TEST 3

　　READING PASSAGE 3

　　You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27-40, which are based on Reading Passage 3below.

　　Forests are one of the main elements of our natural heritage. The decline of Europes forests over the last decade and a half has led to an increasing awareness and understanding of the serious imbalances which threaten them. European countries are becoming increasingly concerned by major threats to European forests, threats which know no frontiers other than those of geography or climate: air pollution, soil deterioration, the increasing number of forest fires and sometimes even the mismanagement of our woodland and forest heritage. There has been a growing awareness of the need for countries to get together to co-ordinate their policies. In December 1990, Strasbourg hosted the first Ministerial Conference on the protection of Europes forests. The conference brought together 31 countries from both Western and Eastern Europe. The topics discussed included the co-ordinated study of the destruction of forests, as well as how to combat forest fires and the extension of European research programs on the forest ecosystem. The preparatory work for the conference had been undertaken at two meetings of experts. Their initial task was to decide which of the many forest problems of concern to Europe involved the largest number of countries and might be the subject of joint action. Those confined to particular geographical areas, such as countries bordering the Mediterranean or the Nordic countries therefore had to be discarded. However, this does not mean that in future they will be ignored.

　　As a whole, European countries see forests as performing a triple function: biological, economic and recreational. The first is to act as a green lung for our planet; by means of photosynthesis, forests produce oxygen through the transformation of solar energy, thus fulfilling what for humans is the essential role of an immense, non-polluting power plant. At the same time, forests provide raw materials for human activities through their constantly renewed production of wood. Finally, they offer those condemned to spend five days a week in an urban environment an unrivalled area of freedom to unwind and take part in a range of leisure activities, such as hunting, riding and hiking. The economic importance of forests has been understood since the dawn of man - wood was the first fuel. The other aspects have been recognised only for a few centuries but they are becoming more and more important. Hence, there is a real concern throughout Europe about the damage to the forest environment which threatens these three basic roles.

　　The myth of the natural forest has survived, yet there are effectively no remaining primary forests in Europe. All European forests are artificial, having been adapted and exploited by man for thousands of years. This means that a forest policy is vital, that it must transcend national frontiers and generations of people, and that it must allow for the inevitable changes that take place in the forests, in needs, and hence in policy. The Strasbourg conference was one of the first events on such a scale to reach this conclusion. A general declaration was made that a central place in any ecologically coherent forest policy must be given to continuity over time and to the possible effects of unforeseen events, to ensure that the full potential of these forests is maintained.

　　That general declaration was accompanied by six detailed resolutions to assist national policy-making. The first proposes the extension and systematisation of surveillance sites to monitor forest decline. Forest decline is still poorly understood but leads to the loss of a high proportion of a trees needles or leaves. The entire continent and the majority of species are now affected: between 30%and 50% of the tree population. The condition appears to result from the cumulative effect of a number of factors, with atmospheric pollutants the principal culprits. Compounds of nitrogen and sulphur dioxide should be particularly closely watched. However, their effects are probably accentuated by climatic factors, such as drought and hard winters, or soil imbalances such as soil acidification, which damages the roots. The second resolution concentrates on the need to preserve the genetic diversity of European forests. The aim is to reverse the decline in the number of tree species or at least to preserve the genetic material of all of them. Although forest fires do not affect all of Europe to the same extent, the amount of damage caused the experts to propose as the third resolution that the Strasbourg conference consider the establishment of a European databank on the subject. All information used in the development of national preventative policies would become generally available. The subject of the fourth resolution discussed by the ministers was mountain forests. In Europe, it is undoubtedly the mountain ecosystem which has changed most rapidly and is most at risk. A thinly scattered permanent population and development of leisure activities, particularly skiing, have resulted in significant long-term changes to the local ecosystems. Proposed developments include a preferential research program on mountain forests. The fifth resolution relaunched the European research network on the physiology of trees, called Eurosilva. Eurosilva should support joint European research on tree diseases and their physiological and biochemical aspects. Each country concerned could increase the number of scholarships and other financial support for doctoral theses and research projects in this area. Finally, the conference established the framework for a European research network on forest ecosystems. This would also involve harmonising activities in individual countries as well as identifying a number of priority research topics relating to the protection of forests. The Strasbourg conferences main concern was to provide for the future. This was the initial motivation, one now shared by all 31 participants representing 31European countries. Their final text commits them to on-going discussion between government representatives with responsibility for forests.

　　Questions 27-33

　　Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 3? In boxes 27-33 on your answer sheet, write

　　TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

　　FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

　　NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

　　27 Forest problems of Mediterranean countries are to be discussed at the next meeting of experts.

　　28 Problems in Nordic countries were excluded because they are outside the European Economic Community.

　　29 Forests are a renewable source of raw material.

　　30 The biological functions of forests were recognised only in the twentieth century.

　　31 Natural forests still exist in parts of Europe.

　　32 Forest policy should be limited by national boundaries.

　　33 The Strasbourg conference decided that a forest policy must allow for the possibility of change.

　　Questions 34-39

　　Look at the following statements issued by the conference.

