热点话题06 气候变化与生态修复技术
一、主题解析
“气候变化与生态修复技术”这一主题在英语课程标准中是关于 “人与自然” 主题语境下 “环
境保护与可持续发展” 的核心子话题。这一主题聚焦气候变化对生态系统的多维影响（如生物多样性下
降、极端天气频发、海平面上升等），以及生态修复技术（包括自然基解决方案、生物修复、植被恢复
等）在减缓气候变暖、提升生态系统抗逆性中的应用价值，既涵盖科学原理，也涉及全球合作与可持续
发展策略，符合高考对 “关注现实议题、考查逻辑分析与跨文化理解” 的能力要求。
二、句子积累
1. 阅读必备词块
（1）气候变化核心概念
global warming 全球变暖
greenhouse gas emissions 温室气体排放
carbon footprint 碳足迹
sea-level rise 海平面上升
extreme weather events 极端天气事件
ocean acidification 海洋酸化
climate resilience 气候抗逆性
global climate governance 全球气候治理
temperature anomaly 气温异常
glacial melting 冰川融化
climate mitigation 气候减缓
climate adaptation 气候适应
（2）生态修复技术术语
ecological restoration 生态修复
nature-based solutions (NBS) 自然基解决方案
bioremediation 生物修复
phytoremediation 植物修复
mycoremediation 真菌修复
reforestation 重新造林
wetland restoration 湿地恢复
mangrove protection 红树林保护
soil amendment 土壤改良
biostimulation 生物刺激
biosparging 生物曝气
biopile 生物堆
carbon sequestration 碳封存
carbon sink 碳汇
vegetation recovery 植被恢复
desertification control 荒漠化防治
in situ remediation 原位修复
ex situ remediation 异位修复
话题分析
（3）生态系统与生物多样性
ecosystem function 生态系统功能
biodiversity conservation 生物多样性保护
ecological balance 生态平衡
aquatic ecosystem 水生生态系统
terrestrial ecosystem 陆地生态系统
native species 本土物种
hyperaccumulator 超积累植物
ecological niche 生态位
wetland ecosystem 湿地生态系统
coral reef restoration 珊瑚礁修复
species migration 物种迁徙
ecological degradation 生态退化
（4）可持续发展相关
sustainable development 可持续发展
circular economy 循环经济
renewable energy 可再生能源
low-carbon economy 低碳经济
ecological benefit 生态效益
socio-economic benefit 社会经济效益
environmental remediation 环境修复
green infrastructure 绿色基础设施
rewilding 生态再野化
regenerative agriculture 再生农业
2. 常见句式
（1）现象描述与背景介绍
It is widely accepted that global warming has caused a 1.1
rise in average global temperatures since the pre-
℃
industrial era.（人们普遍认为，自前工业化时代以来，全球变暖已导致全球平均气温上升 1.1℃。）
There is growing concern about the loss of coastal wetlands due to sea-level rise and human activities.（由于海
平面上升和人类活动，沿海湿地的消失引发了日益增长的担忧。）
Climate change has intensified extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and typhoons worldwide.（气候
变化加剧了全球范围内的干旱、洪水和台风等极端天气事件。）
The degradation of coral reefs resulting from ocean acidification threatens marine biodiversity.（海洋酸化导致
的珊瑚礁退化威胁着海洋生物多样性。）
Global forest cover has decreased by approximately 1 billion hectares over the past century.（过去一个世纪，全
球森林覆盖率减少了约 10 亿公顷。）
Wetlands play a crucial role in regulating the hydrological cycle and mitigating floods.（湿地在调节水文循环和
减缓洪水方面发挥着关键作用。）
The melting of polar ice caps is accelerating at a rate of 13.1% per decade.（极地冰盖的融化正以每十年
13.1% 的速度加速。）
Human activities such as deforestation and industrial emissions are major drivers of climate change.（森林砍伐
和工业排放等人类活动是气候变化的主要驱动因素。）
Biodiversity loss has reduced the resilience of ecosystems to climate fluctuations.（生物多样性减少降低了生态
系统对气候波动的抗逆性。）
Marine ecosystems absorb about 30% of the carbon dioxide emitted by human activities.（海洋生态系统吸收了
约 30% 的人类活动排放的二氧化碳。）
（2）技术原理与应用
Ecosystem-based adaptation harnesses nature-based solutions to enhance climate resilience.（基于生态系统的适
应策略利用自然基解决方案提升气候抗逆性。）
Reforestation can increase carbon sequestration by absorbing CO₂ through photosynthesis.（重新造林可通过光
合作用吸收二氧化碳来增强碳封存。）
Bioremediation uses microorganisms to degrade toxic substances in contaminated soil.（生物修复利用微生物降
解受污染土壤中的有毒物质。）
Wetland restoration helps purify water quality and buffer against storm surges.（湿地恢复有助于净化水质并缓
冲风暴潮的影响。）
Mangrove protection serves as a natural defense against coastal erosion and flooding.（红树林保护是抵御海岸
侵蚀和洪水的天然屏障。）
Biostimulation stimulates native microorganisms to accelerate biodegradation of pollutants.（生物刺激技术激活
本土微生物以加速污染物的生物降解。）
Phytoremediation employs hyperaccumulator plants to remove heavy metals from soil.（植物修复利用超积累植
物去除土壤中的重金属。）
