阅读理解 One reason for hope lies in the extraordinary nature of human intellectual accomplishment. A hundred years ago, the idea of a man on moon, of the Internet remained in the realm of science fiction. Yet we have seen those things and much more. So, now that we have finally faced up to the terrible damage we have inflicted on our environment, we are working to find technological solutions. But technology alone is not enough. We must engage with our hearts also.
Even companies once known only for profits are having a change of heart. For example, Conoco, the energy company, worked with the Jane Goodall Institute (J.G.I.) in Congo to build a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees.
Another reason for hope is the resilience of nature—if it is given a helping hand. Fifteen years ago, the forests outside Gombe National Park in Tanzania had been virtually eliminated. More people lived there than the land could support. J.G.I, initiated the Lake Tanganyika Catchment Reforestation and Education Project, a program active in 33 villages around the park. Today people improve their lives through environmentally sustainable projects, such as tree nurseries and wood lots. We provided health care, family-planning and education programs, especially for women. As their education increases, their family size tends to drop.
While pollution still plagues much of the world, progress is being made. This May in Sudbury, Ont., I saw new forests that were recolonizing hills destroyed by 100 years of nickel mining. The community raised the money and worked for months spreading lime and planting vegetation on the blackened rock.
Animal species on the brink of extinction can be given a second chance through protection and captive breeding—even if preserving a habitat conflicts with economic interests. A company in China planned to build a rapid-transit line right through the only major remaining breeding ground of the rare pheasant-tailed jacana. There was an outcry, but it was the only economically viable route. Environmentalists worked with the company to come up with a solution—moving the breeding ground. Water was diverted back into nearby wetlands that had been drained by farmers, and suitable vegetation was replanted.
I derive the most hope from the energy and hard work of young people. Roots & Shoots, J.G.I.'s program for youth from preschool through university, is now active in 70 countries. The name is symbolic: roots and shoots together can break up brick walls, just as citizens of Earth together can overcome our problems.
单选题 21."A man on moon" and "the Internet" in the first paragraph are given as examples to show______.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】文章第一段提到, “一百年前,人类登月、互联网等想法都是科学幻想,现今,这些幻想已经变成现实,作者举这些例子是为了表明,迄今为止,人类已经取得巨大的科技进步。”故选项[A]正确。
单选题 22.According to the passage, people can repair the damage by all the following means EXCEPT______.
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】由文章前三段内容可知,人类修复破坏的方法有“发展科技”“种植树木”“铺设草坪、计划生育,以及提供教育”等。只有选项[D]未提及。
单选题 23.According to the passage, people living around Gombe National Park improve their lives by______.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】文章第三段指出,J.G.I.为居住于Gombe国家公园地区的居民提供教育,提高了他们的生活质量,尤其是接受教育的妇女,她们不再生那么多的孩子,故选项[A]正确。
单选题 24.The name of the program, "Roots & Shoots" in the last paragraph, is symbolic in that______.
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】文章最后一段指出,树根和树枝能突破同墙,就像地球上的人类只要齐心合力就能克服困难一样。故选项[C]正确。
单选题 25.The best title for this passage could be______.
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】全文强调,如果人类齐心协力保护环境,人类就可以有更大的力量。故正确答案为[D]。