Now scientists believe that global warming af...

Now scientists believe that global warming affects hibernating(冬眠的) animals, causing them to wake up earlier. While this may seem a little concern, it is in fact a significant environmental problem. The shortened hibernation (冬眠) period could actually lead to significant declines in the populations of several species.

Some of the first concrete evidence of the phenomenon came from Colorado, where researchers at the Rocky Mountain Biological lab have been observing marmot（旱獭） hibernation behavior since the 1970s. In the early days of their studies, marmots generally hibernated several weeks into the month of May. Nowadays, however, temperatures in the area have risen by 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit(华氏度), and the marmots are waking up about a month earlier.

At least the marmots are still hibernating. Several other animals have not been hibernating at all recently. Brown bears in the Spanish Cantabrian Mountains did not hibernate last year. In parts of the United States, chipmunks （花鼠） also skipped the hibernation period. The bears seem to have survived without losing many individuals. The chipmunks, however, were not so lucky. Many of the animals died of starvation during the winter.

The problem with animals waking up early, or skipping hibernation altogether, lies with the creatures’ metabolism（新陈代谢）. When an animal hibernates, their metabolism drops significantly. The animals’ heart rate slows, and they require very little energy to live. When the animals awake from their winter slumber, their metabolism returns to normal.

But while their metabolism may be as active as it was before hibernation, food sources aren’t as available as they were before. A marmot may wake up when temperatures get warmer, thinking it’s spring, but plants will not have gotten the amount of sun they need to signal their spring period of growth. So until the plants grow, the marmots have no reliable food source.

Many scientists believe the problem will continue to get worse. In addition to changes in hibernation patterns, some believe that other animals will also begin to change their migration patterns or begin to give birth earlier. For many biologists, that’s a scary prospect. Terry Root, an animal expert at Stanford University, said: “I do think what we will be facing is the extinction of many species."

1.What is the viewpoint of the writer?

A. Global warming will continue to get worse as time goes on.

B. Global warming will lead to shortened hibernation of some animals.

C. Shortened hibernation will result in declines in the population of animals.

D. Some animals will skip hibernation altogether.

2.The writer sets the example of the marmot so as to ________.

A. explain that global warming influences animals’ hibernation

B. indicate that the weather gets warmer and warmer now

C. show that the weather in the United States is quite different

D. say some animals do not hibernate now due to warm weather

3.Why can’t marmots find enough food when they wake up?

A. Because there are too many marmots in the wild now.

B. Because plants haven’t received enough sunlight for spring growth.

C. Because winter days end much earlier than before.

D. Because more and more animal species skip hibernation now.

4.Terry Root holds a(n) ________ attitude towards the future of animals.

A. optimistic        B. doubtful        C. pessimistic        D. sensitive

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Now scientists believe that global warming affects hibernating animals, causing them to wake up earlier. _______ this may seem a little concern, it is in fact a significant environmental problem. The _______ hibernation period could actually lead to significant declines in the populations of several species.

Some of the first concrete evidence of the _______ came from Colorado, where researchers at the Rocky Mountain Biological lab have been observing marmot (旱獭) hibernation behavior since the 1970s. In the early days of their studies, marmots generally hibernated several weeks into the month of May. Nowadays, _______, temperatures in the area have risen by 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit, and the marmots are waking up about a month _______.

At least the marmots are _______ hibernating. Several other animals have not been hibernating at all recently. Brown bears in the Spanish Cantabrian Mountains did not hibernate last year. In parts of the United States, chipmunks (花鼠) also _______ the hibernation period. The bears seem to have _______ without losing many individuals. The chipmunks, however, were not so _______. Many of the animals died ________ starvation during the winter.

The problem with animals waking up early, or skipping hibernation altogether ________ the creatures' metabolism (新陈代谢). When an animal hibernates, their metabolism drops significantly. The animals' heart rate ________, and they require very little energy to live. When the animals awake from their winter slumber (睡眠), their metabolism returns to ________.

But while their metabolism may be as active as it was before hibernation, food sources aren't as ________ as they were before. A marmot may wake up when temperatures get ________, thinking it's spring, but plants will not have gotten the amount of sun they need to signal their spring period of growth. So until the plants grow, the marmots have no ________ food source.

Many scientists believe the problem will continue to get ________. ________ changes in hibernation patterns, some believe that other animals will also begin to change their migration patterns or begin to give birth earlier. For many biologists, that's a ________ prospect. Terry Root, an animal expert at Stanford University, said: "I do think what we will be facing is the ________ of many species."