The application of in situ remediation avoids the need for soil excavation and transportation.（原位修复技术的
应用无需挖掘和运输土壤。）
Agroforestry integrates trees with crops to improve soil health and sequester carbon.（农林复合系统将树木与农
作物结合，以改善土壤健康并封存碳。）
Coral reef restoration involves transplanting coral fragments to rebuild degraded ecosystems.（珊瑚礁修复包括
移植珊瑚碎片以重建退化的生态系统。）
Biosparging injects air into aquifers to promote aerobic biodegradation of organic compounds.（生物曝气技术向
含水层注入空气，促进有机化合物的好氧生物降解。）
Rewilding restores ecosystems by reintroducing native species and reducing human intervention.（生态再野化通
过重新引入本土物种和减少人类干预来恢复生态系统。）
（3）观点论述与解决方案
Efforts must be made to integrate ecological restoration into national climate policies.（必须努力将生态修复纳
入国家气候政策。）
One of the main challenges of ecological restoration is ensuring long-term sustainability.（生态修复的主要挑战
之一是确保长期可持续性。）
International cooperation is essential for addressing global climate change and ecological degradation.（国际合
作对于应对全球气候变化和生态退化至关重要。）
Switching to renewable energy sources is key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.（转向可再生能源是减少温
室气体排放的关键。）
It is important to consider both ecological and socio-economic benefits in restoration projects.（在修复项目中兼
顾生态效益和社会经济效益至关重要。）
The Global EBA Fund supports innovative approaches to ecosystem-based adaptation.（全球基于生态系统的适
应基金支持创新的生态系统适应方法。）
Regenerative agriculture can replace conventional farming to restore ecosystem functions.（再生农业可替代传
统农业以恢复生态系统功能。）
Public awareness campaigns play a vital role in promoting ecological protection behaviors.（公众意识宣传活动
在推广生态保护行为方面发挥重要作用。）
Green infrastructure should be prioritized in urban planning to tackle climate change.（城市规划中应优先考虑
绿色基础设施以应对气候变化。）
From my perspective, nature-based solutions offer cost-effective ways to mitigate climate change.（在我看来，
自然基解决方案为减缓气候变化提供了具成本效益的途径。）
1
A phenomenon called ‘false autumn’ is raising concerns among conservationists about its potential impacts
on wildlife in the coming months, a charity says.
“Some trees are going brown as a survival strategy to minimize water loss and conserve vital nutrients,”
Drazen Nesic, a nature photographer, put it. The Devon Wildlife Trust said trees had been casting off leaves about
two months early because of recent hot weather. It also said usual wild foods for birds and mammals may reduce
as a result — with berries and nuts having been appearing much earlier than usual, with many reported to be
smaller and “less juicy” than normal. For hibernating (冬眠) species like the protected Hazel Dormouse (睡鼠),
these changes could prove particularly dangerous. “With decreased food supplies, many animals may enter winter
without adequate fat reserves essential for surviving hibernation,” noted a DWT spokesperson. The organization
突破演练
has documented cases where dormice weighed 15 — 20% less than normal for this time of year.
Staff in DWT said that, despite some recent rain, people should put out regular supplies of water in gardens,
plus high-energy foods, to help wildlife. To relieve these impacts, conservationists recommend creating wildlife-
friendly habitats by planting native bushes and leaving fallen leaves as natural protection. Additionally, setting up
extra feeding stations with nutrient-rich foods like sunflower seeds can provide crucial support. Community-led
initiatives, such as wildlife watering programs, are also being encouraged to help species adapt to these shifting
conditions.
Steve Hussey, from the Trust, commented: “Nature’s timing is everything for our wildlife. The climate
crisis is bringing with it seasonal weather patterns which our wildlife is just not adapted to. Our long, hot summer
and the false autumn will have a knock-on for many species right into the real autumn months and beyond.”
