素材段落

　　Conventional agricultural practices contribute to water pollution affecting both our health and the environment. Only 1% of the pesticides applied to crops actually reach the pests they target, while the remaining 99% of these chemicals enter the environment. The contamination of soil and groundwater changes our terrestrial and aquatic environment and poses a threat to native wildlife. Many species are dependent on clean water and are now endangered because of contaminants in the water. For example, synthetic fertilizers have resulted in an 8,000-square-mile ‘dead zone’ in the Gulf of Mexico where thousands of fish have perished due to oxygen deprivation. Contradictorily, organic agriculture usually uses animal manures as fertilizers which tend to enhance the soil structure as well as reduce the risk of groundwater pollution.

　　單詞和詞組

　　apply to 應(yīng)用于…

　　✎ apply one’s mind to

　　pose a threat to 威脅到

　　=threaten, intimidate

　　✎ Many students endure too much pressure from their teachers, which poses a threat to their health and self-confidence.

　　話題詞匯

　　環(huán)境保護(hù) environmental protection

　　生態(tài)系統(tǒng) ecosystem

　　生態(tài)平衡 ecological balance

　　環(huán)境污染 environmental contamination/pollution

　　環(huán)境破壞 environmental destruction

　　環(huán)境惡化 environmental degradation

　　排放化學(xué)污染物 discharge chemical pollutants

　　排放溫室氣體 emit greenhouse gases

　　適用考題

　　✎ Although modern agriculture methods damage the environment, providing food for the growing population around the world is more important than protecting the environment. (2014.10.11)

　　✎ Although many countries are concerned about environmental problems, the current situation is unlikely to change in the future.