Question

【题目】 Geography is the study of Earth and its climates. Scientists use it to study global warming and track the weather. Governments use it to learn where people live and work and to plan what to do with the land. It is now easier than ever to use geography because of a science called space technology.

The United States launched its first satellite in 1958. Some space missions that followed were geographical studies. In fact, earth science is a big part of the work of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Astronauts looked out of the space shuttle. They decided to take photographs of Earth from their vantage point. Over the years, picture quality improved. Shuttle photography now shows land features, such as rivers. It can even show the streets of large cities. Photos of the same places at different times show how the land is changing.

NASA does not use just photographs, though. In 1958 it launched TIROS (the Television Infrared Observation Satellite). This first use of a satellite to study Earth was effective in giving weather forecasts. It led to the creation of new space tools to use in geography.

The Landsat Program began in 1972. This satellite sent detailed views of Earth from space. The pictures were so precise that scientists could count the number and kinds of crops in a field. Landsat showed where Earth’s surface had faults along which earthquakes might happen. This information helped in the planning of new cities and factories. Landsat also made discoveries. In Antarctica it located ranges of unknown mountains. It pinpointed small lakes in Virginia that were no ton maps. Landsat, now more advanced, still flies today.

Another space tool is Earth Observing-1 (EO-1). This spacecraft flies right behind Landsat. It takes pictures of the same sites. The two sets of pictures, viewed together, show how cities grow and how other places, such as rain forests, become smaller over time. This helps scientists learn how people affect geography.

One of the newest space tools is the Geographical Information Systems (GIS). GIS is computer software that helps scientists to study Earth. GIS is different from earlier space tools. Businesses, schools, and even average people — not just the government —can use it to show them how changes in the planet might affect them.

【1】Why do governments study geography according to the passage?

A.To improve the environment.B.To make the land use plan.

C.To make new discoveries.D.To count the crops in a field.

【2】Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A.The U.S. satellite program began in 1972.B.Landsat was able to take pictures of other planets.

C.TIROS was successful in giving weather forecasts.D.GIS can only be used by the government.

【3】From the passage, we can infer that ________.

A.GIS is the newest computer to study Earth

B.NASA only depends on photos to study Earth

C.satellite pictures can give more detailed information

D.recent U.S. satellites are as advanced as the old ones

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】B

【2】C

【3】C

【解析】

短文大意：本文是科技类阅读，介绍了观测卫星在地理研究方面的应用，以美国为例重点介绍了几种地球观测卫星的应用特点。

【1】题意：根据文章，政府为什么要学习研究地理？考查细节理解。A. 改善环境。B. 制定土地利用规划。C. 做出新的发现。D. 计算田地里的庄稼。根据第一段“Governments use it to learn where people live and work and to plan what to do with the land. 政府利用它来了解人们在哪里生活和工作，并计划如何利用土地”，可知选B。

【2】题意：根据文章，下列哪个选项是正确的？考查细节判断。A. 美国的卫星计划始于1972年；根据“The United States launched its first satellite in 1958 …The Landsat Program began in 1972”可知说法错误。B. Landsat能够拍摄其他行星的照片；根据“This satellite sent detailed views of Earth from space”可知说法错误。C. TIROS成功地做了天气预报；根据“In 1958 it launched TIROS (the Television Infrared Observation Satellite). This first use of a satellite to study Earth was effective in giving weather forecasts”可知说法正确。D. GIS只能由政府使用；根据最后一句“Businesses, schools, and even average people-not just the government-can use it to show them how changes in the planet might affect them”可知说法错误。综合以上分析，故选C。

【3】题意：从文中，我们可以推断________。考查推理判断。A. GIS是研究地球的最新计算机；根据“One of the newest space tools is the Geographical Information Systems”可知说法错误。B. 美国宇航局只依靠照片来研究地球；根据“NASA does not use just photographs, though”可知说法错误。C. 卫星图片可以提供更详细的信息；根据“Over the years, picture quality improved”，结合本段及第五段的描述，可知卫星图片可以提供更详细的信息，说法正确。D. 最近的美国卫星和旧的一样先进；根据“GIS is different from earlier space tools. Businesses, schools, and even average people-not just the government-can use it to show them how changes in the planet might affect them”可知GIS优于早期的空间工具，说法错误。综合以上分析，故选C。