152. What natural resource that is disappearing needs to be saved?

Many parts of the world are losing important natural resources, such as forests, animals, or clean water.

Choose one resource that is disappearing and explain why it needs to be saved. Use specific reasons

and examples to support your opinion.

『分析』

很容易的选择，以森林为例：

• 用一段陈述中国的森林被怎样破坏，又是怎样需要大量的树木……

• 然后再说如果破坏了森林，会导致很多自然灾害，进而产生经济损失……

• 树木的好处[155]有详细地说明。

『范文』

The world's resources are incredibly important, and as the world's population grows higher and faster, it is

difficult to hold on to these precious assets. While all resources have their own important uses, I believe that forests

are the resource that we should be most concerned about preserving.

Trees provide three important functions in the ecosystem. First, they transpire water into the air, creating

clouds, and therefore, rain. Without trees, this cycle is interrupted, and rainfall is drastically reduced to minimal

levels. Second, trees hold topsoil in place and soften the impact of water on the ground. This is of utmost

importance in rain forests, where decomposition is rapid and because of this, the layer of topsoil might only be five

to ten centimeters deep. Finally, trees are important to the ecosystem because they protect streams from debris and

silt. If the trees were all removed, there would be nothing holding back this dirt from our rivers, destroying the

aquatic environment.

Trees also, of course, provide natural beauty to a country. This is very important for tourism, as many visitors

enjoy going on long hikes through wooded areas, and taking in the beautiful scenery. If a country has no natural

beauty, there will be little draw for tourists to come and visit. While cities can be exciting, most people are drawn to

these natural jewels.

Forested area is also the main habitat for a plethora of animal species. In fact, most of the extinction and

endangerment of animals today can be attributed to habitat destruction. If we continue our trend in deforesting the

world, we will soon find ourselves living in a barren wasteland, with no wildlife to keep us company. The effects of

the extinction of even one species of animal is yet unknown. Breaking the food chain on even one level might

have profound ripples through all life on earth.