The Pacific island nation of Nauru used to be a beautiful place. Now it is an ecological disaster area. Nauru’s heartbreaking story could have one good consequence — other countries might learn from its mistakes.

For thousands of years, Polynesian people lived the remote island of Nauru, far from western civilization. The first European to arrive was John Fearn in 1798. He was the British captain of the Hunter, a whaling ship. He called the island Pleasant Island.

However, because it was very remote, Nauru had little communication with Europeans at first. The whaling ships and other traders began to visit, bringing guns and alcohol. These elements destroyed the social balance of the twelve family groups on the island. A ten-year civil war started, which reduced the population from 1,400 to 900.

Nauru’s real troubles began in 1899 when a British mining company discovered phosphate (磷酸鹽)on the island. In fact, it found that the island of Nauru was nearly all phosphate, which a very important fertilizer for farming. The company began mining the phosphate.

A phosphate mine is not a hole in the ground; it is a strip mine. When a company strip-mines, it removes the top layer of soil. Then it takes away the material it wants. Strip mining totally destroys the land. Gradually, the lovely island of Nauru started to look like the moon.

In 1968, Nauru became one of the richest countries in the world. Every year the government received millions and millions of dollars for its phosphate.

Unfortunately, the leaders invested the money unwisely and lost millions of dollars. In addition, they used millions more dollars for personal expenses. Soon people realized that they had a terrible problem — their phosphate was running out. Ninety percent of their island was destroyed and they had nothing. By 2000, Nauru was financially ruined. Experts say that it would take approximately $433,600,000 and more than 20 years to repair the island. This will probably never happen.

1.What might be the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A. To seek help for Nauru’s problems.

B. To give a warning to other countries

C. To show the importance of money

D. To tell a heartbreaking story of a war.

2.The ecological disaster in Nauru resulted from _______.

A. soil pollution B. phosphate overmining

C. farming activity D. whale hunting

3.Which of the following was a cause of Nauru’s financial problem?

A. Its leaders misused the money

B. It spent too much repairing the island

C. Its phosphate mining cost much money

D. It lost millions of dollars in the civil war.

4.What can we learn about Nauru from the last paragraph?

A. The ecological damage is difficult to repair.

B. The leaders will take the experts’ words seriously.

C. The island was abandoned by the Nauruans

D. The phosphate mines were destroyed

練習(xí)冊系列答案
相關(guān)習(xí)題

科目:高中英語 來源:2016年全國普通高等學(xué)校招生統(tǒng)一考試英語(四川卷參考版) 題型:七選五

根據(jù)短文內(nèi)容,從短文后的選項(xiàng)中選出能填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng)。選項(xiàng)中有兩項(xiàng)為多余選項(xiàng)。

Both men and women are living longer these days in industrialized countries. 1. In general, they can expect to live six or seven years more than men. One reason for this is biological.

One important biological factor that helps women live longer is the difference in hormones between men and women. 2. Between the ages of about 12 and 50, women produce hormones that are involved in fertility(生育能力). These hormones also have a positive effect on the heart and blood flow. In fact, women are less likely to have high blood pressure or to die from heart attacks.

3. They help the body defend itself against some kinds of infections. This means that women generally ger sick less often and less seriously than men. The common cold is a good example: women, on average, get fewer colds than men. 4. Scientists are still not exactly sure how influence aging, but they believe that they do. Some think that a woman’s body cells have a tendency(向) to age more slowly than a man’s. Others think that a man’s body cells have a tendency to age more quickly. 5.

A.However, women, on average, live longer.

B .The biological factor plays an important part.

C. Women are also helped by their female genes.

D. The female hormones also protect the body in another way.

E. Recent research seems to support both of these possibilities.

F. Therefore, women are more healthy than men and can live a better life.

G. Hormones are chemicals which are produced by the body to control carious body functions.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:2016年全國普通高等學(xué)校招生統(tǒng)一考試英語(全國卷2參考版) 題型:七選五

根據(jù)短文內(nèi)容,從短文后的選項(xiàng)中選出能填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng)。選項(xiàng)中有兩項(xiàng)為多余選項(xiàng)。

A garden that’s just right for you

Have you ever visited a garden that seemed just right for you, where the atmosphere of the garden appeared to total more than the sum(總和) of its parts? 1. . But it doesn’t happen by accident. It starts with looking inside yourself and understanding who you are with respect to the natural world and how you approach the gardening process.

●___2.

Some people may think that a garden is no more than plants, flowers, patterns and masses of color. Others are concerned about using gardening methods that require less water and fewer fertilizers(肥料). 3. . However, there are a number of other reasons that might explain why you want to garden. One of them comes from our earliest years.

●Recall(回憶)your childhood memories

Our model of what a garden should be often goes back to childhood. Grandma’s rose garden and Dad’s vegetable garden might be good or bad, but that’s not what’s important. 4. --how being in those gardens made us feel. If you’d like to build a powerful bond with your garden, start by taking some time to recall the gardens of your youth. 5. then go outside and work out a plan to translate your childhood memories into your grown-up garden. Have fun.

