It may not feel like it, but 2012 has been the greatest year in the history of the world. Never has there been less hunger, less disease or more prosperity (繁荣). The West remains in the economic depression, but most developing countries are charging ahead, and people are being lifted out of poverty at the fastest rate ever recorded. The number of deaths caused by war and natural disasters is also mercifully low. We are living in a golden age.

Take global poverty as an example. In 1990, the UN announced Millennium Development Goals, the first of which was to halve the number of people in extreme poverty by 2015. It turned out this year that the target was met in 2008.

The doom-mongers (末世论者) will tell you that we cannot maintain worldwide economic growth without ruining our environment. But while the rich world’s economies grew by 6 per cent over the last seven years, fossil fuel (矿物燃料) consumption in those countries fell by 4 per cent. This remarkable achievement has nothing to do with green taxes or wind-farms. It is down to consumer demand for more efficient cars.

Advances in medicine and technology mean that people across the world are living longer. The average life span in Africa reached 55 this year. Ten years ago, it was 50. The number of people dying from Aids has been in decline for the last eight years. Deaths from malaria have fallen by a fifth in half a decade.

War has historically been human’s biggest killer. But in most of the world today, a generation is growing up that knows little of it. The Peace Research Institute in Oslo says there have been fewer war deaths in the last decade than any time in the last century.

Fifty years ago, the world was breathing a sigh of relief after the Cuban missile crisis. Young couples would discuss whether it was responsible to have children when the future seemed so dark. But now, it’s worth remembering that, in spite of all our problems, the forces of peace, progress and prosperity are prevailing (占优势).

1.What has caused the decrease in the fossil fuel consumption?

A. People have to pay heavier taxes on fossil fuel.

B. There are more and more renewable resources now.

C. There is a sharp decline in the number of cars.

D. People are purchasing more energy-saving cars.

2. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. People don’t suffer from malaria any more.

B. There were many more war deaths in the last century.

C. The young generation shows little interest in war.

D. The number of Aids-affected people is declining.

3. Which one does NOT help prove that 2012 was the best year ever?

A. Fewer natural disasters occurred.                         B. Global poverty relieved.

C. Cuban missile crisis ended.                                      D. Technology and medicine advanced.

4. The author tries to inform people that _______.

A. 2012 witnessed more advances in developed countries

B. 2012 brought us less starvation and more prosperity

C. 2012 saw economic growth as well as environmental destruction

D. 2012 provided us with a peaceful world free from conflicts