Airborne dust is normally seen as an environm...

Airborne dust is normally seen as an environmental problem, but the lack of it is making air pollution over China considerably worse.

A new study suggests less dust means more solar radiation hits the land surface,which reduces wind speed. That lack of wind in turn leads to an accumulation of air pollution over heavily populated parts of China. The researchers found that reduced dust levels cause a 13% increase in human-made pollution in the region.

Hundreds of millions of people across China continue to be impacted by air pollution from factories and coal-fl red power plants. Studies suggest that the dirty、air contributes to 1.6 million deaths a year, about 17% of all mortalities. But this new research says that the human-induced pollution is being made worse or better by naturally occurring dust that blows in from the Gobi desert. Using models to simulate 150 years of wind and dust patterns in the region, the researchers found that the dust deflects significant amounts of sunlight. Without it, more heat from the Sun hits the land. Differences in the temperatures between land and sea cause the winds to blow. Without the dust, the land warms up more and that changes the temperature differential with the sea leading to weaker breezes - and more air pollution.

“There are two dust sources. One is the Gobi and the other is the highlands of north-west China, but we found the Gobi had much more influence," said lead author Yang Yang, from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington State, US. “Less dust in the atmosphere causes more solar radiation to reach the surface. It weakens the temperature difference between the land and the sea and impacts the circulation of the winds and causes a stagnation over eastern- China and that causes an accumulation of air pollution.”

Another study has recently shown a link between declining Arctic sea ice and a major air pollution event in China. The authors of the new study believe that both theories could be true.

“Our study has the same mechanism: the weakening of winds causes more pollution, and what is behind this needs to be studied/ said Yang Yang, “We have two views on this kind of weakening of wind. They found the sea ice, we found the dust-wind interaction can also lead to weakening of the wind. I think both of them are important.”

The researchers believe that the study may inform broader questions about how natural human-created aerosols interact.

Many parts of the world, in addition to China, are now suffering from increased levels of air pollution and understanding how dust, winds and emissions work together may help limit some of the worst impacts of dirty air.

One of the key lessons from this study is that the absence of dusty conditions could mean the air you are breathing is worse for you, not better.

1.According to the new study, the formation of air pollution over heavily populated parts of China is due to_________.

A.the accumulation of dust B.the shortage of wind

C.the high level of living standards D.the rise of temperature

2.Whats the right sequence of cause and effect leading to the air pollution?

①the worse circulation of the winds

②more heat from the sun

③lessening temperature between the land and the sea

④less dust

⑤a worse stagnation

A.④②③①⑤ B.①④②⑤③

C.④①③②⑤ D.①⑤②④③

3.What might Yang Yang agree with?

A.Lack of dust from the highlands of north-west China means we can breathe better air.

B.There is little connection between declining Arctic sea ice and air pollution in China.

C.Declining Arctic sea ice and dust-wind interaction can cause weakening of the wind.

D.The interaction between dust, winds and emissions can worse dusty conditions.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

We all have an idea about the common types of environmental problems. 1.But, the fact is, it does affect mankind, other living forms and the environment as a whole.

What is light pollution? 2.The obvious cause of light pollution is the use of outdoor lighting products improperly. It can be office lighting, car headlights, station lights, streetlights and many more.

3.Upon studies, it is found that obvious effects are observed in the behaviour of night animals, for bright light at night makes it difficult for these animals to hunt, wander and perform their regular activities. light pollution is directly or indirectly responsible for causing several plant diseases. Its effects are related to disturbance in the physical rhythm, which contributes to risks of developing cancer cells. So, it’s nothing less than a threat to human health.

You have already seen the negative effects of light pollution on creatures. Apart from this, the actual cost of misused light is about millions of dollars every year. It also leads to the release of greenhouse gases and global warming4.

While outdoor lighting and using man-made lighting products are part of our modern lifestyle, some simple ways will surely help in reducing light pollution. For example, while installing outdoor lighting, make sure that they are pointed downwards5. Believe it or not, many people living in the urban areas cannot view clear sky and stars at night. Let’s contribute our part in reducing the pollution.

A. Light pollution is harmful to both animals and plants.

B. It presents all forms of misused man-mad light.

C. After all, fuels are used for producing electricity

D. Also, use only the required lighting equipment for both home and offices.

E. Citizens should be forbidden to install outdoor lighting

F. Light pollution affects animals’ normal activities in the daytime.

G. However, light pollution may be a new term to many of us.

高三英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析

Life is stressful, and complaining may be considered by many as an extension of being________normal.

A. urgently　 　　　　　　　 B. absolutely　　　 　　　　 C. casually　　　　　　　 D. clumsily

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

An increasing part of the world is becoming artificially lit. Artificial light is often seen as a sign of progress: the march of civilization shines a light in the dark; it takes back the night. But some scientists argue that unnaturally bright nights are bad not just for astronomers but also for nocturnal (夜间的) animals and even for human health.

