Imagine you are taking a bus home at night. Suddenly your cellphone loses its signal. The television on the bus has no programs. Everything around us black-except for some strange colorful lights dancing in the sky. What is going on?

These are just the kinds of problems a solar storm might cause. Solar storms happen when solar flares (耀斑)break from the sun and travel towards Earth quickly. Actually, since Sept.4, 2017, the sun has burst out two big solar flares, the most powerful ones since at least 2008 according to NASA. They hit Earth on Sept.7.

Normally, Earth is protected by its magnetic field (磁场). But when strong solar storm mix with it, things change. On the one hand, the colourful lights of the aurora (极光)can be seen from the US and Europe, rather than just from polar (极地的)areas. But on the other hand, the storms can stop the satellite systems that control our computers, cell phones and GPS. They can even cause blackouts (断电) for weeks or months.

, but they can put astronauts in danger. Spacewalking astronauts might have only minutes to hide. For this reason, NASA never plans spacewalks during solar storms.

Scientists now have a new tool called EEGGL, which can predict solar storms and hopefully give us warnings when they arrive. As for the recent storm, scientists say it is still too early to know its effect on our technology. They are closely watching for any long-term effects.

1.A solar storm might cause problems EXCEPT that ______.

A.the cell phone loses its signals B.we get hurt in the eyes suddenly

C.we have no TV programs D.everything around turns black

2.Which of the following statements is TRUE ?

A.Solar storms happen when solar flares travel toward the sun quickly.

B.The aurora can only be seen from polar areas during a solar storm.

C.Satellite systems can't work unless they're connected with solar storms.

D.It took two solar flares 3 days to come to Earth in September, 2017.

3.Which of the following sentence can be put in “ ”.

A.Solar storms are good for people on the ground

B.Solar storms have great effect on people on Earth

C.Solar storms hardly harm people on the ground

D.Solar storms can harm people on Earth seriously

4.The passage is written in a /an ______ tone(语气).

A.angry B.serious C.crazy D.happy

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