300 times the pollutants produced by a 2011 Ford pickup truck.
Synthetic Clothing
We love synthetic clothing because it stretches, it’s easy to clean and it is affordable. The only problem is, these garments are made up of millions of tiny plastic fibers. Most people don’t realize this, but every time we wash our clothes made of nylon, polyester, or acrylic, plastic microfibers are released from the item.
Processed Foods
We all love quick, easy meals and snacks, but when you stop and think about all the packaging that comes with frozen dinners, it turns out to be a whole lot of waste. According to the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection, food containers and packing account for about 23 percent of landfill waste, 12 percent of which is plastic waste.
Plastics
Synthetic plastic was first invented in England in 1862 by Alexander Parkes. Today, we’re a society run on plastic. We sleep on mattresses made of plastic, dress in clothing made from plastic and now we’re even eating plastic. It’s spread in every aspect of modern society and threatens to drown us in our own sea of plastic waste. Globally, one million plastic bottles are sold per minute and 50% of plastics produced are made for a single use only. (290 words)
1. Why does the author use “a 2011 Ford pickup truck” in the first invention
A. To praise the invention. B. To introduce the machine.
C. To tell us the pollution caused by the blower. D. To suggest the machine is powerful.
2. According to the passage, which causes much damage to the environment
A. The leaf blower. B. Synthetic Clothing.
C. Processed Foods. D. Plastics
3. What’s the author’s opinion about most of the inventions mentioned
A. Positive. B. Negative. C. Objective D. Optimistic.
【答案】 1. C 2. D 3. B
【导语】 这是一篇说明文，作者介绍了四种发明，即吹叶机、合成衣物、加工食品和塑料。
【1题详解】 考查事实细节。由文章的这一句“One test found that leaf blowers sent off 300 times the pollutants produced by a 2011 Ford pickup truck. 2011 年的一项研究表明，吹叶机排放的空气污染物量是福特轻量皮卡车的近300 倍”可知。故选C。
【2题详解】 考查简单推断。文中介绍的四种发明，吹叶机、合成衣物、加工食品和塑料，其中有三种跟塑料或塑料制品相关，都对环境不友好，所以可以推出塑料（Plastics）对环境造成不良影响。故选D。
【3题详解】 考查作者态度。四种发明有三种与塑料相关，且对环境不友好，因此可以推出：作者对大部分的发明持否定的态度。故选B。
Passage 2
主题语境 主题群 话题 推荐指数
人与社会 社会服务与人际沟通 旅行时如何避免影响环境和打搅他人 ★★★★
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。
Traveling can be a delightful experience, especially for the younger generation, driven by the desire to explore new places and immerse themselves in unfamiliar surroundings. However, it is essential to consider whether we make this experience trouble-free for others.
Before engaging in a conversation with your fellow traveler, try to find their willingness to converse. They might prefer to read or take a nap, and may not be in the mood for a chat. Respect their space and preferences.
When on a plane, bus, or train, place your baggage in the designated rack above your seat, avoiding encroachment on others’ space. Wait until the transportation mode comes to a complete stop before taking back your luggage.
Promote eco-friendly practices by carrying a plastic bag for waste during sightseeing trips. Dispose of the waste in a proper bin later. Embracing “Sustainable Tourism” is crucial for preserving the Earth’s resources and beauty.
If you plan to stay with friends or relatives at your destination, inform them in advance and avoid surprising them with an unannounced visit. Be considerate by assisting with domestic chores and refraining from troubling them during sightseeing trips. Use your own toiletries and towels, limit your use of their telephone to necessary calls, and avoid interfering in their domestic affairs unless invited to do so. Additionally, don’t expect your host to cater to your needs constantly. （224 words）
4. According to the passage, what is essential for a trouble-free travel experience
A. Ignoring fellow travelers’ preferences.
B. Engaging in conversations with everyone.
C. Considering the comfort and preferences of others.
D. Traveling without any prior planning.
5. What eco-friendly practice is emphasized in the passage
A. Using plastic bags for waste during sightseeing.
B. Throwing waste anywhere during sightseeing.
C. Ignoring sustainable tourism practices.
D. Avoiding plastic bags altogether.
6. What should travelers do when staying with friends or relatives at their destination
A. Expect constant catering to their needs.
B. Surprise them with an unannounced visit.
C. Use their hosts’ toiletries and towels freely.
D. Inform them in advance and assist with domestic chores.
7. What can be inferred about the author’s personality from the passage
A. Modest. B. Considerate. C. Adaptable. D. Independent .
【答案】 4. C 5. A 6. D 7. B
【导语】 这是一篇说明文，介绍旅行时如何避免打搅他人。
【4题详解】 考查事实细节。由第2段“Before engaging in a conversation with your fellow traveler, try to find their willingness to converse. They might prefer to read or take a nap, and may not be in the mood for a chat. Respect their space and preferences. （在与同行交谈之前，试着找到喜欢或不喜欢的事。他们可能更喜欢阅读或小睡一会，并没有闲聊的心情。尊重他们的私人空间和所喜所好。）可知。故选C。
【5题详解】 考查事实细节。从原文第4段“Promote eco-friendly practices by carrying a plastic bag for waste during sightseeing trips. (提倡环保做法：在观光期间，带一个塑料袋来装垃圾。)” 可知。故选A。
【6题详解】 考查事实细节。考查事实细节。从原文第5段“If you plan to stay with friends or relatives at your destination, inform them in advance and avoid surprising them with an unannounced visit. (如果打算在某个旅游目的地和亲戚朋友小住，提前告诉他们。避免临时造访，让他们感到惊讶。)” 可知。故选D。
【7题详解】 考查判断推理。从原文“it is essential to consider whether we make this experience trouble-free for others… try to find their willingness to converse… Respect their space and preferences… When on a plane, bus, or train, place your baggage in the designated rack above your seat, avoiding encroachment on others’ space. Wait until the transportation mode comes to a complete stop before taking back your luggage. .. If you plan to stay with friends or relatives at your destination, inform them in advance and avoid surprising them with an unannounced visit. Be considerate by assisting with domestic chores and refraining from troubling them during sightseeing trips.. ” 可知作者是个善解人意的人。故选B。A. Modest (谦虚). C. Adaptable (适应能力强的). D. Independent (独立的).
Passage 3
主题语境 主题群 话题 推荐指数
人与自然 环境保护 波哥大的自行车基础设施 ★★★★
（无锡市第一中学2020—2021学年度第二学期期中试卷）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。
Moving around Bogota can be a bit of a Jekyll-or-Hyde experience. On the one hand, the city is infamous (声名狼藉的) for having the world’s worst traffic. Yet, on the other, its cycling infrastructure (基础设施) is considered a good model of sustainable urban mobility, according to the Copenhagenize Index, which ranks bike-friendly cities. The Colombian capital generated a now-international movement in the 1970s called Ciclovia, which sees 1.5 million people cycle across 128km of car-free streets each Sunday morning.
So, when the pandemic reached its shores in mid-March, Bogota Mayor Claudia Lopez, an enthusiastic cyclist herself, introduced one of the world’s first plans to encourage bike travel, using traffic cones (锥形交通路标) to create 76 km of temporary lanes.
“Everyone started using a bicycle, and they already knew how to get around on one because we have this bike culture thanks to the Ciclovia,” says Carlos Pardo, a local cycling advocate and senior advisor at the New Urban Mobility Alliance. Pardo got involved at the beginning of the pandemic by partnering with a local bikeshare company to provide 400 free e-bikes to health workers. Now, he’s busy persuading the public that the government’s new bike lanes should become permanent fixture (固定设施).
