1、大学英语六级改革适用（阅读）模拟试卷 125及答案与解析 Section A 0 The most detailed data yet on emissions of heat-trapping gases show that US power plants are responsible for the bulk of the pollution blamed for global warming. Power plants【 C1】 _72% of the greenhouse gases reported to the Environmental Protection Agency fo
2、r 2010, according to information released Wednesday that was the first catalog of global warming pollution by facility. The data include more than 6, 700 of the largest industrial sources of greenhouse gases, or about 80 percent of total US【 C2】 _. According to an Associated Press【 C3】 _of the data,
3、 20 mostly coal-fired power plants in 15 states account for the top-releasing facilities. Gina McCarthy, the top air official at the EPA, said the database marked “ a major milestone“ in the agencys work to【 C4】 _climate change. She said it would help industry, states and the federal government iden
4、tify ways to reduce greenhouse gases. The Obama administration plans to regulate emissions of heat-trapping gases under【 C5】 _law. A proposed regulation to address pollution from new power plants could be released as early as this month.【 C6】 _, the EPA will have to tackle facilities already in oper
5、ation. The largest emitters will be the first in line. The largest greenhouse gas polluter in the nation in 2010, according to the EPAs data, was the Scherer power plant in Juliette, Ga. , owned by Southern Company. That coal-fired power plant reported releasing nearly 23 million metric tons of carb
6、on dioxide, the【 C7】 _greenhouse gas, in 2010. Two other power plants owned by Southern were the second-and third-largest polluters nationally: the Bowen plant in Bowen, Ga. , and the James H. Miller, Jr. power plant in Quinton, Ala. American Electric Power, another large coal-fired power producer,
7、has three power plants in the top 20. They are in Rockport, Ind. , Cheshire, Ohio, and St. Albans, W. Va. “This is just another way to【 C8】 _the largest coal-fired power plants in the country,“ said AEP spokesman Pat Hemlepp. “We always assumed we would be No. 1 in greenhouse gas emissions or No. 2
8、behind Southern Co. We and Southern are the two largest【 C9】 _of coal. “ The other states with【 C10】 _power plants are Texas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Wyoming, North Carolina, Kansas and Kentucky. Refineries were the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, with
9、57% of the reported total. The top states in greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and from refineries were Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, and Indiana. Congress required industries to report their emissions as part of a 2008 spending bill. Until now, the agency has estimated greenhouse gas
10、 emissions by industry sector. A)existing I)analysis B)consumers J)Enormously C)released K)identify D)derivation L)compelling E)chief M)address F)emissions N)Eventually G)enchant O)diversion H)high-polluting 1 【 C1】 2 【 C2】 3 【 C3】 4 【 C4】 5 【 C5】 6 【 C6】 7 【 C7】 8 【 C8】 9 【 C9】 10 【 C10】 Section B
11、10 How Earthquake Works AAn earthquake is one of the most terrifying phenomena that nature can whip up. We generally think of the ground we stand on as “rock-solid“ and completely stable. An earthquake can shatter that perception instantly, and often with extreme violence. Earthquake facts BAn earth
12、quake is a vibration that travels through the earths crust. Technically, a large truck that rumbles down the street is causing a mini-earthquake, if you feel your house shaking as it goes by, but we tend to think of earthquakes as events that affect a fairly large area, such as an entire city. All k
13、inds of things can cause earthquakes: volcanic eruptions, meteor(流星 )impacts, underground explosions(an underground nuclear test, for example), collapsing structures(such as a collapsing mine). But the majority of naturally-occurring earthquakes are caused by movements of the earths plates. We only
14、hear about earthquakes in the news every once in a while, but they are actually an everyday occurrence on our planet. CThe vast majority of these 3 million quakes are extremely weak. The law of probability also causes a good number of stronger quakes to happen in uninhabited places where no one feel
15、s them. It is the big quakes that occur in highly populated areas that get our attention. Earthquakes have caused a great deal of property damage over the years, and they have claimed many lives. In the last hundred years alone, there have been more than 1. 5 million earthquake-related fatalities. U
16、sually, its not the shaking ground itself that claims lives its the associated destruction of man-made structures and the instigation(发起 )of other natural disasters, such as tsunamis, avalanches and landslides. Plate tectonics(板块构造 ) DThe biggest scientific breakthrough in the history of seismology