1．Why are trees dropping leaves earlier than normal this year according to the Devon Wildlife Trust?
A．Trees faced unusual heat stresses.
B．People destroyed the leaves for gardening.
C．Heavy rainfall damaged the leaves.
D．Mammals ate up the premature leaves.
2．What can be inferred from Paragraph 2?
A．Wild animals hibernate earlier for not storing enough fat.
B．Trees are changing color to produce more food for animals.
C．DWT is responsible for providing food supplies for animals.
D．Wild foods are facing a lack of production in hot weather.
3．What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?
A．Complicated steps for gardeners to follow.
B．Encouragement to start community projects.
C．Various measures to aid wildlife.
D．The success of current conservation efforts.
4．Which can best describe Steve Hussey’s attitude towards the climate crisis?
A．Optimistic.
B．Concerned.
C．Indifferent.
D．Skeptical.
2
Climate change could have large impacts on food production across the world. Rising Temperatures might
boost crop production in cold regions but negatively impact production in warmer areas. Wheat and rice — which
benefit from more CO2 in the atmosphere — could see growing output, while corn and sorghum (高粱) could see
a decline with warmer temperatures.
Farmers can adjust their practices to a warmer climate in four key ways:
A recent study by experts modeled three adaptation methods — changing WHAT, changing WHEN and
changing both of them. The chart below shows their impact on the output of corn, rice, sorghum, soybean (大豆)
and wheat.
These three adaptation methods can already go some way to relieve climate pressures in some countries.
But, of course, we don’t only care about crop production at the global level. If farmers in particular regions —
especially those that are most food-insecure — cannot adapt to climate change, this is still a major problem. So
there is more we can do in the future.
1．What should farmers change if they are short of money and labour?
A．WHAT.
B．WHERE.
C．WHEN.
D．HOW.
2．Which crop may benefit most if farmers plant improved varieties?
A．Corn.
B．Rice.
C．Sorghum.
D．Wheat.
3．What should be done in the future?
A．To help the farmers in need.
B．To adopt the three methods.
C．To focus on crop production.
D．To move to colder regions.
3
Conservationists note that two-thirds of British butterfly species have declined over 40 years, threatening
ecosystems. Caterpillars, the larval stage of butterflies, consume plants and feed birds, bats and small mammals.
Understanding the decline is key to reversing it.
Butterflies need moderate temperatures, but climate change brings warmer summers, forcing them to adjust
activity and reproduction timing. Scientists call this “advancing phenology (物候)”.
Over 20 years, Britain’s spring temperatures rose roughly 0.5°C, and most butterflies advanced their life-
cycle by three to seven days. Whether this adaptation works remains unclear, but a new study explores it.
Researchers analyzed 20 years of data on 130 species from butterfly enthusiasts. They tracked abundance,
distribution, northward movement and adult emergence timing. They found species with flexible life-cycles,
which produce multiple generations yearly, thrived. Those advancing phenology most saw population growth. For
example, the Small Blue, Britain’s tiniest butterfly, emerges early, allowing summer generations another
reproductive cycle by autumn.
However, single-generation species gained no benefit. Worse, those tied to specific habitats, which link to
caterpillar diets, were harmed. The endangered High Brown Fritillary is a single-generation species living in
trimmed (修剪过的) woodlands and limestone pavements. It has declined, with climate change a likely factor.
Fortunately, hope exists. Some single-generation British species add a second generation in warm European
years. As the climate warms, UK species like the Silver-studded Blue might follow, boosting populations.
Conservationists can use this knowledge to identify at-risk species. The White Admiral is one example. It has
declined over the past 20 years, possibly due to climate change and its caterpillars’ solely reliance on honeysuckle.
1．Which of the following is true according to the paragraph 1?
A．There were fewer butterflies in Britain four decades ago than at present.
B．Caterpillars are eaten by a number of different kinds of predators.
C．Some butterflies have a reduced lifespan due to spring temperature increases.
D．The data used in the study was taken from the work of professional butterfly watchers.
2．What mainly give rise to “advancing phenology”?
A．Need of battling with changing environment.
B．Need of recording reproduction time.
C．Need of researching how climate kills species.
D．Need of calculating migration distances.
3．Why the author chooses The White Admiral as an example?
A．To highlight that climate change is vital to cause population decline in butterflies.
B．To illustrate how habitat loss accelerates the effects of phenology shifts.
C．To show the delicacy of species with both inflexible life cycles and requirements.
D．To argue that single-generation species cannot benefit from conservation with intervention.
