For the people living in the Nile Basin, the river is their life. This 6 825 km waterway, whose watershed
(流域) covers three million square kilometers, flows through mountains, woodlands, lakes and deserts. Its
potential for fishing, tourism and shipping is great-but so are its challenges.
     Water shortage already serious in Egypt and Sudan, will soon influence several other countries in the
watershed as well. Today, about 160 million people depend on the Nile River for their living. Within the next
25 years, the district's population is expected to double, adding to the demand brought about by growth in
industry and agriculture. The frequent drought (干旱) adds to the urgency.
     Water quality is also a problem Precious soil is washed out to sea. Wastes from industry and agriculture
create pollution. Higher concentrations of salt influence irrigated soils. Water-borne diseases continue
unchecked. In areas where it's hot and damp, water hyacinths choke off lakes, dams and other sections of
the river, making it difficult for fishing and other businesses to move forward.
     Native people along the narrow area of farmland have watched the sand move closer day by day. They've
seen the river change course, and their only source (來(lái)源) of water thickened with mud. They're very poor
and have few choices.
     But a new program, the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), is offering very practical assistance. The program is
more than just a water-management project. It's a plan for the social and economic development of a vast
district: it concentrates on the needs of the poorest of the poor and the environment that supports them.
     These are whole ecosystem problems, calling for united solutions (解決辦法). Half the Nile Basin's
countries are among the world's poorest nations; yet, somehow, they must find the resources, skills and
political will to overcome these challenges.

1. What are the great challenges the Nile Basin faces?

A. The development of shipping industry.
B. Overfishing of native people.
C. Water shortage and water quality.
D. Increasing population and tourism.

2. The underlined word "hyacinths" (in Paragraph 3) refers to "_____".

A. animals
B. plants
C. rocks
D. salts

3. The program NBI is mainly aimed at _____.

A. preventing water pollution
B. changing the river course
C. improving living conditions of the poor
D. preventing land from becoming desert

4. What would be the best title of this passage?

A. People's Life in Egypt and Sudan
B. Frequent Drought in Egypt and Sudan
C. The Poorest Countries in the Nile Basin
D. The Ecosystem Problems in the Nile Basin

     The IEA's World Energy Outlook report says increasing demand and use of energy has to be limited.
     The switch to more low-carbon energy will require an extra investment (投資) of￡2.7 trillion-about 0.2%
of GDP-the IEA report said, with an average￡11 spent per head worldwide on more efficient cars, buildings
and so on. The improved energy efficiency would deliver fuel-cost savings of almost￡4.5 trillion.
     The report says that the world energy demand will grow by l.6% per year on average between 2006 and
2030. This figure is lower than planned last year because the economic slowdown has reduced demand.
Demand for oil will rise from the current 85 m barrels (桶) per day to 106 m barrels by 2030.
     Demand for coal will rise more than any other fuel-despite the environmental damage it causes-making up
more than a third of the increase in energy use.
     The report claims oil will remain the world's main source of energy for many years to come even with the
rapid development of altemative renewable energy technology but the amount of oil remaining, production
costs and consumer price will remain unpredictable.
     Mr. Tanaka, IEA executive director, said big international oil and gas companies would in the future have
limited chances to increase production while in contrast national companies are planned to make up about 80%
of the increase of both oil and gas production to 2030. 
     The report says measures to control CO₂ emissions (排放) will improve energy security by reducing global
fossil-fuel energy use but this would not alarm the world's major oil producers.
     "OPEC production will need to be 12 m barrels higher per day in 2030 than today. It is clear that the energy
departments will have to play the leading role in handling climate change," said Mr. Tanaka.

