雅思词汇课文（1）· The Plastic Tide 海洋塑料污染
"词汇课文"系列：像高中英语课文一样，把雅思核心词汇融入一篇连贯的课文。先通读课文（新词已加粗），再学生词表，最后做练习。每篇约 30 个核心词。
🎧 课文朗读音频（约 1 分钟）
📖 课文 Text
The Plastic Tide
Each year, millions of tonnes of plastic waste enter the world's oceans, threatening marine ecosystems that have evolved over millions of years. Much of this debris originates from landfills and rivers, and once it reaches the sea, it rarely disappears.
Unlike natural materials, plastic does not decompose quickly. Instead, it gradually breaks down into smaller fragments known as microplastics — particles less than five millimetres wide. These persistent contaminants accumulate in ocean sediments and are consumed by fish and seabirds, eventually entering the human food chain.
The consequences are far-reaching. Scientists have recorded plastic debris in the deepest ocean trenches, and an increasing number of marine species are endangered by the ingestion of plastic waste. The impact on biodiversity is difficult to measure precisely, but it is widely regarded as a serious threat.
Fortunately, awareness is growing. Governments in several countries have introduced regulations to limit disposable packaging, and environmental campaigns have pressured major companies to reduce their plastic use. Yet critics argue that these measures are insufficient, and that more radical policies are needed to mitigate the damage.
Ultimately, solving the problem requires more than recycling. A sustainable future will depend on reducing plastic production at source, designing products that can be reused, and changing consumer habits — a challenge that will require international cooperation.
📝 生词表 New Words and Expressions
| Word | 音标 | 词性 | 中文 | 课文例句 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tonnes | /tʌnz/ | n. | 吨（重量单位） | millions of tonnes of plastic waste |
| threaten | /ˈθretn/ | v. | 威胁 | threatening marine ecosystems |
| ecosystem | /ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm/ | n. | 生态系统 | marine ecosystems |
| debris | /ˈdeɪbriː/ | n. | 碎片、残骸 | this debris originates from landfills |
| landfill | /ˈlændfɪl/ | n. | 垃圾填埋场 | from landfills and rivers |
| decompose | /ˌdiːkəmˈpəʊz/ | v. | 分解、腐烂 | plastic does not decompose quickly |
| fragment | /ˈfræɡmənt/ | n. | 碎片、片段 | smaller fragments |
| persistent | /pəˈsɪstənt/ | adj. | 持续的、难以消除的 | these persistent contaminants |
| contaminant | /kənˈtæmɪnənt/ | n. | 污染物 | persistent contaminants |
| accumulate | /əˈkjuːmjəleɪt/ | v. | 积累、堆积 | accumulate in ocean sediments |
| consequence | /ˈkɒnsɪkwəns/ | n. | 后果、结果 | the consequences are far-reaching |
| endanger | /ɪnˈdeɪndʒə/ | v. | 危及、使濒危 | species are endangered by... |
| ingestion | /ɪnˈdʒestʃən/ | n. | 摄入、食入 | the ingestion of plastic waste |
| impact | /ˈɪmpækt/ | n. | 影响 | the impact on biodiversity |
| biodiversity | /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ | n. | 生物多样性 | impact on biodiversity |
| threat | /θret/ | n. | 威胁 | a serious threat |
| awareness | /əˈweənəs/ | n. | 意识、认识 | awareness is growing |
| regulation | /ˌreɡjuˈleɪʃn/ | n. | 法规、条例 | introduced regulations |
| disposable | /dɪˈspəʊzəbl/ | adj. | 一次性的、用完即弃的 | limit disposable packaging |
| campaign | /kæmˈpeɪn/ | n. | 运动、宣传活动 | environmental campaigns |
| insufficient | /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃnt/ | adj. | 不足的 | these measures are insufficient |
| radical | /ˈrædɪkl/ | adj. | 激进的、彻底的 | more radical policies |
| policy | /ˈpɒləsi/ | n. | 政策、方针 | radical policies |
| mitigate | /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ | v. | 减轻、缓解 | to mitigate the damage |
| ultimately | /ˈʌltɪmətli/ | adv. | 最终、归根结底 | ultimately, solving the problem |
| sustainable | /səˈsteɪnəbl/ | adj. | 可持续的 | a sustainable future |
| consumer | /kənˈsjuːmə/ | n. | 消费者 | changing consumer habits |
| source | /sɔːs/ | n. | 源头、来源 | reducing production at source |
| co-operation | /kəʊˌɒpəˈreɪʃn/ | n. | 合作 | international cooperation |
| marine | /məˈriːn/ | adj. | 海洋的 | marine ecosystems |
🧠 课文理解 Comprehension
1. According to the text, where does most ocean plastic originally come from?
- A. fishing boats
- B. land and rivers
- C. offshore drilling
- D. tourism
2. Microplastics are best described as...
- A. large pieces of floating plastic
- B. tiny plastic particles less than 5mm
- C. chemicals produced by industry
- D. a type of natural material
3. The word "persistent" in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to...
- A. temporary
- B. lasting for a long time
- C. newly discovered
- D. harmless
4. What does the writer think about the regulations introduced by governments?
- A. they have fully solved the problem
- B. they are completely ineffective
- C. they are a start but not enough
- D. they should be abolished
5. According to the last paragraph, the most effective long-term solution is...
- A. better recycling systems
- B. reducing plastic production at source
- C. cleaning up the oceans
- D. taxing plastic imports
✏️ 词汇练习 Vocabulary Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the list. Change the form where necessary.
accumulate / decompose / endanger / insufficient / mitigate / persistent / sustainable / threaten
- Plastic waste can take hundreds of years to ______.
- The flood ______ the safety of the entire village.
- Snow can ______ quickly on mountain roads in winter.
- Many rare species are ______ by loss of habitat.
- The government's response to the crisis was widely seen as ______.
- ______ inflation has pushed prices up for years.
- Planting trees helps to ______ the effects of climate change.
- Is economic growth compatible with ______ development?
✅ 答案 Answers
Comprehension
- B（"originates from landfills and rivers"）
- B（"particles less than five millimetres wide"）
- B（persistent = 持续的、不消退的）
- C（"critics argue that these measures are insufficient"——不是完全无效，是不够）
- B（"reducing plastic production at source"）
Vocabulary
- decompose 2. threatened 3. accumulate 4. endangered 5. insufficient 6. Persistent 7. mitigate 8. sustainable
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