4．What is the best title for the passage?
A．Ecosystems at risk!
B．Hope for caterpillars!
C．Climate harms all!
D．Butterflies’ phenology shifts!
4
Tropical ( 热带的) forests could face temperatures so high that some leaves may no longer perform
photosynthesis (光合作用), as indicated by a recent study. The photosynthetic machinery in tropical trees begins
to fail at about 46.7℃ on average. The research suggests that forests may be nearing the dangerous temperature
sooner than expected. Models predict that if global temperatures rise by 3.9℃, widespread leaf damage could
occur in these forests.
Chris Doughy, an associate professor at Northern Arizona University and the lead researcher of the study,
explained the leaf-warming experiments had revealed a nonlinear rise in temperatures. “We were surprised to find
that when we increased leaf temperatures by 2, 3 or 4℃, the highest leaf temperatures actually increased by 8℃.
This showed a concerning nonlinear feedback we hadn’t anticipated,” said Doughy. “If we adopt a do-nothing
response to climate change and tropical forest air temperatures increase by greater than 4℃, there could be
extensive leaf death,” he added.
Avoiding high-emissions (排放) is essential to stabilize temperatures. “We should do all we can to avoid
high-emissions. Under low-emissions, nearly all tropical forest tree leaves can avoid death from overheating and
the trees will survive,” said Simon Lewis, a professor of global change science at University College London.
“However, this study did not look at heatwaves. We still might see tree deaths from overheating for limited
periods during heatwaves under lower emissions.”
Researchers believe that the damage is not yet unchanged. “Vote for people who are serious about
addressing climate change and transferring to low-carbon economies,” Disney, one researcher, said. “More
generally, we can all recognize the importance of supporting those countries and people who live in and rely on
tropical forests economically. But the serious changes to tropical forests are not just a local problem but a global
concern.”
1．What does the recent research on tropical forests mainly show?
A．The leaves have died extensively.
B．Leaves grow faster in high temperature.
C．Photosynthesis may fail at high temperatures.
D．Trees can regulate leaf temperatures in extreme heat.
2．What does the underlined word “nonlinear” in Paragraph 2 mean?
A．Illogical.
B．Slow.
C．Rapid.
D．Predictable.
3．Why is it important to avoid high-emissions according to the text?
A．It prevents forest from drying out completely.
B．It helps prevent the leaves from overheating.
C．It improves photosynthesis rates.
D．It promotes tree diversity in forests.
4．What is the purpose of Disney’s statement in the last paragraph?
A．To get more votes from local people.
B．To encourage action on climate change.
C．To stress the significance of tropical forests.
D．To introduce ways to avoid high emissions.
5
Marine communities traveled to Antarctica during the Earth’s warmest phase in 66 million years, long
before a major extinction occurred.
Recently, a team of researchers compared biodiversity and global community structure, and they discovered
that the community frequently responds to climate change millions of years before biodiversity loss occurs.
The study implies that plankton (浮游生物) relocated to cooler places to escape the tropical (热带的) heat,
leaving only the most highly specialized species to survive. These findings suggest that changes on the community
size will be visible long before extinctions, and that greater effort should be put into monitoring the structure of
marine communities to potentially forecast future marine extinctions.
Dr Adam Woodhouse from the University of Bristol’s School of Earth Sciences, explained: “Considering
three billion people live in the tropics, this is not great news. Biodiversity among marine plankton groups has
changed in the last 66 million years, but no one had explored it on a global, spatial scale through the lens of a
single database.” “We used the Triton dataset that I created during my PhD, offering new insights into how
biodiversity responds spatially to global changes in climate, especially during intervals of global warmth relevant
to future warming predictions.” Adam added.
The fossil record of marine plankton is the most complete and extensive document of ancient biological
changes available to science. By applying advanced computational analyses to this document, researchers detailed
global community structure of the oceans since the death of the dinosaurs, revealing that community change often
precedes the extinction of organisms.
The team intends to apply similar strategies to additional marine plankton groupings. This study only
looked at planktonic foraminifera (有孔虫类); however, there are numerous additional microfossil groups that
play key roles in marine food webs to be investigated. They must also use historical and current patterns to
anticipate future community organization with new climate models.
1．What is the major finding of the study?
A．Tropical plankton adapted to extreme heat.
B．Marine life responds earlier than expected.
C．Fossil records predict future climate change. D．Warming causes immediate biodiversity loss.
2．What do we know from paragraph 3?
A．Fossil fuel use must be stopped immediately.
B．Ocean shipping traffic need stricter regulation.
