PART 4 Reading PRACTICE 8
PART 4 Reading PRACTICE 8
PART 4 Reading PRACTICE 8
Answer questions 1 and 2 based on Article 1.
Article 1
降解 不利的
What is environmental degradation? Environmental degradation is any adverse change that affects nature
严重 恶化
gravely. Basically, it is the deterioration of the earth or environment due to environmental damage, extinction灭绝
野生动物 消耗
of wildlife and the consumption of assets, such as air, water and soil.
必然 民众
In today’s modern society, environmental degradation is inevitable due to expanding human populace
城市扩张 广阔
and urban sprawl. Vast expanses of natural forest have been destroyed to make way for urban housing. Better
medical facilities have increased lifespan and that means not only more demand for housing, but also, food
同样的
and clothes. Likewise, highways and rails have been constructed to service the growing urban community. All
these result in deforestation, which contributes to global warming.
贪婪
Simply human selfishness and greed can also lead to environmental degradation. Unsurprisingly, people
金钱收益
have capitalised on earth’s natural resources for monetary gain. For instance, mining in whatever form, naturally
destroys land. Not only are the earth’s natural resources 耗尽 depleted, but also, the natural habitats of wildlife.
Land damage makes it difficult for the wildlife to get the assets they need to survive. Ultimately, this means
最终
an extinction of species.
The application of polluting technology also brings about environmental degradation. Air, water, land and
noise pollution are harmful for the environment. Air and water pollution affects health while noise pollution
cause permanent damage to our ears. Land pollution results in degradation of earth’s surface as a result of
human activities.
As a result, environmental degradation has attracted serious attention in the world today. The United Nations
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction describes environmental degradation as the diminishing capacity
支持
of earth to sustain social and environmental destinations, and needs. Once the environments are damaged or
the common assets depleted, the environment is deemed degraded.退化
视为
VOCAB C H E C K
Various measures have been taken to 缓解 mitigate this, including environmental
resource protection and general protection efforts. As some environmental issues deterioration – the fact or
process of becoming worse
have long-term ecological effects that can destroy whole environments, conservation degradation – a situation in
明显
efforts should not only focus on protecting the flora and fauna, which are evident which somebody has lost all
parts of the environment. Conserving the things on which they depend on, for self-respectother people
and the respect of
3 How can trees and oceans keep the Earth cool? Answer questions 5 and 6 based on Article 1 and
A They absorb heat radiation back to the Article 2.
Earth.
B They release large amounts of carbon 5 Which of the following is true of both articles?
A Both articles indicate that environmental
dioxide.
C They reduce greenhouse gases in the issues are inevitable.
注重
B Both articles emphasise the impact of
atmosphere.
human on the environment.
4 “... much more needs to be done ...” in the last C Both articles highlight the selfishness of
paragraph implies that human beings on environmental issues.
A sustainable living is fast disappearing
6 The two articles suggest that to protect the
B some parts of nature are not protected
environment
C environmental degradation is increasingly
A everyone has to contribute
rapidly
B conservation efforts are crucial
C corporate social responsibility is essential
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