Live Earth Announces 2010 Global Event!

This is the web version of the October 15, 2009 Live Earth email to members. Click here to join and receive bi-weekly updates from Live Earth.

Live Earth is pleased to announce the largest worldwide water initiative(倡议)in history to help fight the global water crisis. The Dow Live Earth Run for Water—to take place on April 18, 2010—will consist of a series of 6 km run/walks (the average distance many women and children walk every day to get water) taking place over the course of 24 hours in countries around the world, featuring concerts and water education activities, raising awareness and funds to help solve the water crisis. Jessica Biel, Alexandra Cousteau, Pete Wentz, Angelique Kidjo and Jenny Fletcher will lend their names and their time in support of this global event.

Water shortage is a major issue affecting countries, communities and families all over the world. One in eight people doesn’t have access to safe, clean drinking water. Communities in Africa, Latin America and Asia suffer 1.8 million deaths every year from diarrheal(腹泻）diseases and the death of 5,000 children each day due to inadequate water infrastructure(基础设施). In these areas, women and children are forced to walk 6 km (3.7 miles) each day to get water that is likely unsuitable for drinking. However, the water crisis is not only limited to developing nations. Adding to these existing issues, the effects of climate change are increasingly impacting both supply and quality of available fresh water throughout the world.

In 60% of European cities with populations greater than 100,000, groundwater is being used faster than it can be replenished(补充). By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population could be living under water-stressed conditions.

You can help solve the water crisis by participating in the April 18th event. Run/walk registration is now officially open! Sign up now at http://liveearth.org/run. 

Thanks and be sure to visit liveearth.org for the latest on The Dow Live Earth Run for Water, conservation tips, and more!

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52. Which of the following activities will the Dow Live Earth organize on April 18, 2010?

A. Receiving the latest news Live Earth.            

B. Putting on musical performances.

C. Calling on pop stars to walk 6 km to get water.     

D. Lending names and time to support the event. 

53. According to the passage, which of the statements is true?

A. You can turn to http://liveearth.org for water protection tips.

B. Jessica Biel can’t take part in the event even if she signs up.

C. The information on Live Earth is updated every month.

D. Every year 1.8 million people in the world die from the disease related to dirty water.

54. We can learn from the passage that __________.

A. by 2010, two-thirds of the world’s population will be short of water

B. we can solve the water crisis by taking part in the April 18th event

C. seven-eighths of the people in Asia can have access to safe, clean drinking water

D. there are different channels for people to get access to Live Earth

Living in a foreign culture there are many times when I realize that my perspective (观点) on life is drastically different from those Koreans I interact (相互影响) with on a daily basis. This past week I have been greatly challenged to change my perspective and here is why.

   My dream in life is to become a doctor, one who changes the world. But last week I opened an email from UBC that contained the words “regrets”, no interview. I didn’t get an interview to medical school, thus will not be entering school for September 2009. My immediate reaction was one of extreme disappointment and anger—mostly directed at myself for not working hard enough, for not seeking out the opportunities necessary to have a good application, for simply not being good enough. My mind was full of hopelessness and despair that left me with no desire to further seek for the dream that I’ve held for quite a time now.

    During the past week two things happened. At church our pastor mentioned perspective in a section of his sermon (说教). He stated that when we take our eyes off ourselves and realize God’s greatness, our circumstances will be seen through a new perspective.

    The second thing that reminded me to look at perspective was reading a book. The Mitford Series is so good if you are looking for books to read. So last night I was reading and one of the main characters (who is a priest) is trying to figure out what to say at church. His sermon ended up saying “In everything we give thanks.” It is easy to give thanks when we feel successful in life. It is easy to give thanks when we receive a blessing. But seriously, who in their right mind says thanks for the financial problems I have?

1.Where does the author probably live now?

A. In the USA.        B. In Britain.          C. In China.                      D. In Korea.

2.How did she feel when the author received the email from UBC?

A. Surprised.                    B. Disappointed.             C. Excited.                          D. Pleased.

3.In the first pastor’s view, when we face disappointment or despair, we should _________.

A. turn to God for help                                                 B. say thanks to it

C. see it in another way                                                D. praise others for it

4.What can we infer from the passage?

A. The author can’t really free from the disappointment.

B. The author thinks the second sermon is wiser.

C. The author still wants to be a doctor.

D. The author thanks God for not being admitted by the university.