C．Gene editing of plankton makes for their heat tolerance.
D．Monitoring marine community structure should be enhanced.
3．What role did the Triton dataset play in the research?
A．Predict future climate models.
B．Track species’ extinction timelines.
C．Compare tropical and polar ecosystems. D．Reveal spatial responses to global warmth.
4．What will the research team investigate next?
A．Causes of tropical extinctions.
B．Forms of the Ice age community.
C．Samples of other groups and models.
D．Adaptation strategies of human beings.
6
Chocolates save us from many things, especially emotional distress. They comfort us in times of trouble,
calming down a racing heart by channelling happy calories inside us. We all have faith in chocolates to delight us
in an instant!
Recently, chocolate lovers were heartbroken as scientists claimed that they can become extinct by 2050!
But hey, we have some happy news for you. Scientists can still help save chocolates from dying out! If you are not
aware as to why scientists made the statement about the death of this wonderful thing, let us tell you the facts.
Chocolate trees, whose seeds are used to make chocolate, grow in the tropical plant world and require very
specific weather conditions to prosper.
Now, fifty percent of the world’s cocoa beans come from two countries in West Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and
Ghana. Scientists believe that both of these countries will experience a 3.8℃ temperature increase by 2050 due to
global warming, endangering the cacao farms in the rainforests. These farms will then have to be shifted to cooler
mountainous areas, which are the natural habitat of wildlife. This will lead to some tough decisions: whether to
grow chocolate or save wildlife.
Unfortunately, the crisis of global warming has already had a serious negative impact on cacao farms’
harvest, leading to the prices of chocolates skyrocketing.
Scientists, however, are trying to find a long-term and eco-friendly solution to this problem! They are
modifying the species with gene-editing technology, transforming the seedlings into a species that survives even
in drier and warmer climates.
According to a report by The Business Insider, in the University of California’s new bio-sciences building,
tiny green cacao seedlings are lined up in refrigerated greenhouses for a new experiment using CRISPR
technology. By controlling plant DNA, this technology is already being used worldwide to make plants tougher
and cheaper. In this experiment, scientists will make precise changes to the seedlings’ DNA to help cocoa crops
survive in warmer and drier climates.
1．What was scientists’ recent statement about chocolates?
A．They could become a rare treat in the near future.
B．They could calm people down a bit in times of crisis.
C．They could prevent people from getting heartbroken.
D．They could become unavailable in less than 30 years.
2．What would happen if the cacao farms were shifted to cooler mountainous areas?
A．The rainforests would shrink dramatically.
B．The quality of cocoa beans would suffer greatly.
C．The natural habitat of wildlife there would be ruined.
D．The cacao farmers would have a tough time adapting.
3．What do we learn about the cacao farms in the crisis of global warming?
A．They try to seek help from gene-editing scientists.
B．They decide to move to cooler mountainous areas.
C．They have suffered a lot due to a decrease in produce.
D．They have benefited by raising prices of cocoa beans.
4．What is the last paragraph mainly about?
A．A CRISPR experiment to enhance cocoa crops’ climate tolerance.
B．The history of CRISPR technology and its role in global agriculture.
C．The impact of climate change on traditional cocoa farming methods.
D．How refrigerated greenhouses are used to store cacao seedlings worldwide.
7
Greenland is the world's largest island. About 57,000 people live there, mainly along its coasts. Most of
Greenland lies north of the Arctic Circle, under thick sheets of ice. The island plays a large part in the weather
experienced by billions of people every day and in climate changes around the planet.
Geologists say Greenland has huge amounts of oil and natural gas below the ice and valuable minerals
known as rare earth elements. Rare earth minerals are needed in communication technologies, including phones.
Most of these resources are trapped under Greenland's ice. However, warming temperatures in recent years have
increased melting on the island. As more ice melts（融化）, some of these resources may become easier to reach.
Melting from Greenland will be a central issue throughout the 21st century. That is because melting ice
adds to rising sea levels. The amount of melting will likely increase in the future.
Greenland also serves as the engine for an important ocean current that influences Earth's climate in many
ways, including storm activity. The current is slowing down because more fresh water from Greenland's melting
ice is entering the ocean. A shutdown of the current could lead to long-term freezes in Europe and parts of North
America.
If this global current system were to slow greatly or even collapse—as we know it has done in the past—
normal temperature and rainfall patterns around the globe would change severely. The changes would have very
damaging effects on farming and ecosystems.
As more ice melts, Greenland is also changing color from the white of ice to the blue and green of water
and land. These darker colors absorb more heat from the sun and can increase the speed of climate change.
