Have you ever noticed the colour of the water in a river or stream after a heavy rainfall? What do you think caused this change in colour? It is soil that has been washed into the river from the riverbank or from t}le nearby fields.

Components of Soft

Soil is made up of a number of layers(层),each having its own distinctive colour and texture.The upper layer is known as the litter.It acts like a blanket.limiting temperature changes and reducing water loss.The topsoil layer is made up of small particles of rock mixed with rotten plant and animal matter called humus(腐殖质),which is black and gives the topsoil its dark colour.This layer is usually rich in nutrients,oxygen,and water.Below the topsoil is the subsoil,a layer that contains more stones mixed with only small amounts of organic matter.This layer is lighter in colour because of the lack of humus.Beneath the soil lies a layer of bedrock.

Soil forms from the bottom up.Over time bedrock is attacked by rain, wind,frost, and snow.It is gradually broken down into smaller particles in a process called weathering.Plants begin to grow,and rotten materials enrich the topsoil.Most of the soil in Eastern Canada.for example.Was formed from weathered rock that was exposed when the ice disappeared l2.000 years ag0.

Water Beneath the Soil

Surface water collects and flows above the ground in lakes.ponds.and rivers.Once in the soil or rock,it is called groundwater.Gravity pulls groundwater through the soil in a process called percolation(渗透).Eventually the water reaches a layer called the water table.Under this is bedrock through which water cannot percolate.

As water percolates downward,it dissolves organic matter and minerals from the soil and carries them to deeper layers.This causes a serious problem because plants require these nutrients for growth.

Soil pH

Soil can be acidic.neutral.or basic.The pH of the soil is determined by the nature of the rock

from which it was formed.and by the nature of t}le plants that grow and rot in it.

The acidity of rain and snow can lower the pH of the groundwater that enters the soil.By burning fossil fuels such as coal,oil and gasoline,humans have been contributing to higher levels of acidity in many soils.When fossil fuels are burned.gases are released into the air and then fall back to earth as acid rain.Acid soil increases出e problem of carrying nutrients to lower soil levels.As nutrients are removed,soil is less fertile.Plants grow more slowly in acidic soil,and also become easily attacked by diseases.

67.The layer of soil that provides necessary nutrients for plant growth is called.

A.1itter    B.topsoil    C.humus D.subsoil

68.According to the text.which of the following is NOT true?

A.Soil forms from weathered rock on the earth surface.

B.The deeper layer of soil is darker in colour than t}le surface soil.

C.Air pollution is partially responsible for acid soil.

D.Groundwater tends to carry away nutrients for plant growth.

69.We can infer from the passage that the water table lies       .

A.between the topsoil layer and the subsoil layer

B.in the subsoil layer above bedrock

C.between the subsoil layer and bedrock

D.in the bedrock layer beneath the subsoil

70.The underlined word “dissolve” is used to express the idea that organic matter and minerals from soil are          .

A.rushed away into the river

B.cleaned and purified by water

C.destroyed and carried away by water

D.mixed with water and become part of it

On a hill 600 feet above the surrounding land, we watch the lines of rain move across the scene, the moon rise over the hills, and the stars appear in the sky. The views invite a long look from a comfortable chair in front of the wooden house.
Every window in our wooden house has a view, and the forest and lakes seldom look the same as the hour before. Each look reminds us where we are.
There is space for our three boys to play outside, to shoot arrows, collect tree seeds, build earth houses and climb trees.
Our kids have learned the names of the trees, and with the names have come familiarity and appreciation. As they tell all who show even a passing interest, maple(枫树)makes the best fighting sticks and white pines are the best climbing trees.
The air is clean and fresh. The water from the well has a pleasant taste, and it is perhaps the healthiest water our kids will ever drink. Though they have one glass a day of juice and the rest is water, they never say anything against that.
The seasons change just outside the door. We watch the maples turn every shade of yellow and red in the fall and note the poplars’(杨树)putting out the first green leaves of spring. The rainbow smelt fills the local steam as the ice gradually disappears, and the wood frogs start to sing in pools after being frozen for the winter. A family of birds rules our skies and flies over the lake.
【小题1】What can be learned from Paragraph 2?

A.The scenes are colorful and changeable.
B.There are many windows in the wooden house.
C.The views remind us that we are in a wooden house.
D.The lakes outside the windows are quite different in color.
【小题2】By mentioning the names of the trees, the author aims to show that ______ .
A.the kids like playing in trees
B.the kids are very familiar with trees
C.the kids have learned much knowledge
D.the kids find trees useful learning tools
【小题3】What does the underlined sentence in the last paragraph mean?
A.The change of seasons is easily felt.
B.The seasons make the scenes change.
C.The weather often changes in the forest.
D.The door is a good position to enjoy changing seasons.
【小题4】What is the main purpose of the author writing the text?
A.To describe the beauty of the scene around the house.
B.To introduce her children’s happy life in the forest.
C.To show that living in the forest is healthful.
D.To share the joy of living in the nature.

