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The Earth is facing a climate crisis, but it’s also getting greener. According to a new research, the rise is largely because of China and India. A study by NASA, based on extensive satellite imagery, has revealed that the two countries with the world’s biggest populations are also responsible for the largest increase in green plants.
A third of the leaf increase is attributable to China and India, due to the implementation of major tree planting projects as well as a vast increase in agriculture. “China and India account for one-third of the greening, but contain only 9% of the planet’s land area covered in vegetation—a surprising finding, considering the large populations in the countries need much land,” Chi Chen, the study’s lead author said in a statement.
Between 2000 and 2017, a NASA sensor gathered data of the Earth’s surface from aboard two satellites, the Terra and the Aqua. Using the data, researchers discovered that China is the source of a quarter of the increase in green leaf area, despite possessing only 6.6% of the world’s vegetated area. Forests account for 42% of that increase, while croplands make up a further 32%. China’s increase in forest area is the result of forest conservation and expansion programs, established to combat the impacts of climate change and air pollution.
Rama Nemani, a researcher at NASA’s Ames Research Center, said in a statement, “When the greening of the Earth was first observed, we thought it was due to a warmer, wetter climate from the added carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, leading to more leaf growth in northern forests, for instance. Now, with the data, we see that humans are also contributing,” Nemani said. “This will help scientists make better predictions about the behavior of different Earth systems, which will help countries make better decisions about how and when to take action.”

1.What can we get from the new research by NASA?

A China and India should be responsible for the world’s climate crisis.

B China and India make a contribution to the Earth’s increasing greening.

C China and India have the biggest populations and the most green plants.

D The Earth no longer faces a climate crisis because of China and India’ efforts.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据第一段的内容可知，美国宇航局的最新研究报告揭示了中国和印度让世界变得更绿了这一事实。故选B。

2.Which of the following is NOT the fact from the passage?

A China and India contribute one-third of the world’s greening growth.

B China and India account for only 9% of the planet’s land area with vegetation.

C A quarter of the increase in the world’s vegetated area is due to China’s efforts.

D China’s forests and croplands make up 74% of the Earth’s increase in green leaf area.

解析：选D。细节理解题。根据第三段第二、三句Using the data, researchers discovered that China is the source of a quarter of the increase in green leaf area, despite possessing only 6.6% of the world’s vegetated area. Forests account for 42% of that increase, while croplands make up a further 32%. 可知中国促进了世界绿化面积增长了1/4，在这1/4的增长中森林和农田的贡献分别是42%和32%，相对于世界范围内而言，中国森林和农田所占绿化增长面积的比例应低于1/4。故选D。

3.What does the underlined word “it” refer to in the last paragraph?

A The protection of the forests.

B The increased croplands.

C The greening of the Earth.

D The impacts of climate.

解析：选C。词意指代题。根据画线单词所在句子的前后语境可知，it指代的是“地球的绿化”。故选C。

4.What is the main idea of the passage?

A China and India are making the Earth greener.

B The Earth we live on is facing a climate crisis.

C China and India are joining together to deal with climate change.

D NASA released a report on air pollution in China and India.

解析：选A。主旨大意题。通读全文可知，本文主要围绕美国宇航局的新发现——地球正在变绿，中国和印度是最主要的两大贡献者这一事实展开。故选A。