Many people like the feeling of the gentle wind in spring. Many like to see the falling leaves dancing in the wind in autumn. But sometimes, when the wind becomes a storm, it can be very destructive (毁灭性的).

A series of such storms struck the US last month and caused very serious damage and human pain.

Every year, major storms cause many problems around the world. There is nothing people can do to stop these powerful forces of nature. But new techniques are helping scientists to predict how, when, and where big storms will happen. The more exact scientists’ warnings are, the better people can prepare for the storms.

Predictions are improving. “We’ve gotten better over the years, especially the last few years,” says Phil Klotzback, a scientist at an American university. How is a storm formed? Even if scientists know where a storm will happen, winds can suddenly change, carrying the storm to a new direction. “For a hurricane to happen, conditions have to be just right,” Klotzback says.

    First, the ocean water needs to be warm enough so that it evaporates and rises into the air. As it rises, the air containing drops of water cools and turns back into liquid. This process gives off heat. This produces energy like an engine that causes winds to increase. It drives the formation of a hurricane.

If wind speeds reach 40 miles per hour, the system is called a “ tropical storm”, and it gets a name. At 75 miles per hour, it becomes a hurricane. Hurricanes that hit the US start when a thunderstorm forms off the coast Africa. Storms also develop over tropical waters in other parts of the world.

On average, 60 or 70 storms form off Africa every year. About 10 of them get names. There are usually about six hurricanes. Two tend to be very big, with winds of 115 miles per hour or a bit higher.

The hurricane season lasts from June to November. Ninety percent of all hurricanes hit in August, September and October.

According to the text, hurricanes usually ________.

 A. form off the coast of Africa and America

 B. hit parts of the world in summer and autumn

 C. cause sea winds to rise and blow over the sea

 D. strike the US but cause no damage

The underlined word “evaporates” (in Paragraph 5) probably means “________”

   A. begins to move      B. gets lost      C. becomes hot   D. changes into a gas

Which of the following about the information of a hurricane is the correct order?

   a. The ocean water evaporates and goes into the air.

   b. Heat creates energy and causes winds to increase.

   c. The vapor cools.                        

d. The ocean water is warm enough.

   e. The vapor changes back into liquid.       

f. This course gives out heat.

   A. a, d, e, b, c, f       B. a, b, c, f, d, e      C. d, a, c, e, f, b     D. d, a, b, c, e, f

Statistically, air travel is by far the safest way to travel, and you can make flying even safer, just by following these simple rules. As your chances of being involved in an air accident are practically nil(零), many of these tips concern what you should and shouldn't do to make your journey safer when you are airborne(升空的).

● Fly on non-stop routes

Most accidents occur during the takeoff, climb, descent and landing phases of a flight, so flying non-stop reduces your exposure to these complex procedures.

● Choose larger aircraft.

Although small aircraft have very good safety records, those with more than 30 passenger seats are designed to comply(遵守)with much stricter regulations and are tested more regularly to make sure they still comply. Also, in the unlikely event of a serious accident, larger aircraft provide a better opportunity for passenger survival.

● Pay attention to the pre-flight safety briefing

The information may seem repetitious(重复的), but it's worth listening to the flight attendants. And even if you’ve flown before, it doesn’t mean you know everything about the aircraft you're on, such as the location of the closest emergency exit.

● Store things safely

Never put very heavy articles in the overhead storage bins. They may fall out when someone opens the bin and cause injury. Also, the bin may not be able to hold heavier objects during turbulence(气流).

● Keep our seat belt fastened while you are seated

Cabin crew always tell you this, but it’s important. You would be seriously injured if the plane hits unexpected turbulence. Always fasten your seat belt if you are told to. The general rule of flying is this: If you are told to do something, do it first and ask questions later.

● Let the flight attendant pour your hot drinks

Flight attendants are trained to handle hot drinks like coffee or tea in a crowded aisle on a moving aircraft, so allow them to pour the drink and hand it to you. Never ask to take a coffee pot from one of them.

What is the overall reason for these air safety tips?

A. What to do in the event of a crash.

B. How to avoid turbulence.

C. How to improve safety while you are flying.

D. How to avoid injury.

The underlined word “those” in the second tip refers to ____

A. smaller planes         B. passengers

C. larger aircraft  D. safety records

The underlined phrase “The general rule” in the fifth tip refers to ____.

A. anything the flight staff tell you to do  B. general safety advice

C. walking around the plane              D. pouring hot drinks

Which of the following is NOT true?

A. Larger planes have more safety checks and are safer in an accident.

B. Take-offs are safer on non-stop flights than landings.

C. Every aircraft is different, so the safety procedures may be different.

D. Seat belts should be worn to protect against turbulence.

The best title of the passage should be____.

A. The Safest Way to Travel       B. Air Safety Tips

C. Non-stop Routes              D. How to Fly a Plane

There’s a time to get angry, and it’s best for your child if you do. Let’s say your child hits a playmate with a toy hard enough to make the other child cry. How can you teach your child to feel sorry so he or she won’t do it again? Researchers say the best way for parents to react(反应)is to show their anger and to let the child know exactly why they are mad.

  Many parents believe that it is best to control their feelings and to wait until they’re calm before scolding their children. But the mother or father who explains reasonably to a child , “Peter was crying because you hit him,” is not likely to attract much attention. Young children need to be scolded immediately, and strongly, before they’ll take criticism (批评)to heart.

  When your young child does something wrong, scold him or her seriously at once. At the same time be sure to tell the child clearly what he or she has done wrong. An angry reaction without an immediate explanation does little good. Forbidding a child to play outside or not allowing him to watch TV as a punishment works well-but only when taken together with an explanation. Make sure your child understands that although his or her wrongdoing has made you angry, you still love him or her. Use simple, direct words such as, “You hurt peter. How would you feel if he hit you? You must never, never hurt people.” If your voice expresses strong feeling clearly, your message will carry enough weight.

According to researchers, how should parents react when their child did something wrong?

       A.Ask the child not to do it again any time.

       B.Show the child how angry they are and tell him why.

       C.Teach the child why and how to say sorry to others.

       D.Let the child know you still love hime or her.

What do many parents think they should do with the wrongdoer?

       A.Calm themselves down before scolding him.

       B.Hide their feelings when talking to him.

       C.Explain immediately why he was wrong.

       D.Speak strongly and angrily to him.

What could be the best title for the text?

       A.Different Ways to Deal with Children’s Wrongdoings

       B.Differences among Parents in Dealing with Children

       C.Best Ways to Stop Children’s Wrongdoings

       D.Research on Preventing Children from Hurting Others

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网