阅读下列应用文及相关信息,并按照要求匹配信息。请在答题卡上将对应题号的相应选项字母涂黑。

(选E涂AB; 选F涂CD)

以下是一些旅游项目的简介:

A. Sea kayaking in Turkey

Enjoy beautiful scenery on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. The water is clear and calm with temperatures of 25º–28º in July and August. You don’t need any previous kayaking experience to enjoy this trip. However, you do need to be quite fit, as you will be on the water for 4–6 hours a day.

B. Diving holidays in Kenya

Experience diving and sailing in the Indian Ocean in March and April. Enjoy warm, clear water and white, sandy beaches. Spend all of your stay on one of our yachts (游艇) with first-class service and excellent food. Explore remote and unspoilt reefs, and see a wonderful range of underwater sea life.

C. Swimming with dolphins in The Azores Islands, Portugal

Would you like to discover the underwater world of the dolphin? Join us in July or August in the clear waters around the Azores. You will receive training from expert guides to gain confidence in the water with the animals. We often see eight different species of dolphin during our trips.

D. Gulfoss Waterfall in Iceland

Come to Iceland in summer to see the biggest waterfall in Europe. Gulfoss, the ‘Golden Waterfall’ is a truly spectacular sight. The water from the River Hvítá and water from glaciers come together and fall 32m in two stages. You can follow a path quite close to the falls, which provides wonderful opportunities for photos and videos. Warm clothing is essential.

E. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia (克罗地亚)

Set in a National Park, the lakes are Croatia’s most popular tourist attraction. The beauty of the region comes from the 16 lakes, waterfalls, and areas of woodland, where deer, wolves and bears can be found. The park is open all year. There are several walks for all levels of fitness. You can also see the park by boat or bus.

F. Lake Balaton, Hungary

If you enjoy nature, you will love Lake Balaton. Much of the area around the lake is part of a protected National Park. We have expert guides with knowledge of local plants and animals. That will take you on long walks around the park. The marsh area of the lake is home to a wide number of bird species.

以下是五个人的旅游爱好,请匹配每个人拟选择的旅游项目:

1.Jonny is crazy about plants and animals in different parts of the world. He travels a lot and each summer he goes to a different place to learn about the local plants and wildlife.

2.Leo and his family have already done different water sports in Europe and so want to travel further abroad. They would like to try a new sport and they don’t mind working hard. They are not free to travel until the summer.

3.Ellen enjoys being near water but she doesn’t want to do any water sports and she doesn’t like the cold. Walking long distances is rather difficult for her, but she likes being outside and seeing wildlife. She has already been to Hungary. She can travel at any time between November and January.

4.Amy and Eric are retired but they are still very active. They enjoy walking and looking at scenery. They would like to go somewhere cool this summer where Amy can take a lot of photos.

5.Will is a student of marine biology. He is also a very good swimmer and an experienced diver. He’s looking for a summer holiday where he can learn about animals and help people. He wants to stay in Europe.

 

The United Nations Environment Program is calling for urgent action to reduce growing risks from chemicals. Better management of chemicals could save millions of lives and billions of dollars. An estimated one hundred forty-three thousand chemicals are now produced. Yet only the report says only a small number of these chemicals have been studied for their effects on human health and the environment. It says death and disability rates are high from the unsafe use of chemical products.

Sylvie Lemmet, director of the U.N. Environment Program, says poor management of chemicals has a high economic cost. For example, she says the cost is higher than the amount of overseas development aid, or ODA, for health care in sub-Saharan Africa.

She says: "If you look at the estimated cost of poisoning from pesticide in sub-Saharan Africa, only the injury and the loss of working time is estimated to be 6.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2009. This is higher than the total ODA that is going to the health sector in the same area."

The Program estimates that chemical sales worldwide will increase by around three percent a year until 2050. Chemical production is moving quickly from developed to developing countries. By 2020, chemical production is expected to increase by 40 percent in Africa and the Middle East and 33 percent in Latin America. One of its biggest concerns is pollution of rivers and lakes by pesticides and fertilizer. Other major concerns are heavy-metal pollution from the production of cement and textiles, and dioxin pollution from mining.

The U.N. report urges the chemical industry and governments to work together to develop safety policies. It says preventing harm costs less than fixing it.

63. The purpose of Paragraph 3 is mainly to indicate that _________.

A. The use of pesticide is wasteful.

B. Africa needs more development aid.

C. Chemicals have a high production cost.

D. Estimated cost of chemicals is inaccurate.

64. Which of the following is NOT a source of danger according to the text?

A. Pesticides.      B. Fertilizer.   C. Heavy-metal.   D. Mineral.

65. According to the text what is the main reason for chemicals risks?

A. Poor management of chemicals.

B. Lack of research funds on chemicals.

C. The mass production of cement and textiles

D. Contradiction between chemical producers and governments.

66. What would be the best title for the text?

A. The truth in Sylvie Lemmet’s comments.

B. A UN warning about chemical dangers.

C. The unpredictable future of chemical industry.

D. Preventing: much better than curing.

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