Recently,a coalition of business and advocacy groups from around Washington gathered to kick off a campaign to enact a carbon pricing program in the capital.Known as the Climate and Community Reinvestment Act of D.C.,the plan would place a new tax on all fossil fuels bought or sold,with the hope of ultimately discouraging the use of these polluting energy sources.
The big-picture goal of this campaign is admirable:to address the ever-deepening crisis of humanity-driven climate chaos by dissuading the continued use of coal,oil and gas,the filthy substances rapidly warming our planet.But unfortunately,the approach — one based in a world of financial markets,trading schemes and enticing new public revenue streams — is deeply and inherently flawed.Simply put,carbon pricing is a false solution to climate change and a distraction from real,effective climate solutions we must urgently pursue.
To date,there is scant(不足的) evidence to indicate that carbon taxes lower greenhouse gas emissions.In fact,the opposite is true.Recently Food & Water Watch reviewed the British Columbia carbon tax program,often cited by advocates as an example of success.From 2009 (the first full year of the tax) to 2014,emissions from taxed sources grew by 4.3 percent.And in the seven years after the carbon tax took effect,total gasoline sales increased by 7.37 percent.
Supporters of such plans like to focus on a deceivingly simple notion that increasing the price of a consumer good will automatically reduce its use.But this just isn't the case when it comes to the purchase of necessities.People must heat their homes in winter,and they must commute to work,regardless of the cost.
Those backing the D.C.carbon pricing plan like to note that revenue from the new tax would go toward investment in clean energy sources.But only 20 percent of the generated funds would be allocated in this manner.The rest would be divvied(分攤) up in tax breaks for businesses and rebates(回扣) for consumers,another factor undercutting the notion that increased costs up front would change consumer behavior in the long run.
Meanwhile,fossil fuel giants such as ExxonMobil are increasingly coming out in support of carbon pricing.This should be cause for alarm for anyone concerned with stamping out the use of the dirty energy sources these corporations profit from.Exxon knows that carbon taxes will do little to change the business-as-usual dependence on oil and gas that it relies on to continue operating and enriching shareholders.Furthermore,corporations such as Exxon rightly view carbon pricing schemes as a means of diverting energy and interest from tougher regulations that might actually encroach on(侵犯) their business plans and bottom lines.
Despite what many well-intentioned activists and community leaders want to believe,there is no convenient,market-friendly solution to our dire climate condition.There is only the hard truth that we must tackle the problem at its source:We must stop using fossil fuels,and soon.The latest science indicates that in order to avoid the worst effects of deepening climate chaos,society must transition completely to clean,renewable energy by 2035.
(1)Food &Water Watch found that BB .
A.carbon taxes could limit greenhouse gas emissions
B.taxing carbon emissions did not reduce pollution
C.carbon emissions grew at a lower rate than gasoline sales
D.British Columbia carbon tax program achieved lasting effect
(2)Which of the following is true,according to Paragraphs 4 and 5? CC
A.Consumers will use less of a good when its price increases.
B.Carbon taxes will benefit the development of clean energy.
C.Increased cost will do little to change the use of necessities.
D.The dependence on fossil fuels will decrease automatically.
(3)Fossil fuel giants DD.
A.a(chǎn)re expressing dissatisfaction with carbon pricing schemes
B.a(chǎn)re reducing their dependence on dirty energy sources
C.view clean renewable energy as their future source of profits
D.see carbon pricing as distraction from tough rules against them
(4)The most suitable title for this text would be AA.
A.The Carbon Tax Fallacy(謬論)
B.The Climate Change Myth
C.The Call for Clean Energy
D.The Causes of Climate Chaos
【考點】議論文;自然生態(tài)與環(huán)境保護.
【答案】B;C;D;A
【解答】
【點評】
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發(fā)布:2024/5/27 14:0:0組卷:2引用:1難度:0.5
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1.Whenever I heard strangers singing out loud,whether it was in the supermarket or on the street,I used to think how annoying it was.That was until a few months ago.
Recently,my daughter Zoe started her second year of middle school with a new sense of awareness,asking me to fix the "little girl" pattern on her wheelchair seat.Not wanting her to stand out at school,I spent hours filling in pale yellow stars with a black marker,eager to erase whatever childish signs I could.Shortly after,Zoe got really sick and had to miss 20 days of school.This meant our days were filled with rushing between hospital appointments and meetings with the school,as we tried to make sure she didn't fall behind on her schoolwork.
I felt pulled back to a time when she was little and her sickness was a huge part of her life.Back then,it seemed like Zoe lived in hospitals,as she spent so much time in them.No matter how sick she got,however,she always had a positive attitude.But this was different:Zoe was no longer singing like she normally did.Zoe usually sings all the time,whether she's playing,riding in the car,or just doing her homework.There was no need for a radio in our house;Zoe provided the music for us.Consumed (被折磨)with my motherly worries, it was more concerning to me than her sickness.
One day,however,I heard her beautiful voice as I was cooking dinner.I stopped what I was doing and just smiled. "Pure delight. '' I thought to myself.Her voice slowly grew stronger,and soon,both the car and the house were filled with her music once more.How had I not noticed her singing had completely stopped,weeks and weeks ago?Now,thankfully,she's back in school,smiling and singing,and I'm thankful for each and every song she sings.
