# 2月24日 阅读理解

**Passage:**

The Amazon Rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," is one of the most important ecosystems in the world. Covering an area of about 5.5 million square kilometers, it is home to millions of species of plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else on the planet. The rainforest plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate by absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

However, the Amazon Rainforest is facing severe threats due to human activities. Deforestation for agriculture, logging, and urban expansion has led to a significant loss of forest area over the past decades. According to recent studies, the Amazon loses an estimated 17,000 square kilometers of forest each year—equivalent to the size of four football fields every minute. This destruction not only threatens the survival of countless species but also contributes to climate change by reducing the Earth's ability to absorb carbon dioxide.

Conservation efforts are underway to protect the Amazon Rainforest. Governments in countries such as Brazil and Peru have established protected areas and national parks to preserve the forest. International organizations are also working to raise awareness about the importance of the Amazon and promote sustainable practices. Additionally, local communities are involved in eco-tourism projects, which provide alternative income sources while preserving the environment.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Illegal logging, mining, and land grabbing continue to threaten the rainforest and its inhabitants. Climate change itself also exacerbates the situation by causing droughts and making the forest more vulnerable to fires. The survival of the Amazon Rainforest depends on global cooperation and sustained efforts to protect this vital ecosystem.

**Questions:**

1. What is the Amazon Rainforest often called?
   a) The Heart of the Earth
   b) The Lungs of the Earth
   c) The Green Giant
   d) The Forest of Life
2. Which activity contributes to deforestation in the Amazon?
   a) Ecotourism
   b) Reforestation
   c) Agriculture
   d) Conservation
3. How much forest area is lost in the Amazon each year?
   a) 5,000 square kilometers
   b) 17,000 square kilometers
   c) 25,000 square kilometers
   d) 30,000 square kilometers
4. What is one of the consequences of deforestation in the Amazon?
   a) Increased oxygen production
   b) Reduced carbon dioxide absorption
   c) Improved soil fertility
   d) Enhanced biodiversity
5. Which country has established protected areas to preserve the Amazon?
   a) Argentina
   b) Brazil
   c) Chile
   d) Colombia
6. What is an alternative income source for local communities in the Amazon?
   a) Logging
   b) Mining
   c) Agriculture
   d) Eco-tourism
7. Why does climate change make the Amazon more vulnerable to fires?
   a) Increased rainfall
   b) Decreased temperatures
   c) Droughts
   d) Stronger winds
8. What is needed for the survival of the Amazon Rainforest?
   a) Local protection only
   b) International cooperation and efforts
   c) Reforestation projects
   d) Sustainable tourism



> [!tip]
>
> **文章翻译：**
>
> 亚马逊雨林常被称为“地球之肺”，是世界上最重要生态系统之一。它占地约550万平方公里，是无数动植物物种的家园，其中许多物种在地球上其他地方 nowhere else。雨林通过吸收大量二氧化碳并释放氧气，在调节全球气候方面发挥着至关重要的作用。
>
> 然而，由于人类活动，亚马逊雨林正面临严重威胁。为了农业、伐木和城市扩张而进行的滥砍滥伐导致过去几十年中森林面积显著减少。根据 recent studies 最近的研究，亚马逊每年损失约17,000平方公里的森林——相当于每分钟消失四个足球场的大小。这种破坏不仅威胁着无数物种的生存，还通过减少地球吸收二氧化碳的能力加剧了气候变化。
>
> 保护工作正在进行以保护亚马逊雨林。巴西、秘鲁等国的政府已建立保护区和国家公园来保护森林。国际组织也在努力提高人们对亚马逊重要性的认识，并推动可持续实践。此外，当地社区参与生态旅游项目，这些项目为他们提供替代收入来源的同时保护环境。
>
> 尽管如此，挑战依然存在。非法伐木、采矿和土地掠夺继续威胁着雨林及其居民。气候变化本身也加剧了这一情况，导致干旱并使森林更容易受到火灾的影响。亚马逊雨林的生存依赖于全球合作和持续的努力来保护这个至关重要的生态系统。
>
> ------
>
> **问题：**
>
> 1. 亚马逊雨林常被称为什么？
>    a) 地球之心
>    b) 地球之肺
>    c) 绿色巨人
>    d) 生命之林
> 2. 哪项活动导致亚马逊的森林砍伐？
>    a) 生态旅游
>    b) 重新造林
>    c) 农业
>    d) 保护
> 3. 亚马逊每年损失多少平方公里的森林面积？
>    a) 5,000 平方公里
>    b) 17,000 平方公里
>    c) 25,000 平方公里
>    d) 30,000 平方公里
> 4. 森林砍伐在亚马逊的一个后果是什么？
>    a) 增加氧气生产
>    b) 减少二氧化碳吸收
>    c) 改善土壤肥力
>    d) 提高生物多样性
> 5. 哪个国家建立了保护区来保护亚马逊？
>    a) 阿根廷
>    b) 巴西
>    c) 智利
>    d) 哥伦比亚
> 6. 亚马逊当地社区的替代收入来源是什么？
>    a) 伐木
>    b) 采矿
>    c) 农业
>    d) 生态旅游
> 7. 为什么气候变化使亚马逊更容易受到火灾的影响？
>    a) 降雨量增加
>    b) 气温下降
>    c) 干旱
>    d) 风力增强
> 8. 亚马逊雨林的生存需要什么？
>    a) 只需当地保护
>    b) 国际合作和努力
>    c) 重新造林项目
>    d) 可持续旅游
>
> **答案**
>
> 1. b) The Lungs of the Earth
> 2. c) Agriculture
> 3. b) 17,000 square kilometers
> 4. b) Reduced carbon dioxide absorption
> 5. b) Brazil
> 6. d) Eco-tourism
> 7. c) Droughts
> 8. b) International cooperation and efforts