The first Earth Hour was held in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals(个体) and more than two thousand businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later Earth Hour had grown into a global event with more than 50 million people across 35 countries and territories（行政区）participating(参加). Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent(紧急) by the hour. In March 2009, millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries and territories have promised their official support for the event. On Saturday 27 March, Earth Hour 2010 became the biggest Earth Hour. A record said 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action.
The event is organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature, also known as the WWF. The organizers say climate change is one of the greatest threats(威胁) facing wildlife and nature. They also say when it comes to save energy and money, big changes start with small steps like turning out the lights. Now people are all joining together in a
global effort to show that it’s possible to work on global warming. Earth Hour has brought about some new changes to our lives. People join in activities such as candle-lit dinners and star-gazing parties as a response to the call for "going dark".
This year , Earth Hour is asking people to take the next step and go beyond one hour. So if you haven’t done so, next year, late half past eight to half past nine, let us turn off the lights for one hour for the environment! Earth Hour is a call to stand up, to take responsibility(责任) and to get involved(与……有关) in working towards a better future. Earth Hour is a message of hope and a message of action. Everyone can make a difference.
【小题1】What’s the main idea of the passage?
| A．The climate change is one of the greatest threats facing wild life and nature. |
| B．Everyone can make a difference. |
| C．Earth Hour has brought about some new changes to our lives. |
| D．Tell the source(起源) of Earth Hour and its importance. |
【小题2】The underlined word “global” in the passage means “________”.
【小题3】 Which of the following is not true?
| A．The first Earth Hour started in 2007 in Australia. |
| B．Earth Hour is hold to reduce the bad effect on climate. |
| C．The writer thought that big changes start with small steps. |
| D．More than one hundred countries and territories supported the action last year. |
【小题4】The best title of the passage is_________________.
| A．the WWF | B．Earth Hour in Australia |
| C．Climate Action | D．Earth Hour |
