2017年托福写作热门素材运用讲解三

　　素材段落

　　Conventional agricultural practices contribute to water pollution affecting both our health and the environment. Only 1% of the pesticides applied to crops actually reach the pests they target, while the remaining 99% of these chemicals enter the environment. The contamination of soil and groundwater changes our terrestrial and aquatic environment and poses a threat to native wildlife. Many species are dependent on clean water and are now endangered because of contaminants in the water. For example, synthetic fertilizers have resulted in an 8,000-square-mile ‘dead zone’ in the Gulf of Mexico where thousands of fish have perished due to oxygen deprivation. Contradictorily, organic agriculture usually uses animal manures as fertilizers which tend to enhance the soil structure as well as reduce the risk of groundwater pollution.

　　单词和词组

　　apply to 应用于…

　　✎ apply one’s mind to

　　pose a threat to 威胁到

　　=threaten, intimidate

　　✎ Many students endure too much pressure from their teachers, which poses a threat to their health and self-confidence.

　　话题词汇

　　环境保护 environmental protection

　　生态系统 ecosystem

　　生态平衡 ecological balance

　　环境污染 environmental contamination/pollution

　　环境破坏 environmental destruction

　　环境恶化 environmental degradation

　　排放化学污染物 discharge chemical pollutants

　　排放温室气体 emit greenhouse gases

　　适用考题

　　✎ Although modern agriculture methods damage the environment, providing food for the growing population around the world is more important than protecting the environment. (2014.10.11)

　　✎ Although many countries are concerned about environmental problems, the current situation is unlikely to change in the future.