1. According to the report, the switch to more low-carbon energy will _____.

[     ]

A. need an additional ＄2.7 trillion investment
B. take two per cent of the UK's GDP
C. cost each person in the UK $ 11 on average
D. save about ￡4.5 trillion in fuel costs

2. Which of the following will be the major energy source in the next few years?

[     ]

A. Oil.
B. Coal.
C. Gas.
D. Bio-fuel.

3. According to Mr. Tanaka, who will play the key role in dealing with climate change?

[     ]

A. The oil producers.
B. The energy departments.
C. The oil consumers.
D. The policy makers.

4. What's the passage mainly talking about?

[     ]

A. National companies in the UK should produce more oil and gas.
B. The increasing demand and use of energy should be controlled.
C. New efficient energy methods should be tested and widely used.
D. Measures should be taken to alarm the world's major oil producers.

                                               
                                      Live Earth Announces 2010 Global Event!
     This is the web version of the October 15, 2009 Live Earth email to members. Click here to join and receive
bi-weekly updates from Live Earth.
     Live Earth is pleased to announce the largest worldwide water initiative (倡議) in history to help fight the
global water crisis. The Dow Live Earth Run for Water-to take place on April 18, 2010-will consist of a series
of 6 km run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk every day to get water) taking place
over the course of 24 hours in countries around the world, featuring concerts and water education activities,
raising awareness and funds to help solve the water crisis. Jessica Biel, Alexandra Cousteau, Pete Wentz,
Angelique Kidjo and Jenny Fletcher will lend their names and their time in support of this global event.
     Water shortage is a major issue affecting countries, communities and families all over the world. One in
eight people doesn't have access to safe, clean drinking water. Communities in Africa, Latin America and Asia
suffer l. 8 million deaths every year from diarrheal (腹瀉) diseases and the death of 5000 children each day
due to inadequate water infrastructure (基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施). In these areas, women and children are forced to walk 6
km (3.7 miles) each day to get water that is likely unsuitable for drinking. However, the water crisis is not only
limited to developing nations. Adding to these existing issues, the effects of climate change are increasingly
impacting both supply and quality of available fresh water throughout the world.
     In 60% of European cities with populations greater than 100 000, groundwater is being used faster than it
can be replenished (補(bǔ)充). By 2025, two-thirds of the world's population could be living under water-stressed
conditions.
     You can help solve the water crisis by participating in the April 18th event Run/walk registration is now
officially open! Sign up now at http://liveearth.org/run.
     Thanks and be sure to visit liveearth org for the latest on The Dow Live Earth Run for Water, conservation
tips, and more!
                      

1. Which of the following activities will the Dow Live Earth organize on April 18, 2010?

A. Receiving the latest news from Live Earth.
B. Putting on musical performances.
C. Calling on pop stars to walk 6 km to get water.
D. Lending names and time to support the event.

2. According to the passage, which of the statements is true?

A. You can turn to http://liveearth.org for water protection tips.
B. Jessica Biel can't take part in the cvent even if she signs tjp.
C. The information on Live Earth is updated every month.
D. Every year l.8 million people in the world die from the discase related to dirty water.

3. We can learn from the passage that _____.

A. by 2010, two-thirds of the world's population will be short of water
B. we can solve the water crisis by taking part in the April 18th event
C. seven-eighths of the people in Asia can have access to safe, clean drinking water
D. there are different channels for people to get access to Live Earth

     Age-related heart problems are usually due to a combination of factors. High cholesterol (膽固醇) is 
1______ big issue, and 2______ that can be controlled. Stay aware of your checks. In addition, blood
pressure should be measured every year starting at age 21, although now, even pediatricians (doctors for
children) have blood pressure guidelines that they can apply 3______ children 4______ simple way to
protect your heart at your age is to quit smoking and avoid breathing 5______ second-hand smoke. The
effect of smoking 6______ your heart can be compared to crushing a cigarette butt out on the lining of
your artery-extremely damaging. Watch your weight, 7______ make changed-if the pounds start to creep
up on you And eat well. Be sure 8______ your diet delivers quality nutrition and a controlled number of
calories.

