A regular drop in the sun’s radiation(辐射) can cause unusually cold winters in parts of North America and Europe, scientists say, a finding that could improve long-range forecasts and help countries prepare for snowstorms.

Scientists have known for a long time that the sun has an 11-year cycle during which radiation measured by sunspots on the surface reaches a peak then falls. But explaining a clear connection to weather is harder.

“Our research confirms the observed connection between solar change and regional winter climate,” lead author Sarah Ineson of the UK Met Office told the reporters in an email. The study was published in the magazine Nature Geoscience on Monday.

The researchers found that the reducing of ultraviolet(UV，紫外线) radiation from the sun can affect high-altitude wind patterns in the Northern Hemisphere(半球), causing cold winters.

“While UV levels won’t tell us what the day-to-day weather will do, they show us the bright future of improved forecasts for winter conditions for months and even years ahead. These forecasts play an important role in long-term possibility planning,” Ineson, a climate scientist, said.

Ineson and colleagues from Imperial College London and the University of Oxford used satellite data that more accurately(精确的) measures UV radiation from the sun and found a much greater change than previously thought.

They found that in years of low activity, unusually cold air forms high in the atmosphere over the tropics. This causes a redistribution(重新分配) of heat in the atmosphere, making easterly winds that bring freezing weather and snowstorms to northern Europe and the United States and milder weather to Canada and the Mediterranean.

When solar UV radiation is stronger, the opposite occurs.

More study was needed, though. A key uncertainty in the experiment lay in the satellite data used, because it covers only a few years. “So questions remain concerning both accuracy(精确) and also applicability to other solar cycles,” she said.

1.The new finding claims cold winters in the North Hemisphere can be caused by ______.

A. a sharp rise in the amount of sunspots

B. a drop in the sun’s UV radiation

C. a complex computer model simulation

D. a clear link between the sun and the earth

2. It has long been known by scientists that ______.

A. UV radiation can affect high-altitude wind patterns

B. there’s a clear connection between the sun’s activity and weather

C. the sun’s radiation reaches a peak every eleven years

D. they can predict day-to-day weather conditions from UV levels

3. What will happen if the sun turns into years of high activity according to the finding?

A. Canada and the Mediterranean will have milder weather.

B. The whole Northern Hemisphere will suffer from extreme winter days.

C. Freezing cold weather will appear in northern Europe.

D. Burning hot weather will appear in the United States.

4. It can be inferred from the passage that ______.

A. researchers have analyzed the data collected in eleven years

B. long-term weather conditions can be accurately predicted depending on UV levels

C. the research doesn’t seem correct and true enough due to limited satellite data used

D. climate scientists have just begun their research in severe weather forecast

A cyclic(周期的) drop in the sun’s radiation can cause unusually cold winters in parts of North America and Europe, scientists say, a finding that could improve long-range forecasts and help countries prepare for snowstorms.

       Scientists have known for a long time that the sun has an 11-year cycle during which radiation measured by sunspots on the surface reaches a peak then falls. But explaining a clear link to weather has proved harder.

       “Our research confirms the observed link between solar change and regional winter climate,” lead author Sarah Ineson of the UK Met Office told the reporters in an email. The study was published in the journal Nature Geoscience on Monday.

       Her team focused on data from the recent solar minimum during 2008-2010, a period of unusual calm for the sun and extreme winters in the United States and parts of Europe that shut down air travel and disrupted(使混乱) business.

       The researchers found that a reduction in ultraviolet(UV, 紫外线) radiation from the sun can affect high-altitude wind patterns in the Northern Hemisphere(半球),causing cold winters.

       “While UV levels won’t tell us what the day-to-day weather will do, they provide the exciting prospect of improved forecasts for winter conditions for months and even years ahead. These forecasts play an important role in long-term possibility planning,” Ineson, a climate scientist, said.

       Ineson and colleagues from Imperial College London and the University of Oxford used satellite data that more accurately measures UV radiation from the sun and found a much greater change than previously thought.

       They found that in years of low activity, unusually cold air forms high in the atmosphere over the tropics（回归线）. This causes a redistribution(重新分配) of heat in the atmosphere, making easterly winds that bring freezing weather and snow storms to northern Europe and the United States and milder weather to Canada and the Mediterranean.

       When solar UV radiation is stronger, the opposite occurs.

       Ineson’s team used the data in a complex computer model that simulates (模拟) long-term weather patterns. The model successfully reproduced what scientists have observed happening in the upper atmosphere during changes in solar radiation.

       More study was needed, though. A key uncertainly in the experiment lay in the satellite data used, because it covers only a few years. “So questions remain concerning both accuracy and also applicability to other solar cycles,” she said.

50. The new finding claims cold winters in the North Hemisphere can be caused by________.

A. a sharp rise in the amount of sunspot

B. a complex computer model simulation

C. a clear link between the sun and the earth

D. a decrease in the sun’s UV radiation

51. It has long been known by scientists that ________.

A. UV radiation can affect high-altitude wind patterns.

B. there’s a clear link between the sun’s activity and weather.

C. they can predict day-to-day weather conditions from UV levels

D. the sun’s radiation reaches a peak every eleven years

52. According to the passage, the following statements are correct EXCEPT______.

A. the research team used a complex computer system to monitor the atmosphere

B. the new finding could improve long-term weather prediction

C. the years 2008-2010 were a period when the sun’s radiation fell

D. extreme winters affected air travel and business in parts of Europe

53. What will happen if the sun turns into years of high activity according to the finding?

A. Canada and the Mediterranean will have milder weather.

B. Burning hot weather will appear in northern Europe and the United States.

C. Freezing cold weather will appear in northern Europe and the United States.

D. The whole Northern Hemisphere will suffer from extreme winter day.

54. It can be inferred from the passage that ________.

A. the research doesn’t seem accurate enough due to limited satellite data used

B. long-term weather conditions can be accurately predicted depending on UV levels

C. climate scientists have just begun their research in severe weather forecast

D. research have analyzed the data collected in eleven years

An Earthship is a home that is built of materials such as old tires and aluminum cans. It is the idea of a man named Michael Reynolds. Many Earthships are more or less self-sufficient because they provide their own heat, air and water. They often have gardens watered and fed by waste water. They are comfortable and ecologically friendly.

