书城外语《21世纪大学英语》配套教材.阅读.1
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第38章 Hotho us e Earth(4)

Industrial emissions have been blamed as the major cause of acid rain. Becausethe chemical reactions involved in the production of acid rain in the atmosphere arecomplex and as yet little has been understood,industries have tended to challenge suchassessments and to stress the need for further studies; and because of the cost ofpollution reduction,governments have tended to support this attitude. Studies releasedby the U. S. government in the early 1980s,however,strongly indicated industries asthe main source of acid rain,in the eastern U. S. and Canada.

1. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word“ yield”( para. 1 ) ?

A. cause B. introduce C. exceed D. produce

2. What does the word“ deposition”( para. 1) most probably refer to?

A. a substance left as a result of a natural process

B. something that is developed in the laboratory

C. a liquid that can be obtained in the mountains

D. a chemical that is used in the laboratory

3. Which of the following expressions can best explain the word“ erode”( para. 2) ?

A. carry away B. clear away C. wear away D. give away

4. What is the topic of the second paragraph?

A. The formation of acid rain.

B. The widespread damage of acid rain.

C. The increasing awareness of acid rain.

D. The cause of acid rain.

5. Why is acid rain little understood?

A. Because it takes place less frequently than before.

B. Because the chemical reactions involved in its formation are complex.

C. Because the governments ban researches into acid rain.

D. Because only a few countries are profoundly affected by acid rain.

( 3)

Greenpeace is an international environmental organization devoted to preservingthe earth??s natural resources and its diverse plant and animal life. The organizationcampaigns against nuclear weapons testing,environmental pollution,and harmfulpractices in fishing,hunting and other industries.

Greenpeace was founded in Vancouver British Columbia,Canada,in 1971 bymembers of the Don??t Make a Wave Committee,a small group opposed to nuclearweapons testing by the United States military in Alaska. The group renamed itselfGreenpeace to reflect the broader goal of creating a green and peaceful world.Greenpeace won fame for its daring efforts intended to attract media attention toenvironmental issues. Greenpeace members in rubber boats have stopped whalingexpeditions by positioning themselves between the whales and hunters??weapons. Theyused similar strategies in Newfoundland to protest the killing of baby harp seals,whose soft white fur is highly valued by clothing manufacturers. The organization iswell known for climbing corporation??s skyscrapers and factory??s tall chimneys to hangprotest banners.

Greenpeace??s radical style has often led to conflicts with corporations,localauthorities,and even national governments. In 1985 the Greenpeace ship RainbowWarrior,on a voyage to protest French nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific,sank ina New Zealand port,and the crew photographer ,Fernando Pereira,got killed. Later,it was found out that something had been done by secret agents of the French militaryto the ship to cause the accident. The resulting scandal rocked the highest level of theFrench government,leading to the resigning of Defense Minister Charles Hernu andthe dismissal of general Pierre Lacoste,director of the French Secret Service.During the 1990 s Greenpeace has been troubled by internal disagreements overpolitical strategy. Some members insist on a radical approach,emphasizing civildisobedience and physical confrontation. Other members,including the organization??sleaders,are convinced that Greenpeace must work cooperatively with the companiesand industries that have been its targets in the past.

1. Which of the following can best replace the word“daring”( para. 3) ?

A. glamorous B. dangerous

C. courageous D. disastrous

2. What does the expression“ radical approach”( para. 5) probably refer to?

A. extreme measure B. careless remark

C. offensive language D. decisive blow

3. What is the purpose of founding Greenpeace?

A. To stop all the nuclear weapons testing in the world.

B. To prevent people from hunting wild animals,including whales.

C. To encourage people to grow green plants.

D. To create a green and peaceful environment.

4. Why is Greenpeace worldwide famous?

A. Because it is often involved in conflicts with local or even nationalgovernments.

B. Because it often campaigns in a brave way against any harmful practices.

C. Because one of its ships sank in a New Zealand port with one photographerdrowned.

D. Because its members climb up skyscrapers or tall chimneys to hang banners.