“Some drivers say, ‘you took away our lane’, but we’re saying, we took one car lane and made a two-lane bidirectional bike lane,” he explains. “So, you’re duplicating (复制) the effectiveness of the space, and moving more people per hour, per direction.”
Biking has enjoyed a renaissance (复兴) around the world as urban citizens avoid public transport for the relative safety of a two-wheeled commute. Now, many advocates like Pardo are working with local governments in the hope of turning these pandemic-response measures into lasting changes—ones that are more reasonable now than ever after lockdowns provided an unprecedented (空前的) opportunities to fast-track infrastructure trials. The results of these urban planning experiments could not only radically shape the way we commute across global cities, but also make them more adaptable to future shocks.
8. What can best illustrate the underlined sentence
A. Much knowledge that is of help in learning about a new place.
B. A mixed feeling that is too confusing to express themselves.
C. An understanding that everything has both advantages and disadvantages.
D. An idea that human beings are born somewhere between good and evil.
9. What was NOT the cause of the popularity of cycling in Bogota
A. The outbreak of the pandemic in mid-March.
B. The worldwide bike culture dating back to the 1970s.
C. The government’s support for the temporary bike lanes.
D. The local bike company’s contribution to health workers.
10. What factor is likely to stop the change of bike-friendly, slow streets
A. The increasing number of cyclists. B. Duplicated effectiveness of road use.
C. A well-rounded city expansion plan. D. The growth of car ownership.
11. Which section of the newspaper includes articles of this sort
A. Urban life. B. Politics. C. Sports D. Advice column.
【答案】8. C 9. C 10. B 11. A
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍波哥大有着世界上交通最糟糕的坏名声，然而它的自行车基础设施被认为是可持续的城市交通模式。自冠状病毒爆发以来，随着城市居民避免使用公共交通工具，自行车在世界各地重新流行起来。这些城市规划实验的结果不仅可以从根本上改变我们在全球城市之间的通勤方式，还可以使它们更能适应未来的冲击。
【8题详解】
词义猜测题。根据划线句后“On the one hand, the city is infamous (声名狼藉的) for having the world’s worst traffic. Yet, on the other, its cycling infrastructure is considered a good model of sustainable urban mobility, according to the Copenhagenize Index, which ranks bike-friendly cities. （一方面，这座城市因拥有世界上最糟糕的交通而臭名昭著。然而，另一方面，根据对自行车友好城市进行排名的哥本哈根指数，其自行车基础设施被认为是可持续城市交通的良好典范。）”可知，波哥大有优点和缺点。由此可知划线部分是指“每个事物都有双重性”这种理解，故选C。
【9题详解】
细节理解题。根据第一段“The Colombian capital generated a now-international movement in the 1970s called Ciclovia, which sees 1.5 million people cycle across 128km of car-free streets each Sunday morning.（哥伦比亚首都在 20 世纪 70 年代发起了一项名为 Ciclovia 的国际运动，每周日早上都有 150 万人骑自行车穿越 128 公里的无车街道）”可知，B项“全球自行车文化可以追溯到20世纪70年代”是波哥大自行车运动流行的原因。第二段“So, when the pandemic reached its shores in mid-March, Bogota Mayor Claudia Lopez, an avid cyclist herself, introduced one of the world’s first plans to encourage bike travel, using traffic cones to create 76 km of temporary lanes.（因此，当疫情在 3 月中旬蔓延时，波哥大市长克劳迪娅·洛佩兹（本人也是一名狂热的自行车爱好者）提出了世界上第一个鼓励自行车出行的计划，利用交通锥体修建了 76 公里的临时车道。）”可知，A项“3月中旬，疫情爆发”是波哥大自行车运动流行的原因；第三段“‘Everyone started using a bicycle, and they already knew how to get around on one because we have this bike culture thanks to the Ciclovia,’ says Carlos Pardo, a local cycling advocate and senior advisor at the New Urban Mobility Alliance. Pardo got involved at the beginning of the pandemic by partnering with a local bikeshare company to provide 400 free e-bikes to health workers Now, he’s busy persuading the public that the government’s new bike lanes should become permanent fixture（固定设施）.（“每个人都开始使用自行车，他们已经知道如何骑自行车出行，因为我们有了 Ciclovia 的自行车文化，”当地自行车倡导者兼新城市交通联盟高级顾问卡洛斯·帕尔多 (Carlos Pardo) 说道。帕尔多在疫情爆发之初就参与其中，与当地一家自行车共享公司合作，向卫生工作者提供 400 辆免费电动自行车。现在，他正忙着说服公众政府的新自行车道应成为永久设施）”可知，D项“当地自行车公司对卫生工作者的贡献”是波哥大自行车运动流行的原因。故选C。
【10题详解】
推理判断题。根据第四段““Some drivers say, ‘you took away our lane’, but we’re saying, we took one car lane and made a two-lane bidirectional bike lane,” he explains. “So, you’re duplicating the effectiveness of the space, and moving more people per hour, per direction.”（“有些司机说，‘你夺走了我们的车道’，但我们的意思是，我们占用了一条汽车车道，并开辟了一条双车道双向自行车道，”他解释道。“所以，你正在复制空间的有效性，并且每小时、每个方向运送更多的人。”）”可知，道路使用的重复有效性可能会阻止自行车友好型慢速街道的改变，故选B。
【11题详解】
推理判断题。根据第一段“The Colombian capital generated a now-international movement in the 1970s called Ciclovia, which sees 1.5 million people cycle across 128km of car-free streets each Sunday morning.（哥伦比亚首都在 20 世纪 70 年代发起了一项名为 Ciclovia 的国际运动，每周日早上都有 150 万人骑自行车穿越 128 公里的无车街道）”可知，文章介绍波哥大有着世界上交通最糟糕的坏名声，然而它的自行车基础设施被认为是可持续的城市交通模式。由此推知，本文最有可能节选自城市生活栏目，故选A。
I. 说明文的方法及语言特征
本单元的Reading部分是纪录片脚本，本质上属于说明文范畴。文章围绕亚马逊雨林展开，包括其基本信息、动植物资源、生物多样性、对地球的重要作用级目前所面临的问题等。本文结构完整、条理清晰、语言严密准确。在介绍亚马逊雨林时，作者运用了举例、分类、比较、数据这些说明方法。此外，常用的说明方法还有因果、比较、定义、问题、过程、描述等。阅读下列短文，看看作者运用了哪种方法。
Passage 1. 定义 Covid 19 or as commonly known as the Corona Virus is a disease that is caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2. The disease is infectious and can spread rapidly. It is an airborne disease that can just spread vividly. Symptoms of this virus include fever, loss of taste and smell, weakness, and many more. “ Passage 2. 描述 Bob is my best friend at school. I’ve known him since primary school. He is a tall person with a strong body. He has a round face with brown eyes. His hair is black and curly. Though young, he looks older than his age because of some wrinkles on his face. He also has dimples (现酒窝) on his cheeks which makes him look handsome. Bob usually wears casual clothes. He is not keen on brands and fashion. As for his personality, Bob is a shy and introverted (内向的) person. He does not like being around people. He is a brainy guy. We call him the geek (电脑迷) because of his love for IT. Not to mention that he is an honest and trustworthy person. To sum up, Bob is one of the people I admire most. Passage 3. 比较 My life in Canada is very different from my mother’s life in our old country. The main difference is that, as a girl, I have access to education in Canada. I am in high school now, and I have studied a range of subjects: English, math, chemistry, biology, physical education, music, and lots more. My mother had very little formal education, and most of her learning was from traditional books at home. Another difference is that I have more freedom than my mother had. I can go out with my friends, see a movie, or play soccer. My friends are both girls and boys. I am even learning to drive, so I will be more independent. My mother could not do those things. She had to stay at home, help her mother, and learn to cook traditional food. She certainly could not go to a movie with a boy! Finally, I know there will be a big difference in the career opportunities open to me later. After high school, I want to go to college and train to be a nurse or a firefighter. My mother did not have those opportunities; as a girl, she was not expected to have a career, and certainly not the kind of career I want to have. She got married when she was very young, and she has never had a paying job. I’m not saying my life is better than my mom’s life; I’m just saying that living in a new culture makes a huge difference. Passage 4. 