[考研类试卷]考研英语(阅读)模拟试卷175.doc.pdfVIP

[考研类试卷]考研英语（阅读）模拟试卷175 Part A Directions: Read the following four texts. Answer the questions below each text by choosing A, B, C or D. (40 points) 0 Scientists have begun using satellite-based systems to predict volcanic eruptions. This allows blanket coverage of the entire world. Envisat is the most advanced craft of this type. It has sensors that, by recognizing the characteristic optical signature of various substances in the atmosphere, can detect the presence of specific gases, such as sulphur dioxide. These may indicate an imminent volcanic eruption. Mike Abrams, a scientist at Americas space agency, NASA, says that the limiting factor on all such satellites is, surprisingly, not technological, but temporal. The orbits in which they are placed allow them to observe the entire earth, but they cannot pass over a particular spot more frequently than once every 15 days or so. Dr. Abrams argues that more satellites are needed to gather sufficient data on the earths volcanoes. Existing satellites, though, do at least serve as an early warning system. If one of them detects something amiss, local volcanologists can then intensify their local monitoring efforts. If necessary, they can even initiate an evacuation. In addition, it is important to predict lahars, flowing mixtures of rock, debris, ash and water, which are often set off when hot lava meets cold snow. Lahars can travel down a mountain as fast as 60 kilometres per hour. In 1985 a lahar set off by the eruption of the Nevada del Ruiz volcano in Colombia killed 25,000 people. With acoustic flow monitors, such as those developed by the USGS in the last five years, such a tragic loss of life might have been averted. The flow monitors are seismometers, which measure vibration, and are sensitive to higher frequencies than those used to record earthquakes and volcanic activity. This lets them hear lahars from a long way off, creating a valuable extra hour of tim