Now research shows the night is getting even brighter. From 2012 to 2016 the earth’s artificially lit area expanded by about 2.2 percent a year, according to a study published last November in Science Advances. However, the measurement does not include light from most of the energy–efficient LED lamps that have been replacing sodium-vapor (钠气灯) technology in cities all over the world ,says Christopher Kyba, a postdoctoral researcher at the German Research Center for Geosciences in Potsdam.

The new data came from a NASA satellite instrument called the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIRS). It can measure long wavelengths of light, such as those produced by traditional yellow-and-orange sodium-vapor street lamps. But VIIRS cannot see the short-wavelength blue light produced by white LEDs. This light has been shown to disturb human sleep cycles and nocturnal animals’ behavior.

The team believes the ongoing switch to LEDs caused already bright countries such as Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the U.S. to register as having stable levels of lighting in the VIIRS data. In contrast, most nations in South America, Africa and Asia brightened, suggesting increases in the use of traditional lighting.

In 2016, a study showed that one third of the world’s population currently lives under skies too bright to see the Milky Way at night. Between 2012 and 2016 the median nation pumped out 15 percent more long-wavelength light as its GDP increased by 13 percent. Overall, counties' total light production correlated with their GDP.

1.Which of the following can best describe artificial light?

A.Convenient but unnatural. B.Useful but energy-consuming.

C.Progressive but uncomfortable. D.Civilized but harmful.

2.What can we know about the already bright countries?

A.Traditional lighting is not used in those countries.

B.LED lights are increasingly used in those countries.

C.Efforts to reduce harmful light work in those countries.

D.People do enjoy stable lighting in those countries.

3.Why does the author mention “the median nation” in the last paragraph?

A.To show artificial light has an association with GDP.

B.To demonstrate GDP plays an important part in the median nation.

C.To stress the median nation was to blame for the light problem.

D.To suggest artificial light should be banned in the future.

4.Where is the passage most probably taken from?

A.A biology textbook. B.A book review.

C.A science magazine. D.A science fiction.

高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

A research by the National Center for Health Statistics is seen as an important confirmation of the“Hispanic mortality paradox（西班牙裔死亡率悖论）.”

On average，Hispanics outlive whites by 2.5 years and blacks by 7.7 years. Their life expectancy at birth in 2006 was 80.6 years，compared with 78.1 for whites，72.9 for blacks and 77.7 years for the total population.

The report shows that the Hispanic population has higher life expectancy at birth and at almost every age despite a socioeconomic status lower than that of whites.“Mortality is very correlated with income，education and health care access，”says Elizabeth Arias，author of the report.“You would expect the Hispanic population would have higher mortality，”in line with the black population.

The Hispanic paradox has been documented for more than two decades，but this is the first time the government has had enough data to issue national numbers. Researchers are struggling to explain why Hispanics live longer.

“We don’t know，”says David Hayes-Bautista，director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine.“We thought it was a problem in the data，but we can pretty much say this is real.”

Potential factors:

·Culture and lifestyle.  Support from extended family and lower rates of smoking and drinking.Latino groups in particular have very strong family and social ties.

·Migration.  The“healthy migrant effect”argues that healthy people are more likely to emigrate. And when immigrants become ill，they might return home and die there.

Solving the puzzle may help the nation deal with health care issues because Hispanics use health services less—they make fewer doctors visits and spend less time in hospitals，Hayes-Bautista says.“It’s clearly something in the Latino culture，”he says.

1.In 2006，Hispanics’life expectancy is ________ years longer than the average of the total population.

2.What does the underlined word“outlive”in the second paragraph probably mean？

3.What is the main idea of paragraph three？

4.What is Mr.Hayes-Bautista’s opinion about the paradox？

5.Which of the following inferences is true according to the passage？

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

In Australia, the bilby (兔耳袋狸) project is seen as an important part in protecting the nation’s wildlife. Bilbies are known for their long ears and large back legs. They usually sleep during the day, and are awake at night. They look a lot like rabbits and grow to about 2.5 kilograms.

For the first time in 2018, bilbies are running wild in Southeastern Australia. The small animals were once widespread across much of Australia, but were last observed in the wild in New South Wales state in 1912. Every year bilby populations continue to decrease. Wildlife experts are afraid that the bilby, a small marsupial, could eventually disappear forever, either because of land clearing or fires. Another reason is a threat from cats and foxes, which hunt down and kill bilbies.

In northern New South Wales state, environmentalists are celebrating what they are calling a historic moment. Thirty bilbies from a captive breeding program have been released into a large predator-free enclosed area north of Sydney. Without the protection of a 32-kilometer fence, experts say the animals probably would not survive.

Tim Allard heads the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, which is involved in the project. He says the release of these beloved animals is a big deal. “There are some remaining wild bilby populations, but they get predated upon heavily by feral cats and foxes. Bilbies only really survive behind fenced areas.” Allard said the point of doing this project is to return the countryside to what it used to be before Europeans arrived. “So in the not-too-distant future, you will be able to go inside the fenced areas and it will be like stepping back before Europeans turned up,” he said.

