Light pollution is blocking a starry view of the night sky for more than half of people across England, a research has found.
Fifty-seven percent of stargazers(观星者)struggled to see more than 10 stars, while just 2% of participants said they experienced a truly dark sky making them be able to count more than 30,9 according to the research by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). People in the countryside were encouraged to count how many stars they could see with eyes within the constellation (星座)of Orion, which is visible only in the winter months.
Campaigners said the results of the star count, supported by the British Astronomical Association, showed the problem of light pollution and how it affected one of the countryside’s most magical sights—a dark, starry night sky. They said the results of the research to map England’s night skies suggested more could be done by the government, local councils and the general public to reduce the negative effects of artificial light from streets and buildings.
Emma Marrington, dark skies campaigner at the CPRE, said “We’re hugely grateful to the people who took the time to get out and take part in our star count. But it’s deeply disappointing that the vast majority were unable to experience the natural wonder of a truly dark sky blanketed with stars. Without any action, our night sky will continue to be lost under a covering of artificial light, ruining the health of the natural world.”
She added: “The star count results show just how far-reaching the light from street lights and buildings can be seen. Light doesn’t respect boundaries, and careless use can see it spread for miles from cities.”
She suggested better-designed lighting, street light dimming(暗淡)systems and part- night lighting where some street lights are turned off during the small hours should provide an opportunity to limit the damage caused by light pollution, reduce carbon emissions and save money.
1.What effect does the light pollution bring about to England?
A.It leads the stars to disappear.
B.It makes the countryside dim.
C.It makes the environment terrible.
D.It prevents the people seeing stars.
2.What causes the light pollution according to the text?
A.More and more buildings.
B.Less and less outdoor activities.
C.The overuse of artificial light.
D.The spread of light in the countryside.
3.How does Emma feel about the stargazers’ efforts?
A.Disappointed. B.Surprised.
C.Regretful. D.Appreciative.
4.What is Emma’s suggestion for dealing with the light pollution?
A.Using street lights wisely. B.Turning off lights at night.
C.Spreading light further. D.Changing the streets1 design.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
Light pollution is blocking a starry view of the night sky for more than half of people across England, a research has found.
Fifty-seven percent of stargazers(观星者)struggled to see more than 10 stars, while just 2% of participants said they experienced a truly dark sky making them be able to count more than 30,9 according to the research by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). People in the countryside were encouraged to count how many stars they could see with eyes within the constellation (星座)of Orion, which is visible only in the winter months.
Campaigners said the results of the star count, supported by the British Astronomical Association, showed the problem of light pollution and how it affected one of the countryside’s most magical sights—a dark, starry night sky. They said the results of the research to map England’s night skies suggested more could be done by the government, local councils and the general public to reduce the negative effects of artificial light from streets and buildings.
Emma Marrington, dark skies campaigner at the CPRE, said “We’re hugely grateful to the people who took the time to get out and take part in our star count. But it’s deeply disappointing that the vast majority were unable to experience the natural wonder of a truly dark sky blanketed with stars. Without any action, our night sky will continue to be lost under a covering of artificial light, ruining the health of the natural world.”
She added: “The star count results show just how far-reaching the light from street lights and buildings can be seen. Light doesn’t respect boundaries, and careless use can see it spread for miles from cities.”
She suggested better-designed lighting, street light dimming(暗淡)systems and part- night lighting where some street lights are turned off during the small hours should provide an opportunity to limit the damage caused by light pollution, reduce carbon emissions and save money.
1.What effect does the light pollution bring about to England?
A.It leads the stars to disappear.
B.It makes the countryside dim.
C.It makes the environment terrible.
D.It prevents the people seeing stars.
2.What causes the light pollution according to the text?
A.More and more buildings.
B.Less and less outdoor activities.
C.The overuse of artificial light.
D.The spread of light in the countryside.
3.How does Emma feel about the stargazers’ efforts?
A.Disappointed. B.Surprised.
C.Regretful. D.Appreciative.
4.What is Emma’s suggestion for dealing with the light pollution?
A.Using street lights wisely. B.Turning off lights at night.
C.Spreading light further. D.Changing the streets1 design.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Have you ever seen a real night sky that looks like Van Gogh’s Starry Night? I hope not! So, why would an artist paint the sky this way? Perhaps I can answer that with another question. When you’re happy, why do you sing instead of speaking? Or when you’re in love, why do you speak of roses and honey? When we do these things, we, too are artists. We’re using something that goes beyond a mere scientific description in order to communicate our feelings more powerfully than straightforward words can. So consider for a moment that Van Gogh might not have been hallucinating on the night he painted this. Maybe he felt something so powerful that he had to go beyond the familiar to express it.
