[題組:第36-39題]37. Which of the following is NOT a reason for developing more effective systems to deal with wastewater?
(A) Population growth.
(B) Increasing manufacturing waste.
(C) Overloaded drainage systems.
(D) Heavy rainfall due to climate change.
[題組:第36-39題]39. What is the main reason that liquid sewage needs to go through sand?
(A) To eliminate bacteria.
(B) To drain water.
(C) To dissolve solid particles.
(D) To remove oil.
[題組:第40-43題]The planet’s deepest point is in the Pacific Ocean’s Mariana Trench, which lies miles below the sea surface. According to a new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, even in this remote locale, creatures cannot escape pollution.
A team of researchers recently sent a remotely operated vehicle into the depths of the Mariana Trench. They found that extraordinarily high levels of forbidden industrial chemicals are contaminating marine life more than 7 miles deep in the trench. The small hard-shelled marine life that the robotic submarine brought to the surface was polluted with toxic chemicals, with toxin levels 50 times greater than those of the most heavily polluted rivers in the world.
These pollution levels were not the only alarming aspect of the discovery. The types of compounds found were all considered “persistent organic pollutants” (POPs), meaning they stick around in the environment for a very long time. Two of the most prevalent types are PCBs and PBDEs. PCBs were once used in many industrial applications, but were outlawed in the United States in the 1970s after being linked to cancer. Similarly, PBDEs were used in a wide range of products-from electronics to couch cushions. Neither chemical breaks down in the environment.
These compounds stick to the surface of materials like plastic. Many creatures mistakenly eat this colorful but toxic material, causing the POPs to build up in their bodies, lurking in their fat tissues. When these sea creatures die, their POP-riddled bodies sink to the ocean floor, where deep-sea marine life eat their remains. POPs are therefore transferred to other creatures along the food chain.
The Mariana Trench is many miles away from any industrial source. This suggests that these pollutants travel over long distances despite having been prohibited worldwide decades ago.
40. What is the passage mainly about?
(A) The decrease of polluted creatures in the food chain.
(B) Using remote control in research on marine pollution.
(C) Pollution of the deep sea by persistent toxic chemicals.
(D) Types of chemical pollution caused by industrial applications.
[題組:第40-43題]41. Which of the following is closest in meaning to “POP-riddled” in paragraph 4?
(A) Operated by POPs.
(B) Filled with POPs.
(C) Completed with POPs.
(D) Discarded by POPs.
[題組:第40-43題]42. According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?
(A) PCBs are often used in making electronic products.
(B) Chemicals washed down to the ocean stay on the surface.
(C) The deepest point of the Mariana Trench is free from pollution.
(D) A robotic vehicle was used to help study pollution in the Mariana Trench.
[題組:第40-43題]43. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
(A) Marine pollution poses a threat to human health.
(B) Strict regulations are being developed to stop ocean pollution.
(C) PCBs and PBDEs become less harmful over long periods of time.
(D) Chemical pollution is more serious in rivers than in industrial areas.
[題組:第44-47題]The All Blacks, New Zealand’s national rugby team, is widely credited for bringing the “haka” to the world stage. Immediately before kick-off, the whole team will issue a warlike chant, stamping their feet, slapping their thighs, rolling their eyes, flicking their tongues, and making aggressive gestures in unison. This performance before each match, which is intended to heighten their morale and intimidate opponents, is a sight to behold. No other international sporting team possesses a pre-match ritual as powerful as the famed All Blacks haka.
What does “haka” mean? Haka is often thought of as a broad term for Māori war dances traditionally used to intimidate the enemy and prepare the warriors for battle. Most people believe it was performed either on the battlefield prior to engaging the enemy, or as the warriors were leaving their own village en route to a battle. But in the language of Māori, the word haka simply means a dance. The dance is accompanied by a chant that expresses emotions or tells ancient stories. While many haka should be performed by males, there are some haka that can be performed by anyone, male or female. There are even some women-only haka.
Thanks to the All Blacks, two of the haka have become widely renowned: Ka Mate and Kapa o Pango. The former was composed by a Māori chief in the early 1800s about how he outsmarted his enemies. It was first performed by the All Blacks in 1906. The latter was written specifically for the team in 2005. They are now performed interchangeably by the All Blacks.
Today, different varieties of haka are performed on various ceremonial occasions-from receiving distinguished guests to birthdays, weddings, or the funerals of chiefs and people of high status. Though the practice had traditionally been limited to Māori communities, it has now spread far beyond that. Māori and New Zealanders of European heritage alike view doing the haka with a sense of pride, both on the rugby field and outside it. The haka has become the most recognizable symbol of New Zealanders as a people.
44. Which of the following best describes the tone of this article?
(A) Cynical.
(B) Humorous.
(C) Pessimistic.
(D) Respectful.
[題組:第44-47題]45. According to the passage, for what purpose do the All Blacks perform the haka?
(A) To anger their opponents.
(B) To gain public attention and fame.
(C) To boost their own spirits.
(D) To show respect to their ancestors.
[題組:第44-47題]46. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word “practice” in the last paragraph?
(A) Sport.
(B) Performance.
(C) Competition.
(D) Occupation.
