A
In the movie, The Day After Tomorrow, many climate changes including an ice age are caused by global warming. Much of the science in the movie has been questioned by people. However, there may be some truth to the idea in the movie that global warming could cause an ice age.
The theory starts with an understanding of why Europe and Scandinavia are not colder already. After all, other places at the same latitude(纬度) are covered with ice. The ocean current called the Gulf Stream brings warm waters from the Caribbean to the UK and Europe. These waters warm the countries around their path. This is why the UK, Europe and Scandinavia have a warmer climate than Alaska. Global warming has nothing to do with this. Global warming is significant. It could slow the Gulf Stream, or even stop it. If this were to happen, the cold waters would stay in the area of Europe, the UK, Scandinavia and the Northeastern US. It could mean an ice age for those regions.
Some weaknesses in the Gulf Stream could happen for different reasons. These days, it could happen due to global warming, caused by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels.
If a new ice age happened, it would probably be caused by the melting of the polar ice. This will lead large quantities of cold and fresh water to come into the ocean, which would disrupt the Gulf Stream and cause the cooling of many areas that now have a mild climate.
Scientists have gathered a lot of data from the oceans and the land to try to determine whether an ice age could be caused by global warming. With all this information at hand, it appears that it is indeed possible that global warming could lead to an ice age.
【语篇概述】本文以一部电影引入话题, 讨论了全球变暖现象, 分析了英国等地暖和的原因, 分析了冰河时代到来的可怕后果, 对人们提出了警告。
1. According to the text, which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Global warming has created a warmer climate in some European countries.
B. The Gulf Stream plays an important role in the warm climate of some European countries.
C. Only the burning of fossil fuels can cause global warming.
D. The climate of Alaska is also affected by the Gulf Stream.
【解析】选B。细节理解题。根据文中的The ocean current called the Gulf Stream brings warm waters from the Caribbean to the UK and Europe. . . This is why the UK, Europe and Scandinavia have a warmer climate than Alaska. 可知the Gulf Stream在英国等国家的温暖气候中起着重要作用。故选B项。
2. By saying “Global warming is significant. ” the author means the following EXCEPT______.
A. the Gulf Stream will be slowed down or stopped
B. the cold water will stay in the ocean of these areas
C. people don’t have to suffer from cold
D. an ice age is just waiting to happen in some areas
【解析】选C。细节理解题。根据第二段中It could slow the Gulf Stream, or even stop it. If this were to happen, the cold waters would stay in the area of Europe, the UK, Scandinavia and the Northeastern US. It could mean an ice age for those regions. 可知C项并不在列举的内容里。故选C项。
3. What is the meaning of the underlined word “current” in Paragraph 2?
A. In common or general use.
B. Of the present time.
C. Stream of water.
D. Flow of electricity.
【解析】选C。词义猜测题。根据下文brings warm waters from the Caribbean to the UK and Europe. These waters warm the countries around their path. 可知current意为“洋流”。故选C项。
4. What’s the main purpose of this passage?
A. To warn people of the dangerous effects of global warming.
B. To prove that the polar ice will disappear.
C. To prove that a new ice age is no way to come.
D. To introduce the causes and effects of the Gulf Stream.
【解析】选A。写作意图题。通过文章内容可知, 本文分析了全球变暖现象可能导致的可怕后果, 是为了给人们提出警告。故选A项。