17、the study of earthquakes came in the middle of the 20 th century, with the development of the theory of plate tectonics. Scientists proposed the idea of plate tectonics to explain a number of peculiar phenomenon on earth, such as the apparent movement of continents over time, the clustering of volca
18、nic activity in certain areas and the presence of huge ridges at the bottom of the ocean. EThe basic theory is that the surface layer of the earth the lithosphere is comprised of many plates that slide over the lubricating asthenosphere layer. At the boundaries between these huge plates of soil and
19、rock, three different things can happen: F* Plates can move apart If two plates are moving apart from each other, hot, melted rock flows up from the layers of covering below the lithosphere. This magma comes out on the surface(mostly at the bottom of the ocean), where it is called lava. As the lava
20、cools, it hardens to form new lithosphere material, fdling in the gap. This is called a divergent(分叉的 )plate boundary. G* Plates can push together If the two plates are moving toward each other, one plate typically pushes under the other one. This subducting plate sinks into the lower mantle layers,
21、 where it melts. At some boundaries where two plates meet, neither plate is in a position to subduct(潜没 )under the other, so they both push against each other to form mountains. The lines where plates push toward each other are called convergent plate boundaries. H* Plates slide against each other A
22、t other boundaries, plates simply slide by each other one moves north and one moves south, for example. While the plates dont drift directly into each other at these transform boundaries, they are pushed tightly together. A great deal of tension builds at the boundary. IWhere these plates meet, youl
23、l find faults breaks in the earths crust where the blocks of rock on each side are moving in different directions. Earthquakes are much more common along fault lines than they are anywhere else on the planet. Richter scale JThe Richter Scale is used to rate the magnitude of an earthquake the amount
24、of energy it released. This is calculated using information gathered by a seismograph. Upon the Richter Scale, whole-number jumps indicate a tenfold increase. In this case, the increase is in wave amplitude. That is, the wave amplitude(幅度 )in a level 6 earthquake is 10 times greater than in a level
25、5 earthquake, and the amplitude increases 100 times between a level 7 earthquake and a level 9 earthquake. The amount of energy released increases 31.7 times between whole number values. KThe largest earthquake on record registered a 9. 5 on the currently used Richter Scale, though there have certai
26、nly been stronger quakes in Earths history. The majority of earthquakes register less than 3 on the Richter Scale. These tremors, which arent usually felt by humans, are called microquakes. Generally, you wont see much damage from earthquakes that rate below 4 on the Richter Scale. Major earthquakes
27、 generally register at 7 or above. Richter ratings only give you a rough idea of the actual impact of an earthquake. As weve seen, an earthquakes destructive power varies depending on the composition of the ground in an area and the design and placement of manmade structures. LRichter Scale ratings
28、are determined soon after an earthquake, once scientists can compare the data from different seismograph stations. Mercalli ratings, on the other hand, cant be determined until investigators have had time to talk to many eyewitnesses to find out what occurred during the earthquake. Once they have a
29、good idea of the range of damage, they use the Mercalli criteria to decide on an appropriate rating. Predicting earthquakes MWe understand earthquakes a lot better than we did even 50 years ago, but we still cant do much about them. They are caused by fundamental, powerful geological processes that
30、are far beyond our control. These processes are also fairly unpredictable, so it s not possible at this time to tell people exactly when an earthquake is going to occur. The first detected seismic waves will tell us that more powerful vibrations are on their way, but this only gives us a few minutes
31、 warning, at most. NScientists can say where major earthquakes are likely to occur, based on the movement of the plates in the earth and the location of fault zones. They can also make general guesses of when they might occur in a certain area, by looking at the history of earthquakes in the region
32、and detecting where pressure is building along fault lines. These predictions are extremely vague, however typically on the order of decades. Scientists have had more success predicting aftershocks, additional quakes following an initial earthquake. These predictions are based on extensive research