分类 There are three different types of rock music, alternative rock, classic rock, and hard rock, also known as metal. Alternative rock features a steady bass drum laying down the beat, with easy flowing guitar riffs (重复段) over the top. The bass line is toned town, and the lyrics are sung with intensity an authority. Depending on the song, the guitars can either be acoustic guitars or electric guitars. Classic rock combines a steady driving bass drum sound, with high snare (响弦) overtones, steady and often repeating guitar riffs, and an intensive bass line. The guitars are more often than not all electric guitars, and distortion (扭曲、变形) is rarely used. The lyrics are sung with style and enthusiasm. Hard rock, or metal, features a hard rolling bass drum with an abundant amount of cymbal (钹) work. This style of rock uses several electric guitars with heavy distortion to bring a very intense sound. A hard, intense, driving bass line rounds out the style. The lyrics aren’t really sung so much as screamed. It doesn’t matter what your preference is, each different style of rock music is unique on its own. Passage 5. 因果 In recent decades, cities have grown so large that now about 50% of the Earth’s population lives in urban areas. There are several reasons for this occurrence. First, the increasing industrialization of the nineteenth century resulted in the creation of many factory jobs, which tended to be located in cities. These jobs, with their promise of a better material life, attracted many people from rural areas. Second, there were many schools established to educate the children of the new factory laborers. The promise of a better education persuaded many families to leave farming communities and move to the cities. Finally, as the cities grew, people established places of leisure, entertainment, and culture, such as sports stadiums, theaters, and museums. For many people, these facilities made city life appear more interesting than life on the farm, and therefore drew them away from rural communities. Passage 6. 问题法 Child labor There are many children in our country who are deprived of (剥夺) education and the normal joyous experiences of childhood. While upper-middle-class boys and girls attend school, they work in tea shops or small factories. They work as servants in middle-class and upper-class households. Parents are very poor, so children are forced to take up all these occupations. Government should come up with strict laws to solve this problem. Along with the law, the government should introduce some economic reforms which will bring down the poverty line to some extent. Apart from this, to solve this problem, illiteracy needs to be wiped out and the birth rate must be controlled. Passage 7. 过程 How to Make a Good Cup of Tea Making a good cup of tea is extremely simple. First, the teapot is heated by filling it with water that has just come to a boil. This water is then discarded (丢弃), and one teaspoon of loose tea per cup is placed in the teapot (the exact amount may vary according to taste). Fresh water that has just come to a boil is poured into the pot. A good calculation is six ounces of water for each cup of tea. The tea must now steep for three to five minutes; then it is poured through a strainer (滤网) into a cup or mug. A pound of loose tea will yield about two hundred cups of brewed (酿制的) tea. Using a tea bag eliminates the strainer, but it is still best to make the tea in a teapot so that the water stays sufficiently hot. The typical restaurant service—a cup of hot water with the tea bag on the side—will not produce the best cup of tea because the water is never hot enough when it reaches the table and because the tea should not be dunked (泡) in the water; the water should be poured over the tea. Although tea in a pot often becomes too strong, that problem can be dealt with very easily by adding more boiling water.
Passage 1
主题语境 主题群 话题 推荐指数
人与自然 自然生态 新鲜空气对人体的各种好处 ★★★★
(2019年高考全国卷I)
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Is Fresh Air Really Good for You
We all grew up hearing people tell us to “go out and get some fresh air.” 1 According to recent studies, the answer is a big YES, if the air quality in your camping area is good.
2 If the air you’re breathing is clean—which it would be if you’re away from the smog of cities—then the air is filled with life-giving, energizing oxygen. If you exercise out of doors, your body will learn to breathe more deeply, allowing even more oxygen to get to your muscles (肌肉) and your brain.
Recently, people have begun studying the connection between the natural world and healing (治愈). 3 In these places patients can go to be near nature during their recovery. It turns out that just looking at green, growing things can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and put people into a better mood (情绪). Greenery is good for us. Hospital patients who see tree branches out their window are likely to recover at a faster rate than patients who see buildings or sky instead. 4 It gives us a great feeling of peace.
5 While the sun’s rays can age and harm our skin, they also give us beneficial Vitamin D. To make sure you get enough Vitamin D—but still protect your skin—put on sunscreen right as you head outside. It takes sunscreen about fifteen minutes to start working, and that’s plenty of time for your skin to absorb a day’s worth of Vitamin D.
A. Fresh air cleans our lungs.
B. So what are you waiting for
C. Being in nature refreshes us.
D. Another side benefit of getting fresh air is sunlight.
E. But is fresh air really as good for you as your mother always said
F. Just as importantly, we tend to associate air with health care.
G. All across the country, recovery centers have begun building Healing Gardens.
【答案】1. E 2. A 3. G 4. C 5. D
【导语】这是一篇说明文。文章介绍了新鲜空气对人体的各种好处。
【1题详解】
根据下一句中的“the answer is a big YES”可知，该空应该是一个一般疑问句，选项中只有E选项是一般疑问句。 E项“但是新鲜空气真得像你母亲说的那样对你有好处吗？”承上启下，故选E。空前的people tell us to “go out and get some fresh air”和选项中的“your mother always said”亦是呼应。
【2题详解】
根据下一句中提到的 “If the air you’re breathing is clean…the air is filled with life-giving, energizing oxygen”可知，新鲜空气充满赋予人生命的，充满活力的氧气。再根据下文中“…breathe more deeply, allowing more oxygen to get to your muscles and your brain”是对前文的递进，在户外，更多的氧气进入你的肌肉和大脑。根据前面的分析可以推知，该空应该提到新鲜空气的基本作用，根据常识，我们知道吸入的空气首先进入的是肺部，然后才会使我们的肌肉和大脑受益，故该空应选A项“新鲜空气清洁我们的肺部”。
【3题详解】
根据下一句中提到的“these places”可以推知，该空应该提到表示地点的复数名词。选项中只有G选项提到该类名词，故G项“在全国，康复中心已经开始建造‘康复花园’。” these places就是指Healing Gardens。
【4题详解】
前文介绍的是“康复花园”中的绿色植物对于病人康复的好的作用：绿色的正在成长的植物可以减轻压力，降低血压，使人情绪良好；空后提到“它给我们一种平和感”。该空起承上启下的作用，仍然要提到处于“康复花园”这种自然环境中的好处，空后的it也要指代这种情况。故选C项“身处大自然可以使人精神焕发。”
【5题详解】
根据下文中提到的“the sun’s rays…give us beneficial Vitamin D”可知，该段介绍阳光的好处。故该选项应该提到阳光。选项中只有D选项涉及阳光。故选D项“获得新鲜空气的另一个好处是阳光。”
Passage 2
主题语境 主题群 话题 推荐指数
人与自然 环境保护 利用数字化人猿的创造技术拍摄电影 ★★★★
(2020年高考卷III)
阅读下面短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
When“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”was first shown to the public last month, a group of excited animal activists gathered on Hollywood Boulevard. But they weren’t there to throw red paint on fur-coat-wearing film stars. Instead, one activist, dressed in a full-body monkey suit, had arrived with a sign praising the filmmakers:“Thanks for not using real apes (猿)!”
