Passage Three
Zoos have existed for so long that no one knows the origins of the first ones. At one time, zoos were 1 to entertain kings, queens, princes and princesses. Today, there are probably over 500 public zoos 2 the world. The one with the greatest 3 of animals is in Berlin. Years ago, zoos always 4 animals in barred cages, but now zoos try to keep their animals in more natural surroundings. As a result, there is great 5 in the ways animals are treated, housed and bred. One of the best zoos in the United States is at San Diego in California, where the climate makes it possible for the animals to live 6 most of the year. As civilization spreads and natural wildernesses are reduced, zoos have become more important. They 7 places where rare animals can be saved from extinction.
Game reserves have 8 in parts of Europe for hundreds of years for hunting purposes. Today, however, they are usually places where wildlife are safe from hunters and can live and breed 9 by man. One of the largest 10 in the world is the Kruger National Park in South Africa, where elephants, zebras and lions are among the attractions.
Passage Four
When we think of green buildings, we tend to think of new ones—the kind of high-tech, solar-paneled masterpieces that make the covers of architecture magazines. But the U.S. has more than 100 million existing homes, and it would be 1 wasteful to tear them all down and 2 them with greener versions. An enormous amount of energy and resources went into the construction of those houses. And it would take an average of 65
years for the 3 carbon emissions from a new energy-efficient home to make up for the resources lost by destroying an old one. So in the broadest 4 ,the greenest home is the one that has already been built. But at the same time, nearly half of U. S. carbon emissions come from heating, cooling and 5 our homes, offices and other buildings.
“You can’t deal with climate change without dealing with existing buildings,” says Richard Moe, the president of the National Trust.
With some 6 , the oldest homes tend to be the least energy-efficient. Houses built before 1939 use about 50% more energy per square foot than those built after 2000, mainly due to the tiny cracks and gaps that 7 over time and let in more outside air.
Fortunately, there are a _8_ number of relatively simple changes that can green older homes, from 9 ones like Lincoln’s Cottage to your own postwar home. And efficiency upgrades ( 升 级 ) can save more than just the earth; they can help 10 property owners from rising power costs.
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