問題詳情
三、閱讀測驗 12% (一)This is in reaction to Ernesto T. Solidum’s letter titled “In the conflict over cuttingof trees, there are three sides,” (Opinion, Sep 18, 2014). His letter argues that GreenResearch’s serious objections to the cutting of centuries-old and natural heritage treesalong the Pangasinan North Road is “emotional,” while the rationale of the Departmentof Public Works and Highways favoring the removal of the trees to prevent roadaccidents is “practical.” As an environmentalist, I base my argument on sound science. Studies sponsoredby the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggest that much fewer trafficaccidents occur if there are trees planted along roadways. It could be explained by thefact that drivers get to be more alert, leading to less aggressive driving behavior. Another USDA study revealed that a healthy tree is equivalent to 10 airconditionersrunning 20 hours per day. This could explain why it is cool and pleasant todrive along the highways of Batangas, Laguna and Quezon provinces during summer, asclaimed by Neal H. Cruz (“Thank you, God, for creating trees,” Opinion, Sep 19, 2014),where old trees line those roads. Furthermore, the USDA disclosed that increasing tree canopy in cities improvesair quality. It showed that a large, full-grown tree can provide 70 times moreenvironmental benefits—that is, by absorbing pollutants from the air and reducingtemperature caused by the urban heat island effect—than a small immature tree. This isone big reason why we have to preserve those centuries-old trees. Trees can also deter crimes. A study conducted by Donovan and Prestemon (2010)in the United States on the effect of trees on crime in Portland, Oregon, suggests thattrees planted in public places are associated with lower crime rates. In the preceding discussions, it is clear that the ecological benefits of treesoutweigh their economic value contradicting Solidum’s claim; not to mention theendless supply of the life-giving gas from photosynthesis—oxygen. It is a commonconception that trees cannot live without man, and man cannot live without trees;because plants depend on us (and other animals) for carbon dioxide and, in return, wedepend on plants for oxygen. In conclusion, development is not bad at all, as long as it does not jeopardize ourown existence on this planet.
【題組】51. This passage is mostly likely to appear in a(n) …
(A) college textbook.
(B) newspaper.
(C) commercial advertisement.
(D) operation manual.
參考答案
答案：B
難度：適中0.5
統計：A(0),B(1),C(0),D(1),E(0)