　　Which six of the following statements, A-J, refer to the resolutions that were issued?

　　Match the statements with the appropriate resolutions .

　　Write the correct letter, A-J, in boxes 34-39 on your answer sheet.

　　A All kinds of species of trees should be preserved.

　　B Fragile mountain forests should be given priority in research programs.

　　C The surviving natural forests of Europe do not need priority treatment.

　　D Research is to be better co-ordinated throughout Europe.

　　E Information on forest fires should be collected and shared.

　　F Loss of leaves from trees should be more extensively and carefully monitored.

　　G Resources should be allocated to research into tree diseases.

　　H Skiing should be encouraged in thinly populated areas.

　　I Soil imbalances such as acidification should be treated with compounds of nitrogen and sulphur.

　　J Information is to be systematically gathered on any decline in the condition of forests.

　　34 Resolution 1

　　35 Resolution 2

　　36 Resolution 3

　　37 Resolution 4

　　38 Resolution 5

　　39 Resolution 6

　　Question 40

　　Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.

　　Write the correct letter in box 40 on your answer sheet.

　　40 What is the best title for Reading Passage 3?

　　A The biological, economic and recreational role of forests

　　B Plans to protect the forests of Europe

　　C The priority of European research into ecosystems

　　D Proposals for a world-wide policy on forest management

　　Answers

　　27 NOT GIVEN　　28 FALSE　　29 TRUE　　30 FALSE　　31 FALSE　　32 FALSE　　33 TRUE

　　34 J　　35 A　　36 E　　37 B　　38 G　　39 D　　40 B

　　解析

　　篇章結構

　　體裁 說明文

　　主題 歐洲森林保護問題

　　結構

　　第一段：歐洲森林遭到嚴重破壞。

　　第二段：歐洲森林的三大功能。

　　第三段：制定保護歐洲森林的政策迫在眉睫。

　　第四段：保護森林的六項決議。

　　必背詞匯

　　第一段

　　element n. 成分，要素　　awareness n. 認識，了解，知道　　heritage n. 遺產，繼承物

　　imbalance n. 不平衡，失調　　decline n. 衰退，跌落　　threaten vt. 威脅

　　decade n. 十年　　frontier n. 邊界，邊境　　geography n. 地理

　　undertake v. 從事;保證　　deterioration n. 惡化，退化　　initial adj. 開始的，最初的

　　mismanagement n. 管理不善　　joint adj. 聯合的，共同的　　co-ordinate v. 協調，等同

　　confine v. 限制　　ministerial adj. 部長的，內閣的，執政的　　geographical adj. 地理的

　　destruction n. 破壞，毀滅　　border v. 毗鄰　　combat v. 奮斗，爭斗

　　the Mediterranean 地中海　　extension n. 延長，擴充　　Nordic adj. 北歐的

　　ecosystem n. 生態系統　　discard v. 丟棄，拋棄　　preparatory adj. 預備的，準備的，初步的

　　第二段

　　triple adj. 三倍的　　raw adj. 生的　　recreational adj. 娛樂的

　　constantly adv. 不斷地　　lung n. 肺　　renewed adj. 更新的

　　photosynthesis n. 光合作用　　condemn v. 責備　　oxygen n. 氧，氧氣

　　urban adj. 城市的　　transformation n. 轉化，轉變　　unrivalled adj. 無與倫比的

　　solar adj. 太陽的　　unwind v. 展開　　fulfil v. 實現，滿足　　dawn n. 破曉

　　immense adj. 巨大的，廣大的　　fuel n. 燃料

　　第三段

　　myth n. 神話　　scale n. 規模　　primary adj. 初期的

　　declaration n. 宣言　　artificial adj. 人造的　　ecologically adv. 從生態學的觀點看

　　adapt v. 使適應　　coherent adj. 互相偶合的　　exploit v. 開發，利用，開拓

　　continuity n. 連續性　　vital adj. 至關重要的，生死攸關的　　unforeseen adj. 無法預料的

　　transcend v. 超越　　ensure v. 確定，保證　　generation n. 代，一代

　　potential n. 潛力，潛能　　inevitable adj. 不可避免的　　maintain v. 維持

　　第四段

　　accomplish v. 完成　　cumulative adj. 累積的　　resolution n. 決議

　　atmospheric adj. 大氣的　　assist v. 協助　　pollutant n. 污染物

　　propose v. 提議　　principal adj. 主要的　　extension n. 延長，擴充

　　culprit n. 犯人，罪犯　　systematization n. 組織化　　compound n. 混合物

　　surveillance n. 監視，監督　　nitrogen n. 氮　　monitor v. 監視，監督

　　sulphur dioxide 氧化硫　　proportion n. 比例　　accentuate v. 強調

