A regular drop in the sun’s radiation(輻射) 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,紫外線) 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(精確的) 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(精確) and also applicability to other solar cycles,” she said.
小題1:The new finding claims cold winters in the North Hemisphere can be caused by ______.
A.a(chǎn) sharp rise in the amount of sunspots
B.a(chǎn) drop in the sun’s UV radiation
C.a(chǎn) complex computer model simulation
D.a(chǎn) clear link between the sun and the earth
小題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
小題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.
小題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

小題1:B
小題2:C
小題3:D
小題4:C

試題分析:科學(xué)家們發(fā)現(xiàn)太陽紫外線的降低會使北半球的冬天更為寒冷,這一研究發(fā)現(xiàn)有可能會有助于發(fā)展長期準(zhǔn)確的天氣預(yù)報(bào),從而能夠提醒人們提前防備暴風(fēng)雪的來臨。但是科學(xué)家們同時(shí)也指出這項(xiàng)研究還有待于更多的科學(xué)數(shù)據(jù)支持。
小題1:B細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)文章第四段 the reducing of ultraviolet(UV,紫外線) radiation from the sun can affect high-altitude wind patterns in the Northern Hemisphere(半球), causing cold winters.可知太陽紫外線輻射的降低有可能造成北半球冬天氣溫的下降,所以B選項(xiàng)正確。
小題2:C細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)文章第二段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.可知太陽輻射每十一年到達(dá)一個(gè)頂峰,所以C選項(xiàng)正確。
小題3:D推理判斷題。根據(jù)文章倒數(shù)第二段內(nèi)容可知當(dāng)太陽黑子活動(dòng)減少的時(shí)候,會造成北美等地的寒冷氣候,而文章倒數(shù)第三段又進(jìn)一步提到When solar UV radiation is stronger, the opposite occurs.由此判斷當(dāng)太陽紫外線強(qiáng)的時(shí)候,北美等地就會炎熱,故答案選D。
小題4:C推理判斷題。根據(jù)文章末段More study was needed, though. A key uncertainty in the experiment lay in the satellite data used, because it covers only a few years.可知實(shí)驗(yàn)的不確定性在于可以依賴的數(shù)據(jù)較少,目前參考的僅僅是幾年的數(shù)據(jù),所以判斷C為正確選項(xiàng)。
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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

There has been a large increase in the number of natural disasters over the past few years, and it is believed that global warming and climate change could cause even more disasters in thefuture. Some of the world’s leading cities are facing disasters like floods and heat waves.
London
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Paris
Over a six week period in July and August 2003, more than 1 1,400—mainly elderly people—died in France from dehydration(脫水)and extremely high body temperature in a deadly heat wave. Heat waves of similar intensity(強(qiáng)度)are expected every seven years by 2050, so what can be done to make sure such a disaster does not happen again?
One solution is to have air-conditioners installed(安裝)in elderly care homes. But this is considered a short-term solution, as the increase in demand for electricity also increases carbon emissions(排放).
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Shanghai is the fastest growing city on Earth. It has a population of 18 million and is only 4 meters above sea level. Sea levels are predicted to rise by 20 cm within the next century.
About 250,000 people move to Shanghai every year in search of work, placing extra demands on energy consumption(消耗). China depends heavily on coal—fired power stations, but these emissions increase temperatures and, in turn, warmer seas increase the risk of typhoons.
小題1:What problem should be settled now in London?
A.How to protect the city’s property
B.Where to build its flood defences
C.How to use the Thames Barrier to protect the city
D.How to improve the function of the old flood defences
小題2:Which of the following measures can’t solve the heat wave disaster in Paris?
A.Putting up new types of buildings with a covering of bamboo.
B.Having air-conditioners installed in elderly care homes.
C.Forbidding the city to build “Flower Tower”.
D.Encouraging architects to design new types of buildings.
小題3:The major threats to Shanghai are __________.
A.increasing population and coal-fired power stations
B.rising sea levels and typhoons
C.extremely high temperature and rising sea levels
D.extra demands on energy consumption and typhoons
小題4:The purpose of the passage is __________.
A.to tell us how to protect the big cities
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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Can dogs and cats live in peace in the same home? People who are thinking about adopting a dog as a friend for their cat are worried that they will fight. A recent research has found a new way for success. According to the study, if the cat is adopted before the dog, and if they are introduced when still young (less than 6 months for cats, a year for dogs), it is highly probable that the two pets will get along swimmingly. Two­thirds of the homes interviewed reported a positive relationship between their cat and dog.
However, it wasn't all sweetness and light. There was a reported coldness between the cat and dog in 25% of the homes, while attacking and fighting were observed in 10% of the homes. One reason for this is probably that some of their body signals are just opposite. For example, when a cat turns its head away it signals attack, while a dog doing the same signals admitting defeat.
In homes with cats and dogs living peacefully, researchers observed a surprising behaviour. They are learning how to talk each other's language. It is a surprise that cats can learn how to talk “dog”, and dogs can learn how to talk “cat”.
What's interesting is that both cats and dogs have appeared to develop their intelligence. They can learn to read each other's body signals, suggesting that the two may have more in common than was previously thought. Once familiar with each other's presence and body language, cats and dogs can play together, greet each other nose to nose, and enjoy sleeping together on the sofa. They can easily share the same water bowl and in some cases groom (梳理) each other.
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C.They learn to speak each other's language.
D.They know something from each other's voices.
小題4:What can we human beings learn from cats and dogs?
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B.We should know more about animals.
C.We should live in peace with animals.
D.We should learn more body languages.