I hope I’m reminding you of something you already know as I describe the experience of being outside at night under a crystal clear sky that makes everything seem clean and refreshing. So you look up. And suddenly you see the sky that you’ve seldom seen before. It’s not just the same old dark night sky tonight. Instead, the blackness is a deep, rich blue that is more bottomless than any ocean. The stars are not spots of light but brilliant, magical diamonds that dance like tiny angels. In just this special moment, the sky is somehow alive, and it seems to speak to you silently about the meaning of infinity.
Now look at the painting again. Can you see something of what makes this such a famous and well-loved image? But there’s more here than that. Van Gogh painted this while he was quite struck down by a mental disease. It is natural to imagine that he frequently battled the fear that he would never escape his prison to true freedom. It is natural for us to imagine this because each of us has faced our own personal prison, whether it be disease, the loss of a loved one, serious financial problems … In such moments it is tempting to give up to despair and collapse in hopelessness.
Looking at this painting, I imagine Van Gogh in just such a moment of despair, when he is struck by the memory of one of those amazing night skies. He recalls the sense that he is not alone, that there is a living, infinite world with rich colorful creatures and scenes all around.
And so the sky flows across the canvas full of vitality and power. The stars don’t just sparkle; they explode. Looking closer, we notice that the earth itself seems to respond to the movement in the sky, forming its own living waves in the mountain and rolling trees. In the sleepy village, the windows of the houses glow with the same light that brightens the universe. The giant trees at the left seem to capture the joy by stretching upwards toward the sky.
What a tremendous message of hope there is in this masterpiece! Even if our troubles persist, the world around us assures us that life is worth living. That’s what the angels sing about. Doesn’t it make you want to sing, too?
1.Looking at the painting Starry Night, we can see all the following except ________.
A. the singing angels B. the giant trees
C. the sleeping village D. the sparkling stars
2.Van Gogh does NOT describe a feeling of ________ through the Starry Night.
A. happiness B. vitality C. power D. despair
3.What is the main purpose of this passage?
A. To explain how Van Gogh painted the Starry Night.
B. To tell us how to appreciate the Starry Night.
C. To prove Van Gogh was in a hallucinating state of mind while painting the picture.
D. To show us the beauty of the sky on a Starry Night.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
The couple watched the Kongming light go higher and higher until they lost______of it.
A. view B. scene
C. vision D. sight
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The idea of light pollution has developed with the increase of lights in cities. In many areas, this light makes it difficult or impossible to observe stars and planets in the night sky.
There are a number of reasons why light pollution is important. One has become clear at the Mount Wilson Observatory near Los Angeles, California. Today, light from Los Angeles makes the night sky above Mount Wilson very bright. It is no longer an important reasearch center because of light pollution.
Light pollution threatens to reduce the scientific value of research telescoples in other important observatories. They include Lick Observatory near San Jose, California and Yerkes Observatory near Chicago, Illionis.
Light pollution is the result of wasted energy. Bright light that shines into the sky is not being used to provide light where it is needed on Earth. Poorly designed lighting causes a great deal of light pollution. Lights that are brighter than necessary also cause light pollution.
Most people in America are surprised to find out that they are able to see our own galaxy(星系),the Milky Way, with their own eyes. But about threefourths of Americans cannot see the Miky Way because of manmade light.
Objects in the night sky are resources that provide everyone with wonder. But light pollution threatens to prevent those wonderful sights from being seen.
1.Light pollution usually occurs________.
A.in cities B.in the country
C.in wild areas D.in developing countries
2.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Mount Wilson Observatory is the most important one in America.
B.Light pollution affects observatories only.
C.In the dark night people can observe the sky clearly.
D.Astronomers can observe the stars clearly by the lights of the cities.
3.The victims affected by the light pollution are________.
A.children B.grownups C.students D.observatories
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Every possible means ______ to prevent the air pollution, but the sky is still not clear.
A. has been used B. have been used C. is used D. are used
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Every possible means _______to prevent the air pollution, but the sky is still not clear.
A.are being used B.have been used
C.has been used D.had been used
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Every possible means _______to prevent the air pollution, but the sky is still not clear.
A. are being used B. have been used
C. has been used D. had been used
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Every possible means _______to prevent the air pollution, but the sky is still not clear.
A. are being used B. have been used C. has been used D. had been used
高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
Every possible means _______to prevent the air pollution, but the sky is still not clear.
A. are being used B. have been used C. has been used D. had been used
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
There was a heavy curtain ________ the light.
A. blocking out B. preventing fromC. blocking in D. taking off
高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析