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The introduction of non-native "exotic" species is now seen as a major threat to biodiversity. In 1825, a particularly vigorous female clone of itadori (called Japanese knotweed) was introduced into Holland and later distributed throughout Europe by the plant collector and nurseryman, Von Seybold. British gardeners loved it and by 1886 it was eyen found growing on cinder tips in South Wales. By the turn of the century, the plant had colonized many other sites, and gardeners were advised against planting it in shrubberies. By 1994, it Was almost everywhere — railways, riversides, hedgerows, cemeteries — swamping a wide range of habitats and displacing rare species. Botanists' fears that the plant is still spreading and may yet colonize other new habitats have generated recent attempts to eradicate it by mechanical and chemical methods, all in vain as yet.
The evidence stacked against Japanese knotweed is damning. But there is a deep anxiety that behind the desire to correct human ecological cook-ups often manifested as a passion to save endangered species and vulnerable ecosystems — is a thinly disguised xenophobia: that we are simply seeing yet another form. of ecological imperialism which defines what is "natural" .based on human preferences.
But whatever our reaction to "problem" or alien species is, it must involve moral decisions. And who should make such decisions and to what degree they are accountable must also be up for review. The conclusions of scientists and other sections of society may differ vastly about what to do about the introduced animals. And plants. For example, the scheme to control rabbits in Australia by deliberately spreading the disease myxomatosis was a success in that huge numbers of rabbits were wiped out for the greater good — the "health" of Australian ecosystems. But would inflicting such a horrifically slow agonizing death on sentient creatures win popular support if it were proposed today?
Scientists of biodiversity are by their very nature concerned with the organization of species into systems and not necessarily with the interests and well being of individual, particularly those that are seen as a threat to the maintenance of those systems. Yet there is a growing feeling for the democratization of decisions concerning nonhuman life. The movement towards environmental values must surely involve a movement away from imperialism and a search for a relationship with nature as it truly is, rather than as we would design it. Then, when our lawns have long disappeared, we may yet come to honor the humble dandelion.
In the author's opinion, the attempt to eradicate the Japanese knotweed ______.

A. is worthy of praises
B. reflects people's desire to protect ecological biodiversity
C. shows people's passion to save endangered species and vulnerable ecosystems
D. is biased by human preferences

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______ me most was that the young boy who had lost both arms in an accident could handle a

A. That amazed
B. It amazed
C. Which amazed
D. What amazed

Air pollution involves the release into the atmosphere【C1】______ gases, finely divided solids, or finely dispersed liquid aerosols at rates that【C2】______ the capacity of the atmosphere to dissipate them or to dispose【C3】______ them through incorporation into solid or【C4】______ layers of the biosphere. Air pollution【C5】______ a variety of causes, not all of which are【C6】______ human control. Dust storms in desert areas and smoke from forest and grass fires【C7】______ to chemical and particulate pollution of the air. Forest fires that swept the state of Victoria, in Australia, in 1939 caused【C8】______ air pollution in Queensland, more than 2,000 miles (3,000 kilometres) away. Dust blown from the Sahara has been【C9】______ in West Indian islands. The discovery of 【C10】______ in Antarctica, where they have never been used, suggests the【C11】______ to which aerial transport can carry pollutants from one place to another. Probably the most important natural【C12】______ of air pollution is volcanic activity , which at times【C13】______ great amounts of ash and toxic【C14】______ into the atmosphere. The eruptions of such volcanoes as Krakatoa, in the East Indies, Mt. St. Helens, in Washington, and Katmai, in Alaska, have been 【C15】______ to 【C16】______ climatic changes.
Air pollution may affect humans directly, causing a smarting of the【C17】______ or coughing. More indirectly, the effects of air pollution are experienced at【C18】______ distances from the source, as, for example, the fallout of tetraethy lead from urban automobile【C19】______ which has been observed in the oceans and on the Greenland ice sheet. Still【C20】______ directly experienced are the possible effects of air pollution on global climates.
【C1】

A. at
B. of
C. by
D. with

听力原文: Rescuers with listening devices sensitive enough to pick up a whimper or faint tapping searched Tuesday for victims feared buried in a mudslide that sent trees and dirt thundering onto this seaside hamlet, killing at least six people. There was hope of finding survivors because searchers were discovering spaces under the debris large enough to hold people, Ventura County Fire Chief Bob Roper said as darkness fell on the rescue effort for a second night. Authorities said around a dozen people were missing, and 10 had been injured.
What kind of natural disaster happened on Tuesday in La Conchita, California?

A. Flood
B. Earthquake
C. Mudslide
D. Tornado

SECTION C NEWS BROADCAST
Directions: In this section, you will hear several news items. Listen to them carefully and then answer the questions that follow.
听力原文: The McDonald's fast food company is faxing legal action by people who say its food made them fat and sick. In New York City, legal action was recently brought against McDonald's and four other fast-food companies. The lawsuits charge that these companies have not warned people that this kind of food could be harmful. About one-hundred of seventy-thousand American fast-food restaurants sell food that is high in fat, sugar and calories. They include potatoes cooked in oil and meat sandwiches called hamburgers. The restaurants also serve sweet soft drinks.
What's this news mainly about?

A. The MacDonald is being charged of selling food making people fat and sick.
B. The MacDonald is being charged of selling stale food.
C. The MacDonald is being charged of bad service.
D. The MacDonald is reducing the number of its products

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