The weather forecast says we’re in for heavy rain this evening.(英译汉)
Conventional computer models of the atmosphere have limited value in predicting short lived local storms like the Edmonton tornado, because the available weather data are generally not detailed enough to allow computers to study carefully the subtle atmospheric changes that come before these storms.In most nations, for example, weather – balloon observations are taken just once every twelve hours at locations typically separated by hundreds of miles.With such limited data, conventional forecasting models do a much better job predicting general weather conditions over large regions than they do forecasting specific local events.
Until recently, the observation intensive approach needed for accurate, very short – range forecasts, or “Nowcasts,” was not feasible.The cost of equipping and operating many thousands of conventional weather stations was extremely high, and the difficulties involved in rapidly collecting and processing the raw weather data from such a network were hard to overcome.Fortunately, scientific and technological advances have overcome most of these problems.Radar systems, automated weather instruments, and satellites are all capable of making detailed, nearly continuous observation over large regions at a relatively low cost.Communications satellites can transmit data around the world cheaply and instantaneously, and modern computers can quickly compile and analyze this large volume of weather information.Meteorologists and computer scientists now work together to design computer programs and video equipment capable of transforming raw weather data into words, symbols, and vivid graphic displays that forecasters can interpret easily and quickly.As meteorologists have begun using these new technologies in weather forecasting offices, Nowcasting is becoming a reality.
11.The word “exceeded” in paragraph I most probably means ____________.
A.added up toB.were more than
C.were about D.were less than
12.Conventional computer models of the atmosphere fails to predict such a short – lived tornado because ______________.
A.the computer is not used to forecast specific local events
B.the computers are not advanced enough to predict it
C.the weather data people collect are often wrong
D.weather conditions in some small regions are not available
13.According to the passage, the word “Nowcast” (paragraph 3) means _______________.
A.a way of collecting raw weather data
B.a forecast which can predict the weather conditions in the small area in an accurate way
C.a network to collect instant weather data
D.a more advanced system of weather observation
14.According to the passage, ___________ is the key factor to making “Nowcasts” a reality.
A.scientific and technological advances such as radar, or satellites
B.computer scientist
C.meteorologists
D.advanced computer programs
15.According to the author, the passage mainly deals with ________________.
A.a tornado in Edmonton, Alberta
B.what’s a “Nowcast”
C.the disadvantage of conventional computer models of the weather forecast
D.a breakthrough in weather forecast
A.Because of the uncertainty of the weather
B.the weather can be successfully forecasted
C.Because the weather is a subject which is quite safe to talk about
A. the north
B. that in the north
C. in the north
D. it in the north
A.prepare
B.preparing
C.prepared
D.preparation
A.really
B.so
C.such
D.very
A.was
B.should be
C.were
D.had been
A.freezing…frozen
B.frozen…freezing
C.frozen…froze
D.freezing…froze
A.inquired
B.required
C.requested
D.demanded
Scientists have found that the cause of this strange weather is that the air circulation pattern has changed and is now more variable than earlier in the twentieth century. This means that different regions of the world get long spells (持续时间) of the same type of weather, whether hot , cold, wet or windy.
However, weather experts have different views about why this has happened. One theory is that the temperature of the sea has increased. Another is that man’s activities on earth have disturbed the balance of nature.
Whatever the cause, the economics of many countries in the world depend upon the weather. And until we know exactly what effect man’s activities are having on the weather, we cannot make changes which might help. So for the moment the only answer is …wait and see!
26. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the first paragraph?
A. We have never predicted the weather.
B. Man is now able to control the weather.
C. Strange weather has appeared only in some North American countries.
D. It has always been impossible for man to predict the weather accurately.
27. The strange weather patterns on the earth can he best described as ________.
A. steady and balanced C. likely to cause serious disasters
B. changeable but predictable D. unpredictable but favorable to man
28. The word “affecting” in Paragraph 1 can be replaced by ________.
A. yielding good crops in C. causing few losses in
B. having harmful effects on D. producing desired effects on
29. We can learn from Paragraph 2 that ________.
A. weather patterns are similar in different regions of the world
B. the air circulation pattern remains unchanged in the last century
C. our weather depends on the changes in the air circulation pattern
D. it is possible to predict weather patterns over a long period of time
30. It can be learned from this passage that ________.
A. scientists have similar opinions about the changing weather
B. no one is sure about the cause of the changing weather
C. cutting down forests has affected the climate
D. the weather will become worse in the future