Deforestation is responsible for about 10% of all global warming.
森林砍伐造成了约10%的全球变暖。
conservationn.B2
(自然)保护
wildlife conservation · energy conservation
The national park was established for the conservation of endangered species.
该国家公园是为保护濒危物种而建立的。
finiteadj.C1
有限的
finite resources · finite amount
We must recognise that natural resources are finite.
我们必须认识到自然资源是有限的。
regulationn.B2
监管、规章
strict regulation · government regulation
The industry is calling for tighter regulation to prevent future crises.
该行业呼吁更严格的监管以防止未来危机。
subsidyn.C1
补贴
government subsidy · agricultural subsidy
Farmers rely on subsidies to remain competitive.
农民依靠补贴来保持竞争力。
sustainableadj.B2
可持续的
sustainable development · sustainable future
Our company is committed to sustainable business practices.
我们公司致力于可持续的商业实践。
consumptionn.B2
消费、消耗
energy consumption · reduce consumption
Reducing meat consumption can have a positive environmental impact.
减少肉类消费可对环境产生积极影响。
扩展词库 expansion
infrastructuren.C1
基础设施
transport infrastructure · improve infrastructure
congestionn.C1
拥堵
traffic congestion · reduce congestion
longevityn.C2
长寿
increased longevity · longevity research
demographicadj.C1
人口的
demographic changes · demographic trends
obesityn.C1
肥胖
childhood obesity · obesity epidemic
sedentaryadj.C2
久坐的
sedentary lifestyle · sedentary behaviour
automationn.C1
自动化
job automation · automation technology
remoteadj.B2
远程的
remote working · remote access
hybridadj.C1
混合的
hybrid model · hybrid working
ecosystemn.B2
生态系统
fragile ecosystem · protect the ecosystem
contaminationn.C1
污染
water contamination · soil contamination
greenwashn.C2
漂绿(伪环保宣传)
accused of greenwash · corporate greenwash
droughtn.C1
干旱
severe drought · drought conditions
scarcityn.C1
稀缺
water scarcity · resource scarcity
urbanisationn.C1
城市化
rapid urbanisation · urbanisation process
commutev./n.B2
通勤
daily commute · commute to work
disposable incomen.C1
可支配收入
household disposable income · rise in disposable income
qualificationn.B2
资格
professional qualification · academic qualification
career progressionn.C1
职业发展
opportunities for career progression · rapid career progression
freelanceadj./v.B2
自由职业(的)
freelance work · freelance writer
procrastinationn.C2
拖延
avoid procrastination · chronic procrastination
resiliencen.C1
恢复力、韧性
build resilience · economic resilience
词块 / 生存短语 chunks
a step in the right direction朝正确方向迈出的一步
The new recycling scheme is certainly a step in the right direction.
新的回收计划无疑是朝正确方向迈出的一步。
at the expense of以牺牲…为代价
Economic growth should not come at the expense of environmental protection.
经济增长不应以牺牲环境保护为代价。
in the long run从长远来看
Although costly now, investing in renewables will pay off in the long run.
尽管现在成本高昂,但投资可再生能源从长远看会得到回报。
pay lip service to对…只是口头上支持、敷衍
Many companies pay lip service to sustainability but fail to take real action.
许多公司口头上支持可持续性,却未采取实际行动。
raise awareness提高(公众)意识
The campaign helped raise awareness of the dangers of plastic pollution.
该活动帮助提高了公众对塑料污染危害的意识。
for the sake of为了…(的缘故)
We must act now for the sake of future generations.
为了子孙后代,我们必须立刻行动。
bear the brunt of首当其冲、承受最大冲击
Low-income families often bear the brunt of rising fuel costs.
低收入家庭往往首当其冲地承受燃料价格上涨的冲击。
come at a cost有其代价
Faster economic growth often comes at an environmental cost.
更快的经济增长往往伴随着环境代价。
a drop in the ocean杯水车薪、微不足道
Individual efforts to reduce waste are important, but they are just a drop in the ocean compared to industrial pollution.
