Many of the most damaging types of weather begin quickly, strike suddenly, and disappear rapidly, destroying small areas while leaving neighboring areas untouched.Such event as a tornado struck the northeastern part of Edmonton, Alberta, in July 1987.Total damages from the tornado went beyond $250 million, the highest ever for any Canadian storm.
Traditional computer models of the atmosphere have limited value in predicting short-lived local storms like the Edmonton tornado, because the available weather data are generally not detailed enough to allow computers to study carefully the slight atmospheric changes that come before these storms.In most nations, for example, weather-balloon observations are taken just once every twelve hours at places separated by hundreds of miles.With such limited data, traditional forecasting models do a much better job predicting general weather conditions over large areas than they do forecasting specific local events.
Until recently, the observation intensive method needed for exact, very short-range forecasts, or “Nowcasts,” was not possible.The cost of equipping and operating many thousands of conventional weather stations was extremely high, and the difficulties concerned in rapidly collecting and processing the weather data from such a network were hard to overcome.
Fortunately, scientific and technological advances have overcome most of these problems.Radar systems and satellites are all able to make detailed, nearly continuous observation over large areas at a lower cost.Communications satellites can send out data around the world cheaply and immediately, and modern computers can quickly collect and analyze this large amount of weather information.
Meteorologists(气象学者)and computer scientists now work together to design computer programs and video equipment able to change weather data into words and graphic displays that forecasters can understand easily and quickly.As meteorologists have begun using these new technologies in weather forecasting offices, Nowcasting is becoming a reality.
1.Why can’t traditional computer models predict short-lived local storms?
A.The weather data people collect are often wrong.
B.Detailed weather data in some small areas are not available.
C.The computers are not advanced enough to predict them.D.The computers are not used to forecast specific local events.
2.The word “Nowcast” in Paragraph 3 means ________.
A.a network to collect storm data?     
B.a way of collecting weather data
C.a more advanced system of weather observation
D.a forecast which can predict weather in the small area
3.What can make “Nowcasts” a reality according to the passage?
A.Scientific and technological advances. B.Advanced computer programs.
C.Computer scientists.?              D.Meteorologists.
4.What does the passage mainly talk about?
A.The advantages of “Nowcasts”.        B.A tornado in Edmonton, Alberta.
C.The difficulty in predicting tornado.  D.A great development in weather forecast.


London congestion charging
The charge was introduced on Monday 17 February 2003 to encourage people to leave their cars behind and use public transport when travelling in central London. It was introduced due to the high pollution levels and traffic congestion(拥挤).
The Inner Ring Road forms the congestion zone boundary and includes roads such as Marylebone Road, Euston Road, Park Lane and Edgware Road. Drivers can travel along these roads without paying the charge. Maps of this zone are published in the national press and are available from a range of outlets as well as online.
People who travel regularly between work and home have to pay £5 for each day they wish to travel through or within the charge zone between the hours of 7.00 am and 6.30 pm, Monday to Friday. They have a choice about how they pay the £5. They can pay online, via the Internet, phoning, texting on their mobile phones and over the counter at petrol stations and convenience stores. They also have a choice about how often they pay. They can pay daily, weekly, monthly or annually.
Not everyone has to pay the £5. Among these are residents, emergency services, registered-disabled drivers, taxis and those using alternative energy vehicles. These people/organizations have to apply for exemption (免交), which can be done online.
The London Congestion Charge works by using around 900 cameras at the boundary and within the zone. The cameras read the registration plates and send the information to a computer, which checks whether the owner has paid the charge and, if not, whether the owner has claimed exemption. If drivers have not paid the charge by 10 pm that day (and are not exempt) a penalty notice is sent to his/her home address. The longer that the penalty is not paid, the larger the fine. Persistent offenders have their vehicles removed.
For more information, call 0845 900 1234 or visit Transport for London’s congestion charge website at http://www.cclondon.com/.
1. This text is aimed at _______.
A. businesses            B. students               C. London residents      D. everyone
2. This text offers readers information about _______.
A. the weather forecasts of London
B. the days and times for people to pay the charge
C. the number of drivers who fail to pay the charge each day
D. the names of shops where you can get Congestion Charge maps
3. What can we learn from the text?
A. All people in London have to pay the charge.
B. London residents can pay the charge in different ways.
C. Registered-disabled drivers have to go to an agency to apply for exemption.
D. 900 cameras are used to judge whether the driver has gone through the red light.

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