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The 2012 London Olympics had enough problems to worry about. But one more has just been added -- a communications blackout caused by solar storms.
After a period of calm within the Sun, scientists have detected the signs of a flesh cycle of sunspots that could peak in 2012, just in time for the arrival of the Olympic torch in London.
Now scientists believe that this peak could result in vast solar explosions that could throw billions of tons of charged matter towards the Earth, causing strong solar storms that could jam the telecommunications satellites and interact links sending five Olympic broadcast from London.
"The Sun's activity has a strong influence on the Earth. The Olympics could be in the middle of the next solar maximum which could affect the functions of communications satellites," said Professor Richard Harrison, head of space physics at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire.
At the peak of the cycle, violent outbursts called coronal mass ejections (日冕物质抛射) occur in the Sun's atmosphere, throwing out great quantities of electrically-charged matter. "A coronal mass ejection can carry a billion tons of solar material into space at over a million kilometres per hour. Such events can expose astronauts to a deadly amount, can disable satellites, cause power failures on Earth and disturb communications," Professor Harrison added. The risk is the greatest during a solar maximum when there is the greatest number of sunspots.
Next week in America, NASA is scheduled to launch a satellite for monitoring solar activity called the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), which will take images of the Sun that are 10 times clearer than the most advanced televisions available.
The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory helped to make the high-tech cameras that will capture images of the solar flares (太阳耀斑) and explosions as they occur.
Professor Richard Harrison, the lab's director, said that the SDO should be able to provide early warning of a solar flare or explosion big enough to affect satellite communications on Earth "If we have advanced warning, we'll be able to reduce the damage. What you don't want is things switching off for a week with no idea of what's caused the problem," he said.
1.The phrase "communications blackout" in paragraph 1 most probably refers to____________ during the 2012 Olympics.
A.the extinguishing of the Olympic torch |
B.the collapse of broadcasting systems |
C.the transportation breakdown in London |
D.the destruction of weather satellites |
2.According to the passage, scientists are convinced that __________.
A.the sun’s activities have little to do with the earth |
B.the London Olympic broadcasting will be possibly influenced by the 2012 peak of sunspots |
C.the 2012 Olympic Games are during the solar maximum of throwing out greatest number of sunspots |
D.solar explosion will cause strong storms on the earth |
3.What can be inferred about the solar activity described in the passage?
A.The most fatal matter from the corona falls onto Earth. |
B.The solar storm peak occurs in the middle of each cycle. |
C.It takes several seconds for the charged matter to reach Earth. |
D.The number of sunspots declines after coronal mass ejections. |
4.According to the passage, NASA will launch a satellite to _________.
A.take images of the solar system |
B.provide early warning of thunderstorms |
C.keep track of solar activities |
D.improve the communications on Earth |
5.Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?
A.Solar Storms: An Invisible Killer |
B.Solar Storms: Earth Environment in Danger |
C.Solar Storms: Threatening the Human Race |
D.Solar Storms: Human Activities to Be Troubled |
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阅读理解
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项中选出最佳选项。
We had hardly got above the clouds over the airport when a calm voice said over the loudspeaker:“For technical reasons we shall be returning immediately to London Airport. Please keep your seatbelts fastened.”
I was rather surprised and glanced at the old lady next to me. She had been very chatty while we were waiting to take off.
“I'm going to New York to visit some relatives there. I always sleep wonderfully welt whenever I get into a plane.”she had told me.
And indeed, she seemed to he in a very deep sleep already.
Just then a passenger behind me shouted,“Oh, my God! The wing's on fire.”
I looked out of the window and my blood froze. Smoke and flames were pouring out of one of the engines. The plane was already turning and losing altitude fast.
“What's happening? Are we going to crash?”an American in front of me demanded.
The cabin crew were already moving up and down the aisle (走道), reassuring (安慰) people, saying things like,“It's just all right. There's no need to worry. Now, if you just sit still, everything will be all right. Don't get up. Don't get upset.”
I looked out again. The ground was rushing up at us with shocking speed. We were already so low that I could make out cars and even people.
“It's only a slight emergency,”a stewardess told me with a tense smile.
