In a natural disaster—a hurricane, flood, volcanic eruption, or other catastrophes—minutes and even seconds of warning can make the difference between life and death.Because of this, scientists are working to use the latest technological advances to predict when and where disasters will happen.They are also studying how best to analyze and communicate this information once it is obtained.
On September 29, 1998, Hurricane Georges made landfall in Biloxi, Mississippi, after damaging Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and several islands of the Caribbean badly with torrential rains and winds up to 160 km per hour.Few people lost their lives along the Gulf Coast of the United States, although hundreds died in the Caribbean.
This was a very different outcome from 1900, when a powerful Gulf Coast hurricane made an unexpected direct hit on Galveston, Texas, killing at least 6,000 people.
Vastly improved hurricane warnings explain the different circumstances at either end of the 20th century——residents of Galveston had no advance warning that a storm was approaching, while residents of Biloxi had been warned days in advance, allowing for extensive safety precautions(预防).
At the same time that people in Biloxi were thankful for the advance warning, some residents of New Orleans, Louisiana were less satisfied.A day before Georges made landfall, forecasters were predicting that the hurricane had a good chance of striking New Orleans.Because much of New Orleans lies below sea level, the city is at risk for flooding.Emergency management officials must begin evacuations(疏散)well before a storm strikes.But evacuation costs money: businesses close, tourists leave, and citizens take precautionary measures.The mayor of New Orleans estimated that his city' s preparations for Georges cost more than 50 million.After Georges missed New Orleans, some residents questioned the value of the hurricane forecasts in the face of such high costs.
The different views on the early warnings for Hurricane Georges show some of the complexities related to predicting disasters.Disaster prediction is a process of providing scientific information to the government officials and other decision makers who must respond to those predictions.
【小题1】What is the purpose of disaster prediction according to the passage?
A.To identify the cause of disasters. |
B.To save people' s lives and property. |
C.To prevent natural disasters from happening, |
D.To apply advanced technology to disaster prediction. |
A.Puerto Rico. | B.New Orleans. |
C.Biloxi, Mississippi. | D.Galveston, Texas. |
A.the forecast hurricane did not hit the city |
B.the hurricane warning arrived rather late |
C.their preparations were made in vain |
D.they suffered from a heavy hurricane attack |
A.The different ways of disaster prediction. |
B.Technological advances in disaster prediction. |
C.The importance and uncertainty of disaster prediction. |
D.The benefits and preparations of disaster prediction. |
科目:高中英语 来源:2011届江西省高三六校联考英语卷 题型:阅读理解
Vans, Keds, Dollies—they sound like the names of rock bands, but if you have teenagers, you'll know they're actually the latest in teenage footwear.
But experts are now warning that the current shoe fashions will be causing teenagers discomfort in the short term and storing up years of foot, knee and back pain in the future.
Here, the experts identify the problems caused by teenagers' shoe choice.
KEDS/VANS
Slip-on shoes with elastic (弹性的)sides are particularly popular among teenage boys - with Keds and Vans the most sought-after brands.
The main problem is that they are just too flat—so flat that the heel, which strikes the ground first, also becomes damaged and painful.
BALLET PUMPS
The worst shoes of all are such light and thin dolly shoes. The problem is partly their flatness, as with Keds and Vans. However ballet pumps, which have no string or heel, have other specific problems.
“As the shoe has no fastening device, it relies on the toes to keep the shoe on, causing an awkward gait(步法), this leads to short- and long-term problems such as calluses(茧子), heel and knee pain.”
WEDGES AND STILETTOS
These shoes can also cause problems with gait. They may look good, but the heels on these are so high they can force the wearer's body weight forward, making them very unstable.
Teens who wear these shoes regularly are also in danger of joining those millions of women with constant back pain.
SCHOOL SHOES
So what do podiatrists(足科医生)have on their wish list, especially for everyday wear?
Something in a natural, breathable fabric, with a string to hold it on, with a small heel and a deep toe-box that does not press the toes, such as Clark's, Marks & Spencer or Rhino.
