Question

A sandstorm, also known as a dust storm, is exactly what it sounds like. A very strong windstorm especially in the desert carries clouds of sand or dust that greatly reduces visibility. This wind is usually caused by convection currents (对流气流), which are created by intense heating of the ground, and is usually strong enough to move entire sand dunes. Air is unstable when heated, and this instability in the air will cause higher winds to mix with winds in the lower atmosphere, producing strong surface winds.
Sandstorms can disturb people’s travel, and can sometimes destroy whole roads, and dry flat areas. Similar dust storms can be found on the planet Mars, and are thought to be seasonal. Today, the destruction of forests and too much farming of farmland can lead to sandstorms. Too much use of water resources can also cause sandstorms.
In the United States of America, sandstorms are rare because of the lack of large deserts and more importantly the development of proper agricultural techniques. The last recorded destructive sandstorm in American history was the Dust Bowl, which occurred on July 16, 1971 and was widely recorded by meteorologists (气象学家).
To protect themselves from sandstorms, some people wear protective suits. Special equipment can be fixed in some cars to prevent sand from getting into the engine. Sandstorms can cause coughs, and the sand and dust has also been known to carry “infectious diseases”. Sand particles, unlike dust ones, will block air passages, and cause a person who breathes them in to choke. Dust particles may cause an allergic (过敏的) reaction.
【小题1】Which of the following plays the first part in forming sandstorms?

A．The instability of the sand.

B．The instability of the wind.

C．The intense heating of the ground.

D．The speed of the wind.

【小题2】From the second paragraph, we can learn that at present _______.

A．sandstorms are more often seen on Mars than on Earth

B．sandstorms have led to the lack of clean water resources

C．farming brings more harm than benefits to humans

D．human activities are a major cause of sandstorms

【小题3】The author will most probably agree that ________.

A．there will soon be no sandstorms in the USA

B．humans haven’t thought of any way to deal with sandstorms

C．death caused by sandstorms is increasing all the time

D．humans should make more efforts to stop soil turning into desert

Answer 1

【小题1】C
【小题2】D
【小题3】D

解析试题分析：文章介绍了沙尘暴的形成和危害，已经如何防止沙尘暴。
【小题1】细节题：从第一段的句子：This wind is usually caused by convection currents (对流气流), which are created by intense heating of the ground,可知沙尘暴的最初形成是因为地面的热量。选C
【小题2】细节题;从第二段的句子：Today, the destruction of forests and too much farming of farmland can lead to sandstorms. Too much use of water resources can also cause sandstorms. 可知现在沙尘暴的形成主要是人的活动。选D
【小题3】推理题：从第三段的句子;In the United States of America, sandstorms are rare because of the lack of large deserts and more importantly the development of proper agricultural techniques.可知作者认为人类应该努力不让泥土变成沙漠。选D
考点：考查环保类短文
点评：文章介绍了沙尘暴的形成和危害，已经如何防止沙尘暴。内容比较适中，对于考生的能力要求不高，只要认真细致阅读，不难发现答案。可以先看题目再读文章，这样可以提高阅读的速度。还要准确定位考点。特别是推理题，要结合上下文的暗示做题，掌握方法是关键。