There has been a large increase in the number of natural disasters over the past

There has been a large increase in the number ofnatural disasters over the past few years, and it is believed that globalwarming and climate change could cause even more disasters in thefuture. Someof the world’s leading cities are facing disasters like floods and heat waves.

London

London’s flood defences aregetting older. Since 1982, the Thames Barrier(水闸)hasprotected the city from the threat (威胁)offlooding, but it was only designed to last until 2030 and close once every twoor three years. About 31 years later the barrier now closes five or six times ayear and according to Environment Agency predictions, by 2050 the barrier willbe closed on almost every tide if the problem is not solved

There are 26 underground stations, 400 schools, 16hospitals, an airport and 80 billion worth of property(财产）in London’s flood risk area, so large scale floodingwould be disastrous.

Paris

Over a six week period in July and August 2003, morethan 1 1,400—mainly elderly people—died in France from dehydration(脱水)and extremely high body temperature in a deadly heatwave. Heat waves of similar intensity(强度)areexpected every seven years by 2050, so what can be done to make sure such adisaster does not happen again?

One solution is to have air-conditioners installed（安装）in elderly care homes. But this is considered ashort-term solution, as the increase in demand for electricity also increasescarbon emissions(排放).

In Paris the local authorities are encouragingarchitects to design new types of buildings such as the building “FlowerTower,” which uses a covering of bamboo to act as a natural air-conditioner.

Shanghai

Shanghai is the fastest growing city on Earth. It hasa population of 18 million and is only 4 meters above sea level. Sea levels arepredicted to rise by 20 cm within the next century.

About 250，000 peoplemove to Shanghai every year in search of work, placing extra demands on energyconsumption（消耗）. China depends heavily on coal—fired power stations, but these emissions increasetemperatures and, in turn, warmer seas increase the risk of typhoons.

1.What problem should be settled now in London?

A. How to protect the city’s property

B. Where to build its flood defences

C. How to use the Thames Barrier to protect the city

D. How to improve the function of the old flooddefences

2.Which of the following measures can’t solve the heatwave disaster in Paris?

A. Putting up new types of buildings with a coveringof bamboo.

B. Having air-conditioners installed in elderly carehomes.

C. Forbidding the city to build “Flower Tower”.

D. Encouraging architects to design new types ofbuildings.

3.The major threats to Shanghai are __________.

A. increasing population and coal-fired power stations

B. rising sea levels and typhoons

C. extremely high temperature and rising sea levels

D. extra demands on energy consumption and typhoons

4.The purpose of the passage is __________.

A. to tell us how to protect the big cities

B. to give advice on how to defend natural disasters

C. to explain what causes flood and heat waves

D. to warn us of the increasing natural disasters inbig cities

试题答案

【答案】

1.D

2.C

3.B

4.D

【解析】

试题