The Main Reading Text
Climate change is one of the most serious challenges facing our planet today. Over the past century, the Earth's average temperature has risen significantly. This phenomenon, known as global warming, is mainly caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
These gases trap heat, leading to several dangerous consequences. Polar ice is melting, which causes sea levels to rise and threatens coastal cities. Furthermore, extreme weather patterns, such as severe droughts and powerful storms, have become more frequent. Many species, including polar bears and coral reefs, are struggling to survive as their habitats change too quickly.
However, it is not too late to take action. We can reduce our carbon footprint by using renewable energy, such as solar and wind power. Simple changes in our daily lives, like recycling and saving electricity, also make a difference. Protecting the environment is a responsibility that we all share. By working together, we can preserve the beauty of our home for future generations.
Key Learning Points
點擊下方的頁籤，切換不同的學習重點。
atmosphere
n./ˈæt.mə.sfɪər/ — 大氣層
The mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth.
- Greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere for a long time.
溫室氣體會在大氣層中停留很長時間。
consequence
n./ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwəns/ — 後果；影響
A result of a particular action or situation, often one that is bad.
- Global warming has many dangerous consequences.
全球暖化有許多危險的後果。
significant
adj./sɪɡˈnɪf.ɪ.kənt/ — 顯著的；重要的
Important or noticeable.
- There has been a significant rise in temperature.
氣溫有了顯著的上升。
renewable
adj./rɪˈnjuː.ə.bəl/ — 可再生的
Energy that can be replaced naturally and never used up.
- Solar and wind are forms of renewable energy.
太陽能和風能是再生能源的形式。
preserve
v./ɪˈsen.ʃəl/ — 保存；保護
To keep something as it is, especially in order to prevent it from being damaged.
- We must preserve our natural resources.
我們必須保護我們的自然資源。
Present Perfect for Trends
使用「have/has + V-pp」來描述一段持續到現在的趨勢或變化。
- The temperature has risen significantly.
氣溫已經顯著上升（且趨勢持續中）。 - Weather patterns have become more frequent.
天氣型態已經變得更頻繁。
Relative Clauses with "which"
使用 which 來修飾前面的整件事或名詞，增加說明的細節。
- Global warming, which is caused by human activities...
全球暖化，也就是由人類活動所引起的...（修飾全球暖化） - Burning fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases...
燃燒化石燃料，這會釋放溫室氣體...（補充說明動作結果）
carbon footprint
碳足跡 (個人或活動產生的二氧化碳排放量)
- Walking instead of driving reduces your carbon footprint.
以走路代替開車可以減少你的碳足跡。
make a difference
產生影響；起作用
- Your small choices can make a difference.
你的小小選擇可以產生很大的不同。
take action
採取行動
- Governments need to take action now.
政府需要現在就採取行動。
Countable Nouns
challenge, century, gas, consequence, city, storm, species, home, generation
Uncountable Nouns
change, warming, heat, ice, energy, electricity, beauty
| Present | Past | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| rise | rose | risen |
| lead | led | led |
| become | became | become |
| preserve | preserved | preserved |
| share | shared | shared |