Some people think that human needs for farmland, housing, and industry are more important than saving land for endangered animals. Do you agree or disagree with this point of view? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

有些人認為人類對耕地，住房，和工業的需求比保存土地和瀕臨滅絕的物種更重要？同意與否？

1 動物很重要

段落大意：動物對維持生態平衡有很重要作用，但是它們正在快速的滅絕。

Human beings are dependent on the Earths diversity of species for our survival. Wild species play a vital role in the maintenance of the planet』s ecological functions, yet everyday on the planet 40-100 species become extinct. Many countries across the world have not got an endangered species act that is strong enough to protect various species.

2 人類生存離不開物種多樣性

段落大意：人類生存離不開物種多樣性，但是各種動植物正在急速滅絕。

Human life cannot exist in the absence of complicated interactions of millions of species in biological systems. Yet as humans, we live during a period of the greatest loss of plant and animal species since the mega-extinctions of the Jurassic Period 65 million years ago. Harvard University biologist E.O. Wilson estimates "that 50,000 plant and animal species disappear each year due to tropical deforestation, expanding agriculture, and human settlement." Human activities impact the environment, including clearing agricultural land; air, land and water pollution; urban and suburban development; and the introduction of invasive or non-native wildlife species. If land and wildlife are poorly managed, human being will risk fragmenting habitat.

Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed (damaged) by human activity. Others feel that human activity makes the Earth a better place to live. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

有些人認為地球正在受到人類行為的破壞，另外有些人認為人類行為使地球變成更好的居住之地。你的觀點如何？

1 單一農作物發展的弊端

段落大意：單一農作物發展大面積侵佔動物棲息地，使得它們趨於滅亡。

The whole point of crop farming (monoculture) is to remove a mixed population of trees; shrubs etc and replace it with a dense population of wheat or beans. The balance between life and natural plant is upset; the animals are forced to live in small areas of woodland, hedgerow or heath. There is not enough food to go around and the stronger survive, many animals will die and some species may even die out.

2 有毒的氣體對環境的傷害

段落大意：我們終日生活在化學氣體保衛的環境中，這些有害氣體傷害環境，傷害人類。

We are living in the midst of a great chemical experiment, and some serious consequences are becoming apparent to scientists. More than two billion pounds of chemicals are spewed into the air each year. These chemicals are brewing a disastrous stew, resulting in an atmosphere crisis. The greatest consequences of the atmosphere crisis may be global warming and the ozone depletion. If humankind wants to survive well into the next millennium, we must stop this horrible destruction of our own environment.

3 地球變暖加劇對人類的傷害

段落大意，地球環境暖化，使得各種災害，包括旱澇災害，臭氧空洞等頻繁發生。

The Earth appears to be warming due to the greenhouse effect. Scientists estimate that the average temperature could climb about 2 degrees Celsius in 20 years. This change in the global climate would have disastrous results, including drought, coastal flooding and increased species extinction. And, scientists have discovered a hole in the ozone layer. The ozone layer is the only protection for life on Earth against deadly ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Once the ozone layer is completely destroyed, all life on Earth will cease to exist, killed by the deadly radiation. The planet will become a barren rock devoid of all life.

4 工業化使得地球環境變差

段落大意：工業化進程帶給環境負面影響，人類正在努力扭轉這種局面。

The negative effect of industrialization on the environment has been known for years. The dangers associated with lead, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and other toxic materials were discovered. Several measures have been taken to stop the damage done to the environment by several agents.

5 電腦和網路發展的優勢

段落大意：網路使得人類生活更加方便。

In 21st century, the Internet has become very popular around the world. Since technology has improved, many people can use the Internet at home. It allows for an unbelievably large amount of downloads and uploads of information, music, videos, attachments, and all sorts of other things as it is the engine of the Information Superhighway of our Information Era, in which we live. From the Internet, people can write or receive emails, get information from around the world, or chat with friends or other people in different countries in instant messages with clear voices and images that shorten the distance from person to person. Also, there is no time limit. One can use the Internet whenever one wants. In addition, it is very inexpensive, so it is a very convenient type of media.