A. Know why you garden

B. Find a good place for your own garden

C. It’s our experience of the garden that matters

D. It’s delightful to see so many beautiful flowers

E. Still others may simply enjoy being outdoors and close to plants

F. You can produce that kind of magical quality in your own garden, too

G. For each of those gardens, writer down the strongest memory you have

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:2016屆廣東揭陽高三第二次高考模擬英語試卷(解析版) 題型:閱讀理解

My teacher, Mr. August J. Bachmann, was the most influential teacher I ever had.

I had gotten into trouble in his class: Another student had pushed me for fun, and I became angry and began to hit him. Mr. Bachmann stopped the fight, but instead of sending me to the office, he sat me down and asked a simple question: "Penna, why are you wasting your life? Why aren't you going to college?"

I didn't know anything about colleges or scholarships. No one had ever considered that a fatherless boy from the poorest neighborhood had a future. That day, instead of rushing off for lunch, he stayed and explained possible education options to me. At the end of our talk, he sent me to see a secretary who had a child at a state college. This was in 1962 at Emerson High School in Union City, New Jersey.

Well, 53 years have passed, and what have I done with the knowledge he gave me? I gained a PhD from Fordham University when I was only 29. I taught English and social studies and then moved up the chain of command from teacher to principal.

I've sat on the board for Magnet Schools of America and represented that organization at the United Nations. I've won a number of great educational awards. But where would I be if a truly caring teacher had not taken the time out of his lunch period to speak to me? It was without question only his confidence in me that helped me forward.

I have repaid his kindness hundreds of times by encouraging misguided youngsters to aim higher. If I have saved any children, it is because of him. If I have been a successful educator, it is because I had a great role model in Mr. Bachmann.

1.The writer ________ before Mr. Bachmann talked to him.

A. was an active boy

B. liked making troubles in class

C. was an aimless boy

D. would get punished by his teachers

2.Which of the following best describes Mr. Bachmann?

A. Fair. B. Confident.

C. Inspiring. D. Humorous.

3.How did Mr. Bachmann influence the writer?

A. He set the writer on the right path.

B. He tried to set a good example to the writer.

C. He was strict with the writer.

D. He helped the writer with his study.

4.What does the writer think of his achievement?

A. He is very proud of himself.

B. He feels his effort gets paid off at last.

C. He owes his achievement to Mr. Bachmann.

D. He thinks it an honor to be a successful educator.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:2015-2016學(xué)年云南蒙自市高二4月考英語試卷(解析版) 題型:閱讀理解

Believe it or not, the ability to choose is the power to change. If you can choose to live your life differently, will you be the same person?

Well, choosing to do the following few “simple” things will help to change your life.

Review your life. Take time to go through your life and ask yourself, “If I do the same thing I do every day, will there be a change? If I want to change, where will my first step be?”

Make careful choices. Choose exactly what you wish to get to live your life; describe and think what you really want.

Keep up with chances. Find out about the possibilities and ways that can make you move toward your goals, write them down and see which one suits you most.

Get down to business. Start working on your goals. People may bring you down; you may have difficulties; you will fail and want to give up. But the most important thing is never to give up.

If you try these “simple” things, you will find that success is something for everyone, and you will finally become what you want to be. Remember, success is more than what you hold in your hands; it is something from the heart.

1. Once you get down to business, the most important thing is to _____.

A. set goals B. see possibilities

C. keep on trying D. ask for help

2.The underlined word “it” in the last paragraph refers to ____.

A. change B. choice C. life D. success

3.This passage mainly discussed the relationship between ______.

A. power and life

B. choice and change

C. power and success

D. choice and difficulty

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:2015-2016學(xué)年江西贛州十三縣市高二下期中聯(lián)考英語試卷(解析版) 題型:語法填空

語法填空

閱讀下面材料,在空白處填入適當(dāng)?shù)脑~(一個單詞)或用括號內(nèi)單詞的正確形式填空。

Every child should have a solid science education ___1.___ they want to be the next Albert Einstein or Michael Jordan. Science is all around us. Children that understand how science plays __2.___ role in our everyday lives have a wonderful foundation for success in life.

Children can learn science at any age. The __3.___(early)they start, the better,The best way for kids to learn is through play and repetition.These are wonderful science toys for preschool science___4._(activity). Children love to use their imagination___5.____( complete) to have fun and to help them understand the world around them.So play is a wonderful time to introduce science to them.Think of the games that we used to play. Each of the games ___6.__(have) science behind it.

Children are by nature curious as they feel the world, _7.___(try) to make sense of what is around them. It is curiosity that needs ___8.___(encourage)and satisfied.Finding these toys is not as hard as one would think.To make sure that you get good quality toys, visit science toy shops online. These are the best places to find unique science toys .