1.A.When B.But C.While D.So

2.A.increased B.shortened C.declined D.spread

3.A.phenomenon B.atmosphere C.circumstance D.situation

4.A.but B.so C.therefore D.however

5.A.later B.earlier C.longer D.before

6.A.still B.thus C.never D.not

7.A.entered B.failed C.skipped D.lost

8.A.died B.lived C.survived D.existed

9.A.delighted B.lucky C.mild D.refreshed

10.A.from B.in C.with D.of

11.A.lie down B.lie with C.get into D.get along with

12.A.decreases B.slows C.stops D.falls

13.A.abnormal B.average C.ordinary D.normal

14.A.available B.rich C.full D.enough

15.A.hotter B.better C.cooler D.warmer

16.A.steady B.reliable C.casual D.fixed

17.A.unfortunate B.harmful C.disappointed D.worse

18.A.In addition to B.As a result of C.Due to D.In spite of

19.A.desperate B.hopeful C.scary D.eager

20.A.survival B.tendency C.existence D.extinction

高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Many scientists believe that global warming, if       , will cause extreme climate changes this century.

A．not stopping         B．no stop             C．not stopped         D．without stop

高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析

Most scientists are now certain that global warming is taking place．Gases such as carbon

dioxide produced by burning of coal, oil, wood, together with industrial pollution, are creating a

warm blanket around the earth．This blanket is trapping heat in the atmosphere and so raising the

temperature of the earth.

The evidence for global warming can now be seen in the world’s changing climate statistics．In

Europe, eight of the last ten years have seen record high temperature．For northern Europe, this has

generally been a change for the better．Gardens can even now grow tropical（热带的） plants in

England, though London may never see a “White Christmas” again．On the other hand, the

countries around the Mediterranean Sea, and those south of the Sahara desert are receiving even

less rain than before．In sub-Saharan Africa the crops are drying out in the fields and people are

dying of starvation．In the Americas, the climate is becoming more extreme ---the summers are

getting hotter and hotter and the storms are becoming more violent．In 1999 the southern United

States was struck by a series of destructive hurricanes, while the end of 1999 saw the worst floods

ever in Venezuela．Meteorologists（气象学家） expect such trends to continue, and indeed to

worsen, if global warming cannot be halted(终止).

In addition to worrying about rising global temperatures and more extreme weather conditions,

scientists are closely monitoring（监测）sea levels around the world．These are slowly rising, as the northern and southern polar ice-caps start to melt．This will have serious consequences for low-lying countries near the sea, such as the coral islands in the Pacific, and Bangladesh where the River Ganges already folds the delta(三角洲) every year．Already parts of these places are disappearing under the rising tides.

Title: Global Warming

高三英语任务型阅读中等难度题查看答案及解析

Global warming could make humans shorter. Scientists claim to have found evidence that it caused the world's first horses　 1.　　 （shrink） nearly 50 million years ago. In fact,a team from the universities of Florida and Nebreaks says　　 2.　　 has found a link between the Earth heating up and the size of mammals-homes，during the last time the world heated up. The scientists used fossils to follow the evolution of homes from their earliest 3.　　 （appear) 56 million years ago. As temperatures went up．their size went 4. . The scientists say that the current warming could have the same effect　 5.　 mammals and could even make humans 6.　 （small）．“Horses started out small，about the size of a small dog. What's 7.　 （surprise）is that after they first appeared，they then became even smaller and then dramatically increased in size, and that8.（exact）corresponds to the global warming event, followed by cooling.”"It had been known that mammals　 9. small during the last warm time， 10.　 we hadn't realized that temperature specifically was driving the evolution of body size”Dr. Bloch said in the "Science”journal.

高三英语语法填空简单题查看答案及解析

As to the long-term effects of global warming some believe that the damage has been done, ______________________.

A. otherwise we take steps to make up now

B. now that we take steps to make up

C. whether we take steps to make up now or not

D. unless we take steps to make up now

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

When the natural climate changes due to global warming, it can surely affect seals (海豹). The majority of them live in the Antarctic region but the ice is melting and their natural habitat can be seriously affected. These changes don’t take place overnight. They can be the result of many years of additional temperatures in the area. The seals then have to find ways to adapt.

Seals depend on the cool air currents to bring plenty of food for them. When the temperatures get higher there is less and less food and the seal population starts to get depleted. Mothers are not healthy enough to feed their babies. Many of them end up abandoned as the mothers have to leave to find their own source of food.

The fact that their desire to produce young can be changed and the warmer temperature is frightening too. It is also believed that the warmer temperature can allow different diseases and viruses to attack the seals. This is a huge concern as they can rapidly wipe out huge numbers of seals out there.

However, these changes in climate and temperature aren’t all bad for other species of seals. Scientists have found that those living in warmer climates are producing more young due to the changes. Research also shows that the females are moving further to find food and water. When they are out of the reach of the governing males, they are more willing to accept the moves of other males in the group.

This is good news too because it means that there will be more selection in the gene pool (基因库) for future generations. It can help the seals as a species adapt to change in their natural environment more easily.

The climate change problem for seals is directly linked to humans. When we take action to change what we let out into the environment, we will make positive changes for the seals. However, it is going to take a very long time to reverse (彻底改变) the effects of what has already been done.