个人减少浪费的努力固然重要,但与工业污染相比不过是杯水车薪。
phase out逐步淘汰
The government has announced plans to phase out single-use plastics by 2025.
政府已宣布计划到2025年逐步淘汰一次性塑料制品。
语法 语言升级点
Review: Inversion after negative/limiting adverbialsC2
为强调而倒装,赋予书面语正式、有力、富有节奏的语气
Not only ... but also ... ; Rarely ... ; Only by ... ; No sooner ... than ... ; 否定/限制性状语前置 + 助动词提前
复习倒装结构的用法:将 Not only, Rarely, Only when, Never 等放句首时,主谓要倒装。例如:Not only does it save money, but it also protects the environment. 在写作和口语中谨慎使用,一篇一两处即可。自查时注意避免滥用。
例句
Only by working together can we tackle global challenges effectively.
唯有携手合作,我们才能有效应对全球挑战。
Rarely has a new technology been adopted so rapidly.
很少有新技术能被如此迅速地采纳。
常见错误
✗ Only by working together we can tackle global challenges. → ✓ Only by working together can we tackle global challenges.
Admittedly ... ; Granted, ... ; While it may be true that ..., ; to a certain extent; arguably; it could be argued that ...
复习让步和模糊限制语的使用:高分论证需要精细地让步再反驳。例如:Admittedly, individual action has limits; nevertheless, it remains indispensable. hedging(arguably, to some degree)让判断更审慎。自查时确保让步真诚、反击有力,避免模棱两可。
例句
Granted, public transport requires substantial investment, but the long-term benefits outweigh the costs.
诚然,公共交通需要大量投资,但长期效益超过成本。
While it may be true that road improvements reduce congestion temporarily, they often encourage more car use.
虽然道路改善可能暂时缓解拥堵,但它们常常鼓励更多汽车出行。
常见错误
✗ Although renewable energy is expensive, but it is necessary. → ✓ Although renewable energy is expensive, it is necessary. / Renewable energy is expensive, but it is necessary.
Investment in transport infrastructure is a perennial topic of debate among policymakers. Some argue that expanding road capacity is vital for economic growth, while others contend that a shift towards public transport is the only sustainable path forward. In a recent opinion piece, city planner Anna Reid observed: ‘We cannot build our way out of congestion; more roads simply induce more traffic.’ Her view is supported by evidence from cities that have invested heavily in rail and bus networks, only to see a reduction in car use and emissions.
However, not everyone agrees. A formal letter submitted to the council by the Road Haulage Association (RHA) presents the opposing case. The letter states: ‘Dear Council Members, It has come to our attention that the proposed reallocation of funds from road maintenance to cycle lanes will have a detrimental effect on local businesses. Our members rely on efficient road networks for timely deliveries. While we appreciate the environmental objectives, we believe that the current plan is short-sighted and risks harming the local economy. We urge you to reconsider the balance of spending.’
Reid counters that the RHA’s concerns, while legitimate, overlook the long-term consequences of continued car dependency. ‘The cost of doing nothing will be far greater,’ she concludes. The debate highlights the classic trade-off: short-term economic convenience versus long-term environmental and social sustainability.
Some people believe that governments should invest more in public transport, while others think that improving roads is more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
The debate over transport funding is a classic conflict between short-term convenience and long-term sustainability. Investing in public transport, on the one hand, offers a pathway to reduced congestion, lower emissions, and greater social equity. Improving roads, on the other, can provide immediate economic benefits and is often more popular with motorists. Both arguments have merit, yet in my view, the priority should be a well-designed public transport network, particularly in urban areas.
Advocates of road expansion point to its direct impact on the economy. Efficient roads allow goods to move quickly, which supports businesses and creates jobs. In many countries, road traffic is a major source of employment and commerce. Furthermore, for those living in rural areas with limited public transport, cars are often the only viable option. It is understandable, therefore, that governments wish to meet this demand.
