Wilderness
“In wilderness(荒野) is the preservation of the world.” This is a famous saying from a writer regarded as one of the fathers of environmentalism. The frequency with which it is borrowed mirrors a heated debate on environmental protection: whether to place wilderness at the heart of what is to be preserved.
As John Sauven of Greenpeace UK points out, there is a strong appeal in images of the wild, the untouched; more than anything else, they speak of the nature that many people value most dearly. The urge to leave the subject of such images untouched is strong, and the danger exploitation(开发) brings to such landscapes(景观) is real. Some of these wildernesses also perform functions that humans need—the rainforests, for example, store carbon in vast quantities. To Mr.Sauven, these ”ecosystem services” far outweigh the gains from exploitation.
Lee Lane, a visiting fellow at the Hudson Institute, takes the opposing view. He acknowledges that wildernesses do provide useful services, such as water conservation. But that is not, he argues, a reason to avoid all human presence, or indeed commercial and industrial exploitation. There are ever more people on the Earth, and they reasonably and rightfully want to have better lives, rather than merely struggle for survival. While the ways of using resources have improved, there is still a growing need for raw materials, and some wildernesses contain them in abundance. If they can be tapped without reducing the services those wildernesses provide, the argument goes, there is no further reason not to do so. Being untouched is not, in itself, a characteristic worth valuing above all others.
I look forwards to seeing these views taken further, and to their being challenged by the other participants. One challenge that suggests itself to me is that both cases need to take on the question of spiritual value a little more directly. And there is a practical question as to whether wildernesses can be exploited without harm.
This is a topic that calls for not only free expression of feelings, but also the guidance of reason. What position wilderness should enjoy in the preservation of the world obviously deserves much more serious thinking.
【小题1】John Sauven holds that_____.
A.many people value nature too much |
B.exploitation of wildernesses is harmful |
C.wildernesses provide humans with necessities |
D.the urge to develop the ecosystem services is strong |
A.The exploitation is necessary for the poor people. |
B.Wildernesses cannot guarantee better use of raw materials. |
C.Useful services of wildernesses are not the reason for no exploitation. |
D.All the characteristics concerning the exploitation should be treated equally. |
A.Objective. | B.Disapproving. |
C.Sceptical. | D.Optimistic. |
A. | B. |
C. | D. |
科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Americans: Restless? Illiterate(没文化的) ?
Americans are queer people: they can’t rest. They have more time, more leisure, shorter work hours, more holidays, and more vacations than any other people in the world. But they can’t rest. They rush up and down across their continent as tourists; they move about in great herds to conferences; they search the wilderness; they flood the mountains; they keep the hotels full. But they can’t rest. The scenery rushes past them. They learn it. Battles and monuments are announced to them on a tour bus. They hear them, but they don’t get them. They never stop moving; they rush up and down as Shriners, Masons, Old Graduates, Bankers—they are a new thing each day, always rushing to a reunion or something. So they go on rushing about till eventually the undertaker (殡葬工) gather them to the grave.
Americans are queer people: they can’t read. They have more schools, and better schools and spend more money on schools and colleges than all Europe. But they can’t read. They print more books in a year than the French print in ten. But they can’t read. They cover their country with one hundred thousand tons of Sunday newspapers every week. But they don’t read them. They’re too busy. They use them for fires and to make more paper with. They buy eagerly thousands of new novels at two dollars each. But they read only page one. Their streets are full of huge signs. They won’t look at them. Their streetcars are filled with advertising; they turn their eyes away. Transparent colors, cart wheels, and mechanical flares whirl and flicker in the crowded streets at night. No one sees them. Tons of letters pour into the mail boxes, through the houses, and down the garbage cans. No one reads them.
The underlined word “queer ” means ___________.
A. difficult B. strange C. forgetful D. friendly
According to the text, when do the Americans stop rushing about ?
A. When they are to allowed to. B. Where they feel tired and sleepy
C. When they are seriously ill in bed D. When they stop breathing eventually
The Americans know the places of battles and monuments ___________.
