英语八下课文.doc

Judy is collecting some facts for a class project on pollution .She is interviewing Doctor Ray, a scientist , about trees. JUDY: Why are you so interested in trees, Doctor Ray? DR RAY: They’re the biggest and oldest living things on the earth , Judy. JUDY: Yes , but what good are trees ? They make streets more beautiful and less noisy , but what else can they do ? DR RAY: Well , the wood in your pencil ,the rubber on the end of your pencil ,the paper in your notebook and the fruit in your bowl all come from trees . And I suppose you also enjoy breathing pure, cool air. JUDY: Of course. DR RAY: Then you must thank trees for that too . They take harmful gases from the air ,and release oxygen into the air . How many people are there in your class , Judy ? JUDY: Forty-six . DR RAY: Well , one and a half hectares of trees could produce enough oxygen to keep your whole class alive and healthy for a whole year . JUDY: Thats wonderful! DR RAY: Trees cool the air as well as clean it .They are natural air conditioners.Three trees can do the job of 15 air conditioners running almost all day . JUDY: You certainly know a lot about trees ,Doctor Ray . DR RAY: Thank you ,Judy ,but I dont ,really . Scientists are only now beginning to understand them . For example , when insects attack a tree , it can warn its neighbours ? The trees can then protect themselves by producing a chemical that makes their leaves taste nasty . And some trees can join their roots together underground ,and pass food and water to each other . Trees are communicating with one another , but we dont know how . JUDY: Are trees in danger ? DR RAY: In great danger . We cut down and burn millions every year but we replace hardly any of them .We are destroying our best fighters against pollution. Almost everyone today uses electricity in one way or another. It is hard to imagine what life in our cities would be like without it. Electricity lights streets and buildings, and warms people and animals. It