Question

Tuvalu, a tiny country in the Pacific Ocean, has asked for help as it fears it will be swallowed up by the sea.

Storms and huge waves are a constant threat and none of Tuvalu’s nine little islands is more than five meters above sea level. Salt water is already entering the country’s drinking water supply as well as damaging plants that produce fruit and vegetable. Without urgent help, the country’s days are numbered.

But Tuvalu is not the first place to face sinking into the sea. Venice, a historic city in Italy best known for its canals, has sunk about 24 cm over the past 100 years. Experts say that it will have sunk another 20~50 cm by 2050.A century ago, St. Mark’s Square, the lowest point in the city, flooded about nine times a year. Nowadays, it happens more than 100 times. While Venice is slowly sinking into the mud on which it stands, Tuvalu’s rising sea level is caused by global warming.

The average global temperature has increased by almost 0.5 centigrade degrees over the past century; scientists expect it to rise by extra 1~3 degrees over the next 100 years.

Warmer weather makes glaciers melt, adding more water to the ocean. The warmer temperatures also make water expand, so it takes up more space, causing the sea level to rise. The sea level has risen about 10~25 cm in the last 100 years.

The main cause of global warming is human pollution. Through burning coal, oil and gas, people have been increasing the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as CO₂.This adds to the power of the greenhouse effect, making the planet even warmer.

Many scientists believe that if the warming is not stopped, there will be huge climate changes. The sea level could rise by one meter this century.

Should this come true, the sea would swallow up millions of homes and the world will be flooded with “climate refugees” looking for somewhere to live.

1. We can infer from the second paragraph that __________.

A. Tuvalu is in danger of being swallowed up by the sea

B. all Tuvalu’s islands are about five meters above the sea level

C. drinking water in Tuvalu has been destroyed

D. Tuvalu is often flooded by storms and waves

2. Put the following events in the right order.

a. Glaciers begin to melt.

b. People burn coal, oil and gas.

c. The greenhouse effect is growing.

d. The earth is getting warmer and warmer.

e. The sea level is rising.

f. More CO₂ is produced.

g. Many places are sinking into the sea.

A. d,f,b,c,a,e,g　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. b,f,c,d,e,a,g

C. f,c,b,d,a,e,g　　　　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. b,f,c,d,a,e,g

3 What does “climate refugees” mean?

A. People who are forced away from their homeland by climate.

B. Climate changes.

C. Rare animals.

D. Climate effect.

4. Which of the following is Not true according to the passage?

A. Tuvalu’s nine little islands are less than five meters above the sea level.

B. The average global temperature has risen by 1~3 centigrade degrees over the past 100 years.

C. The warmer temperature causes the sea level to rise.

D. There will be huge climate changes unless the warming is stopped.

 

Answer 1

答案：A;D;A;B
解析：

1.       参见第一段 2.       参见第五六段 3.       climate refugee气候难民，指那些因为气候原因被迫离家的人 4.       参见第四段，在过去的一百年中上升了0.5度，科学家预计在未来的100年中会上升1～3度。

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