The main material used in building Earthships is tires. Tires are plentiful and

can't be recycled like paper, plastic, and metal.  While building supplies for most houses can be very expensive, old used tires are free.

First, the tires are packed tightly with dirt. Each full tire weighs as much as

400 pounds. The tires are then stacked like bricks. The walls are extremely strong. They also help keep an even temperature in the house (between 60 and 70 degrees) without heating and cooling systems.?

The walls inside the Earthship are made of aluminum cans that are held together by cement. Then they are coated with adobe or stucco.?

The roofs of Earthships are sloped so that rain and snow run into large tanks. These tanks hold all the water for the house, and pumps push the water through the pipes. Sometimes, water flows in certain areas of the house as waterfalls! Water that has been used is pumped out into the gardens where owners grow much of their own food.?

In most of these houses, the southern side has huge windows that take in winter sunlight as a source of heat. Summer sun does not come in through the south windows, so it doesn't get too hot in the summer. The house also has solar panels that gather energy for lights and hot water and cooking. The Earthships have all the comforts of a regular house without the high cost of electric bills!?

In a time when we are running out of energy resources, pollution is bad, and waste is piling up, Earthships are the best places to live in. For people who truly care about the environment,Earthships provide a great alternative to traditional houses. You won't be giving up any comforts, and the styles are attractive. We all hope that more and more people will build Earthships and take a huge step toward helping the environment and saving our planet.?

What is the main idea of this passage??

A. Earthships are a good way to live and protect the environment.?

B. Tanks hold water collected from rain and snow.?

C. It's important to grow your own food in a vegetable garden.?

D. People who live in Earthships usually live in the desert.?

Which of the following is NOT explained in the passage??

A. How an Earthship is built.?

B. What an Earthship is mainly made of.?

C. Why the Earthship is so called.?

D. How an Earthship is heated in winter.?

Which evidence best supports the idea that Earthships are environmentally friendly??

A. They were invented by Michael Reynolds.?

B. Water that has been used is pumped out into the garden.?

C. They are comfortable and ecologically friendly.?

D. The tires are packed tightly with dirt.?

It can be inferred from the passage that ________.?

A. a large population are already living in Earthships?      

B. the idea of Earthships will attract the attention of governments?

C. the materials for the Earthships will be harmful to the dwellers(居住者)?

D.the northern side of the Earthship has no window?

An Earthship is a home that is built of materials such as old tires and aluminum cans. It is the idea of a man named Michael Reynolds. Many Earthships are more or less self-sufficient because they provide their own heat, air and water. They often have gardens watered and fed by waste water. They are comfortable and ecologically friendly.
The main material used in building Earthships is tires. Tires are plentiful and
can't be recycled like paper, plastic, and metal.  While building supplies for most houses can be very expensive, old used tires are free.
First, the tires are packed tightly with dirt. Each full tire weighs as much as
400 pounds. The tires are then stacked like bricks. The walls are extremely strong. They also help keep an even temperature in the house (between 60 and 70 degrees) without heating and cooling systems.
The walls inside the Earthship are made of aluminum cans that are held together by cement. Then they are coated with adobe or stucco.
The roofs of Earthships are sloped so that rain and snow run into large tanks. These tanks hold all the water for the house, and pumps push the water through the pipes. Sometimes, water flows in certain areas of the house as waterfalls! Water that has been used is pumped out into the gardens where owners grow much of their own food.
In most of these houses, the southern side has huge windows that take in winter sunlight as a source of heat. Summer sun does not come in through the south windows, so it doesn't get too hot in the summer. The house also has solar panels that gather energy for lights and hot water and cooking. The Earthships have all the comforts of a regular house without the high cost of electric bills!
In a time when we are running out of energy resources, pollution is bad, and waste is piling up, Earthships are the best places to live in. For people who truly care about the environment,Earthships provide a great alternative to traditional houses. You won't be giving up any comforts, and the styles are attractive. We all hope that more and more people will build Earthships and take a huge step toward helping the environment and saving our planet.

1. 1.

   What is the main idea of this passage?

   1. A.
      Earthships are a good way to live and protect the environment.
   2. B.
      Tanks hold water collected from rain and snow.
   3. C.
      It's important to grow your own food in a vegetable garden.
   4. D.
      People who live in Earthships usually live in the desert.
2. 2.

   Which of the following is NOT explained in the passage?

   1. A.
      How an Earthship is built.
   2. B.
      What an Earthship is mainly made of.
   3. C.
      Why the Earthship is so called.
   4. D.
      How an Earthship is heated in winter.
3. 3.

   Which evidence best supports the idea that Earthships are environmentally friendly?

   1. A.
      They were invented by Michael Reynolds.
   2. B.
      Water that has been used is pumped out into the garden.
   3. C.
      They are comfortable and ecologically friendly.
   4. D.
      The tires are packed tightly with dirt.
4. 4.

   It can be inferred from the passage that ________.

   1. A.
      a large population are already living in Earthships
   2. B.
      the idea of Earthships will attract the attention of governments
   3. C.
      the materials for the Earthships will be harmful to the dwellers(居住者)
   4. D.
      the northern side of the Earthship has no window