1.What does the author regard climate changes for seals as?

A.A mirror of evolution.

B.A double-edged sword.

C.An unavoidable disaster for existence.

D.A requirement for more choice in the gene pool.

2.What does the underlined phrase in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A.Explode. B.Vary.

C.Disappear. D.Decrease.

3.What will happen to the seals in warmer climates?

A.The female seals will be in the lead.

B.Their genes will change a great deal.

C.Their number will be on the increase.

D.The females will keep away from the males.

4.What’s the main idea of the text?

A.How climate change affects seals. B.The importance of protecting seals.

C.Seal’s adaptation to climate change. D.Why seals are becoming less and less.

高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

The health and welfare of every person in America will be affected by global warming, especially children, the elderly and the poor, according to a new White House science report.

The report said every region (地区) of the country will suffer worse health from heat waves and drought. All but a handful of states would have worse air quality and flooding. It predicts an increase in diseases spread by tainted (腐烂的) food, bad water and bugs (臭虫).

The report concludes that climate change causes real risk to human health and human system that supports the way of life in the United States.

Man-made global warming is caused by greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels. At current emission (放射) levels, global temperatures are likely to rise by about 2 degrees by midcentury and about 7.5 degrees by the end of the century.

The most vulnerable (脆弱的) Americans — the poor, elderly, sick, very young and immigrants — will suffer more. That’s at least 10 percent of the country’s population, probably more. It will be tougher for these people to get enough health care for climate-related illnesses, to cool down in heat waves, to escape extreme events such as Hurricane Katrina, and even to get enough food.

While every region of America is vulnerable to global warming’s health and welfare effects, more people are moving to coastal regions, which are most vulnerable to climate change because of drought and hurricanes.

1.According to the report, we learn all of the following will risk human’s health EXCEPT ______.

A. heat waves and drought

B. increase in the number of bugs

C. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions

D. global warming and climate change

2.What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2 mean?

A. All of states would suffer flooding.

B. Air quality in few states is not high.

C. About half of all states would have clear air.

D. Flooding would occur in almost all the states.

3. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A. Global warming is caused by human beings.

B. It is wise for the Americans to move into coastal regions.

C. Global temperatures are increasing year by year because of carbon dioxide.

D. At least one tenth of Americans are more likely to suffer climate-related illnesses.

4. The writer wrote this passage to ______.

A. explain how the phenomenon of global warming forms

B. protect the vulnerable Americans from suffering from diseases

C. provide evidence that global warming and climate change risk human’s health

D. warn every American of the danger of global warming to their health

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

If you believe in thermometers（温度计）,you should believe in global warming. And if you believe in eating fries with your burger, you should worry more about carbon emissions.

It won't happen overnight, but as the planet's climate changes, the growth cycles of main crops will all be heavily affected .Here are three of the crops that might not beat the heat.

The potato actually needs a great deal of beauty rest to develop properly. “They need a cool nighttime temperature in order to start growing the tuber, the part that we eat,” Nelson says.

Temperature and altitude are two primary concerns in coffee growth, and farmers are stuck between a rock and a hard place. “We know that coffee grows in a certain temperature range,” Nelson says. “They've been moving up the mountains, but at some paint you run out of mountains to move up.” Higher-grade strains of Arabica coffee in Central American regions are at particular risk due to the need for lower growing temperature, especially since diseases and pests are also becoming more of a factor as temperatures rise.

Even if you're looking at the direct effects of temperature alone, rice is in trouble. “As nighttime temperatures go up ,the rice is going to have a problem flowering and won't make as many seeds,” Nelson says. In addition to this direct heat consequence, rising sea levels will flood many rice fields and destroy water salinity levels, while droughts will lower production, raise prices, and further shame westerners who are too clumsy with chopsticks to be able to clear their plates once a new grain is adopted.

1.What is the closest meaning to the underlined word “emissions” in Paragraph 1?

A. Mixture.　　 B. Pollution.

C. Going down.　　 D. Letting off.

2.What does the potatoes' development need according to Nelson?

A. Enough water and salt.　　 B. Cool temperature at night.

C. Much sunshine and fresh air.　　 D. Sudden rise of the temperature.

3.The rice is difficult to flower, probably because______.

A. sea levels go up suddenly　　 B. the temperature rises at night

C. many seeds can't be produced　　 D. both temperature and altitude rise

4.What is the best title for the text?

A. How Does Global Warming Affect Westerners

B. How Does The Cool Temperature Affect Ride

C. What Is The Real Reason For Crops' Growth

D. Three Crops That Won't Survive Minor Climate Changes

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

(2013·浙江温州二模)Scientists have found evidence ________ global warming caused the world's first horses to become smaller nearly 50 million years ago.

A．what      B．that

C．which      D．whether

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析