Greenland is located in between northern Canada, northern Europe, and Russia. That area may become
more valuable to countries if melting in the Aretic Ocean continues to increase and more ships pass through the
area.
1．What is the benefit of climate warming in Greenland according to paragraph 2?
A．The island becomes suitable for growing crops.
B．The living conditions there greatly improve.
C．The local tourism there has been promoted.
D．Mining natural resources possibly becomes accessible there.
2．What would happen if the ocean current influenced by Greenland disappeared?
A．Sea temperatures would rise.
B．Storm activities would increase.
C．Europe would experience long-term cold weather.
D．More fresh water would enter the sea.
3．What does Greenland's color change mean?
A．It means that the area around Greenland will draw more ships.
B．It suggests that Greenland is experiencing a continuous warming trend.
C．It indicates that Greenland is becoming a more popular tourist destination.
D．It shows that the island is facing multiple risks and challenges.
4．Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A．Greenland Holds an Important Position in a Warming World.
B．Global Warming Will Change International Shipping Routes.
C．The Melting of Greenland's Ice Is Causing the Sea to Rise.
D．Climate Change in Greenland Draws the World's Attention.
8
Did you notice our planet is running a serious fever? Scientists warn that by 2035, we might cross a critical
point: if global temperatures rise 2°C above pre-industrial levels, it’ll be like pressing a “fast-forward” button on
disasters. Coastal cities could turn into real-life “water worlds”, heatwaves will make us feel like living in an
oven, and monster typhoons will regularly be uninvited guests.
That 2℃ mark isn’t random; it’s the “safety limit” agreed in the Paris Agreement. Crossing it would be like
opening Pandora’s box: melting Arctic permafrost would release tons of methane (CH₄), dying coral reefs would
ruin ocean ecosystems, and parts of the world could become unlivable by 2100. Scary, right? But here’s the good
news: we still hold the reset button.
Abandon fossil fuels like coal and oil, and welcome solar, wind, and other green energy allies ( 盟友)!
While renewable energy is growing like a rocket, it’s still not fast enough. Scientists say we need a 2% annual
growth to hit the climate brakes (刹车), but the past 20 years only saw a 3.6% total rise. That’s like climbing stairs
at a snail’s pace — we need to speed up! Raising renewable growth to 5% yearly, way beyond today’s pace, could
push the climate deadline back a full decade, like hitting “pause” on the countdown clock.
Time is slipping fast. “The climate emergency is not a distant threat; it’s unfolding before our eyes.” warms
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, “Each year of inaction sharpens the edge of the 2035 cliff, making
recovery even harder.” Though the window for effective action is narrowing, history has shown humanity’s
capacity for transformative change when united by purpose. The question is not whether we can secure a livable
planet for future generations. It’s whether we have the resolve to act, starting today.
1．What does “a serious fever” in paragraph 1 represent?
A．Collapse of the Earth’s ecosystem.
B．Abnormal orbiting of the Earth.
C．Rises in global temperatures.
D．Discomfort of humans on Earth.
2．What would be the primary result if the 2℃ mark were crossed?
A．Coral reefs would die from ocean pollution.
B．Massive methane (CH₄) would be given off.
C．Construction of cities would be accelerated.
D．The Paris Agreement would be revised.
3．What do the figures in paragraph 3 mainly indicate about renewable resources?
A．Potential benefits.
B．Sufficient supply.
C．Improper applications.
D．Slow production.
4．Which of the following is the best title for the text?
A．Climate Change: Causes and Consequences.
B．Renewable Energy: The Ultimate Hope for the Future.
C．A Pressing Reality: The Risks of Going beyond 2℃.
D．The Reset Button: A Milestone in Battling Global Warming.
9
Unlike animals, plants are rooted to a place and don’t have the ability to get away when things take a turn
for the worse. This can pose great challenges when a changing climate makes certain areas less suitable. “As seeds
fall or are transported to distant places, the likelihood that the plant’s seed is going to be able to survive and grow
is changing as climates are changing,” says Jenny McGuire, an assistant professor at Georgia Institute of
Technology in the United States.
Studying how plants’ habitat changes over thousands of years helps scientists understand how species adapt
to climate change and how to protect and maintain biodiversity in the face of rapid climate change to come. If a
plant has “climate fidelity”, which means it sticks to its preferred climatic conditions, it will move across
geographic areas over long periods to stay within its ideal environment. Plants that don’t have this feature adapt
locally in the face of climate change instead of moving.