The creative team behind “Apes” used motion-capture (动作捕捉) technology to create digitalized animals, spending tens of millions of dollars on technology that records an actor’s performance and later processes it with computer graphics to create a final image (图像). In this case, one of a realistic-looking ape.
Yet “Apes” is more exception than the rule. In fact, Hollywood has been hot on live animals lately. One nonprofit organization, which monitors the treatment of animals in filmed entertainment, is keeping tabs on more than 2,000 productions this year. Already, a number of films, including “Water for Elephants,” “The Hangover Part II” and “Zookeeper,” have drawn the anger of activists who say the creatures acting in them haven’t been treated properly.
In some cases, it’s not so much the treatment of the animals on set in the studio that has activists worried; it’s the off-set training and living conditions that are raising concerns. And there are questions about the films made outside the States, which sometimes are not monitored as closely as productions filmed in the States. (255 words)
1. Why did the animal activists gather on Hollywood Boulevard
A. To see famous film stars. B. To oppose wearing fur coats.
C. To raise money for animal protection. D. To express thanks to some filmmakers.
2. What does paragraph 2 mainly talk about
A. The cost of making “Apes.” B. The creation of digitalized apes.
C. The publicity about “Apes.” D. The performance of real apes.
3. What does the underlined phrase“keeping tabs on”in paragraph 3 probably mean
A. Listing completely. B. Directing professionally.
C. Promoting successfully. D. Watching carefully.
4. What can we infer from the last paragraph about animal actors
A. They may be badly treated. B. They should take further training.
C. They could be traded illegally D. They would lose popularity.
【答案】 1. D 2. B 3. D 4. A
【导语】
这是一篇新闻报道。短文报道了电影“猩球崛起”上个月首次与公众见面。动物爱好者聚集在好莱坞前，感谢电影制作者，在电影拍摄时，没有使用真的类人猿。现在的动物拍摄使用的是数字化人猿的创造技术，而一些电影的拍摄却存在着虐地动物的现象，这让一个非盈利的组织密切关注此事。但有些拍摄也是不能够被监测到的。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据第一段“Instead, one activist ,dressed in a full -body monkey suit ,had arrived with a sign praising the filmmakers:“Thanks for not using real apes”可知，相反，一名身穿全套猴服的活动人士来到现场，手里拿着一块牌子，称赞电影制作人:“感谢你们不用真正的猿猴。所以动物保护者聚集在好莱坞大道是为了向电影制作者表示感谢。故选D项。
【2题详解】
主旨大意题。根据第二段“The creative team behind "Apes" used motion-capture (动作捕捉) technology to create digitalized animals, spending tens of millions of dollars on technology that I records an actor’s performance and later processes it with computer graphics to create a final image (图像). ”可知，“人猿”背后的创作团队利用动作捕捉技术创造数字化的动物，在记录演员表演的技术上，花费数千万美元，然后用电脑图形处理，以产生最终的影像。由此可知，第二段主要是关于数字化人猿的创造。故选B项。
【3题详解】
词句猜测题。根据第三段划线前的句子“One nonprofit organization, which monitors the treatment or animals in filmed entertainment”（一个非营利组织，监控动物在电影娱乐中的待遇）以及下文Already, a number of films, including "Water for Elephants," "The Hangover Part Ⅱ" and "Zookeeper," have drawn the anger of activists who say the creatures acting in them haven’t been treated properly.（许多电影,包括“大象的眼泪”,“宿醉Ⅱ”和“管理员”,引起了动物保护人士的愤怒，他们说影片中的动物没有遭到很好的对待。）由此可知，其中一家监控动物待遇的非营利组织，今年正密切关注着2000多部影片。由此判断出，划线词的意思是“密切关注”。故选D项。
【4题详解】
推理判断题。根据最后一段In some cases, it’s not so much the treatment of the animals on set in the studio that has activists worried; it’s the off-set training and living conditions that are raising concerns. And there are questions about the films made outside the States, which sometimes are not monitored as closely as productions filmed in the Sates.”（在某些情况下，让活动人士担心的并不是电影棚里对动物的待遇;让人担忧的是训练和生活条件。还有一些关于在美国以外拍摄的电影的问题，这些电影有时不像在美国拍摄的电影那样受到严密的监控。）可知，在某些情况下，让活动人士担心的并不是工作室里动物的待遇;令人担忧的是训练和生活条件。由此判断出动物演员可能受到虐待。故选A项。
Passage 3
主题语境 主题群 话题 推荐指数
人与自然 环境保护 联邦发行鸭票来筹措资金、保护水禽 ★★★★
(2021年高考全国卷I)
When the explorers first set foot upon the continent of North America, the skies and lands were alive with an astonishing variety of wildlife. Native Americans had taken care of these precious natural resources wisely. Unfortunately, it took the explorers and the settlers who followed only a few decades to decimate a large part of these resources. Millions of waterfowl (水禽) were killed at the hands of market hunters and a handful of overly ambitious sportsmen. Millions of acres of wetlands were dried to feed and house the ever-increasing populations, greatly reducing waterfowl habitat.
In 1934, with the passage of the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act (Act), an increasingly concerned nation took firm action to stop the destruction of migratory (迁徙的) waterfowl and the wetlands so vital to their survival. Under this Act, all waterfowl hunters 16 years of age and over must annually purchase and carry a Federal Duck Stamp. The very first Federal Duck Stamp was designed by J.N. “Ding” Darling, a political cartoonist from Des Moines, lowa, who at that time was appointed by President Franklin Roosevelt as Director of the Bureau of Biological Survey. Hunters willingly pay the stamp price to ensure the survival of our natural resources.
About 98 cents of every duck stamp dollar goes directly into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund to purchase wetlands and wildlife habitat for inclusion into the National Wildlife Refuge System — a fact that ensures this land will be protected and available for all generations to come. Since 1934, better than half a billion dollars has gone into that Fund to purchase more than 5 million acres of habitat. Little wonder the Federal Duck Stamp Program has been called one of the most successful conservation programs ever initiated. (296 words)
