Passage 2
The concept of sustainable development has been around for several decades, but it was not until the 1992 Rio Earth Summit that it really gained widespread attention and acceptance. The Rio Earth Summit was a meeting of government leaders, environmentalists, and representatives from various organizations to discuss the pressing issue of environmental degradation and sustainable development.
The main goal of sustainable development is to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This concept involves balancing three main aspects: environmental protection, economic development, and social progress.
One of the most important agreements reached at the Rio Earth Summit was the Framework Convention on climate Change. This agreement aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the negative impact of climate change. It also emphasizes the need for developed countries to take more responsibility for their emissions and provide financial and technological support to developing countries to help them adapt to climate change.
Another important outcome of the Rio Earth Summit was the establishment of the United Nations environment programme (UNEP). UNEP's main goal is to promote global cooperation in addressing environmental issues and to assist countries in implementing sustainable development policies.
Question 1: What is the main goal of sustainable development?
A. To protect the environment
B. To promote economic growth
C. To ensure social progress
D. To meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the future generations' ability to meet their own needs
E. None of the above
Question 2: What was the most important agreement reached at the Rio Earth Summit?
A. The Framework Convention on Climate Change
B. The establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme
C. The Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development
D. None of the above
E. All of the above
Question 3: What is the purpose of the Framework Convention on Climate Change?
A. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the negative impact of climate change
B. To provide financial and technological support to developing countries to help them adapt to climate change
C. To encourage developed countries to take more responsibility for their emissions
D. To balance the three main aspects of sustainable developmentE. None of the above
Question 4: What is UNEP's main goal?
A. To provide financial and technological support to developing countries to help them adapt to climate change
B. To promote global cooperation in addressing environmental issues
C. To balance the three main aspects of sustainable development
D. To encourage developed countries to take more responsibility for their emissionsE. None of the above
Question 5: What is the main message of this passage?
A. The concept of sustainable development has been around for several decades
B. The Rio Earth Summit was a failure
C. The goal of sustainable development is to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the future generations' ability to meet their own needs
D. None of the above
E. All of the above
答案及解析：
1、D. To meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the future generations' ability to meet their own needs
文章第一段明确提到：“可持续发展的主要目标是满足当前一代人的需求，同时不损害后代满足自身需求的能力。”因此，正确答案是D。
2、A. The Framework Convention on Climate Change
文章第三段明确提到：“其中一个最重要的协议是《气候变化框架公约》。”因此，正确答案是A，即《气候变化框架公约》。
3、A. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the negative impact of climate change
文章第三段明确提到：“该协议旨在减少温室气体排放并减轻气候变化的负面影响。”因此，答案是A。
4、B. To promote global cooperation in addressing environmental issues
文章倒数第二段明确提到：“联合国环境规划署的主要目标是促进全球合作，共同解决环境问题，并协助各国实施可持续发展的政策。”因此，正确答案是B。
5、C. The goal of sustainable development is to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the future generations' ability to meet their own needs
文章第一段和第二段提到了可持续发展的概念和目标，即“满足当前一代人的需求，同时不损害后代满足自身需求的能力”。因此，文章的主要信息是可持续发展的目标，答案为C。