McGuire and her colleague Yue Wang, an associate professor at Sun Yat-sen University in China, examined
data from over 13,000 ancient pollen (花粉) samples across 337 North American locations, dividing the data into
six 4,000-year periods starting 18,000 years ago, to see how tree species’ climatic conditions have shifted. They
found most North American plant species have demonstrated climate fidelity over time.
However, some species are better able to move than others. Willows, for instance, have small seeds that can
stay airborne over long distances, enabling the trees to travel farther, faster over a relatively short period. The
large seeds of ash trees, however, can travel only over short distances, making it hard for the trees to move along
with changing temperatures.
“Understanding climate fidelity, while a new and different idea, will be very important going forward,
especially when thinking about how to prioritise protecting different plants in the face of climate change,”
McGuire says. “It is important to be able to see that some plants and animals are more easily affected by climate
change, and this information can help build stronger strategies for protecting the biodiversity on the planet.”
1．What do plants without climate fidelity do?
A．They move across geographic areas.
B．They seek their preferred environments.
C．They maintain their important features. D．They adjust to their present surroundings.
2．Why did McGuire and Wang analyse the data from these ancient pollen samples?
A．To determine the origins of North American tree species.
B．To explore the development of pollen samples over time.
C．To examine the responses of tree species to climate change.
D．To identify patterns of tree species movement across continents.
3．Why does the author mention willows and ash trees in Paragraph 4?
A．To explain that tree species have seeds of various sizes.
B．To show that tree species have different moving abilities.
C．To suggest that some species are more adaptable than others.
D．To argue that some species travel less due to temperature changes.
4．What is McGuire’s attitude towards understanding climate fidelity?
A．Favourable.
B．Cautious.
C．Doubtful.
D．Unclear.
10
According to a new study, climate change will change and reduce the land suitable for growing food and
wood, putting the production of these two important resources into direct competition.
The sight of vineyards ( 葡萄园) in Britain is becoming more common as hotter summers create
increasingly suitable conditions for growing grapes. But behind this success story is an acute one: climate change
is moving the regions of the world suitable for growing crops.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have uncovered a looming ( 迫在眉睫的) issue: As the land
suitable for producing our food moves northwards, it will put pressure on the land we need to grow trees. The
wood these trees produce is the basis of much of modern life — from paper and cardboard to furniture and
buildings.
They say that the increasing competition between land for wood production and food production due to
climate change has, until now, been ignored, but is set to be an emerging issue as our demand for both continues
to increase.
Under the worst-case scenario (可能的情况) for climate change, where no action is taken to reduce carbon
emissions in society, the study found that over a quarter of existing forestry land will become more suitable for
farming by the end of the century.
“There’s only a limited area of suitable land on the planet where we can produce food and wood—two
critical resources for society. As climate change worsens and farming is forced to expand northwards, there’s
going to be increasing pressure on wood production,” said a researcher in the University of Cambridge’s
Department of Plant Sciences.
“We’ve got to be-thinking fifty years ahead because if we want wood in the future, we need to be planting it
now. The trees that will be cut down by the end of this century are already in the ground — they’re on much
slower cycles than food crops,” the researcher added.
1．What does the underlined word “acute” in paragraph 2 mean?
A．Serious.
B．Sweet.
C．Slight.
D．Graceful.
2．What is a new issue arising from climate change?
A．The overproduction of wood.
B．Loss of biodiversity and habitats.
C．A decrease in global food demand.
D．Agriculture and forestry battle for land.
3．What does the researcher think of the situation of wood production?
A．It’s promising.
B．It’s challenging.
C．It’s satisfying.
D．It’s confusing.
4．What is the best title for the text?
A．The Rise of Grape Yards in Britain.
B．Climate Change and Wood Production.
C．The Impact of Climate Change on Land Use.
D．The Future of Agriculture in a Warming World.
11
Climate change is having a far-reaching and significant impact on the world's bird species, with a new
study revealing that many are shrinking（收缩）in size. This research provides crucial insights into the complex
relationship between birds and their changing environment.
Researchers from multiple famous universities, such as the University of Guelph and the University of
Michigan, carefully examined data on nearly 80,000 individual birds from 52 species across North America. Their
in-depth study covered a span（跨度）of over 40 years. During this period, as the global climate continued to
warm, with average temperatures steadily rising, a remarkable trend emerged: the birds, on average, became
smaller. In addition to the decrease in body size, the birds' wingspans have also increased slightly. Scientists
believe this is an adaptation mechanism. In warmer conditions, a larger wingspan can help birds generate more lift
with less effort, enabling them to migrate more flexibly in long distances.