5. What was a cause of the waterfowl population decline in North America
A. Loss of wetlands. B. Popularity of water sports.
C. Pollution of rivers D. Arrival of other wild animals.
6. What does the underlined word “decimate” mean in the first paragraph
A. Acquire. B. Export. C. Destroy. D. Distribute.
7 What is a direct result of the Act passed in 1934
A. The stamp price has gone down. B. The migratory birds have flown away.
C. The hunters have stopped hunting. D. The government has collected money.
8. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text
A. The Federal Duck Stamp Story B. The National Wildlife Refuge System
C. The Benefits of Saving Waterfowl D. The History of Migratory Bird Hunting
【答案】 5. A 6. C 7. D 8. A
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。主要介绍了由于栖息地减少，美国水禽骤减，因此联邦发行鸭票，狩猎者只有购买鸭票才能狩猎，而鸭票的部分收入进入用于购买水禽栖息地的基金，从而保护水禽。
【5题详解】
细节理解题。根据第一段“Millions of waterfowl were killed at the hands of market hunters and a handful of overly ambitious sportsmen. Millions of acres of wetlands were dried to feed and house the ever-increasing populations, greatly reducing waterfowl habitat. (数百万只水禽被市场猎人和一些野心勃勃的运动员杀死。数百万英亩的湿地被抽干，以养活和安置不断增加的人口，大大减少了水禽的栖息地)”可知，数百万英亩的湿地被抽干用作农地或者修建住房，导致水禽的栖息地减少，水禽数量下降。故选A。
【6题详解】
词句猜测题。根据第一段“Native Americans had taken care of these precious natural resources wisely. Unfortunately, it took the explorers and the settlers who followed only a few decades to decimate a large part of these resources.(美洲原住民明智地保护了这些宝贵的自然资源。不幸的是，仅仅几十年的探险家和定居者就decimate这些资源的大部分)”可知，前后句形成转折，前一句陈述美洲原住民保护这些宝贵的自然资源，所以后句表示探险家和定居者破坏了这些自然资源，推测划线单词表示“破坏”，与destroy同义。故选C。
【7题详解】
推理判断题。根据最后一段“Since 1934, better than half a billion dollars has gone into that Fund to purchase more than 5 million acres of habitat. (自1934年以来，已有超过5亿美元投入该基金，用于购买500多万英亩的栖息地)”可知，自1934年通过法案，政府获得超过5亿美元，已经筹集了很多资金，以购买水禽栖息地。故选D。
【8题详解】
主旨大意题。根据第二段“Under this Act, all waterfowl hunters 16 years of age and over must annually purchase and carry a Federal Duck Stamp. (根据该法案，所有16岁及以上的水禽猎人必须每年购买并携带联邦鸭章)”以及第三段“Little wonder the Federal Duck Stamp Program has been called one of the most successful conservation programs ever initiated. (难怪联邦鸭票计划被称为有史以来最成功的保护计划之一)” 可知，本文主要讲述了联邦鸭票的故事，所以“联邦鸭票的故事”可以作为文章标题。故选A。Unit 1 Natural in balance
核心 词 汇 词 组 harm, soil, overseas, region, continent, million, length, biodiversity, species, nut, variety, wildlife, beneath, mass, towering, hardwood, living, survive, frog, insert, microorganism, nutrient, carbon, oxygen, thus, disappear, agriculture, cattle, impact, extinction, damage, climate, global, greenhouse, gas, drought, application, brochure, organization, absolutely, belt, medal, image, shark, whale, deer, track, habitant, nowhere, dolphin, resident, chief, committee, entirely, smog, protest, profit, defence, various, process, economic, policy, branch, strategy, recycle, subway, former, official, poverty, poison, chemical, consequence, further
brazil nut, water lily, in turn, break down, breathe life into, due to, build up, come up with, call for, spring to mind, get rid of, give rise to
核心 语法 在语境中掌握“省略”这一语法项目的用法。
必备 能力 语篇：纪录片的语篇结构特征，写作特点； 表达：运用省略手段，让表达更加简洁、有力。
学科 素养 1. 就动物保护话题进行交流和写作； 2. 如何保持自然界的平衡。
核心 价值 发展经济与环境能保护之间的关系。
引言解读
Let us not, however, flatter ourselves overmuch on account of our human victories over nature. For each such victory nature takes its revenge on us.
— Friedrich Engels
释义：然而，我们不要因为人类战胜自然而过分自鸣得意。对于每一次这样的胜利，大自然都会向我们进行报复。
——弗里德里希·恩格斯
启示：这两句名言出自弗里德里希·恩格斯所著的《自然辩证法》：《劳动在从猿到人的转变中所扮演的角色》一文。上百年前，恩格斯就告诫人类：要敬畏自然，注重环保，学会与自然和睦相处。我们每天遇见的花草树木，初看极其细小平常，但正是这些我们习以为常的不同植物，点缀了由钢筋水泥围成的高楼大厦，让我们感受到自然的魅力。本世纪以来，我们的环保意识不断增强，国家的投入不断增加，措施得当，监督得力，效果显著。周围的环境，变得越来越好。“绿水青山就是金山银山”，这句话也越来越深入人心。
与自然平衡相关的名言欣赏 1. Nature can seem cruel, but she balances her books. — Alison Lurie 大自然看似残酷，但她会平衡收支。 ——艾莉森·卢里 2. Our essential nature is one of pure potentiality. —Deepak Chopra 我们的本质是一种纯粹的潜力。 ——迪帕克·乔普拉 3. From dawn to dusk, winter to spring, summer & autumn; the contrasts of nature refresh the mind & renew our sense of balance. —Phil Harding 从黎明到黄昏，从冬到春，夏到秋；大自然的对比使人精神焕发，恢复平衡感。 ————菲尔·哈丁
Can humanity conquer nature The people who, in Mesopotamia, Greece, Asia Minor and elsewhere, destroyed the forests to obtain cultivable land, never dreamed that by removing along with the forests the collecting centres and reservoirs of moisture they were laying the basis for the present forlorn state of those countries. When the Italians of the Alps used up the pine forests on the southern slopes, so carefully cherished on the northern slopes, they had no inkling that by doing so they were cutting at the roots of the dairy industry in their region; they had still less inkling that they were thereby depriving their mountain springs of water for the greater part of the year, and making it possible for them to pour still more furious torrents on the plains during the rainy seasons. Those who spread the potato in Europe were not aware that with these farinaceous tubers they were at the same time spreading scrofula. Thus at every step we are reminded that we by no means rule over nature like a conqueror over a foreign people, like someone standing outside nature — but that we, with flesh, blood and brain, belong to nature, and exist in its midst, and that all our mastery of it consists in the fact that we have the advantage over all other creatures of being able to learn its laws and apply them correctly. (231 words) (by Friedrich Engels, The Part Played by Labor in the Transition from Ape to Man) 美索不达米亚、希腊、小亚细亚以及其他各地的居民，为了想得到耕地，把森林都砍完了，但是它们梦想不到，这些地方今天竟因此成为荒芜不毛之地，因为他们使这些地方失去了森林，也失去了积聚和贮存水分的中心。 阿尔卑斯山的意大利人，在山南坡砍光了在北坡被十分细心地保护的森林，他们没有预料到，这样一来，他们把他们区域里的高山牧畜业的基础给摧毁了；他们更没有预料到，他们这样做，竟使山泉在一年中的大部分时间内枯竭了。而在雨季又使更加凶猛的洪水倾泻到平原上。在欧洲传播栽种马铃薯的人，并不知道他们也把瘰疬症和多粉的块根一起传播过来了。 因此我们必须时时记住：我们统治自然界，决不象征服者统治异民族一样，决不象站在自然界以外的人一样，——相反地，我们连同我们的肉、血和头脑都是属于自然界，存在于自然界的；我们对自然界的整个统治，是在于我们比其他一切动物强，能够认识和正确运用自然规律。 恩格斯 《劳动在从猿到人的转变中所扮演的角色》
本单元旨在帮助学生认识环境保护的重要性，培养他们保护环境的意识。以“人与自然”为主题语境，通过“环境与环境保护”这一话题，结合歌曲、纪录片脚本、电视访谈节目脚本、小册子等语篇形式来实现教学目标。