6 商家應該承擔更多責任

段落大意：商家作為社會優勢羣體，應該承擔更多的社會責任，包括保護環境。

Business today has so many responsibilities. Aside from making a profit, they are forced to take on a different responsibility, one that involves the environment. 「Corporate managers should be held morally responsible for going beyond considerations of profits, law, and market morality to try to do what they can to help solve our most pressing environmental problems.」 In his article, Hoffman argues that business must creatively find ways to become part of the solution, instead of the problem. Business should try to become more environmentally friendly and think of ways to help mitigate the many environmental problems we have.

7 個人行為以保護環境

段落大意：個人良好行為，包括不隨意扔垃圾，實行回收等，可以教育他人，也可以保護環境。

Through my lifestyle and manners, I hope to make others aware of their environment and its constant fragile state. By not littering, others will see how easy it is to actually walk to the garbage can. As I pick up trash, my peers will notice how much nicer and cleaner my surroundings seem, and will in turn want that for themselves. When I recycle, they』ll see how simple and easy it is, and what a difference it makes. Through my examples, they will see that there are alternatives, ways to make their homes and personal environments a lot healthier to live in. Eventually they will see that there is a need to preserve the environment for ourselves and our future, and reap the benefits by doing so.

8 中國在環境保護方面的成就

段落大意：改革開放以後的中國，在產值和環境保護方面都取得了良好的成績。

China is a developing country. Now it is confronted with the dual task of developing the economy and protecting the environment. Proceeding from its national conditions, China has, in the process of promoting its overall modernization program, made environmental protection one of its basic national policies, regarded the realization of sustainable development as an important strategy and carried out throughout the country large-scale measures for pollution prevention and control as well as ecological environment protection. Over years since its adoption of reform and opening to the outside world, Chinas gross national product (GNP) has achieved a sustained annual growth of around 10 percent, while its environmental quality has basically steered clear of the outcome of corresponding deterioration. Practice has proved that the principle adopted by China of effecting coordinated development between the economy, the society and the environment has been effective.

Many parts of the world are losing important natural resources, such as forests, animals, or clean water. Choose one resource that is disappearing and explain why it needs to be saved. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

很多地方正在失去自然資源比如森林，動物，凈水。選擇一種正在消失的資源解釋為什麼需要保存之？

1 熱帶雨林的重要作用表現

段落大意：熱帶雨林是人類的寶貴財富，它不但在環境保護上有很重要作用，在經濟上也會為人類帶來很大利益。

「In every sense, a standing rain forest supplies more economic wealth than if it were cleared. Yet deforestation continues at an alarming rate.」 Rain Forests have played a significant role in shaping modern biology. The destruction of the rain forests will determine the fate of all species. Many people do not understand the long- term consequences of losing the earth』s rain forests. They have provided all living beings with many natural resources and medicines.

2 森林為人類提供藥物資源

段落大意：森林為人類提供各種各樣的藥物。

For years forests have provided countries around the world with valuable resources, such as plants for medicine, energy, and minerals. First of all, in America, one fourth of all drugs prescribed have originated from rain forests. SP-303 is a compound extracted from a plant found in South America. Two products have been derived from this compound: Provir and Virend. Provir helps treat respiratory infections in children, while Virend is a topical ointment used to treat the herpes simplex virus.

3 管理森林資源的重要性

段落大意：管理森林資源不但造福森林中的動植物，也造福人類。

Forest management is maintaining and management of not only the trees in the forest, but the streams, habitat, watersheds, and even the decaying trees or logs on the forest floor. Managing our forests is not only important to the wildlife, but also to our future economy and way of life.