The study's lead author, Dr. Ryan Norris, noted that the changes in bird size and wingspan are highly likely
a direct response to climate change. “Birds are highly sensitive to environmental changes, and these findings
suggest that they are evolving in response to rising temperatures,” he said. “Smaller body size may help birds
regulate their body temperature more effectively in warmer climates, while the increase in wingspan could aid in
their ability to find food and mates over larger areas as habitats shift.”
However, the researchers also cautioned that these changes could have negative consequences for some
bird species. For instance, smaller-bodied songbirds may have less energy reserves to bear the delicate balance of
competition for resources. A bird with an altered wingspan might find it more difficult to compete with its peers
for limited food sources or nesting sites. Additionally, the new wingspan characteristics could also impact their
ability to avoid predators （捕食者）, as the predator-prey dynamics are often based on the birds' original
physical characteristics.
1．What did the researchers from the University of Guelph and Michigan do?
A．They studied bird migration patterns over 40 years.
B．They analyzed data on many birds of various species.
C．They observed bird behavior during warmer climates.
D．They investigated the changes between different birds.
2．Why do birds' wingspans increase slightly according to the passage?
A．To attract mates by expanding the body size. B．To adapt well to the changing environment.
C．To fly more efficiently in warmer climates.
D．To improve the predator avoidance abilities.
3．What does the author want to convey by mentioning Dr. Ryan Norris's remarks?
A．Rising temperatures affect bird size and wingspan.
B．Birds are sensitive to rising climate than assumed.
C．The habitat shifting primarily drives bird evolution.
D．Birds change in wingspan mainly for food competition.
4．What does the author intend to tell us in the last paragraph?
A．Large bird species may become extinct. B．Some birds may face survival challenges.
C．Birds will have even more food sources. D．Birds will be free from their predators.
12
Each fall, after monarch butterflies migrate from southern Canada to the mountains of central Mexico, they
spend the winter exclusively on oyamel fir trees. But climate change projections predict that oyamel fir trees will
disappear almost entirely by 2090.
“This sounds crazy, but we need to move the trees to higher elevations (海拔),” said Cuauhtémoc Sáenz-
Romero, a forest geneticist. “Oyamel fir trees, which grow from around 2,400 meters to 3,500 meters, need cold
mountain air to survive. The high-elevation coldness also allows monarch butterflies to survive the winter. As
central Mexico gets warmer, new generations of oyamel fir trees will likely climb higher up their native mountains
and ultimately run out of mountains to climb.”
Sáenz-Romero wanted to do the experiment 100 kilometers from their native habitat, but he was aware that
the trees wouldn’t get there by themselves. “Unfortunately, the scene in The Lord of the Rings, where the trees are
walking toward battle — it’s just fiction. It doesn’t happen,” he said.
His team collected oyamel fir seeds from elevations between 3,100 meters and 3,500 meters inside the
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán state and grew them temporarily in a tree nursery. Then, in
partnership with the local community in Calimaya, the team planted around 960 trees in the community’s forest on
the Nevado de Toluca volcano. Some seedlings (幼苗) were planted at 3,400 meters while others were planted
higher, in colder climates, at 3,600,3,800 and 4,000 meters above sea level. “If the fir could take root at higher-
than-normal elevations, the trees might survive there in the future as temperatures warm,” Sáenz-Romero hoped.
Three years later, the team found that oyamel fi r trees were smaller and shorter the higher they sat on
Nevado de Toluca. Still, many made it past their first year. On average, 80 percent of seedlings that got moved to
locations 2.3℃ colder than their home regions survived at least three years.
Turning the experiment into reality will likely face many challenges. And even if the trees can survive a
longer term, another question remains: Will monarch butterflies find them?
1．What did Sáenz-Romero stress concerning oyamel fir trees in paragraph 2?
A．Central Mexico has been inhabitable for them.
B．It’s necessary to grow them on taller mountains.
C．The high-elevation coldness does harm to them.
D．Monarch butterflies are essential for their survival.
2．Why did Sáenz-Romero mention The Lord of the Rings?
A．To highlight the significance of growing trees.
B．To indicate the work required for the experiment.
C．To demonstrate his leading role in the experiment.
D．To explain the cause of the failure of the experiment.
3．What did Sáenz-Romero’s team do for the experiment?
A．They planted trees at different elevations.
B．They employed lab-grown oyamel fir seeds.
C．They cut down some trees in a local reserve. D．They chose warmer habitat for oyamel fir trees.
4．What can be learned about the experiment?
A．It definitely promises a bright future.
B．It turns out to be of little value.
C．It threatens monarch butterflies.
D．It has achieved initial success.