If your teen insists on wearing 'bad' shoes, get them some simple foot orthotics(矫形器) in the shoes. These support and correct the movement of the foot and, properly fitted by a podiatrist, can often transform their walk and halt the damage.
【小题1】 Of all the shoes mentioned in the passage, which can cause the worst problems?
A.Marks & Spencer. | B.Wedges & Stilettos. |
C.Keds and Vans. | D.Ballet Pumps. |
A.increase | B.worsen | C.stop | D.cure |
A.trendy shoes may ruin teenagers’ health |
B.fashionable shoes all have orthotics in them |
C.experts are strongly against wearing popular shoes |
D.podiatrists are expert at producing branded shoes |
A.Sports. | B.Science. | C.Health. | D.Shopping. |
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科目:高中英语 来源:贵州省遵义市2010届高三考前最后一次模拟测试英语试题 题型:阅读理解
Tamiflu does not kill but prevents H1N1 from further proliferation (繁衍) till the virus limits itself in about 1-2 weeks (its natural cycle).H1N1, like other Influenza A viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tract and proliferates (only) there.The only way of entry are the nostrils(鼻孔) and mouth/ throat.In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1.
Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, some very simple steps can be practiced:
1.Frequent hand-washing.
2."Hands-off-the-face" approach.Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat or bathe).
3.Gargle(漱口) twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt).H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms.Simple gargling prevents proliferation.In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one.Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4.Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrilsat least once every day with warm salt water,Which is very effective in bringing down viral population.
5.Strengthen your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C .If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6.Drink as much of warm liquids as you can.Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction.They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
7.All these are simple ways to prevent, within means of most households, and certainly much less painful than to wait in long queues outside public hospitals.
1.What part of a person’s body do H1N1flu viruses mainly infect?
A.one’s lung B.the upper respiratory tract
C.one’s heart D.one’s throat and lung
2.H1N1 flu viruses go into our bodies by ________.
A.touching B.diet C.breathing D.dirt
3.What does the underlined word “underestimate” mean ?
A.assign too low a value to
B.drop the cost of
C.pay more attention to
D.calculate the number of money
4.The author presents this passage by ______.
A.telling an interesting story B.testing an idea by reasoning
C.introducing some practical methods D.describing some activities in a natural order
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科目:高中英语 来源:2015届江苏新马高级中学高一下期期末考试英语卷(解析版) 题型:阅读理解
A few years ago, I took a sightseeing trip to Washington, D.C.Standing outside the Ronald Reagan Center, I heard a voice say, “Can you help me?” When I turned around, I saw an elderly blind woman with her hand extended.In a natural reflex (反应), I reached into my pocket, pulled out all of my loose change and placed it on her hand without even looking at her.I was annoyed at being bothered by a beggar.But the blind woman smiled and said, “I don’t want your money.I just need help finding the post office.
In an instant, I realized what I had done.I judged another person simply for what I assumed she had to be.I hated what I saw in myself.This incident re-awakened my belief in humility (谦恭), even though I’d lost it for a moment.
The thing I had forgotten about myself is that I am an immigrant.I left Honduras and arrived in the U.S.at the age of 15.I started my new life with two suitcases, my brother and sister, and a strong, serious-minded mother.Through the years, I have been a dishwasher, mechanic and pizza delivery driver among many other humble jobs, and eventually I became a network engineer.
In my own life, I have experienced many open acts of prejudice (偏见).I remember a time, at age 17 — I worked as a waiter, and I heard a father tell his little boy that if he did not do well in school, he would end up like me.I have also witnessed the same treatment of my family and friends, so I know what it’s like, and I should have known better.
But now, living in my American middle-class lifestyle, it is too easy to forget my past, to forget who I am and where I have been, and to lose sight of where I want to be going.That blind woman on the streets of Washington, D.C., cured me of my blindness.She reminded me of my belief in humility and to always keep my eyes and heart open.By the way, I helped that lady to the post office.And in writing this essay, I hope to thank her for the priceless lesson.
1.We can learn from the first two paragraphs that____________________.