A. when they are on the tour bus B. by driving there in person
C. from books and magazines D. from their friends and co-workers
Why does the writer write this passage?
A. To tell people the Americans are illiterate
B. To prove the Americans to be a queer nation
C. To give the readers information about USA
D. To make fun of the American way of life
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:阅读理解
Wilderness activity week, Finland
Set off on a really wild adventure to Finland, where night is a distant memory during the endless days of summer.
From your cottage, set high in the hills above Koli National Park, you can explore a perfect wilderness, and pull over at a lakeside beach whenever you like a dip(游泳).
Seven-night breaks cost from £899 per adult, £699 per child, including flights, accommodation, some meals and a guide. The Adventure Company (0845 450 5311; www.adventurecompany. co. uk).
Horseriding in the Tarn France
Learn to ride, or perfect your horse-riding skills at Les Juliannes in the Tarn Valley. Activities include everything from show-jumping to hacking(骑马)through the rolling hills and medieval(中世纪的)villages. Between sessions, you can relax by the pool, cycle along the country lanes or roam the grounds. Guests stay at a rural 17th-century farmhouse.
Seven-night breaks cost from £658 per adult, £628 per child aged 12-15 years. £553 for 10 to 11-year-olds and £423 for under-nines. Price includes return flights, transfers, half-board accommodation and ten hours’ riding, Inntravel(01653 617906;www. inntravel. co. uk).
Learn to sail in Greece
Sunvil Sailing has live-aboard learn-to-sail breaks off the island of Lefkas that are designed for both the complete novice(新手)as well as those with a degree of sailing.
Seven-night breaks cost from £721pp in peak season, including return flights, transfers, live-aboard accommodation and tuition. Meals and dinner ashore are not included. Sunvil Sailing (020 8758 4780; www. sunvil. co. uk).
If you want to have some experiences of country life in the past, you’d better go to .
A. explore a perfect wilderness
B. stay for a few days in Finland
C. Horseriding in the Tarn, France
D. Learn to sail in Greece
How much would a family of two adults and a ten-year-old boy pay altogether if they join in Horseriding in the Tarn, France?
A. £2030 B. £1316 C. £1869 D. £1211
If you join in Wilderness activity week, Finland, the most unusual thing you will see is .
A. a national park
B. a cottage high in the hills
C. a perfect wilderness
D. summer days without night
If you want to learn to sail in Greece, you can log on to to find more information.
A. www. activitiesabroad. com
B. www. adventurecompany. co. uk
C. www. inntravel. co. uk
D. www. sunvil. co. uk
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科目:高中英语 来源:2013-2014学年高考二轮复习训练:专题13 冠词英语试卷(解析版) 题型:阅读理解
The Best of Alaska
Nothing evokes(唤起) Alaska like a whale exploding out of the water or an eagle pulling a silver fish from the river.Combine these images with high mountains,brilliant icebergs and wonderful meals and you really do have the Best of Alaska!
Join us for an unforgettable 7?day excursion(远足) to the last frontier!Additional highlights include:a scenic flight over Glacier Bay National Park,a rafting trip through the heart of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve,historic Skagway,a whale watching cruise and the company of knowledgeable local guides.
HIGHLIGHTS:
JUNEAU:Juneau,the state capital,is rich in culture and scenic beauty.It is here that we start and end our trip.
HAINES:Haines is a small community located along the fiords(峡湾).The natural beauty and expansive wilderness found here have made Haines a premier center for adventure in Alaska.In 2004,Haines was listed by Outside Magazine and National Geographic Adventure as one of the best places for recreation and living.The activities listed below are located in Haines.
ALASKA INDIAN ARTS:Alaska Indian Arts is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the preservation and continuation of traditional native craft and culture of the Northwest Native Tribes.Alaska Indian Arts is also the headquarters for several of Alaska’s outstanding craftsmen and artisans.We spend a few hours learning carving,native beading(串珠饰) and culture from these master artists.
