Question

【题目】Breathing in polluted air on busy roads is as harmful as passively smoking ten cigarettes a day, new research has found. The drop in pollution had the same effects as avoiding four cigarettes a day. One of the researchers, Saskia van der Zee, explained why they compared the effects of pollution lo passive smoking. “We thought that passive smoking would be easier to understand,” she told The Times. ‘‘You don’t want your neighbors to come into your house and smoke three cigarettes every day.”

Earlier this week, doctors warned that Britain is facing a major health emergency unless diesel(柴油)cars are taken off the roads. Emissions (排放物) from diesel cars arc already contributing to smog which has been linked to the deaths of 40,000 people a year. Health charities, medical leaders and environmental groups have called for a modern Clean Air Act lo bring pollution under control. Separately, more than 300 doctors in the Doctors Against Diesel group have written to Theresa May, calling for a diesel reduction.

Professor John Middleton, president of the UK Faculty of Public Health, said, “Diesel is the primary source of nitrogen dioxide(二氧化氮)in urban areas and is linked to health effects that begin before birth and extend throughout life, from childhood lung development to increased risk of heart disease, stroke and lung cancer. It is high lime lo handle the problem.”

London is already planning to introduce an “emission zone” which diesel drivers would be charged to enter, and other cities are set to follow. But exerts are desperate to find new ways to control the damage done by pollution. Diesel drivers in Westminster have been told they may soon be charged 50 percent extra for on-street parking. And Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London，submitted a 3,500 plan to encourage drivers to switch to petrol or electric cars.

“Cutting diesel emissions would therefore have an immediate effect on children’s personal exposure, and improve their long-term health.” A government spokesman said.

【1】Why did the researchers compare pollution to smoking?

A. It’s easier for people to understand.

B. It’s hard for people to quit smoking.

C. It’s a bad habit to smoke at home.

D. It’s harmful to breathe in polluted air.

【2】How can the major health emergency be solved according to Britain doctors?

A. Give up smoking.

B. Abandon diesel cars.

C. Make strict laws.

D. Schedule yearly exams.

【3】What can we infer from what Professor John Middleton said?

A. Cutting diesel emissions is urgent.

B. Prevention is better than relief.

C. Children are the worst victims.

D. People ignored the harm of diesel.

【4】What is the purpose of the plan put forward by Sadiq Khan?

A. To improve air quality with high technology.

B. To limit the total number of cars on roads.

C. To inspire people to choose greener vehicles.

D. To carry out license plate restrictions.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】A

【2】B

【3】A

【4】C

【解析】本文是一篇说明文。新研究发现在繁忙的道路上呼吸被污染的空气，就像被动吸烟一天一样有害。为了让人们更好的理解污染的严重性，研究人员将污染的影响比作被动吸烟，介绍了使用柴油给环境带来的危害，呼吁人们使用清洁能源，保护环境，保护人类。

【1】细节理解题。根据第一段“ Saskia van der Zee, explained why they compared the effects of pollution lo passive smoking. “We thought that passive smoking would be easier to understand,””“Saskia van der Zee解释了为什么他们将污染的影响比作被动吸烟。我们认为被动吸烟会更容易理解，”。故选A。

【2】细节理解题。根据第二段“Earlier this week, doctors warned that Britain is facing a major health emergency unless diesel(柴油)cars are taken off the roads”“本周早些时候，医生警告说，英国正面临一个主要的卫生紧急状况，除非脱离柴油汽车的道路。”可知，应该放弃柴油汽车。故选B。

【3】根据第四段“diesel drivers would be charged to enter”“柴油司机将被收取入市费”，“Diesel drivers in Westminster have been told they may soon be charged 50 percent extra for on-street parking”“Westminster的柴油司机将被告知，他们可能很快就会为街边停车收取50%的额外费用”，“ Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London，submitted a 3,500 plan to encourage drivers to switch to petrol or electric cars”“市长提交了3500个计划鼓励司机转向汽油或电动汽车。”可知，减少柴油排放是当务之急。故选A。

【4】主旨大意题。本文介绍了很多关于柴油汽车带来的危害和影响，意在呼吁人们使用清洁无污染的能源。故选C。