名篇精读 The World’s Third Biggest Cat Under Threat 出处：https://www.worldanimalprotection.org Jaguar Spirit is a World Animal Protection & National Geographic-funded film. As Emi Kondo, NatGeo Explorer and Jaguar Spirit director say: This film is a wake-up call as we experience how we have distorted our relationship with nature, and the animal that was once worshipped as a God by countless cultures in the region is now being hunted and killed for profit. Jaguars have been part of the spiritual world of Latin American local cultures for centuries. They have been warriors, gods and the spirits that connect the dead with the living. For years they have been worshipped and celebrated. Now, with the world jaguar population suffering severe decline, they’re considered “near threatened”. Jaguars are victims of the global wildlife trade, a multibillion-dollar industry that exploits wild animals all for the sake of profit. The jaguar’s beautiful fur means that there is high demand for them, and their sharp teeth and claws are seen as valuable symbol of victories. Jaguars are also often killed for use in traditional Asian medicine, reduced into a paste used for various purposes, from treating arthritis to improving our immune systems. This practice may be considered isolated within Asia, but as the increase in demand is growing all over the world, this issue has become a serious problem.（220 words） 英文翻译 世界第三大猫科动物面临威胁 《捷豹精神》是一部由世界动物保护协会和国家地理资助的电影。正如Emi Kondo，NatGeo Explorer 和 Jaguar Spirit 总监所说：这部电影为我们敲响了警钟，因为我们经历了如何扭曲我们与自然的关系，曾经被该地区无数文化视为神的动物现在正在被猎杀以获取利润。 几个世纪以来，美洲虎一直是拉丁美洲土著文化精神世界的一部分。他们是战士、神灵和连接死者与生者的灵魂。多年来，他们一直受到崇拜和庆祝。 现在，随着世界美洲虎数量严重减少，它们被认为“濒临威胁”。 美洲虎是全球野生动物贸易的受害者，这是一个价值数十亿美元的产业，为了利润而利用野生动物。 美洲虎漂亮的皮毛意味着人们对它们的毛皮有很高的需求，而它们锋利的牙齿和爪子被视为宝贵的战利品。 美洲虎也经常被杀死用于传统医学，被制成糊状用于各种目的，从治疗关节炎到提高我们的免疫系统。这种做法可能被认为只是出现在亚洲而已，但随着全球性需求的增长，这已成为一个严峻的问题。 词块积累 1. worship v. 崇拜, 崇敬 2. warrior n. 战士 3. for the sake of 为了……起见 4. claw n. 爪
Balance of nature https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balance_of_nature The balance of nature, also known as ecological balance, is a theory that proposes that ecological systems are usually in a stable equilibrium or homeostasis, which is to say that a small change (the size of a particular population, for example) will be corrected by some negative feedback that will bring the parameter back to its original "point of balance" with the rest of the system. The balance is sometimes depicted as easily disturbed and delicate, while other times it is inversely portrayed as powerful enough to correct any imbalances by itself. The concept has been described as "normative", as well as teleological, as it makes a claim about how nature should be: nature is balanced because "it is supposed to be balanced". The theory has been employed to describe how populations depend on each other, for example in predator-prey systems, or relationships between herbivores and their food source. It is also sometimes applied to the relationship between the Earth's ecosystem, the composition of the atmosphere, and weather. The balance of nature, as a theory, has been largely discredited by scientists working in ecology, as it has been found that constant disturbances leading to chaotic and dynamic changes are the norm in nature. During the late half of the 20th century, it was replaced by catastrophe theory, chaos theory, and thermodynamics. Nevertheless, the idea maintains popularity amongst the general public. (230 words) 自然的平衡 自然平衡，也称为生态平衡，是一种理论，认为生态系统通常处于稳定的平衡或稳态，也就是说，微小的变化（例如特定种群的规模）将会得到纠正。通过一些负反馈，将使参数回到其与系统其余部分的原始“平衡点”。这种平衡有时被描述为容易被扰乱和微妙的，而另一些时候，它又被相反地描述为强大到足以自行纠正任何不平衡。这个概念被描述为“规范性”和目的论，因为它提出了自然应该如何的主张：自然是平衡的，因为“它应该是平衡的”。该理论已被用来描述种群如何相互依赖，例如在捕食者-猎物系统中，或食草动物与其食物来源之间的关系。它有时也适用于地球生态系统、大气成分和天气之间的关系。 自然平衡作为一种理论，在很大程度上已被生态学科学家所质疑，因为人们发现，不断的干扰导致混乱和动态的变化是自然界的常态。20世纪下半叶，它被突变理论、混沌理论和热力学所取代。尽管如此，这个想法在公众中仍然很受欢迎。
Passage 1
主题语境 主题群 话题 推荐指数
人与社会 科学与技术 四种发明的介绍 ★★★★
Humans invented many new things, but whether they are all beneficial to us I’d like to explore some of them that influenced the world.
The leaf blower
It is guessed that the machine was invented by a mysterious Dom Quinto in the 1950s (Dom may or may not be real), the blower continues to use huge amounts of fossil fuel, while also producing excessive noise, and sometimes spreading leaves onto neighbor’s backyards. One test found that leaf blowers sent off 300 times the pollutants produced by a 2011 Ford pickup truck.
Synthetic Clothing
We love synthetic clothing because it stretches, it’s easy to clean and it is affordable. The only problem is, these garments are made up of millions of tiny plastic fibers. Most people don’t realize this, but every time we wash our clothes made of nylon, polyester, or acrylic, plastic microfibers are released from the item.
Processed Foods
We all love quick, easy meals and snacks, but when you stop and think about all the packaging that comes with frozen dinners, it turns out to be a whole lot of waste. According to the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection, food containers and packing account for about 23 percent of landfill waste, 12 percent of which is plastic waste.
Plastics
Synthetic plastic was first invented in England in 1862 by Alexander Parkes. Today, we’re a society run on plastic. We sleep on mattresses made of plastic, dress in clothing made from plastic and now we’re even eating plastic. It’s spread in every aspect of modern society and threatens to drown us in our own sea of plastic waste. Globally, one million plastic bottles are sold per minute and 50% of plastics produced are made for a single use only. (290 words)
1. Why does the author use “a 2011 Ford pickup truck” in the first invention
A. To praise the invention. B. To introduce the machine.
C. To tell us the pollution caused by the blower. D. To suggest the machine is powerful.
2. According to the passage, which causes much damage to the environment
A. The leaf blower. B. Synthetic Clothing.
C. Processed Foods. D. Plastics
3. What’s the author’s opinion about most of the inventions mentioned
A. Positive. B. Negative. C. Objective D. Optimistic.
Passage 2
主题语境 主题群 话题 推荐指数
人与社会 社会服务与人际沟通 旅行时如何避免影响环境和打搅他人 ★★★★
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。
Traveling can be a delightful experience, especially for the younger generation, driven by the desire to explore new places and immerse themselves in unfamiliar surroundings. However, it is essential to consider whether we make this experience trouble-free for others.
Before engaging in a conversation with your fellow traveler, try to find their willingness to converse. They might prefer to read or take a nap, and may not be in the mood for a chat. Respect their space and preferences.
When on a plane, bus, or train, place your baggage in the designated rack above your seat, avoiding encroachment on others’ space. Wait until the transportation mode comes to a complete stop before taking back your luggage.
Promote eco-friendly practices by carrying a plastic bag for waste during sightseeing trips. Dispose of the waste in a proper bin later. Embracing “Sustainable Tourism” is crucial for preserving the Earth’s resources and beauty.
