Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay according to the following instruction. You should write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words.
Many parts of the world are losing important natural resources, such as forests, animals, or water. Choose one resource that is disappearing and explain why it needs to be saved. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
审题立意
1. 导语解读：要求考生针对“某种资源缺失”这一现象写一篇文章，解释保护该资源的原因。
2. 文章立意：现在每年都有大片森林在消失，带来的危害难以预计。鉴于此，人们需要认真对待这个问题，制定相关措施改善这一情况。
写作思路
1. 第一段简要叙述森林资源日渐消失这一情况。
2. 第二段首句指出文章的中心论点，即森林资源的消失带来的危害难以预计。接着围绕中心论点，分三个层次展开论证。
3. 第三段得出结论，没有森林资源，可持续发展只是一句空话。
参考范文
We have always stressed the signifi-cance of forest resources. However, the idea of protecting forests has not been rooted in every citizen’s heart. 1 Every year large areas of forests are reported to have been cut down and have disappeared from the Earth in pursuit of short-term profits.
The damage can’t be estimated. 2 Firstly 3 , it will have negative effects on weather. Trees help prevent soil erosion. Due to disappearance of forests, some areas have become deserts. Extreme weather such as sand storms, drought, etc. occurs frequently. Secondly 3 , biological diversity will be destroyed. Many creatures will die out eventually due to lack of food and protection by the forest. Thirdly 3 , the quality of air will deteriorate as a chain reaction to the loss of such protective screens.
To sum up, the problem should be taken seriously and corresponding measures should be put forward to stop deforestation, for without forests, sustainable development is just an empty phrase. 4
我们一直在强调森林资源的重要性。然而，保护森林的观念并没有植根在每个公民的心中。由于追求短期的利润，每年都有报道称，大片森林被砍伐，消失在地球上。
该现象带来的损失难以预计。首先，这会对气候造成负面影响。树木帮助防止水土流失。现在由于森林的消失，一些地区已经变成了沙漠。极端的天气，如沙尘暴、干旱等频繁出现。第二，生物多样性会受到破坏。许多生物因为缺乏食物和森林的保护而终将灭绝。第三，作为失去这种保护屏障的连锁反应，空气质量也会下降。
总之，人们需要认真对待这个问题，应出台相应措施制止乱砍乱伐行为。因为，没有森林，可持续发展就只是一句空话。
范文点评
1. 转折句通过对前后情况作对比，加深人们对目前情况的理解。
2. 承上启下句，让文章顺利过渡，展开森林资源缺失带来的危害的讨论。
3. 分三个层次对危害性进行论证，论据充分。
4. 末段得出结论：需要认真对待该问题，并出台相应措施制止乱砍乱伐行为。
要点用法
significance n. 重要性
cut down 削减；砍倒
in pursuit of 寻求；追求
short-term adj. 短期的
erosion n. 侵蚀
die out 灭绝；消失
deforestation n. 采伐森林
corresponding adj. 相应的
sustainable adj. 可以持续的
句法点评
1. However, the idea of protecting forests has not been rooted in every citizen’s heart.
本句中root一词最初为名词，意为“根，树根”，后来在此基础上衍生出了动词的词性，意为“植根于”，be rooted in sb.’s heart意为“植根于某人的心里”，是个很传神的表达。
2. To sum up, the problem should be taken seriously and corresponding measures should be put forward to stop deforestation, for without forests, sustainable development is just an empty phrase.
for在本句中表原因。for引导的从句不能直接说明某一特定动作发生的原因，而只能起到解释说明的作用。