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

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A.a(chǎn)ttracting more public attention
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C.A possibility of something happening.
D.An illegal plan for making money.
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B.There are lectures, but you don't need to meet the lecturers.
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D.There are assignments, and you must hand them to your instructor.
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D.To use teleconferencing and video conferencing.
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D.not litter small things or it will make trouble.
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A.Eating and Sleeping in Space
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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:完形填空

When we read books we seem to enter a new world. This new world can be similar to the one we are living in, or it can be very      . Some stories are told       they were true. Real people who live in a       world do real things; in other words, the stories are about people just like us doing what we do. Other stories, such as the Harry Potter books, are not       . They are characters and creatures that are very different from us and do things that would be       for us.
But there is more to books and writing than this. If we think about it, even realistic writing is only     . How can we tell the difference between what is real and what is not real? For example, when we read about Harry Potter, we       seem to learn something about the real world. And when Harry studies magic at Hogwarts, he also learns more about his real life than      . Reading, like writing, is an action. It is a way of      . When we read or write something, we do much more than simple look at words on a page. We use our       -- which is real-- and our imagination-- which is real in a different way --- to make the words come to life in our minds.
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小題1:
A.possible B.easy C.new D.different
小題2:
A.that B.what C.whether D.a(chǎn)s if
小題3:
A.usual B.normal C.certain D.common
小題4:
A.realistic B.reasonable C.moral D.instructive
小題5:
A.difficult B.impossible C.important D.necessary
小題6:
A.thinkable B.designed C.imagined D.planned
小題7:
A.do B.make C.have D.a(chǎn)re
小題8:
A.lessons B.dreams C.experience D.magic
小題9:
A.working B.thinking C.living D.understanding
小題10:
A.knowledge B.skill C.words D.grammar
小題11:
A.make B.get C.use D.have
小題12:
A.a(chǎn) newspaper B.something C.everything D.a(chǎn) story
小題13:
A.find B.learn C.know D.hope
小題14:
A.too B.not C.a(chǎn)ll D.so
小題15:
A.dangerous B.serious C.strange D.terrible
小題16:
A.talk B.learn C.read D.think
小題17:
A.telling B.pretending C.promising D.guessing
小題18:
A.mind B.life C.world D.society
小題19:
A.heart B.time C.money D.ourselves
小題20:
A.what B.how C.when D.why