4 熱帶雨林遭到破壞

段落大意：熱帶雨林在近幾十年來所遭到的破壞已經不容忽視。

The destruction of the rainforest is a problem that people can not ignore. 14 percent of the Earths land used to be covered by rainforests yet this number has dropped significantly to only about 6 percent. Rainforests provide people of the world with many necessities, some of which would no longer be available if rainforests did not exist. In the last 50 years, rainforests have declined at a terrifying speed of 150 acres per minute or 75 million acres per year. People must open their eyes to the horrible tragedy that will inevitably occur if the citizens of the world do not realize the seriousness of this problem.

5 人類破壞森林的表現

段落大意：現代科技的發展和人類為己之私的慾望，導致毀滅森林的行為頻繁發生。

Humans have always cleared the forest for our own interests, but in the past, the process was slow and only limited regions were deforested, generally for subsistence agriculture. However, today, humanity is far more efficient at clearing the forest with our advanced technology and machinery and our almost maniacal drive to earn profits in the near term.

In your country, is there more need for land to be left in its natural condition or is there more need for land to be developed for housing and industry? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

在你們的國家，把土地保留在自然狀態和為住房和工業發展開發土地， 哪種需求更強烈？

1 經濟發展和環境保護的衝突問題一直被人們關注

段落大意：經濟利益和環境保護一直被很多商家認為不可調和，但是事實上這兩者可以互相促進，共同發展。

Since the rise of environmental awareness, business and industry have always considered environmentalism a waste of time, only getting in the way of profits and production. From the perspective of business, environmentalists push for regulations and restrictions on businesses which cost them more money and frequently restrict some of their practices. What corporations don』t know is that they can actually save money by being environmentally responsible while protecting the very resources they depend on. The protection of the environment not only has intrinsic value, but also economical value. Business and industry can also benefit. These factors can lead to a newly developed economy that protects what it needs instead of destroying it.

2 土地，資源等都在減少的現狀

段落大意：我們需要保護環境以保護人類的資源、土地，以維持人類日後的生存和發展。

Though most of the worlds surface is covered by water, since the Earth is so large relative to human horizons, there doesnt appear to be a shortage of land. However, when one begins to think of land in terms of a human resource, i.e., a producer of food, a provider of wood, an expanse for passage, one realizes that many portions are either too lacking in nutrients, too high in elevation, too prone to flooding, or too cold or ice-ridden for extensive use. Furthermore, habitable lands are becoming less abundant due to desertification, agricultural expansions and rising sea levels. Since humans arent the only species that need land, it isnt surprising that this resource is becoming limited for other forms of life too. In part as a result of this added stress on living things, we are also witnessing extinctions of grand proportions. Since these losses are largely due to human actions, such as deforestation and non-native species introduction, many are beginning to pay attention to how we use and protect land.

Imagine that you have received some land to use as you wish. How would you use this land? Use specific details to explain your answer.

如果你獲得一塊土地去使用。 你如何使用？

1應該為密集生長的動植物開發新的土地資源

段落大意：世界上動植物僅僅佔有1%的土地，為他們開發新的土地資源，以保護其生長，刻不容緩。 We have also determined that there are specific locations on our planet where a disproportionate number of species live. For our species, Asia serves as the homeland for most. In fact more than 60 percent of humans live on this largest continent. With other life forms, geographic concentrations sometimes defy description. We only recently became aware that the vast majority of terrestrial species collectively live on just 1 percent of the Earths land surface. They have concluded that if we humans could somehow find a way to avoid disturbing just 1-2 percent of the land surface, nearly 70 percent of the worlds terrestrial species might be able to survive. Recently some conservationists have refocused their attention on these unique locations.

In some countries, people are no longer allowed to smoke in many public places and office buildings. Do you think this is a good rule or a bad rule? Use specific reasons and details to support your position.