Suddenly there was a sickening bump and we were rushing along the runway at a terrifying speed. The brakes screeched (发出尖锐刺耳的声音). The engines roared even more loudly. We came to a trembling stop. The cabin crew quickly opened the emergency exits and the passengers began sliding down huge, stocking-like chutes (滑道) to the ground. A fire engine was already putting out the fire in one engine. I had to shake the old lady violently to wake her up.
“What's wrong? Surely the journey isn't over already! I mean, have we got to New York?”she asked sleepily.
1.When did the emergency occur?
[ ]
A.We are not told.
B.Just before the plane landed in New York.
C.Shortly after the plane took off.
D.Sometime in the middle of the flight.
2.What does the underlined word“altitude”(in Paragraph 6) refer to?
[ ]
A.Height above sea-level.
B.Place or area high above sea-level.
C.Way of thinking or behaving.
D.Way of positioning the body.
3.What would be the best title for the text?
[ ]
A.An unpleasant flight.
B.An interesting experience.
C.An unforgettable experience.
D.Brave cabin crew.
4.When they landed, the old lady _____.
[ ]
A.was one of the first to get out
B.asked when they were going on lo New York
C.was shaking violently with fear
D.was not even sure where they were
查看习题详情和答案>>Never ???? to him that he could be admitted to the famous university.
A. occurred it???????? ????????????? B. it did occur?????? ????????????? C. did it occur??????? ????????????? D. it occurred
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The 2012 London Olympics had enough problems to worry about. But one more has just been added -- a communications blackout caused by solar storms.
After a period of calm within the Sun, scientists have detected the signs of a flesh cycle of sunspots that could peak in 2012, just in time for the arrival of the Olympic torch in London.
Now scientists believe that this peak could result in vast solar explosions that could throw billions of tons of charged matter towards the Earth, causing strong solar storms that could jam the telecommunications satellites and interact links sending five Olympic broadcast from London.
"The Sun's activity has a strong influence on the Earth. The Olympics could be in the middle of the next solar maximum which could affect the functions of communications satellites," said Professor Richard Harrison, head of space physics at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire.
At the peak of the cycle, violent outbursts called coronal mass ejections (日冕物质抛射) occur in the Sun's atmosphere, throwing out great quantities of electrically-charged matter. "A coronal mass ejection can carry a billion tons of solar material into space at over a million kilometres per hour. Such events can expose astronauts to a deadly amount, can disable satellites, cause power failures on Earth and disturb communications," Professor Harrison added. The risk is the greatest during a solar maximum when there is the greatest number of sunspots.
Next week in America, NASA is scheduled to launch a satellite for monitoring solar activity called the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), which will take images of the Sun that are 10 times clearer than the most advanced televisions available.
The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory helped to make the high-tech cameras that will capture images of the solar flares (太阳耀斑) and explosions as they occur.
Professor Richard Harrison, the lab's director, said that the SDO should be able to provide early warning of a solar flare or explosion big enough to affect satellite communications on Earth "If we have advanced warning, we'll be able to reduce the damage. What you don't want is things switching off for a week with no idea of what's caused the problem," he said.
【小题1】The phrase "communications blackout" in paragraph 1 most probably refers to____________ during the 2012 Olympics.
A.the extinguishing of the Olympic torch |
B.the collapse of broadcasting systems |
C.the transportation breakdown in London |
D.the destruction of weather satellites |
A.the sun’s activities have little to do with the earth |
B.the London Olympic broadcasting will be possibly influenced by the 2012 peak of sunspots |
C.the 2012 Olympic Games are during the solar maximum of throwing out greatest number of sunspots |
D.solar explosion will cause strong storms on the earth |
A.The most fatal matter from the corona falls onto Earth. |
B.The solar storm peak occurs in the middle of each cycle. |
C.It takes several seconds for the charged matter to reach Earth. |
D.The number of sunspots declines after coronal mass ejections. |
A.take images of the solar system |
B.provide early warning of thunderstorms |
C.keep track of solar activities |
D.improve the communications on Earth |
A.Solar Storms: An Invisible Killer |
B.Solar Storms: Earth Environment in Danger |
C.Solar Storms: Threatening the Human Race |
D.Solar Storms: Human Activities to Be Troubled |