If you plan to stay with friends or relatives at your destination, inform them in advance and avoid surprising them with an unannounced visit. Be considerate by assisting with domestic chores and refraining from troubling them during sightseeing trips. Use your own toiletries and towels, limit your use of their telephone to necessary calls, and avoid interfering in their domestic affairs unless invited to do so. Additionally, don’t expect your host to cater to your needs constantly. （224 words）
4. According to the passage, what is essential for a trouble-free travel experience
A. Ignoring fellow travelers’ preferences.
B. Engaging in conversations with everyone.
C. Considering the comfort and preferences of others.
D. Traveling without any prior planning.
5. What eco-friendly practice is emphasized in the passage
A. Using plastic bags for waste during sightseeing.
B. Throwing waste anywhere during sightseeing.
C. Ignoring sustainable tourism practices.
D. Avoiding plastic bags altogether.
6. What should travelers do when staying with friends or relatives at their destination
A. Expect constant catering to their needs.
B. Surprise them with an unannounced visit.
C. Use their hosts’ toiletries and towels freely.
D. Inform them in advance and assist with domestic chores.
7. What can be inferred about the author’s personality from the passage
A. Modest. B. Considerate. C. Adaptable. D. Independent .
Passage 3
主题语境 主题群 话题 推荐指数
人与自然 环境保护 波哥大的自行车基础设施 ★★★★
（无锡市第一中学2020—2021学年度第二学期期中试卷）
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。
Moving around Bogota can be a bit of a Jekyll-or-Hyde experience. On the one hand, the city is infamous (声名狼藉的) for having the world’s worst traffic. Yet, on the other, its cycling infrastructure (基础设施) is considered a good model of sustainable urban mobility, according to the Copenhagenize Index, which ranks bike-friendly cities. The Colombian capital generated a now-international movement in the 1970s called Ciclovia, which sees 1.5 million people cycle across 128km of car-free streets each Sunday morning.
So, when the pandemic reached its shores in mid-March, Bogota Mayor Claudia Lopez, an enthusiastic cyclist herself, introduced one of the world’s first plans to encourage bike travel, using traffic cones (锥形交通路标) to create 76 km of temporary lanes.
“Everyone started using a bicycle, and they already knew how to get around on one because we have this bike culture thanks to the Ciclovia,” says Carlos Pardo, a local cycling advocate and senior advisor at the New Urban Mobility Alliance. Pardo got involved at the beginning of the pandemic by partnering with a local bikeshare company to provide 400 free e-bikes to health workers. Now, he’s busy persuading the public that the government’s new bike lanes should become permanent fixture (固定设施).
“Some drivers say, ‘you took away our lane’, but we’re saying, we took one car lane and made a two-lane bidirectional bike lane,” he explains. “So, you’re duplicating (复制) the effectiveness of the space, and moving more people per hour, per direction.”
Biking has enjoyed a renaissance (复兴) around the world as urban citizens avoid public transport for the relative safety of a two-wheeled commute. Now, many advocates like Pardo are working with local governments in the hope of turning these pandemic-response measures into lasting changes—ones that are more reasonable now than ever after lockdowns provided an unprecedented (空前的) opportunities to fast-track infrastructure trials. The results of these urban planning experiments could not only radically shape the way we commute across global cities, but also make them more adaptable to future shocks.
8. What can best illustrate the underlined sentence
A. Much knowledge that is of help in learning about a new place.
B. A mixed feeling that is too confusing to express themselves.
C. An understanding that everything has both advantages and disadvantages.
D. An idea that human beings are born somewhere between good and evil.
9. What was NOT the cause of the popularity of cycling in Bogota
A. The outbreak of the pandemic in mid-March.
B. The worldwide bike culture dating back to the 1970s.
C. The government’s support for the temporary bike lanes.
D. The local bike company’s contribution to health workers.
10. What factor is likely to stop the change of bike-friendly, slow streets
A. The increasing number of cyclists. B. Duplicated effectiveness of road use.
C. A well-rounded city expansion plan. D. The growth of car ownership.
11. Which section of the newspaper includes articles of this sort
A. Urban life. B. Politics. C. Sports D. Advice column.
I. 说明文的方法及语言特征
本单元的Reading部分是纪录片脚本，本质上属于说明文范畴。文章围绕亚马逊雨林展开，包括其基本信息、动植物资源、生物多样性、对地球的重要作用级目前所面临的问题等。本文结构完整、条理清晰、语言严密准确。在介绍亚马逊雨林时，作者运用了举例、分类、比较、数据这些说明方法。此外，常用的说明方法还有因果、比较、定义、问题、过程、描述等。阅读下列短文，看看作者运用了哪种方法。
Passage 1. Covid 19 or as commonly known as the Corona Virus is a disease that is caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2. The disease is infectious and can spread rapidly. It is an airborne disease that can just spread vividly. Symptoms of this virus include fever, loss of taste and smell, weakness, and many more. “ Passage 2. Bob is my best friend at school. I’ve known him since primary school. He is a tall person with a strong body. He has a round face with brown eyes. His hair is black and curly. Though young, he looks older than his age because of some wrinkles on his face. He also has dimples (现酒窝) on his cheeks which makes him look handsome. Bob usually wears casual clothes. He is not keen on brands and fashion. As for his personality, Bob is a shy and introverted (内向的) person. He does not like being around people. He is a brainy guy. We call him the geek (电脑迷) because of his love for IT. Not to mention that he is an honest and trustworthy person. To sum up, Bob is one of the people I admire most. Passage 3. My life in Canada is very different from my mother’s life in our old country. The main difference is that, as a girl, I have access to education in Canada. I am in high school now, and I have studied a range of subjects: English, math, chemistry, biology, physical education, music, and lots more. My mother had very little formal education, and most of her learning was from traditional books at home. Another difference is that I have more freedom than my mother had. I can go out with my friends, see a movie, or play soccer. My friends are both girls and boys. I am even learning to drive, so I will be more independent. My mother could not do those things. She had to stay at home, help her mother, and learn to cook traditional food. She certainly could not go to a movie with a boy! Finally, I know there will be a big difference in the career opportunities open to me later. After high school, I want to go to college and train to be a nurse or a firefighter. My mother did not have those opportunities; as a girl, she was not expected to have a career, and certainly not the kind of career I want to have. She got married when she was very young, and she has never had a paying job. I’m not saying my life is better than my mom’s life; I’m just saying that living in a new culture makes a huge difference. Passage 4. There are three different types of rock music, alternative rock, classic rock, and hard rock, also known as metal. Alternative rock features a steady bass drum laying down the beat, with easy flowing guitar riffs (重复段) over the top. The bass line is toned town, and the lyrics are sung with intensity an authority. Depending on the song, the guitars can either be acoustic guitars or electric guitars. Classic rock combines a steady driving bass drum sound, with high snare (响弦) overtones, steady and often repeating guitar riffs, and an intensive bass line. The guitars are more often than not all electric guitars, and distortion (扭曲、变形) is rarely used. The lyrics are sung with style and enthusiasm. Hard rock, or metal, features a hard rolling bass drum with an abundant amount of cymbal (钹) work. This style of rock uses several electric guitars with heavy distortion to bring a very intense sound. A hard, intense, driving bass line rounds out the style. The lyrics aren’t really sung so much as screamed. It doesn’t matter what your preference is, each different style of rock music is unique on its own. Passage 5. In recent decades, cities have grown so large that now about 50% of the Earth’s population lives in urban areas. There are several reasons for this occurrence. First, the increasing industrialization of the nineteenth century resulted in the creation of many factory jobs, which tended to be located in cities. These jobs, with their promise of a better material life, attracted many people from rural areas. Second, there were many schools established to educate the children of the new factory laborers. The promise of a better education persuaded many families to leave farming communities and move to the cities. Finally, as the cities grew, people established places of leisure, entertainment, and culture, such as sports stadiums, theaters, and museums. For many people, these facilities made city life appear more interesting than life on the farm, and therefore drew them away from rural communities. Passage 6. Child labor There are many children in our country who are deprived of (剥夺) education and the normal joyous experiences of childhood. While upper-middle-class boys and girls attend school, they work in tea shops or small factories. They work as servants in middle-class and upper-class households. Parents are very poor, so children are forced to take up all these occupations. Government should come up with strict laws to solve this problem. Along with the law, the government should introduce some economic reforms which will bring down the poverty line to some extent. Apart from this, to solve this problem, illiteracy needs to be wiped out and the birth rate must be controlled. Passage 7. How to Make a Good Cup of Tea Making a good cup of tea is extremely simple. First, the teapot is heated by filling it with water that has just come to a boil. This water is then discarded (丢弃), and one teaspoon of loose tea per cup is placed in the teapot (the exact amount may vary according to taste). Fresh water that has just come to a boil is poured into the pot. A good calculation is six ounces of water for each cup of tea. The tea must now steep for three to five minutes; then it is poured through a strainer (滤网) into a cup or mug. A pound of loose tea will yield about two hundred cups of brewed (酿制的) tea. Using a tea bag eliminates the strainer, but it is still best to make the tea in a teapot so that the water stays sufficiently hot. The typical restaurant service—a cup of hot water with the tea bag on the side—will not produce the best cup of tea because the water is never hot enough when it reaches the table and because the tea should not be dunked (泡) in the water; the water should be poured over the tea. Although tea in a pot often becomes too strong, that problem can be dealt with very easily by adding more boiling water.