有些國家禁止人們在公眾場合和辦公樓內抽煙。 該規則是好還是壞？

1 二手煙對人體健康的威脅

段落大意：二手煙已經被證明會導致多種疾病，包括心臟病和一些癌症等。

Exposure to secondhand smoke is called involuntary smoking, or passive smoking. The exposure to passive smoke causes at least 3,000 known deaths a year according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Passive smoking has been consistently linked to an increased risk for coronary heart disease and may be responsible for more than 30 cardiovascular deaths annually in the US alone, the researchers note.

2 二手煙對小孩子身體健康危害

段落大意：二手煙對小孩子的健康有很大的危害，青少年，嬰兒的身體發育，例如肺的發育，都不能被煙污染。

Secondhand smoke is a serious health risk to children. The developing lungs of young children are also affected by exposure to secondhand smoke. Infants and young children whose parents smoke are seriously affected, being at increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis.

3 抽煙對人身體健康的威脅

段落大意：抽煙被證明會導致肺癌，哮喘等疾病。

Nowadays, nobody doubts that firsthand smoke is deadly to your health and it causes lung cancer and heart disease in adults and asthma and bronchitis in children. Now the industry is onto the secondhand smoke. Scientists and researchers are representing a lot of evidence and research that has been done throughout the years showing that the secondhand smoke can also cause a lung cancer in nonsmokers. The study indicates a link between secondhand smoke and lung cancer.

4 人們有權利呼吸新鮮的空氣

段落大意：既然吸煙的危害被反覆證明，因此任何人都有權利拒絕吸煙行為進入公共場合。

When the human evidence is combined with the laboratory experiments showing that the secondhand smoke can cause cancer it is impossible to ignore it any longer. The nonsmokers should have the right to breathe smoke-free air. It is important to have restrictions on where people are allowed to smoke and in particular to keep the work place as a smoke-free environment. The declining rates of smoking show that people can actually quit. Everybody should make an effort to quit for the sake of the people they love.

What is the most important animal in your country? Why is the animal important? Use reasons and specific details to explain your answer.

你國家內什麼動物最重要？

1 大熊貓對中國的重要性

段落大意：中國歷史長河中，人們都非常喜歡熊貓這個動物。

What animal is black and white and loved all over the world? If you guessed the giant panda, youre right! The giant panda is also known as the panda bear, bamboo bear, or in Chinese as Daxiongmao, the "large bear cat." Actually, its scientific name means "black and white cat-footed animal." Giant pandas are found only in the mountains of central China. They live in dense bamboo and coniferous forests at altitudes of 5,000 to 10,000 feet. The mountains are covered in heavy clouds with torrential rains or dense mist throughout the year. Giant pandas are bear-like in shape with striking black and white markings.

2 大熊貓的樣子

段落大意：大熊貓憨態可掬的模樣非常招人喜愛。

The ears, eye patches, legs, and shoulder band are black. The rest of the body is whitish. Adults are 4 to 6 feet long and may weigh up to 350 pounds, about the same size as the American black bear. However, unlike the black bear, giant pandas do not hibernate and cannot walk on their hind legs. The giant panda has unique front paws-one of the wrist bones is enlarged and elongated and is used like a thumb, enabling the giant panda to grasp stalks of bamboo. They also have very powerful jaws and teeth to crush bamboo.

3 大熊貓的飲食

段落大意：大熊貓多以竹子和小的動為食。

While bamboo stalks and roots make up about 95 percent of its diet, the giant panda also feeds on fish and occasionally small rodents. It must eat 20 to 40 pounds of food each day to survive, and spends 10 to 16 hours a day feeding. Until recently, Washington DCs National Zoo housed Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, perhaps the most pretty animal ever appeared in this zoo.

4 大熊貓的居住習慣

段落大意：大熊貓喜歡居住在竹子密集生長的森林中。

Pandas have made their homes in China for centuries; but because of increased development and forest clearing in the lowlands, they have been forced further and further into the mountain ranges over the years. They inhabit damp forests in those mountains that border on land that farmers increasingly wish to use. These forests have a dense of bamboo and are characterized best for the cultivation of pandas.