     A few hardcore ski bums might have awakened Tuesday morning and blinked their eyes in disbelief,
but Clear Creek County, Colorado, where I live, ranks first in the U.S. for longevity (長(zhǎng)壽), according to
a Harvard School of Public Health study appearing in the Sept 12 issue of Public Library of science
Medicine.
     In fact, seven Colorado counties are the top seven ranked counties in the nation, all with a life expectancy
of 81.3 years. And it hardly seems coincidental that all seven-Clear Creek, Eagle, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson,
Park and Summit-lie either on, near or neighbouring the Continental Divide and amazing beautiful.
     Dr. Ned Calonge of the State Health Department said there's nothing magical about high-country air. He
thinks the longevity results are because Colorado residents have active lifestyle, low smoking rates and the
lowest-in-the-nation numbers for obesity (超重).
     Maybe.
     But I'd beg to differ on the "nothing magical" part. How can you taste water just five miles from its
snowfield source-before any treated waste comes close to touching it-and not boom, even if just a little?
Studies have shown that prisoners and hospital patients do better if they have at least visual access to the
natural world.
     Nature doesn't heal everyone, of course. There are tourists come to Colorado's high country and end
up with blinding headaches and debilitating nausea (惡心) from the altitude. There are locals who, reaching
a certain age, ran away with their oxygen bottles to Denver.
     But among those who stay, there's at least one constant: even in their old age, people remain full of life.
The question is why?
     It could be the space. In Clear Creek County, there are 184 191 acres of public land, which means
approximately 19.75 acres of national forest for each of our 9 322 residents. You don't spend a lot of time
waiting in lines.  
     Or is it the entertainment? Of the top seven counties, only Gilpin has a state park, portions of two national
forests, and no supermarket at all. One thing is certain: money doesn't buy old age. In Jackson County,
which has a population of just 1 454, the median household income is only $31 821, that's much less than
the national average of $41 994.

1. Which county in the U.S. does the author come from? (No more than 2 words)
    ________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Accord rg to Dr Ned Calonge, how many factors ontribute to the long life expectancy (No more than l word)
    ________________________________________________________________________________________
3. In the writer's opinion,what other factors contribute to the long life expectancy? (No more than 6 words)
    ________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What are the disadvantages of living in Colorado's high country? (No more than 5 words)
    ________________________________________________________________________________________

     Is a recently discovered hormone the reason why folks who lose weight can't keep it off?
     Like millions of other fat people, at 530 inches high, more than 300 pounds, Carnie Wilson was not just
fat. After trying all sort of diets that didn't work, she had to go to the stomach-bypass surgery (胃部迂回手
術(shù)), ie, have most of her stomach sewed up, only leaving tiny room to hold several tablespoonfuls at most.
Result: she simply couldn't eat the way she used to. In three years, Wilson is one third of her former weight.
     Wilson's experience is not all that unusual, and while doctors still aren't exactly sure what is going on, a
report in last week's Journal of Medicine offers an explanation. The loss of appetite in bypass patients may
be linked to a recently discovered hormone called ghrelin. Not only that, ghrelin may turn out to be one reason
we feel hungry and it's hard for dieters to keep weight off.
     Nowadays, researchers are careful to stress only what they know for sure. For the three conclusions, the
leading Dr. David of the University of Washington says, "I feel very solid about two of them." The first is that
ghrelin levels in the bloodstream rise significantly before meals and drop afterward. The second conclusion is
that ghrelin levels are higher on average in people who have lost weight from dieting.
     Dr. David is less sure of the third conclusion, that bypass patients have only a quarter as much ghrelin as
most people of normal weight. After all, ghrelin is produced by cells in the stomach Years ago, leptin, a
hormone was found as an appetite suppressant (食物抑制劑). But after years of trying, it had to be given up.
     What doctors suspect is that both leptin and ghrelin are part of a complex system of brain and body
chemicals that govern weight and appetite. That does not mean pharmaceutical (藥物的) weight control is
forever out of the question. "In the next ten years, we will be able to develop new drugs to help people lose
weight healthily and effectively."

