watch the brightly burning meteors passing through the sky.What they found instead was a sky so brightened by the city’s lights that it darkened the light of the meteors passing overhead.
“My family was so frustrated,” admitted town resident Duane Cosby, “We wanted to make this an unforgettable family outing,but it turned out to be a huge disappointments.” Astronomers---scientists
who
study
stars
and
planets----have been complaining about this problem for decades.They say that light pollution prevents them from seeing objects in the sky that they could see quite easily in the past.They call on people and the government to take measures to fight against it.
There is yet a population besides professional and amateur star observers that suffers even more from light pollution. This population consists of birds,bats frogs,snakes,etc. For example,outdoor lighting severely affects migrating(迁徙的)birds.According to the International Dark-Sky Association. “100 million birds a year throughout North America die in crashes with lighted buildings and towers.”
Countless more animals casualties(伤亡)result from the use of artificial lighting.Clearly,people enjoy the benefits of
- 1 -
lighting their evenings,but some scientists think it can be harmful for humans,too. They worry that exposure to light while sleeping can increase person’s chances of getting cancer.
Emerald Valley is only one community that is becoming aware of the negative effects of hight pollution.For years,Flagstaff,Arizona,has enforced lighting regulations in its city in order to assist astronomers at the Lowell Observatory.Similar efforts have been made worldwide,and a movement is underway to remind us to turn off lights when we are not using them,so that other creatures can share the night.
41.It happened last night that
A.the city’s lights affected the meteor watching B.the meteors flew past before being noticed C.the city light show attracted many people D.the meteor watching ended up a social outing 42.What do the astronomers complain about?
A.Meteor showers occur less often than before B.Their observation equipment is in poor repair C.Light pollution has remained unsolved for years D.Their eyesight is failing due to artificial lighting
- 1 -
43.What the author concerned about according to Paragraph 4?
A.Birds may take other migration paths B.Animal’living habits may change suddenly C.Varieties of animals will become sharply reduced D.Animals’survival is threatened by outdoor lighting 44.Lighting regulations in Flagstaff,Arizona are put into effect to
A.Lessen the chance of getting cancer B.create an ideal observation condition C.ensure citizens a good sleep at night D.enable all creatures to live in harmony
45.What message does the author most want to give us?
A.Saving wildlife is saving ourselves
B.Great efforts should be made to save energy C.Human activities should be environmentally friendly D.New equipment should be introduced for space study
41.【答案】A
【解析】根据第一段最后一句a sky so brightened by the city’s lights that it darkened the light of the meteors passing overhead可知答案为A。
- 1 -
42.【答案】C
【解析】文中第三段话have been complaining about this problem for decades,第一段话就提到了光线太亮,这句话后边又提到了light pollution。结合选项,选C。 43.【答案】D
【解析】第四段第一句就告诉我们除了专业及业余的观星者之外,还有些群体也收到了光污染的影响。而这些群体指的就是birds、bats等动物。D项的意思是:“动物的生存受到户外灯光的影响。” 44.【答案】B
【解析】根据文章最后一段in order to assist astronomers at the Lowell Observatory,可知答案为B。 45.【答案】C
【解析】文中作者反复强调光污染问题对人类的一些活动和动物的影响。这显然是强调环境问题。
C.
Poet William Stafford once said that we are defined more by the detours(绕行路)in life that by the narrow road toward goals.I like this image.But I as quite by accident that I discovered the deep meaning of his words.
For years we made the long drive from our home in Seattle to my parents’ home in Boise in nine hours.We traveled the
- 1 -
way most people do:the fastest,shortest easiest
road,especially when ai was alone with four noisy,restless kids who hates confinement(限制)and have strong opinions about everything.
Road trips felt risky,so I would drive fast,stopping only when I had to.We would stick to the freeways and arrive tired. But then Banner,our lamb was born.He was rejected by his mama days before our planned trip to Boise.I had two choices:leave Banner with my husband,or take him with me.My husband made the decision for me.
That is how I found my self on the road with four kids,a baby lamb and nothing but my everlasting optimism to see me through.We took the country roads out of necessity.We had to stop every hour,let Banner shke out his legs and feed him.The kids chased him and one another.They’d get back in the car breathless and energized,smelling fresh from the cold air. We explored side roads,catching grasshoppers in waist-high grass.Even if we simply looked out of the car windows at baby pigs following their mother,or fish leaping out of the water,it was better than the best ride down the freeway. Here was life.And new horizons(见识).
We eventually arrived at my parents’doorstep astonishingly
- 1 -