Passage 1
主题语境 主题群 话题 推荐指数
人与自然 自然生态 新鲜空气对人体的各种好处 ★★★★
(2019年高考全国卷I)
根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Is Fresh Air Really Good for You
We all grew up hearing people tell us to “go out and get some fresh air.” 1 According to recent studies, the answer is a big YES, if the air quality in your camping area is good.
2 If the air you’re breathing is clean—which it would be if you’re away from the smog of cities—then the air is filled with life-giving, energizing oxygen. If you exercise out of doors, your body will learn to breathe more deeply, allowing even more oxygen to get to your muscles (肌肉) and your brain.
Recently, people have begun studying the connection between the natural world and healing (治愈). 3 In these places patients can go to be near nature during their recovery. It turns out that just looking at green, growing things can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and put people into a better mood (情绪). Greenery is good for us. Hospital patients who see tree branches out their window are likely to recover at a faster rate than patients who see buildings or sky instead. 4 It gives us a great feeling of peace.
5 While the sun’s rays can age and harm our skin, they also give us beneficial Vitamin D. To make sure you get enough Vitamin D—but still protect your skin—put on sunscreen right as you head outside. It takes sunscreen about fifteen minutes to start working, and that’s plenty of time for your skin to absorb a day’s worth of Vitamin D.
A. Fresh air cleans our lungs.
B. So what are you waiting for
C. Being in nature refreshes us.
D. Another side benefit of getting fresh air is sunlight.
E. But is fresh air really as good for you as your mother always said
F. Just as importantly, we tend to associate air with health care.
G. All across the country, recovery centers have begun building Healing Gardens.
Passage 2
主题语境 主题群 话题 推荐指数
人与自然 环境保护 利用数字化人猿的创造技术拍摄电影 ★★★★
(2020年高考卷III)
阅读下面短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。
When“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”was first shown to the public last month, a group of excited animal activists gathered on Hollywood Boulevard. But they weren’t there to throw red paint on fur-coat-wearing film stars. Instead, one activist, dressed in a full-body monkey suit, had arrived with a sign praising the filmmakers:“Thanks for not using real apes (猿)!”
The creative team behind “Apes” used motion-capture (动作捕捉) technology to create digitalized animals, spending tens of millions of dollars on technology that records an actor’s performance and later processes it with computer graphics to create a final image (图像). In this case, one of a realistic-looking ape.
Yet “Apes” is more exception than the rule. In fact, Hollywood has been hot on live animals lately. One nonprofit organization, which monitors the treatment of animals in filmed entertainment, is keeping tabs on more than 2,000 productions this year. Already, a number of films, including “Water for Elephants,” “The Hangover Part II” and “Zookeeper,” have drawn the anger of activists who say the creatures acting in them haven’t been treated properly.
In some cases, it’s not so much the treatment of the animals on set in the studio that has activists worried; it’s the off-set training and living conditions that are raising concerns. And there are questions about the films made outside the States, which sometimes are not monitored as closely as productions filmed in the States. (255 words)
1. Why did the animal activists gather on Hollywood Boulevard
A. To see famous film stars. B. To oppose wearing fur coats.
C. To raise money for animal protection. D. To express thanks to some filmmakers.
2. What does paragraph 2 mainly talk about
A. The cost of making “Apes.” B. The creation of digitalized apes.
C. The publicity about “Apes.” D. The performance of real apes.
3. What does the underlined phrase“keeping tabs on”in paragraph 3 probably mean
A. Listing completely. B. Directing professionally.
C. Promoting successfully. D. Watching carefully.
4. What can we infer from the last paragraph about animal actors
A. They may be badly treated. B. They should take further training.
C. They could be traded illegally D. They would lose popularity.
Passage 3
主题语境 主题群 话题 推荐指数
人与自然 环境保护 联邦发行鸭票来筹措资金、保护水禽 ★★★★
(2021年高考全国卷I)
When the explorers first set foot upon the continent of North America, the skies and lands were alive with an astonishing variety of wildlife. Native Americans had taken care of these precious natural resources wisely. Unfortunately, it took the explorers and the settlers who followed only a few decades to decimate a large part of these resources. Millions of waterfowl (水禽) were killed at the hands of market hunters and a handful of overly ambitious sportsmen. Millions of acres of wetlands were dried to feed and house the ever-increasing populations, greatly reducing waterfowl habitat.
In 1934, with the passage of the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act (Act), an increasingly concerned nation took firm action to stop the destruction of migratory (迁徙的) waterfowl and the wetlands so vital to their survival. Under this Act, all waterfowl hunters 16 years of age and over must annually purchase and carry a Federal Duck Stamp. The very first Federal Duck Stamp was designed by J.N. “Ding” Darling, a political cartoonist from Des Moines, lowa, who at that time was appointed by President Franklin Roosevelt as Director of the Bureau of Biological Survey. Hunters willingly pay the stamp price to ensure the survival of our natural resources.
About 98 cents of every duck stamp dollar goes directly into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund to purchase wetlands and wildlife habitat for inclusion into the National Wildlife Refuge System — a fact that ensures this land will be protected and available for all generations to come. Since 1934, better than half a billion dollars has gone into that Fund to purchase more than 5 million acres of habitat. Little wonder the Federal Duck Stamp Program has been called one of the most successful conservation programs ever initiated. (296 words)
5. What was a cause of the waterfowl population decline in North America
A. Loss of wetlands. B. Popularity of water sports.
C. Pollution of rivers D. Arrival of other wild animals.
6. What does the underlined word “decimate” mean in the first paragraph
A. Acquire. B. Export. C. Destroy. D. Distribute.
7 What is a direct result of the Act passed in 1934
A. The stamp price has gone down. B. The migratory birds have flown away.
C. The hunters have stopped hunting. D. The government has collected money.
8. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text
A. The Federal Duck Stamp Story B. The National Wildlife Refuge System
C. The Benefits of Saving Waterfowl D. The History of Migratory Bird Hunting