1. What can we learn about ghrelin according to the passage?

A. After meals ghrelin levels are higher in the bloodstream.
B. People who have lost weight have less ghreilin in their body.
C. Without ghrelin, people are really difficult to lose weight.
D. Ghrelin is something produced by cells in the stomach.

2. What is Dr. David not sure?

A. Pharmaceutical weight control is impossible.
B. There is less ghrelin in the bypass patients.
C. New drugs will be developed in 10 years.
D. Ghrelin levels are higher in people on diet.

3. In fact, people's weight and appetite are controlled by _____.

A. ghrelin and leptin
B. hormone and medicine
C. brain and body chemicals
D. stomach and food

4. What can we infer from the passage?

A. People with a lower ghrelin level go hungry easily.
B. Doctors managed to use leptin to control the appetite.
C. Doctors are optimistic about how to lose weight healthily.
D. The loss of appetite in bypass patient is linked to leptin.

     Sir Richard Branson today offered a $25 000 000 prize for scientists who find a way to save the planet
from the effects of climate change.
     Supported by the former US vice-president Al Gore and other environmentalists, the boss of Virgin
Atlantic airlines called for scientists to come up with a way to take greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere.
     "What we are doing is making sure we get the most carbon dioxide-friendly planes. We promise that
100% of profits we make from our transportation business are put into things like the prize we've offered
today. We shall convince people that we are facing a threat which is urgent and there's no superhero. We
have no hope of a meaningful solution unless we find a way to work together." he said.
     Mr Gore said global warming was man-made and was like to the planet suffering from a "fever". He said,
"Humans had slipped into a way of thinking that was centered on 'shortterm satisfaction', and now meet the
challenge of transforming ourselves and changing the structures of everything we do'," he said.
     Reacting to the launch of the prize, Tony Jupiter, the Friends of the Earth's director, warned against
wasting time waiting for new inventions. He said, "Sir Richard's initiative (初衷) may encourage inventors
to develop a wonder technology to deal with carbon dioxide of the atmosphere. But many of the ways, such
as energy efficiency and renewables, already exist, and it is essential that these be put into practice as soon
as possible. Moreover, Sir Richard must also look at his business activities and the contribution they make
to climate change. The world will find it very difficult to settle climate change if air travel continues to expand
and space tourism is developed."

1. Sir Richard Branson is

A. a scientist concerned for climate change
B. a businessman working for Al Gore
C. the boss of Virgin Atlantic airlines
D. the director of the Friends of the Earth

2. The purpose of using Al Gore's quotation was to _____.

A. ask people to change the way of thinking
B. compare global warming to an Earth's fever
C. show how serious and urgent the problem is
D. call for more attention to the launch of the prize

3. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. It is important for people to save our planet.
B. Humans are to blame for causing climate change.
C. Scientists are trying to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
D. A prize was offered for solutions to global warming.

4. How was Tony Jupiter's attitude to space tourism?

A. Negative.
B. Positive.
C. Optimistic.
D. Neutral (中立).

     New studies show how food and its production affect the globe and its climate. The process of making
a hamburger, for example, requires lots of energy. A cow has to be fed and raised on farmland. And cow
waste is a major source of methane (沼氣) 1______ especially powerful greenhouse gas. The cow has to
be killed. The meat has to be processed and shipped, 2______ takes fuel. Most of the cow won't even be
used for meat people eat. By the time a hamburger finally lands on a dinner plate, 3______ has made bad
effect on the environment.
     We can reduce the production of global warming gases by eating less beef. Other kinds of meat like pork
and chicken do 4______ harm to the environment at least 5______ terms of the amount of greenhouse gases
released. 6______, all kinds of meat are harder on the planet than vegetables. 7______ changing our diet to
less meat and more vegetables, as it turns 8______, may do the world some good.