Ⅰ.阅读理解
A
(2024·青岛市质检)
Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.It gives a voice to emerging public consciousness about the state of our planet.The founder is Gaylord Nelson.
What moved Gaylord Nelson to action was the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill(溢出) in Southern California, the largest oil spill in the United States at that time.The spill proved to be an environmental nightmare as it had a strong impact on marine life, killing an estimated 3,500 seabirds, as well as marine animals such as dolphins, elephant seals and sea lions.Inspired by the student antiwar movement at that period of time, Nelson found it was the right time to channel the energy of the students towards a fight for environmental protection.He decided that it was time to educate the Americans on the need to protect the environment.Thus, Earth Day was born in 1970, and public environmental consciousness took centre stage.
On 22nd April 1970, millions of Americans took to the streets to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment and thousands of students marched in protest at the terrible situation of the environment.Businesses were forced to follow environmental standards if they wanted to continue their operations.The year 1990 saw Earth Day reach out to many more countries around the world.It helped pave the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, bringing together many nations, for a joint effort towards protecting the environment.In 2009, the United Nations decided to officially set April 22 as Earth Day.For his role as the founder of Earth Day, Gaylord Nelson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom(1995), the highest honour given to civilians in the United States.We honour the man, as the fight for a cleaner environment continues.
语篇导读：本文主要介绍了世界地球日的创立以及它带来的积极影响。
1．What can we learn about Earth Day？ D
A．It was founded at the end of 1970s.
B．It was first celebrated in Rio de Janeiro.
C．People will march on the streets on this day.
D．It arouses public environmental awareness.
解析：细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Inspired by the student antiwar movement...took centre stage.”可知， Nelson受到那个时期学生反战运动的启发，创立地球日，使美国公众的环保意识成为大家关注的焦点。故地球日唤起了公众的环保意识。故选D。
2．What did Gaylord Nelson do to make Earth Day possible？ D
A．He reduced the loss of the oil spill.
B．He participated in an antiwar movement.
C．He set environmental standards for businesses.
D．He involved more people in environmental issues.
解析：细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Inspired by the student antiwar movement...for environmental protection.”并结合第三段中的“On 22nd April 1970...to continue their operations.”可知， Nelson 受到那个时期学生反战运动的启发，动用学生的力量去教育美国民众保护环境。结果数百万的美国人走上街头，数以千计的学生举行游行，呼吁创造一个健康、可持续的环境。由此可知，Nelson使更多的人参与了环境保护，这最终促使“地球日”成了可能。故选D。
3．What is the third paragraph mainly about？ B
A．The focus of Earth Day.
B．The development of Earth Day.
C．The world's concern for the environment.
D．The joint efforts of different countries.
解析：主旨大意题。根据第三段的内容可知，1970年美国民众上街游行，环保意识深入美国民众内心；1990年“地球日”传到世界更多国家；1992年各国联合开展环境保护峰会；2009年美国正式确定4月22日为地球日。故本段主要讲述地球日的发展。故选B。
4．Which of the following best describes Gaylord Nelson?
B
A．Intelligent. B．Responsible.
C．Considerate. D．Knowledgeable.
解析：推理判断题。当Nelson看到石油泄漏对海洋生物造成的破坏时，他就采取了行动。这说明他是一位具有家国情怀的、有责任心的人。A项“聪明的”；C项“考虑周到的，体贴的”；D项“知识渊博的”。故选B。
