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(2020·桂林高二检测)
A rainforest is an area covered by tall trees with the total high rainfall spreading quite equally through the year and the temperature rarely dipping below 16℃. Rainforests have a great effect on the world environment because they can take in heat from the sun and adjust the climate. Without the forest cover, these areas would reflect more heat into the atmosphere, warming the rest of the world. Losing the rainforests may also influence wind and rainfall patterns, potentially causing certain natural disasters all over the world.
In the past hundred years, humans have begun destroying rainforests in search of three major resources: land for crops, wood for paper and other products, land for raising farm animals. This action affects the environment as a whole. For example, a lot of carbon dioxide in the air comes from burning the rainforests. People obviously have a need for the resources we gain from cutting trees but we will suffer much more than we will benefit.
There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, when people cut down trees, generally they can only use the land for a year or two. Secondly, cutting large sections of rainforests may provide a good supply of wood right now, but in the long run it actually reduces the world’s wood supply.
Rainforests are often called the world’s drug store. More than 25% of the medicines we use today come from plants in rainforests. However, fewer than 1% of rainforest plants have been examined for their medical value. It is extremely likely that our best chance to cure diseases lies somewhere in the world’s shrinking(萎缩的) rainforests.
【语篇概述】本文讲述了热带雨林在人类生活中的重要作用, 号召大家保护雨林, 不要乱砍滥伐。
1. Rainforests can help to adjust the climate because they ______.
A. reflect more heat into the atmosphere
B. bring about high rainfall throughout the world
C. rarely cause the temperature to drop lower than 16℃
D. reduce the effect of heat from the sun on the earth
【解析】选D。细节理解题。根据第一段Rainforests have a great effect on the world environment because they can take in heat from the sun and adjust the climate. . . all over the world. 可知选D项。
2. What does the underlined word “this” in the third paragraph refer to?
A. We will lose much more than we can gain.
B. Humans have begun destroying rainforests.
C. People have a strong desire for resources.
D. Much carbon dioxide comes from burning rainforests.
【解析】选A。 代词指代题。根据第二段最后一句People obviously have a need for the resources we gain from cutting trees but we will suffer much more than we will benefit. 可知, 人们这样做会得不偿失的。故下一段的画线单词指的是“我们会失去更多”。故选A项。
3. What can be inferred from the text?
A. We can get enough resources without rainforests.
B. There is great medicine potential in rainforests.
C. We will grow fewer kinds of crops in the gained land.
D. The level of annual rainfall affects wind patterns.
【解析】选B。 推理判断题。根据第四段More than 25% of the medicines we use today come from plants in rainforests. . . It is extremely likely that our best chance to cure diseases lies somewhere in the world’s shrinking rainforests. 可知, 热带雨林里有很多药用植物可供我们开发利用。故选B项。
4. What might be the best title for the text?
A. How to Save Rainforests
B. How to Protect Nature
C. Rainforests and the Environment
D. Rainforests and Medical Development
【解析】选C。标题归纳题。本文在第一段就点出了主题: 热带雨林对环境的影响很大, 下文介绍了具体的情况。故选C项。
