A A Rachel Carson, born in rural Pennsylvania in 1907, had a great impact on the environment. Carson earned a masters degree in zoology in 1932. It was as a writer and not as a research scientist, however, that she made her mark, sharing her view that human beings are just one element in a larger natural order. In the articles on natural history Carson wrote for various publications, she expressed dry facts in poetic and persuasive language. She wrote five books. Two of them, The Sea Around Us and The Edge of the Sea, have been called “biographies of the ocean.” Carson also made the world aware of how scientific discoveries can harm as well as help living things. In her best-selling book Silent Spring, Carson challenged the profligate use of chemical pesticides by large agricultural and government organizations. She was the first to detail how the pesticide DDT had entered the food chain and damaged populations of bald eagles, falcons, and brown pelicans by causing the shells of their eggs to become so thin that they could not withstand the weight of the parent bird. Carson died of cancer in 1964. Today, the Rachel Carson Council collects and disseminates (散播) information on pesticide-related issues. In 1970, the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge, a large area of salt marsh and freshwater habitat in Maine, was dedicated to her memory. 56. Which of the following words is closest to the meaning of the underlined word in paragraph 3 ? A. excessive B. inadequate C. authoritativeD. efficient 57. Which of the following inferences is correct ? A. Carson wrote books that the average person could understand. B. Dangerous properties of new chemical products may be immediately apparent. C. If not for Carson, no one would have learned about the dangers of DDT. D. In 1970, large quantities of salt and freshwater were dedicated to Carsons memory by the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge 58. Which of the statements below expresses the main idea of the passage ? A. Writers have played an important role in the battle against pollution. B. The scientist Rachel Carson taught people about environmental issues through her writing. C. Carsons book Silent Spring changed the way some pesticides were used. D. Many of Carsons books were about pesticide-related issues. B ASK LASKAS YOUVE GOT QUESTIONS. SHES GOT ANSWERS Q: My problem is computer gaming. I do it day and night, averaging four hours of sleep. I cant control of this, and I dont know where to go for help. Do you? Player A: Dear Player, You have an addiction. For some people playing video games releases dopamine, a powerful brain chemical that makes you feel good. Youd toss your cigarettes if you were ready to quit, right? To kick the habit, get help from a health professional. And dont look for help on line; that would be like an alcoholic going to the bar for advice. Q: My brothers wife just had triplets(三胞胎). This is such a joy! Yet every time I share the news with co- workers, they ask me if she was on fertility pills. I think this is rudeor has society just become so talk-show numbed (麻木的)that you can ask anyone anything? No Show Host A: Dear Host, Yes. Our society has become increasingly disrespectful of privacy. But dont blame it all on the talk-shows. Continue to celebrate and greet impolite questions with stony silence. Their fertility history is nobodys business but their own. Q: I work at an amusement park, and my manager steals supplies. She has a catering business on the side, and weve seen her load up her van at the back gates. The big bosses think she is the best thing since buttered bread, and were all afraid that if we say anything, well lose our jobs. What can we do? Righteous A: Dear Righteous, Be sure youre right. You must have evidence about what and why things are going out the back gates. Once you know for certain, its time to go to the bosses and report what you have seen. Q: My stepsons wife sometimes leaves their eight-year-old home alone for “a short run to the store.“ That may be an hour or so. I believe by law we should report it. What do you think?The In-laws A: Dear Laws, I dont know what the child-protection laws in your state are, but I do know that children need care and attention. This child may be able and unafraid, but kids arent always careful. It also sounds like there is stress in your family relationship. One thing you can do to help this situation is offer to baby-sit when Mom needs to step out. 59. Which of the following statements is true? A. Dopamine is a powerful brain chemical good to our health. B. Looking for help on line is like getting help from a health professional. C. Player is a video game addict who smokes and sleeps few hours. D. Player is advised to stay clear of the screen. 60. According to the Q&A, . A. Hosts colleagues are insensitive B. The talk-show is to blame C. Somebodys business is everybodys D.