SKAGWAY:Skagway is famous for its role in the Klondike Gold Stampede over 100 years ago.Today,it is a historic yet lively town,which still reflects its gold rush roots and contains colourful shops.In Skagway,we stop by the Klondike Gold Rush National Park Visitor’s Center and ride the White Pass Yukon Route Railway.
GUSTAVUS:Gustavus is the gateway to the Glacier Bay National Park.We’ll stay at a comfortable lodge here for two nights.This will be the base for both the whale?watching excursion and a full day cruise in Glacier Bay.
DATES/PRICES:
May 16,June 20,July 18,August 15.
7 days—$3,500,including lodging,all meals,excursions,guides,park fees,sales taxes,and transportation between Juneau,Skagway,Haines,and Gustavus.Not included:alcohol,personal items,airfare to and from Juneau.
CONTACTS:
E?mail:info@alaskamountainguides.com
Call:(800)766?3396
Write:Alaska Mountain Guides & Climbing School
P.O.Box 1081,Haines AK 99827
1.You can feel the history of the local place at ______.
A.Juneau? B.Skagway
C.Haines? D.Gustavus
2.You can watch a whale exploding out of the water at ________.
A.the Glacier Bay National Park
B.the Klondike Gold Rush National Park
C.the White Pass Yukon
D.the Northwest Native Tribes
3.According to the advertisement,the participants of the excursion ________.
A.will spend one day experiencing the local culture at Alaska Indian Arts
B.can contact Alaska Mountain Guides & Climbing School by e?mail or fax
C.are able to experience some adventurous activities in Haines
D.can get lots of traditional native artworks free of charge
4.Which of the following requires participants to pay additional fees?
A.Going from Gustavus to Juneau by train.
B.A full day cruise in Glacier Bay.
C.Having the last supper at Juneau.
D.Flying from Juneau to their hometowns.
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科目:高中英语 来源:2015届浙江省高一下学期期中考试英语试卷(解析版) 题型:阅读理解
Reading is not the only way to gain knowledge of the work in the past. There is another large reservoir (知识库) which may be called experience, and the college students will find that every craftsman (工匠) has something he can teach and will generally teach gladly to any college student who does not look down upon them. The information from them differs from that in textbooks and papers chiefly in that its theoretical (理论的) part -- the explanations of why things happen -- is frequently quite fantastic (神奇的) . But the demonstration (示范) and report of what happens, and how it happens are correct even if the reports are in completely unscientific terms. Presently the college students will learn, in this case also, what to accept and what to reject. One important thing for a college student to remember is that if Aristotle could talk to the fisherman, so can he.
Another source of knowledge is the vast store of traditional practices handed down from father to son , or mother to daughter, of old country customs ,of folklore (风俗). All this is very difficult for a college student to examine, for much knowledge and personal experience is needed here to separate good plants from wild grass.The college students should learn to realize and remember how much of real value science has found in this wide, confused wilderness and how often scientific discoveries of what had existed in this area long age.
1. In the last paragraph the phrase "this wide, confused wilderness" refers to _____.
A.personal experience
B.wild weeds among good plants
C.the information from the parents
D.the vast store of traditional practices
2. Which of the following statements is supported by the passage?
A.The college students have trouble separating good plants from wild grass
B.Craftsman’s experience is usually unscientific
C.The contemptuous (傲慢的) college students will receive nothing from craftsmen
D.Traditional practices are as important as experience for the college students
3. The author advises the college students to ______ .
A.be contemptuous to the craftsman
B.be patient in helping the craftsman with scientific terms
C.learn the craftsman’s experience by judging it carefully
D.gain the craftsman’s experience without rejection
4. The main idea of this passage is about ________.
A.what to learn from the parents B.how to gain knowledge
C.why to learn from craftsman D.how to deal with experience
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科目:高中英语 来源:2010年江苏省高二下学期期末考试英语卷 题型:单项填空
Canada has vast areas of wilderness, from the Arctic north, _______ average winter temperatures are usually -20 0C, to the border with the USA in the south, _______ is said to be the longest border in the world not defended.
A. which, where B. whose, which C. where, where D. where, which
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