5 大熊貓瀕臨滅絕的現狀

段落大意：一方面大熊貓非常招人喜愛，另一方面卻因人類對其保護不善，大熊貓面臨滅絕。

The Giant Panda is a creature of mystery. Adults and children alike appreciate it for its cute, fuzzy, lovable qualities, but it is an animal that is in desperate need of immediate attention. Scientists know the basics: how and what they eat, where and how they live, and how they reproduce. The fact remains, however, that this universally loved national symbol of China is facing the threat of extinction. What accounts for this fact and what can be or is being done to protect the panda from such a fate?

6 對大熊貓的保護

段落大意：人們建立自然保護區，利用先進技術幫助其繁殖。

In China there are approximately 33 reserves and research centers where pandas are breed. Breeding centers are one way that researchers are trying to increase the panda population. So far, the centers have seen some success. One of the most popular research center and natural reserve in China is the Wolong Nature Reserve. There have also been pandas born in zoos around the world. In the United States, Hua Mei is one of the most popular pandas born in a zoo. He was born at San Diego Zoo.

Plants can provide food, shelter, clothing, or medicine. What is one kind of plant that is important to you or the people in your country? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.

植物提供食物，住房，衣服，或醫藥。哪一種植物對你或對你的國家人們重要？

1 茶的概況

段落大意：茶葉產量少，所以比較珍貴。

The tea plant is one of about 80 species of East Asian evergreen shrubs and trees that belong to the tea family, or Thecae. Tea reaches a height of 9 meters but is kept pruned to a low, mounded shrub in cultivation. The foliage is emerald green, while the flowers are fragrant, yellow-centered, and white and about 4 centimeters wide.

2 茶葉的歷史

段落大意：茶葉最初開始在中國種植，後來傳播全世界。

Tea plant cultivation began about 4,000 years ago in its native country, China. The Japanese did not discover the plant until the 8th century A.D., and cultivation was established by the 13th century. The Europeans were finally introduced to the plant during the 17th century. And, by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tea growing had spread to Russian Georgia, Sumatra, Iran, and non-Asian countries such as Natal, Uganda, Kenya, Congo and other African countries and also to Argentina, Brazil, and Peru in South America and even to Queensland in Australia. Americans invented tea bags, and at the St. Louis Worlds Fair in 1904, they started the practice of drinking iced tea.

3 茶的功效

段落大意：茶有很多功效，例如它可以藥用，對人類健康很有好處。

Tea, especially green tea, has been touted in many sources as having a plethora of medicinal properties. Much of the hype surrounding tea is in fact true. Tea is not a wonder drug, but it can combat some of the causes of the most deadly diseases in the United States. For over 4000 years it has been used as a medicine in China. By taking a cue from the Asian cultures, we in America are beginning to discover the benefits of this drink. Since green tea is not fermented, and thus enzymes do not destroy many of the poly-phenolic compounds, it contains more beneficial compounds than either oolong or black tea. Tea is so powerful in fighting disease because the poly-phenolic compounds it contains work as antioxidants. There are thousands of antioxidants compounds that help to inhibit the oxidation reactions caused by free radicals. The antioxidants latch onto free oxygen particles in the body and prevent them from doing damage to cells or tissue. The most prevalent antioxidant is in green tea.

Many people have a close relationship with their pets. These people treat their birds, cats, or other animals as members of their family. In your opinion, are such relationships good? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

有些人和寵物關係密切，他們把鳥，貓，狗當作家庭成員對待。你認為這種關係好嗎？

1 養寵物對人有很多好處

段落大意：飼養寵物可以使人保持快樂和長壽。

As we get older, we become less active. The more inactive we become, the higher our risk of death. We therefore need something in our lives to keep us busy so we don』t die prematurely; and a pet is just the thing we need. This is probably because of the companionship, exercise, and responsibility that they provide. Domesticated animals can promote mental and physical health.

