Eruptions of Mount Saint Helens

On March 27,the U.S. Government scientists made a decision after they predicted the eruption of Mount Saint Helens.They telephoned all states and local officials in the area and told them that a serious eruption was possible at any time.Roads were closed to everyone except scientists and forest keepers struggled to keep curious visitors away from the mountain.

Shortly after noon on March 27,Mount Saint Helens erupted for the first time in 123 years.People living north of the mountain heard a loud boom that shook their windows,and airline pilots flying near the volcano soon afterwards described a thick black column of ash and steam shooting more than 2 100 meters into the sky.

Later,scientists found that the explosion had made a new crater(大坑) in the top of the mountain,not far from the old crater.The north side of the peak now had a huge bulge(凸出部分) where rock and ice had been pushed out by the eruption. A second eruption shook the mountain on March 28.It,too,sent up a column of black ash high into the sky.By March 29,scientists flying over the mountain saw that a second crater formed about 9 meters from the first one.Strange blue flames flickered(閃爍) inside the crater and sometimes jumped from one crater to the other. By April 1 the mountain had erupted several more times and the snow on the northslope of the peak was black with ash.Ash carried by the wind had fallen on towns as far as 240 kilometers away from Mount Saint Helens.

During the first week of April,Mount Saint Helens gave scientists something new to worry about harmonic tremors(震動) recorded by scientists showed a big eruption would happen.All during April and into May Mount Saint Helens continued to shudder(震 動) and shoot out ash.By April 8,the two craters had merged to form a vast hole nearly a half of a kilometer wide and 250 meters deep.

Scientists' main worry during this time was the growing bulge of rock and ice on thenorth face of the mountain.By May 7 scientists feared the worst.Their warnings led Washington Governor to set up safety zones around the mountain.The inner “red ” zone was open to scientists only.The outer “blue” zone was open only to people who got special permits.But in spite of these warnings,some people got past the road barriers and risked their lives trying to get close to the volcano.

16. American scientists predicted that Mount Saint Helens was to erupt soon.

A. Right B. Wrong C. Not mentioned

17. Pilots flying at the height of more than 2 100 meters saw a thick black column of ash and steam shooting up into the air from the crater.

A. Right B. Wrong C. Not mentioned

18. A new crater,which was to the south of the old one,was formed after the second eruption.

A. Right B. Wrong C. Not mentioned

19. The quakes recorded during the first week of April in the area of Mount Saint Helens warned scientists of a new eruption.

A. Right B. Wrong C. Not mentioned

20. Two scientists lost their lives during the second eruption of Mount Saint Helens.

A. Right B. Wrong C. Not mentioned

21. Most of the dreadful eruptions of Mount Saint Helens took place in early May.

A. Right B. Wrong C. Not mentioned

22. The eruption of Mount Saint Helens attracted a large number of foreign tourists.

A. Right B. Wrong C. Not mentioned

答案：16. A 17. C 18. C 19. A 20. C 21. A 22. C

Mobile Phones:Are They about to Transform Our Lives?

We love them so much that some of us sleep with them under the pillow,yet we are increasingly concerned that we cannot escape their electronic reach.We use them to convey our most intimate secrets,yet we worry that they are a threat to our privacy.We rely on them more than the lnternet to cope with modern life,yet many of us don't believe advertisements saying we need more advanced services.

Sweeping aside the doubts that many people feel about the benefits of new third generation phones and fears over the health effects of phone masts(天線竿),a recent report clains that the long-term effects of new mobile technologies will be entirely positive so long as the public can be convinced to make use of them.Research about users of mobile phones reveals that the mobile has already moved beyond being a mere practical communications tool to become the backbone (支柱)of modern social life,from love affairs to friendship to work.One female teacher,32,told the researchers:"I love my phone.It's my friend."

The close relationship between user and phone is most pronounced among teenagers,the report says,who regard their mobiles as an expression of their identity.This is partly because mobiles are seen as being beyond the control of parents.But the researchers suggest that another reason may be that mobiles,especially taxt messaging,are seen as a way of overcoming shyness."Texting is often used for apologies,to excuse lateness or to communicate other things that make us uncomfortable,"the report says,The impact of phones,however,has been local rather than global,supporting existing friendships and networks,rather than opening users to a new broader community.Even the language of texting in one area can be incomprehensible to anybody from another area.

Among the most important benefits of using mobile phones,the report claims,will be a vastly improved mobile infrastructure(基礎設施),providing gains throughout the economy,and the provision of a more sophisticated location-based services for users.The report calls on govemment to put more effort into the delivery of services by bobile phone,with suggestions including public transport and traffic information and doctors' text messages to remind patients of appointments."I love that idea,"one user said in an interview."It would mean I wouldn't have to write a hundred messages to myself."

There are many other possibilities.At a recent trade fair in Sweden,a mobile navigation product was launched.When the user enters a destination,a route is automatically downloaded to their mobile and presented by voice,pictures and maps as they drive.In future,these devices will also be able to plan around congestion(交 通堵塞)and road works in real time.Third generation phones will also allow for remote monitoring of patients by doctors.In Britain scientists are developing a asthma(哮 喘)management solution,using mobiles to detect early signs of an attack.

41.What does the writer suggest in the first paragraph about our attitudes to mobilephones?

A.We can't live without them.

B.We are worried about using them so much.

C.We have contradictory feelings about them.

D.We need them more than anything else to deal with modem life.

42.Which of the following statements is true?

A.Modern social life relies significantly on the use of mobile phones.

B.Mobile phones make romantic communication more difficult.

C.Mobile phones encourage people to make friends.

D.Mobile phones enable people of different countries to talk without translation.

43.Teenagers have a close relationship with their mobile phones partly because they

A.use text messages more than any other group.

B.are more likely to be late than older people.

C.tend to feel uncomfortable in many situations.

D.take mobile phones as an indication of independence from their parents.

44.It is suggested that mobile phones should be used to

A.give the address of the nearest hospital.

B.show bus and train timetables.

C.arrange delivery of mails.

D.cure diseases.

45.The navigation product launched in Sweden is helpful to drivers because it can

A.suggest the best route to get to a place.

B.download maps of the area.

C.tell them which roads are congested.

D.show them how to avoid road works.

答案：41.C 42.A 43.D 44.B 45.A

（責任編輯：中大編輯）

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