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

If you want to stay young, sit down and have a good think. This is the research finding of a team of Japanese doctors, who say that most of our brains are not getting enough exercise and, as a result, we are growing old unnecessarily soon.
Professor Taiju Matsuzawa wanted to find out why quite healthy in northern Japan appeared to be losing their ability to think and reason at a rather early age, and how the speed of getting old could be slowed down.
With a team of researchers at Tokyo National University, he set about measuring brain volumes of a thousand people of different ages with different jobs. Computer technology helped the researchers to get most exact measurements of the volume of the front and side parts of the brain, which have something to do with intellect and feelings, and decide the human character. As we all know, the back part of the brain, which controls task like eating and breathing, does not contract with age.
Contraction of front and side parts—as cells die off—was seen in some people in their thirties, but it was still not found in some sixty and seventy-year-olds.
Matsuzawa concluded from his tests that there is a simple way to prevent the contraction—using the head.
The findings show that contraction of the brain begins sooner in people in the country than in the towns. “Those with least possibility,” says Matsuzawa, “are lawyers, followed by university professors and doctors. White collar workers doing the same work day after day in government offices are, however, as possible to have contracting brains as the farm worker, bus driver and shop assistant.”
小題1:The team of doctors wanted to find out _____.
A.a(chǎn)t what point people grow mentally old
B.how to make people live longer
C.the size of certain people’s brains
D.which people are the most clever
小題2:Their research findings are based on _____.
A.a(chǎn)n examination of farmers in northern Japan
B.tests given on a thousand old people
C.examining the brain volumes of different people
D.using computer technology
小題3:The doctors’ tests show that _____.
A.our brains contract as we grow older
B.one part of the brain does not contract
C.sixty-year-olds have better brains than thirty-year-olds
D.some people’s brains have contracted earlier than other people’s
小題4:The most possible conclusion of the passage is that _____.
A.most of us take more exercise
B.it’s better to live in the town
C.the brain contracts if it is not used
D.the more one uses his brain, the sooner he becomes old

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科目:高中英語 來源:不詳 題型:閱讀理解

Scores on a national test released(發(fā)布)on November 1 show that students in the U.S.A. have improved in math over the last two years, but mostly stayed the same in reading. This year, 422,000 fourth graders and 343,000 eighth graders took the exams between January and March. Students were asked to read grade-appropriate(年級適合的) materials and answer questions for the reading test. For the math test, students answered questions about geometry, algebra, number properties, measurement and other topics.
The U.S Department of Education released the scores in a report called The Nation’s Report Card (NAEP). This year, students earned the highest scores ever recorded on the math exam, which has been given since 1990.Fourth graders scored an average of 241.That is a one-point increase from 2009and a 28-point increase from 1990. Eighth graders made similar progress. Then average score this year was 284,up one point from 2009 and 21 points from 1990.
In reading, fourth graders scored an average of 221 points, the same average score since 2007.That score is four points above those from 1992, when the first reading test was given. Eighth graders scored an average of 265 points, up one point from 2009 and five points from 1992.
Education experts say reading is a harder subject to improve in the classroom than math. While math is largely learned in classrooms, reading results depend on how much kids read outside of school and how much they read in other subjects, such as history and science.
On the NAEP, math scores were the highest among students who have limited use of calculators(計(jì)算器) during math lessons, compared with students who have unlimited use or no use. Reading scores were the highest among students who said they read for fun on their own time almost every day.
小題1:According to the test, students in the U.S.A _______________________.
A.do better in math than in reading
B.work harder at reading than at math
C.prefer to learn math in their spare time
D.a(chǎn)re more interested in reading than before
小題2:In 1990, the fourth graders’ average score on the math exam was about____________
A.238B.240C.213D.220
小題3:We can learn from the third paragraph that ______________.
A.eighth graders all took part in the test in 2007
B.reading scores have not improved much since 2007
C.eighth graders got higher scores than fifth graders
D.fourth graders’ scores are becoming lower and lower
小題4: What can we learn from the passage?
A.The first reading test was given in 1990.
B.Eighth graders’ average math score was 285 in 2009
C.Eighth graders got the same average as fourth graders in the reading this year
D.Reading is hard to improve in the classroom because that requires students to read a lot outside of school.

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