Help your children appreciate the world around them with understanding the world around them. This way, they understand how we are all____9.__ (connect)together. Children will not only question the world, but be able to come up with answers to those questions__10.__their own. Science is life.

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:2015-2016學(xué)年黑龍江齊齊哈爾市高一下期中考試英語試卷(解析版) 題型:書面表達(dá)

書面表達(dá)

杭州是一座美麗的城市,一年四季有賓客前去旅游。請寫一篇100詞左右文章,要點(diǎn)如下:

1.杭州位于中國的東南,東臨東海,以其美麗的西湖而聞名于世。

2.環(huán)繞西湖有許多公園和名勝古跡。

3.節(jié)假日人們在西湖上蕩漿,到公園游玩,度過愉快的時光。

4.杭州自改革開放(the reforming and opening)以來,發(fā)生了巨大變化,呈現(xiàn)出新面貌,許多高樓大廈拔地而起。

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:2016屆重慶市高三5月模擬考試英語試卷(解析版) 題型:閱讀理解

閱讀下列短文,從每題所給的四個選項(xiàng)(A、B、C和D)中,選出最佳選項(xiàng)

Hundreds of years ago,a Roman army came north from England to make war on Scotland. The Scots,a brave people,loved their country very much. They fought hard to drive the enemy out of Scotland,but there were too many Romans. It looked as if the Romans would win.

One night,the leader of Scots marched his soldiers to the top of a hill. “We will rest here tonight,my men,” he said. “Tomorrow we will fight one more battle. We must win or we will die.”

They were all very tired,so they ate their supper quickly and fell asleep. There were four guards on duty,but they,too,were very tired,and one by one,also fell asleep.

The Romans were not asleep. Quickly they gathered at the foot of the hill. Slowly they climbed up the hillside,taking care not to make a sound. Closer and closer they came to the sleeping Scots. They were almost at the top. A few minutes more,the war would be over. Suddenly,one of them put his foot on a thistle(薊). He cried out and his sudden cry woke the Scots. In a moment,they were on their feet and ready for battle. The fighting was hard but it did not last long. The Scots wiped out the Romans and saved their country.

The thistle is not a beautiful plant. It has sharp needles all over it. Few people like it. But the people of Scotland liked it so much that they made it their national flower.

1.Hundreds of years ago there was a war between ________.

A. Roman army and North England

B. Roman army and the Scots

C. England and Scots

D. a brave people and the Scots

2.“We must win or we will die.” What the leader of the Scots said means ________.

A. they were sure to win

B. they couldn't escape from death

C. they would win and then they would die

D. they must try hard to win, otherwise they would be killed

3.The Romans climbed up the hill quietly because ________.

A. they didn't want to wake the Scots

B. they wanted to reach the top

C. they wanted to catch the four guards first

D. they were afraid of the sharp needles of the thistle

4.What’s the main idea of the passage?

A. The thistle is a beautiful plant

B. The people of Scotland like the thistle

C. The Romans are a brave people

D. The thistle helped the Scots win the battle

查看答案和解析>>

科目:高中英語 來源:2016屆福建漳州高三畢業(yè)班高考模擬(一)英語試卷(解析版) 題型:七選五

根據(jù)短文內(nèi)容,從短文后的選項(xiàng)中選出能填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng)。選項(xiàng)中有兩項(xiàng)為多余選項(xiàng)。

Tips to Increase Your Productivity

Want to get more done in your day? Of course you do. 1. The good news is that everyone can increase the amount of tasks they accomplish in a day. Here are some tips to help you have a more productive day.

Make a plan for your day. Make sure you know how you want your day to go in advance, even before you start. 2. To work best, create the next day’s plan the night before so that every morning you spend time performing, not planning.

Break large tasks down into bits accomplished easily. Do you have a large project that’s just so big that you keep putting it off? Or maybe you’re just unsure of where to begin, so you put it off. 3. Therefore, you will feel a sense of accomplishment as you check the items of your list.

Always set your priorities (優(yōu)先事項(xiàng)). 4. Figure out what must be done, do that first and rank the rest of your work according to importance. If you don’t get to the items at the end of your list, it won’t be a big problem, and you can do them another time.

5. If you are the most productive in the morning, that’s when you should hit it hard and do as much as you can. If you work better in the afternoon, take care of some things like emails in the morning and then accomplish the important projects in the afternoon. Keep on top of your work habits, and you’ll be more productive.

A. Reward yourself if you are productive.

B. Be aware of when you are the most productive.

C. This can provide you a roadmap for the day.

D. It’s tough to meet depressed people who are productive.

E. It’s important to accomplish the most important tasks first.

F. A good way is to break the project down into more manageable ones.

G. To stay competitive in any industry, you need to improve your productivity.

查看答案和解析>>

同步練習(xí)冊答案