Question

【题目】Last night’s meteor (流星) shower left many people in the community dissatisfied and demanding answers. According to Gabe Rothschild, Emerald Valley’s mayor, people gathered in the suburbs of the city, carrying heavy telescopes, expecting to watch the brightly burning meteors passing through the sky. What they found instead was a sky so brightened by the city’s lights that it darkened the light of the meteors passing overhead.

“My family was so frustrated,” admitted town resident Duane Cosby, “We wanted to make this an unforgettable family outing, but it turned out to be a huge disappointment.”

Astronomers---scientists who study stars and planets----have been complaining about this problem for decades. They say that light pollution prevents them from seeing objects in the sky that they could see quite easily in the past. They call on people and the government to take measures to fight against it.

There is yet a population besides professional and amateur star observers that suffers even more from light pollution. This population consists of birds, bats frogs, snakes, etc. For example, outdoor lighting severely affects migrating (迁徙的) birds. According to the International Dark-Sky Association, “100 million birds a year throughout North America die in crashes with lighted buildings and towers.”

Countless more animals casualties（伤亡）result from the use of artificial lighting. Clearly, people enjoy the benefits of lighting their evenings, but some scientists think it can be harmful for humans, too. They worry that exposure to light while sleeping can increase person’s chances of getting cancer.

Emerald Valley is only one community that is becoming aware of the negative effects of light pollution. For years, Flagstaff, Arizona, has enforced lighting regulations in its city in order to assist astronomers at the Lowell Observatory. Similar efforts have been made worldwide, and a movement is underway to remind us to turn off lights when we are not using them, so that other creatures can share the night.

【1】It happened last night that________.

A. the city light show attracted many people

B. the meteors flew past before being noticed

C. the city’s lights affected the meteor watching

D. the meteor watching ended up a social outing

【2】What is the author concerned about according to Paragraph 4?

A. Birds may take other migration paths.

B. Animals’ survival is threatened by outdoor lighting.

C. Varieties of animals will become sharply reduced.

D. Animals’ living habits may change suddenly.

【3】Lighting regulations in Flagstaff, Arizona are put into effect to________.

A. lessen the chance of getting cancer

B. enable all creatures to live in harmony

C. ensure citizens a good sleep at night

D. create an ideal observation condition

【4】What message does the author most want to give us?

A. Human activities should be environmentally friendly.

B. Great efforts should be made to save energy.

C. Saving wildlife is saving ourselves.

D. New equipment should be introduced for space study.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】C

【2】B

【3】D

【4】A

【解析】

试题分析: 本文从由于城市的光线太强影响人们看流星雨，谈到光污染给动物及人类带来的危害，最后想告诉人们节约能量。

【1】C 细节理解题。根据第一段可知，What they found instead was a sky so brightened by the city’s lights that it darkened the light of the meteors passing overhead.由于城市的光线太强，使得流星雨的亮度减弱，影响了人们看流星雨，故选D。

【2】B 细节理解题。根据第四段This population consists of birds, bats frogs, snakes, etc. For example, outdoor lighting severely affects migrating (迁徙的) birds.户外光线严重影响迁徙的鸟，可知作者担心鸟的生命受到户外光线的威胁，故选B。

【3】D 细节理解题。根据文章最后一段For years, Flagstaff, Arizona, has enforced lighting regulations in its city in order to assist astronomers at the Lowell Observatory可知，Flagstaff, Arizona,实施光控制是为了帮助Lowell 观测站的天文学家创造更好的观察环境，故选D。

【4】A 推理判断题。通读全文可知，文章主要想告诉我们人类活动应该对环境友好，故选A。