1.What is the main idea of paragraph 1?

A. The shape of the bilby. B. The habit of the bilby.

C. The weight of the bilby. D. The characteristics of the bilby.

2.The followings are the reasons for Bilbies’ disappearance EXCEPT ________?

A. Trees’ clearing. B. Fires’ bursting. C. Cats’ hunting. D. Foxes’ killing.

3.What docs the underlined word “enclosed” in paragraph 3 probably mean?

A. Involved. B. Protected. C. Hunted. D. Enlarged.

4.From Allard’s words, what do we know?

A. The release of bilbies can make much money.

B. Cats and foxes cause the decrease of bilbies.

C. Nature reserves are needed to protect bilbies.

D. Europeans shouldn’t turn up in the countryside.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

[1] Stress for a teenager is as real a problem as stress for an adult. Therefore, it’s important to understand the causes of stress in teenagers.

[2] When parents change their jobs or if the family decides to move to a different place, the child has to change schools, find new friends, adapt to the new social circle and fit into new groups. It is always difficult for children to adapt to such changes, which can be a serious cause of stress in their life.

[3] Academic difficulties, such as inability to understand a certain subject can cause stress. Not every child has the ability to understand every subject. Some kids need extra help besides school work to grasp a few concepts. Poor academic performance is often laughed at and is looked down upon by both teachers and peers. In such cases, it can make the child feel isolated, neglected and hurt. All of this, put together, can add to stress, which many times worsen grades.

[4] Extra curricular activities (课外活动) such as playing a sport, or attending art classes can weigh heavily on your child’s mind. Balancing school and extra curricular activities does seem like a burden when you have to be outstanding at both. When the pressures from both the ends get unmanageable, teenagers tend to get tired and annoyed. Tiredness sets in, leading to stress related issues such as lack of concentration in school.

[5] These are the common causes of stress in teenagers, which can be noticed through signs such as poor memory, anxiety, negative and pessimistic attitude. If the signs of teenage stress go unrecognized for a long time, it can make the child emotionally out of balance. And next step, if this happens, it is necessary for parents to know _________________.

1.What’s the main idea of the passage?

___________________________________________________________________________

2.Why poor academic performance causes stress for children? ( no more than 20 words)

___________________________________________________________________________

3. How can parents notice that their teenagers are under stress? (no more than 15 words)

___________________________________________________________________________

4. What common causes of stress in teenagers were introduced by the author? (no more than 3 words for each)

①____________________    ②____________________     ③_____________________

5. Fill in the blank in Paragraph 5 with proper words.（no more than 8 words）

高三英语其他题中等难度题查看答案及解析

With many cities in China dreadfully blanketed by thick haze, the environmental problem is _____ Chinese people concern most nowadays.

A. what　　　　　　　　　　 B. which　　　　　　　　　　　　 C. where　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. when

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

17．The movie is to deucate people about environmental problems ______ our planet.

高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析

A portable lung which could help those with breathing problems lead a normal life is being developed by scientists.

The Swansea University scientists say it could take many years before the device(装置) , the size of a spectacle box (眼镜盒) , is available . Lung patients , who have seen how it would work , have welcomed the research.

Its research suggests that one person in every seven in the UK is affected by lung disease---- this equates to approximately 8 million people. As of 6 March 2009, 217 people were on the waiting list for a lung transplant（移植） according to figures by NHS Blood and Transplant .

Now scientists in Swansea are developing a portable artificial lung which could transform (改观) the lives of patients . Researchers claim that in the long term the device could offer an alternative to lung transplant , giving hope to those who suffer from conditions such as emphysema(肺气肿) and cystic fibrosis.

The device mimics the function of a lung---by getting oxygen into and carbon dioxide out of the blood stream . Professor Bill Johns came up with the idea after his son died of Cystic Fibrosis . It is important that we make something that will help people , who instead of being confined (局限) to a wheelchair with an oxygen bottle , can actually walk around and do things for themselves , he said.

Although the research has been welcomed by leading charities(慈善) , caution has also been voiced over the length of time it will take before a portable lung will become available .

“We have to stress that this is several years away from being used , even in a trial stage,” said Chris Mulholland , head of the British Lung Foundation.

Patient Elizabeth Spence from Swansea has been refused the double lung transplant she needs but remains hopeful that one day the new device could save her . “ My body will reject the lungs , so this possibly could be an answer--- another way of getting new lungs without actually having the transplant,” she said.

1.Which of the following about the portable lung would the author agree?

A. It can help a lot in lung transplants

B. It was once on display

C. It works differently from the normal one in the body

D. It’s just like an oxygen bottle.

2.It seems as if _______ really matters before the portable lung is put into use.

A. support       B. money       C. time      D. trial

3.What’s the author’s attitude towards the portable lung ?

A. Negative.      B. Doubtful.         C. Curious.         D. Objective.

4.Which edition can you probably find the passage ?

A. Science.        B. Culture.         C. Economy.       D. Education.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析