Antarctica and Environment

       Antarctica has actually become a kind of space station – a unique observation post for detecting important changes in the world’s environment. Remote from major sources of pollution and the complex geological and ecological systems that prevail elsewhere, Antarctica makes possible scientific measurements that are often sharper and easier to interpret than those made in other parts of the world.

       Growing numbers of scientists therefore see Antarctica as a distant-early-warning sensor, where potentially dangerous global trends may be spotted before they show up to the north. One promising field of investigation is glaciology. Scholars from the United States, Switzerland, and France are pursuing seven separate but related projects that reflect their concern for the health of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet – a concern they believe the world at large should share.

       The Transantarctic Mountain, some of them more than 14,000 feet high, divide the continent into two very different regions. The part of the continent to the “east” of the mountains is a high plateau covered by an ice sheet nearly two miles thick. “West” of the mountain, the half of the continent south of the Americas is also covered by an ice sheet, but there the ice rests on rock that is mostly well below sea level. If the West Antarctic Ice Sheet disappeared, the western part of the continent would be reduced to a sparse cluster of island.

       While ice and snow are obviously central to many environmental experiments, others focus on the mysterious “dry valley” of Antarctica, valleys that contain little ice or snow even in the depths of winter. Slashed through the mountains of southern Victoria Land, these valleys once held enormous glaciers that descended 9,000 feet from the polar plateau to the Ross Sea. Now the glaciers are gone, perhaps a casualty of the global warming trend during the 10,000 years since the ice age. Even the snow that falls in the dry valleys is blasted out by vicious winds that roars down from the polar plateau to the sea. Left bare are spectacular gorges, rippled fields of sand dunes, clusters of boulders sculptured into fantastic shapes by 100-mile-an-hour winds, and an aura of extraterrestrial desolation.

       Despite the unearthly aspect of the dry valleys, some scientists believe they may carry a message of hope of the verdant parts of the earth. Some scientists believe that in some cases the dry valleys may soak up pollutants faster than pollutants enter them.

What is the best title for this passage?

A Antarctica and environmental Problems.

B Antarctica: Earth’s Early-Warning station.

C Antarctica: a Unique Observation Post.

D Antarctica: a Mysterious Place.

What would the result be if the West Antarctic Ice Sheet disappeared?

A The western part of the continent would be disappeared.

B The western part of the continent would be reduced.

C The western part of the continent would become scattered Islands.

D The western part of the continent would be reduced to a cluster of Islands.

Why are the Dry Valleys left bare?

A Vicious wind blasts the snow away.                B It rarely snows.

C Because of the global warming trend and fierce wind.  D Sand dunes.

Which of the following is true?

A The “Dry Valleys” have nothing left inside.

B The “Dry Valleys” never held glaciers.

C The “Dry Valleys” may carry a message of hope for the verdant.

D The “Dry Valleys” are useless to scientists.