However, the long-term drawbacks of a road-centred approach are severe. Building more roads rarely solves congestion; instead, it tends to induce additional traffic, a phenomenon widely observed in cities worldwide. More importantly, it locks societies into high-carbon patterns that undermine climate goals. Public transport, by contrast, can move large numbers of people efficiently and sustainably. Not only does it reduce the environmental footprint per passenger, but it also helps create liveable cities with less space dedicated to parking and highways.
Admittedly, public transport requires substantial up-front investment and may not be feasible in sparsely populated areas. Yet, in most urban regions, the benefits far outweigh the costs. A balanced policy would see roads maintained and upgraded where necessary, but the bulk of new investment should target railways, buses, and cycling infrastructure. Only by prioritising public transport can we hope to achieve both economic vitality and environmental responsibility.
逐句标注
任务“a classic conflict between short-term convenience and long-term sustainability”开篇点明本质对立,立场明确。
语法“Not only does it reduce... but it also helps...”正确使用倒装结构,增强论证力度。
衔接“Admittedly, public transport requires substantial up-front investment...”用让步承认局限性,体现思辨深度。
语法“Only by prioritising public transport can we hope to achieve...”又一处倒装,用于结论强调,节奏得当。
词汇“locks societies into high-carbon patterns”精准动词搭配:「lock into」 形象说明了路径依赖。
I mostly use the bus, to be honest. It's not the most comfortable option, especially during rush hour, but it's reliable and fairly affordable. I try to avoid driving because parking is a nightmare in the city centre, and I suppose I'm doing my bit for the environment.
💡 自然口语,使用「to be honest」, 「doing my bit」等表达,并体现环保意识。
Q: Has public transport improved in your area recently?
Yes, there have been some noticeable improvements. They've introduced a few electric buses, which are much quieter, and the new contactless payment system has made boarding faster. That said, the frequency could still be better, especially on weekends. But on the whole, it's a step in the right direction.
💡 使用「That said」进行让步,并运用本课词组「a step in the right direction」。
Part 2 · 提示卡
Describe a form of public transport that you use regularly. You should say:
- what it is
- when you use it
- why you prefer it to other forms
and explain how it could be improved.
I'm going to talk about the local bus service, which I rely on for my daily commute. I take it to and from work five days a week, so I've become quite familiar with its quirks. The main reason I prefer it over driving is simply that it's less stressful. I can read or listen to a podcast and don't have to worry about finding a parking space or getting stuck in traffic. It also feels like a more responsible choice in terms of the environment.
That's not to say it's perfect, though. The buses can be quite crowded at peak times, and delays are not uncommon. I'd love to see a more frequent service, especially in the evenings, and perhaps cleaner, more modern vehicles. The local council has been talking about introducing real-time tracking, which would be a game-changer. Overall, despite its flaws, the bus gets me where I need to go without too much hassle, and I appreciate that.
Q: What measures could be taken to encourage more people to use public transport?
Well, I think a combination of carrot and stick would work best. On the one hand, you need to make public transport more attractive — that means lower fares, more comfortable vehicles, and reliable schedules. On the other, you could discourage car use, for example, through congestion charges or higher parking fees. People are creatures of habit, so you have to give them a strong incentive to change. One thing that's certain is that simply hoping people will switch voluntarily is unlikely to be enough.
💡 使用「carrot and stick」习语,阐述双重策略,体现思辨能力。
Q: Do you think that in the future all buses and taxis will be electric?
It's definitely moving in that direction. I'd say the technology is already there, but the main barrier is cost — both for the vehicles themselves and for the charging infrastructure. Governments will need to subsidise the transition to some extent, and I suspect we'll see a gradual shift rather than an overnight transformation. Still, I'm fairly optimistic. The air quality benefits alone are a powerful argument, and public opinion seems to be warming to the idea. So yes, it's a question of when, not if.
💡 用「moving in that direction」, 「transition」, 「gradual shift」体现词汇弹性;结尾的「when, not if」简洁有力。