A.the author regretted his act of prejudice
B.the blind woman needed the money badly
C.the author was as poor as the blind woman
D.the author was a native American
2.According to Paragraph 4, hearing the father’s words, the author was probably_____.
A.rather hurt B.very excited C.deeply moved D.greatly inspired
3.According to the passage, the author probably agrees that one should________.
A.be nice to the elderly and the disabled
B.try to experience different kinds of life
C.treat others equally with love and respect
D.think about one’s past as often as possible
4.Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
A.Learn from Your Past B.How My Dream Comes True
C.A Belief That Will Never Change D.A Priceless Lesson in the Street
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科目:高中英语 来源:浙江省09-10学年度高一下学期期中考试试题(英语) 题型:阅读理解
We are often asked to make a speech in life. Most of us are afraid of it and don’t do a good job. Here are some simple steps to make your speech a successful one. First of all, find out everything you can about your subject and at the same time find out as much as you can about your audience. Who are they? What do they know about your subject? Put yourself in their shoes as you prepare your speech. Then try to arrange your material so that your speech is clear and easy to follow. Use as many examples as possible. Never forget your audience. Don’t talk over their heads or talk down to them. When you are giving your speech, speak slowly and clearly, look at your audience and pause for a few seconds from time to time to give your audience chances to think over what you’ve said. Just remember: be prepared, know your subject and your audience, say what you have to say and be yourself so that your ideas will bring you and your audience together.
60. When he is giving his speech, the speaker should ___________.
A. let his eyes rest on the subject B. follow the audience step by step
C. face the audience in a natural way D. look up and down from time to time
61. During the course of a speech, it is not right for a speaker to ___________.
A. think nothing of the audience B. speak in a clear voice
C. take a short stop at times D. give a lot of examples
62. What does the underlined word “pause” mean in the passage?
A. listen B. stop C. choose D. search
63. Which title best gives the main idea of the passage?
A. How to Remember the Audience
B. How to Pick out the Topic for a Speech
C. How to Prepare the Material for a Speech
D. How to Improve Your Speech
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科目:高中英语 来源:天津市2010届高三第八次统练(英语) 题型:阅读理解
People turn to magic chiefly as a form of insurance—that is, they use it along with actions that actually bring results. For example, hunters may use a hunting charm (咒语). But they also use their hunting skills and knowledge of animals. The charm may give hunters the extra confidence they need to hunt even more successfully than they would without it. If they shoot a lot of game (猎物), they credit the charm for their success. Many events happen naturally without magic. Crops grow without it, and sick people get well without it.But if people use magic to bring a good harvest or to cure a patient, they may believe the magic was responsible.
People also tend to forget magic’s failures and to be impressed by its surface successes. They may consider magic successful if it appears to work only 10 percent of the time. Even when magic fails, people often explain the failure without doubting the power of the magic. They may say that the magician made a mistake in reciting the spell or that another magician cast a more powerful spell against the magician.
Many anthropologists (人类学家) believe that people have faith in magic because they feel a need to believe in it. People may turn to magic to reduce their fear and uncertainty if they feel they have no control over the outcome of a situation. For example, farmers use knowledge and skill when they plant their fields. But they know that weather, insects, or diseases might ruin the crops. So farmers in some societies may also plant a charm or perform a magic rite (仪式) to ensure a good harvest.
1. From the passage, we can learn that the writer of the passage may be _______.
A. a hunter B. a farmer
C. a magician D. an anthropologist
2. Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage?
A. Magic And Hunting.
B. Magic And Farming.
C. Why Magic Works?
D. Why People Believe in Magic?
3. The underlined word “spell” (Paragraph 2) most likely means ______.
A. magic words B. magic events
C. words or expressions D. magicians
4. People believe in magic because________.
A. magic powers are greater than natural powers
B. magic can turn dreams into reality
C. they are not sure of themselves
D. magic can bring good results
5. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Even though magic fails, believers in magic will explain the reason.
B. Believers in magic usually overstate the power of magic.
C. People use magic to reduce their uncertainty and give them extra confidence.
D. Magic can solve problems people can’t deal with in a natural way.
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