【题目】Scientists in the United States say plant life has increased on Earth in the past twenty years and that in every area of plant growth the increase is the result of weather conditions.

Eight scientists from across the United States did the study. The space agency NASA and the Department of Energy paid for it. The findings were published in the magazine Science.

The researchers spent one and a half years examining weather satellite information. The information was recorded from 1982 to 1999. That period was one of the warmest on record. Researchers found that rainfall generally increased during that time.

The satellites measured the number of leaves on plants and the amount of sunlight taken in. The scientists used that information to estimate what is called net primary production. This is the total amount of carbon stored in land plants.

The scientists report a 6% increase in stored carbon since 1982. They say gains were high in equatorial areas, especially around the Amazon River in South America. The area alone had a 1 % increase in the net primary production.

The study was led by Ramakrishna Nemani of the University of Montana in Missoula. He says reduced cloud cover led to the growth in Amazon area. He also says the lack of clouds allowed more sunlight to get through. More sunlight meant increases in photosynthesis(光合作用. That is the process by which plants use energy from sunlight to produce the chemicals they need to grow.

Northern Canada, the north-central United States and northern Europe were second in increased plant growth. Ramakrishna Nemani says a rise in temperature helped plants there.

All together, the report says 25% of areas of plant life on Earth experienced increases. But the scientists also note the increase in the number of people on Earth and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Ranga Myneni of Boston University in Massachusetts, another study scientist says humans use about half the net primary production on Earth. And he notes that the world population grew by 36% during the period of time studied.

1 What's the main cause of the plant growth put forward by the study?

A. Growth in population.

B. Regional features.

C. Seasonal variation.

D. Weather conditions.

2 Which of the following is in charge of the study?

A. The space agency NASA of the US.

B. The Department of Energy of the US.

C. Ramakrishna Nemani in Missoula.

D. Ranga Myneni in Massachusetts.

3 Why do scientists believe that reduced cloud cover has led to the plant growth in the Amazon area?

A. Because plants could take in more sunlight.

B. Because plants could get more rainfall.

C. Because plants could enjoy cooler air.

D. Because plants suffer less from natural disasters.

4 Which of the following descriptions about the years from 1982 to 1999 is TRUE?

A. It was the warmest on record.

B. Rainfall decreased little by little.

C. World population grew by 25%.

D. Stored carbon increased by 6%.

【题目】Why should mankind explore space? Why should money, time and effort be spent exploring and researching something with so few apparent benefits? Why should resources be spent on space rather than on conditions and people on Earth? These are questions that, understandably, are very often asked.

Perhaps the best answer lies in our genetic makeup (基因构成)as human beings. What drove our ancestors to move from the trees into the plains, and on into all possible areas and environments? The wider the spread of a species, the better its chance of survival. Perhaps the best reason for exploring space is this genetic tendency to expand wherever possible.

Nearly every successful civilization has explored, because by doing so, any dangers in surrounding areas can be identified and prepared for. Without knowledge, we may be completely destroyed by the danger. With knowledge, we can lessen its effects.

Exploration also allows minerals and other potential (潜在的)resources to be found. Even if we have no immediate need of them, they will perhaps be useful later. Resources may be more than physical possessions. Knowledge or techniques have been acquired through exploration. The techniques may have medical applications which can improve the length or quality of our lives. We have already benefited from other spin-offs including improvements in earthquake prediction, in satellites for weather forecasting and in communications systems. Even non-stick pans and mirrored sunglasses are by-products (副产品)of technological developments in the space industry!

While many resources are spent on what seems a small return, the exploration of space allows creative, brave and intelligent members of our species to focus on what may serve to save us. While space may hold many wonders and explanations of how the universe was formed or how it works, it also holds clangers. The danger exists, but knowledge can help human beings to survive. Without the ability to reach out across space, the chance to save ourselves might not exist.

While Earth is the only planet known to support life, surely the adaptive ability of humans would allow us to live on other planets. It is true that the lifestyle would be different, but human life and cultures have adapted in the past and surely could in the future.

1 Why does the author mention the questions in Paragraph 1?

A. To express his doubts.

B. To compare different ideas.

C. To introduce points for discussion.

D. To describe the conditions on Earth.

2 What is the reason for exploring space based on Paragraph 2?

A. Humans are nature-born to do so.

B. Humans have the tendency to fight.

C. Humans may find new sources of food.

D. Humans don’t like to stay in the same place.

3 The underlined word “spin-offs" in Paragraph 4probably refers to ________ .

A. survival chances

B. potential resources

C. unexpected benefits

D. physical possessions

4 What makes it possible for humans to live on other planets?

A. Our genetic makeup.

B. Resources on the earth.

C. The adaptive ability of humans.

D. By-products in space exploration.

 0  144796  144804  144810  144814  144820  144822  144826  144832  144834  144840  144846  144850  144852  144856  144862  144864  144870  144874  144876  144880  144882  144886  144888  144890  144891  144892  144894  144895  144896  144898  144900  144904  144906  144910  144912  144916  144922  144924  144930  144934  144936  144940  144946  144952  144954  144960  144964  144966  144972  144976  144982  144990  151629 

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