2 飼養寵物可以減輕人類的焦慮

段落大意：飼養寵物可以幫助人們減輕壓力，得到陪伴和心靈上的慰藉。

Research into the impact of animals on our health points out a clear relationship between the presence of pets and significantly better physical and emotional well-being. Pet owners reported fewer headaches, fewer bouts of indigestion, and less difficulty sleeping in one study. Also, interaction with animals is shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rate. People need companionship to keep stress and mental anguish at bay. When people begin questioning why they are alone, they begin doubting their own self-worth. Then suicide becomes an issue. When a person becomes depressed, their body pays the price. A depressed person will neglect to care for themselves and will slowly deteriorate. Having a pet will give sad person companionship.

3 寵物飼養貫穿人類歷史

段落大意：寵物飼養成為人們生活中一個很重要的組成部分，很多人飼養寵物，並為他們進行投資。

Pets have been part of human culture throughout history, and in American households they are more common than children. It is reported that 58% of U.S. households have at least one pet, whereas only 35% have children. Owners spend billions of dollars each year on pet food, accessories, and veterinary care, but apparently pets give back, too. Medical studies show that pet companionship offers concrete health benefits. While only in the past few decades have scientists become interested in the benefits of pets on human health, as far back as Plato and Socrates, there were admonishments for people to spend time with animals for their health.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A zoo has no useful purpose. Use specific reasons and examples to explain your answer.

1 動物園對人和動物都有作用

段落大意：動物園為人類提供了休閑的去處，為動物的野性培養和救助也提供了幫助。

Zoos bring human kind closer to wild life. Some animals have lost most of their habitat and are on the verge of extinction. In this way, the zoo helps the animals rather than using them as a form of human entertainment. Zoos also allow humans to study different kinds of animals more closely.

2 動物園的保護和教育作用

段落大意：動物園給大人小孩學習的機會，也保護了一些動物。

From childhood, most of us have happy memories of going to the zoo. Visitors of a zoo get to see exotic and local animals of that area. Going to a zoo gives children and adults a chance to learn about different animals. Certain zoos also promote the conservation of endangered species.

A company has announced that it wishes to build a large factory near your community. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this new influence on your community. Do you support or oppose the factory? Explain your position.

社區附近要蓋一個大工廠，是否同意

1 工廠造成的噪音污染

段落大意：噪音污染是工廠即將帶來的問題，噪音污染會損傷人們的聽力。

Audition plays many important roles in our daily lives. From sound, we can identify and locate an object. Also, spoken language and its auditory reception have become an extremely important means of communication. A deficit in the ability to hear has tremendous effects on person』s physical and mental abilities. Hearing loss caused by occupational noise is one of our biggest industrial diseases. It is a disease that has been recognized since the Industrial Revolution. Because of the sheer number of people and our neglect of the subject, almost every American may be affected directly or indirectly.

2 工廠造成的水污染

段落大意：未經處理的工業廢水含有的細菌，會對水生動植物和人帶來毀滅性災害。

Sewage contains bacteria from human intestine, which can be harmful to humans and animals. These harmful bacteria must be removed along with chemicals such as soap and detergent to make them safe enough to be released into the river. If sewage were released into rivers before being treated, it would no doubt kill any inhabitants in the river. Some bacteria cause diseases such as typhoid and cholera when they get inside human intestine. Waste water passed by those sewages will contain the harmful bacteria. If these bacteria was released into rivers and got into drinking water the diseases could be spread to hundreds of people.

3 就業等機會

段落大意：新工廠也許會為社區帶來工作，經濟發展等機會。

It has been recently reported by the local newspaper that a new factory is going to be built in our neighborhood (which is located in the country side of a big city). Some neighbors oppose the building of the new factory. I, however (like most of the neighbors), believe that the new factory can contribute a lot to our business, as well as offer new opportunities to all the residents.

推薦閱讀：

相關文章