[B] According to some meteorologist (weather researchers), the earth’s climate is changing slowly. In most places on the planet, the weather varies from season to season or even from day to day. In contrast, the typical climate is similar every year. Even so, there may be global climate changes from one long time period to another. What are these changes? Some scientists believe the weather is becoming more extreme. There are longer periods of very cold and very hot temperatures. There are more and more powerful hurricanes and tornados (storms with strong fast winds)and blizzards (heavy snowstorms). Floods (large amounts of water on dry land)and long droughts (times without enough rain)are causing greater and greater physical damage to the human communities on earth. These extreme forces of nature will get even worse in the future, say some people. And every change in climate in one part of the globe will bring more extreme changes in other areas.

[C] Global warming and El Nino are having major effects on the earth’s atmosphere, the weather, and the changing world climate. At least that’s the opinion of many researchers and scientists. What is global warming? It is a slow increase in the average yearly temperature of the planet. The cause is an increase of gases in the atmosphere. What is El Nino? The Spanish phrase means “The Little Boy” or “The Christ Child.” It names a weather condition most common in the month of December. This “seasonal weather disorder” is a change in the atmosphere of the tropical areas of the Pacific Ocean. It increases the amount of rain in the Americas and can bring strong winds and hurricanes. In contrast, El Nino may cause drought in the southern and western Pacific (Asia). Blizzards, snow and long periods of low temperatures may follow in the northern regions of the globe.

[D] Not all meteorologists believe there is much natural global warming. According to these scientists, the El Nino effect is not getting stronger. So why is the temperature of the earth going up? Why are tropical storms like hurricanes causing more and greater flood and wind damage? Probably, human beings are the main cause of the extreme effects of weather and climate changes. Cars and factories are putting more and more gases like carbon dioxide (CO2)into the earth’s atmosphere. Coal and oil add carbon dioxide to the air too.

Notes to the Text

1.Tropical rain forest 热带雨林

2.Extreme forces of nature refer to the extreme, disastrous weather condition in the natural world. Given in the paragraph are hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, floods and droughts. It goes on to include more like landslide 泥石流, earthquake, tsunami, typhoon, etc.

3.El Nino 厄尔尼诺现象, El Nino 在西班牙语的意思为圣婴，所以又叫做“圣婴现象”。即赤道中、东太平洋海水表面温度偶尔增暖的现象。

4.Americas the plural form here indicates both North America and South America.

5.Gases refer to exhaust gases (尾气)let out from car or other motor vehicles.

Vocabulary

Nouns

subway (Am. E)—underground (Br. E): an underground urban railroad, a kind of public transportation.   

certificates: a document testifying to the truth of something 证（明）书

scholarships: a financial aid awarded to a student, as for the purpose of attending a college. 奖学金

grants: an amount of money given to students in financial difficulties by the government. 补助金      

loans: a sum of money lent at interest.贷款   

instructors: (Am. E)—lecturer (Br. E): a university teacher.    

facilities: (often in plural form)equipment that make the process easier or convenient.       

resources: an available supply that can be drawn on when needed. 资源        

assignments: homework.

Verbs

relax: to relieve from tension 使轻松

differ: often appear with from in showing A is different from B. E.g. Mary differs from the other contestants in several aspects.

Adjectives

relaxed: 放松的

audio：relating to humanly audible sound. 声音的  

individual: 个体的，个人的

Adverb

casually: informally. It can refer to someone’s style of behavior and his clothes as well, as in casual wear.

Phrases

course plan 课程计划     

take courses 选课        

financial aid 经济资助      

take an exit exam: an exam similar to the national entrance examination in our country. 毕业考试.      

swimming pools 游泳池   

tennis courts 网球场     

distance learning 远程教育，网络教育

Cultural Note

College is a time to learn and grow—both in and out of the classroom. And the longer you spend on campus, the more inclined you might become to try new things. Taking on a college leadership role can, plain and simply be one of the best ways to challenge yourself and learn some valuable skills that you can use both during and after your college years. Fortunately, there's no shortage of leadership opportunities in college. You can be resident adviser in your residence hall, or run for a leadership role in a club or organization you're involved with, or even chair, start or help organize a community service project.

Working with a professor can be an amazing opportunity. You'll demonstrate that you're an intellectual leader who is interested in pursuing new things while learning important skills that you can use after graduation (like how to research and how to follow through on a major project). Leading the way toward the discovery and exploration of new ideas are fascinating, too.