Passage Fourteen(Antarctica and Environment)
Antarctica has actually become a kind of space station – a unique observation post for detecting important changes in the world’s environment. Remote from major sources of pollution and the complex geological and ecological systems that prevail elsewhere, Antarctica makes possible scientific measurements that are often sharper and easier to interpret than those made in other parts of the world.
Growing numbers of scientists therefore see Antarctica as a distant-early-warning sensor, where potentially dangerous global trends may be spotted before they show up to the north. One promising field of investigation is glaciology. Scholars from the United States, Switzerland, and France are pursuing seven separate but related projects that reflect their concern for the health of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet – a concern they believe the world at large should share.
The Transantarctic Mountain, some of them more than 14,000 feet high, divide the continent into two very different regions. The part of the continent to the “east” of the mountains is a high plateau covered by an ice sheet nearly two miles thick. “West” of the mountain, the half of the continent south of the Americas is also covered by an ice sheet, but there the ice rests on rock that is mostly well below sea level. If the West Antarctic Ice Sheet disappeared, the western part of the continent would be reduced to a sparse cluster of island.
While ice and snow are obviously central to many environmental experiments, others focus on the mysterious “dry valley” of Antarctica, valleys that contain little ice or snow even in the depths of winter. Slashed through the mountains of southern Victoria Land, these valleys once held enormous glaciers that descended 9,000 feet from the polar plateau to the Ross Sea. Now the glaciers are gone, perhaps a casualty of the global warming trend during the 10,000 years since the ice age. Even the snow that falls in the dry valleys is blasted out by vicious winds that roars down from the polar plateau to the sea. Left bare are spectacular gorges, rippled fields of sand dunes, clusters of boulders sculptured into fantastic shapes by 100-mile-an-hour winds, and an aura of extraterrestrial desolation.
Despite the unearthly aspect of the dry valleys, some scientists believe they may carry a message of hope of the verdant parts of the earth. Some scientists believe that in some cases the dry valleys may soak up pollutants faster than pollutants enter them.
1.What is the best title for this passage?
A.Antarctica and environmental Problems.
B.Antarctica: Earth’s Early-Warning station.
C.Antarctica: a Unique Observation Post.
D.Antarctica: a Mysterious Place.
2.What would the result be if the West Antarctic Ice Sheet disappeared?
A.The western part of the continent would be disappeared.
B.The western part of the continent would be reduced.
C.The western part of the continent would become scattered Islands.
D.The western part of the continent would be reduced to a cluster of Islands.
3.Why are the Dry Valleys left bare?
A.Vicious wind blasts the snow away.
B.It rarely snows.
C.Because of the global warming trend and fierce wind.
D.Sand dunes.
4.Which of the following is true?
A.The “Dry Valleys” have nothing left inside.
B.The “Dry Valleys” never held glaciers.
C.The “Dry Valleys” may carry a message of hope for the verdant.
D.The “Dry Valleys” are useless to scientists.

An earthquake is one of the most common natural disasters. It may cause great damage. So it is wise to learn some simple safety tips to protect yourself or your family members.

Fragile items, like those made of glass are easily broken and should usually be placed on a lower surface, near the ground instead of placing them on cupboards higher up. Never place them near your bed, sofas and other furniture where you would be sitting or lying down. When there is a strong movement, these pieces will fall on the floor directly and not on you.

There is a strong chance of short circuits (短路) and fire breakouts during an earthquake. Make sure you turn off electrical connections and gas immediately when an earthquake happens.

During an earthquake, lie beneath an object that is not easily damaged. Do not go near objects that could directly fall on you. Never use the elevator to go down. Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries happen when people inside buildings try to go out. Use the staircases at all times.

If you are outdoors, do not take shelter under a tree, streetlights, electric poles or tall buildings. If you are driving, stop your car and stay in a safe place. Do not park your car under a tree or any tall object.

If trapped in debris (瓦砾堆), cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can find you. Use a whistle (哨子) if one is available. Never shout for help. Shouting can cause you to breathe in dangerous amounts of dust. Do not light a match because you may burn yourself. Do not move about or kick up dust.

1.The purpose of the passage is to tell readers _____.

A.the damage caused by earthquakes

B.the rescue work after earthquakes

C.what to do about earthquakes

D.how to prevent earthquakes

2. The underlined word “Fragile” in Paragraph 2 probably means _____.

A.easily broken

B.easily found

C.expensive

D.heavy

3.To reduce the injury from the earthquake, items made of glass should be put _____.

A.on cupboards

B.in the bedroom

C.on a lower surface

D.where children can’t reach them

4.During the earthquake, people are advised to _____.

A.go out the building at once

B.turn off electricity and gas immediately

C.take shelter under a tree

D.drive to a safe place quickly

5.What should people NOT do when they are trapped in debris?

A.Cover their mouth with a handkerchief.

B.Tap on a pipe or wall for help.

C.Use a whistle for help.

D.Light a match for help.

 

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