　　needle n. 針葉　　climatic adj. 氣候上的　　drought n. 干旱

　　significant adj. 顯著的，重要的　　hard winter 嚴寒的冬天　　preferential adj. 先取的，優先的

　　acidification n. 酸化　　relaunch v. 重新發布　　concentrate v. 集中，專心

　　physiology n. 生理學　　preserve v. 保護，保持　　biochemical adj. 生物化學的

　　genetic adj. 基因的，遺傳的　　scholarship n. 獎學金　　diversity n. 多樣性

　　financial adj. 金融的，財政的　　reverse v. 顛倒，逆轉　　doctoral these 博士論文

　　establishment n. 確立，制定　　framework n. 結構，框架　　databank n. 數據庫

　　harmonise v. 使融合　　preventative adj. 預防性的　　identify v. 識別，鑒定

　　minister n. 部長，大臣　　priority n. 優先權　　undoubtedly adv. 無疑

　　motivation n. 動機，動力　　ecosystem n. 生態系統　　participant n. 參加者，參與者

　　at risk 處境危險　　represent v. 代表　　scatter v. 散開，散布，散播

　　commit v. 委托，承諾　　permanent adj. 永久的，持久的　　on-going adj. 持續的

　　skiing n. 滑雪　　representative n. 代表

　　試題解析

　　Questions 27-33

　　題目類型：True / False / Not Given

　　題目解析：

　　27. Forest problems of Mediterranean countries are to be discussed at the next meeting of experts.

　　參考譯文 地中海國家的森林問題將在下一次專家會議中討論。 定位詞 Mediterranean countries 解題關鍵字 be discussed at the next meeting 文中對應點 第一段未： ..., such as counties bordering Mediterranean or the Nordic countries therefore had to be discarded. However, this dose not mean that in future they will be ignored. 此題通過定位詞可以迅速定位到第一段最后兩句話，其含義為地中海國家在日后不一定被忽略;而題干則為在下次會議中會討論，顯然為文中未提及內容。故此題答案為NOT GIVEN。

　　28. Problems in Nordic countries were excluded because they are outside the European Economic Community.

　　參考譯文 北歐國家的問題未被考慮是因為它們不屬于歐洲經濟共同體。 定位詞 Nordic countries 解題關鍵字 because 文中對應點 第一段末： Their initial task was to decide which of the many forest problems of concern to Europe involved the largest number of countries and might be the subject of joint action. Those confined to particular geographical areas, such as counties bordering Mediterranean or the Nordic countries therefore had to be discarded. 此題定位點與第一題相同。 考生可能單純依據European Economic Community在文中未出現而錯誤地判斷答案為NOT GIVEN; 其實該題考查因果關系，由定位句中的因果關系詞therefore推出解題句為定位句的前一句：Nordic countries不被考慮是因為會議要決定哪些森林問題涉及的國家最多并且能夠成為聯合行動的主題，這與題干中的原因不同，而考查因果關系時要求文章與題目精確對應，故此題答案為FALSE。

　　29. Forests are a renewable source of raw material.

　　參考譯文 森林是可再生原材料的來源。 定位詞 raw material 解題關鍵字 renewable source 文中對應點 第二段： ..., forests provide raw materials for human activities through their constantly renewed production of wood. 此題的定位詞在文中以原詞出現，按照順序原則可以迅速定位。 文中定位處含義為：通過其不斷再生的木材，森林給人類活動提供了原材料。文章與題目含義一致。故此題答案為TRUE。

　　30. The biological functions of forests were recognised only in the twentieth century.

　　參考譯文 森林的生物學功能在20世紀才被認可。 定位詞 biological functions, recognised 解題關鍵字 only in twentieth century 文中對應點 第二段： The economic importance of forests has been...The other aspects have been recognised only for a few centuries... 此題先通過biological functions定位于第二段首句，其中提到森林的三種功能為biological, economic和recreational;然后由recognised精確定位到解題句，其中提到除了economic之外的兩方面都已經被認可了幾個世紀，而題目卻認為其僅僅是在20世紀才被認可的。題目明顯與文章相悖，故此題答案為FALSE。

　　31. Natural forests still exist in parts of Europe.

　　參考譯文 原始森林仍存在于歐洲的一些地方。 定位詞 natural forests 解題關鍵字 still exist 文中對應點 第三段： All European forests are artificial, ... 此題通過定位詞可定位于第三段首句，通過掃讀得出解題句，其含義為：歐洲所有的森林都是人工種植的。很顯然題目與文章內容剛好相反，故此題答案為FALSE。

　　32. Forest policy should be limited by national boundaries.

　　參考譯文 森林政策必須受到國家界限的限制。 定位詞 forest policy, national boundaries 解題關鍵字 limited 文中對應點 第三段： This means that a forest policy is vital, that it must transcend national frontiers and... 此題通過定位詞能夠迅速定位。定位句的含義為：森林政策至關重要，它必須超越國家的界限。顯然題目與文章內容相反，故此題答案為FALSE。