These days,whenever I hear a stranger singing a song to themselves,I don't get mad.Instead,I smile,as I know that by singing out loud,they're simply sharing their happiness with the world.
(1)When did the author feel bothered?
A.When hearing strangers singing.
B.When her daughter started middle school.
C.When fixing stars on the seat.
D.When her daughter became sensitive.
(2)Which of the following best describes Zoe?
A.Considerate and helpful.
B.Competitive and hardworking.
C.Optimistic and strong-willed.
D.Self-aware and modest.
(3)What does "it" in Paragraph 3 refer to?
A.Zoe's love for music.
B.Zoe's falling behind at school.
C.Zoe's silence during her sickness.
D.Zoe's slow recovery from her sickness.
(4)What does singing mean to people,according to the author?
A.A way to get rid of stress.
B.A way to express love to others.
C.A way to communicate with others.
D.A way to share joy.發(fā)布:2024/10/31 6:0:2組卷:9引用:2難度:0.5 -
2.What do Harry Potter,Katniss Everdeen,and Frodo all have in common with the heroes of ancient myths?Joseph Campbell studied myths from all over the world and published a book called "The Hero with a Thousand Faces",retelling dozens of stories and explaining how each represents the mono-myth,or Hero's Journey.So,what is the "hero's journey"?
He thinks of it as a cycle in his book.The journey begins with the hero receiving a mysterious message,an invitation,or a challenge.After crossing the threshold from his safe home to adventure,with some help probably from someone older,wiser,our hero solves a riddle,slays a monster,escapes from a trap.The hero's darkest hour then comes,when he faces death and possibly even dies,only to be reborn.As a result,the hero claims some treasure,special recognition,or power,which can vary between stories.After all that adventure,the hero returns to his ordinary world,but upgrades to a new level.Nothing is quite the same once you are a hero.
The Hero's Journey myth exists in all human cultures and keeps getting updated,because we humans reflect on our world through symbolic stories of our own lives.You leave your comfort zone,have an experience that transforms you,and then you recover and do it again.You don't literally slay dragons or fight Voldemort,but you face problems just as scary.Joseph Campbell said, "In the cave you fear to enter lies the treasure you seek."
What is the symbolic cave then you fear to enter?Auditions for the school play?Baseball tryouts?The paper due?
Watch for this formula in books,movies,and TV shows you come across.You will certainly see it again.Also be sensitive to it in your own life.Listen for your call to adventure.Accept the challenge.Conquer your fear and claim the treasure you seek.And then,do it all over again.
(1)What is the correct order of the following stages of the "Hero's journey"?
①Return to the ordinary world but outgrow his old life.
②Receive the call to adventure and assistance from a wiser.
③Set out on the adventure and go through a series of tough trials.
④Face the life-or-death crisis and be reborn with some special power.
A. ①②③④
B. ②④①③
C. ②③④①
D. ③②④①
(2)Why is Hero's Journey myth so popular?
A.Because it's a way to reflect on our world.
B.Because it's a way to learn about the past.
C.Because these stories are always being updated.
D.Because these stories are part of human culture.
(3)Which of the following may the author disagree with?
A.We all need a "cave" to hide in face of danger.
B.Our comfort zone will hinder our development.
C.Difficulties we face tend to be treasures in life.
D.We should overcome our fears faced with danger.
(4)Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?
A.The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
B.The Hero's Journey.
C.How to Conquer Your Fear.
D.Be Your Own Hero.發(fā)布:2024/12/3 22:30:1組卷:4引用:3難度:0.5 -
3.Many facts suggest that children are overweight and the situation is getting worse,according to the doctors.I feel there are a number of reasons for this.
Some people blame the fact that we are surrounded by shops selling unhealthy,fatty foods,such as fried chicken and ice cream,at low prices.This has turned out a whole generation of grown-ups who seldom cook a meal for themselves.If there were fewer of these restaurants,then probably children would buy less take-away food.
There is another argument that blames parents for allowing their children to become overweight.I agree with this,because good eating habits begin early in life,long before children start to visit fast food shops.If children are given fried chicken and chocolate rather than healthy food,or are always allowed to choose what they eat,they will go for sweet and salty foods every time,and this will carry on throughout their lives.
There is a third reason for this situation.Children these days take very little exercise.They do not walk to school.When they get home,they sit in front of the television or their computers and play video games.Not only is this an unhealthy pastime(消遣),it also gives them time to eat more unhealthy food.What they need is to go outside and play active games or sports.
The above are the main reasons for this problem,and therefore we have to encourage young people to be more active,as well as steering them away from fast food shops and bad eating habits.
(1)According to the text,what kind of children may eat more unhealthy food?
A.Those who often do sports.
B.Those who often walk to school.
C.Those who often watch television.
D.Those who often have meals at home.
(2)What does the underlined word "steering" in the last sentence most probably mean?
A.Moving.
B.Forcing.
C.Driving.
D.Guiding.
(3)The main purpose of the text is to
A.tell a story
B.provide facts
C.give advice
D.compare opinions發(fā)布:2024/11/10 12:30:2組卷:8引用:1難度:0.7
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