33、of aftershock patterns. Seismologists can make a good guess of how an earthquake originating along one fault will cause additional earthquakes in connected faults. OSo what can we do about earthquakes? The major advances over the past 50 years have been in preparedness particularly in the field of c
34、onstruction engineering. In 1973, the Uniform Building Code, an international set of standards for building construction, added specifications to fortify buildings against the force of seismic waves. This includes strengthening support material as well as designing buildings so they are flexible eno
35、ugh to absorb vibrations without falling or deteriorating. Its very important to design structures that can take this sort of punch, particularly in earthquake-prone areas. PIn the future, improvements in prediction and preparedness should further minimize the loss of life and property associated wi
36、th earthquakes. But it will be a long time, if ever, before well be ready for every substantial earthquake that might occur. Just like severe weather and disease, earthquakes are an unavoidable force generated by the powerful natural processes that shape our planet. All we can do is to increase our
37、understanding of the phenomenon and develop better ways to deal with it. 11 The theory of plate tectonics has made the most important contribution to the study of earthquakes. 12 Earthquakes are frequently the result of movements of the earths plates. 13 Earthquakes easily happen along lines where t
38、wo plates meet and break. 14 1.5 million people have died in earthquakes during the last several centuries. 15 Scientists are more successful in predicting aftershocks than an initial earthquake. 16 Earthquakes less than 3 on the Richter Scale generally can not be felt by people. 17 When two plates
39、move towards each other, they push against each other to produce mountains. 18 People have made a great advancement to deal with earthquakes in the field of construction engineering. 19 Compared with a level 5, energy released raises 31.7 times for a level 6 earthquake. 20 Scientists have to compare
40、 the data from different seismograph stations to decide Richter Scale ratings soon after an earthquake Section C 20 Kevin Hines, a manic-depressive(躁狂抑郁症患者 ), was 19 and in one of his weekly downswings on an overcast Monday morning in 2000. He went to the nearby Golden Gate Bridge to kill himself mo
41、stly because, with only a four-foot(1.2 metres)railing to leap, “I figured it was the easiest way. “He dived over, but flipped and hit the water at 75mph with his feet first. His legs were crushed, but he somehow stayed conscious and started paddling with his upper body until the Coast Guard fished
42、him out. Wallace, the reporter of The Economist, who paid a lot of attentions on the suicides, said Mr. Hines is one of 26 people who have survived suicide attempts at the bridge, but 1,223 are known to have succeeded(i. e. , were seen jumping or found floating). People are throwing themselves off t
43、he bridge at the rate of two a month, which makes it the most popular place in the world for suicides. One book on the subject says that the Golden Gate is “ to suicide what Niagara Falls is to honeymooners“. Many San Franciscans think that the solution is to emulate the Empire State Building, the S
44、ydney Harbour Bridge, the Eiffel Tower, St. Peters basilica and other such places and put up a simple barrier. This, however, is a decision for the 19 board members of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, an entity that oversees the bridge itself and the buses and ferries tha
45、t operate in the area. Most of its revenues come from tolls and fares, and the district loses money. A barrier would cost between $15 million and $25 million. So the Psychiatric Foundation of Northern California, which has adopted the barrier as its cause, considers it a success that the board has m
46、erely allowed a feasibility study, for which various private and public donors have raised $2 million. Mel Blaustein, a director at the foundation, has heanl several arguments against a barrier over the years too ugly, too expensive, and so forth but the most persistent has been that people would si
47、mply kill themselves somewhere else, so why bother? This is nonsense, he says;“Most suicides are impulsive and preventable. “ A bridge without a barrier, adds Pat Hines, Kevins father, is “like leaving a loaded gun in the psychiatric ward. “ 21 Kevin Hines chose to commit suicide at such an early ag
48、e in that he_. （ A） suffered a disease which caused him gloomy and crazy （ B） found an easiest way to end up his life （ C） was in his periodical decline and out of his senses （ D） found the Golden Gate Bridge a suitable place to do so 22 Why does the author mention Niagara Falls and honeymooners? （
49、A） Because Niagara Falls and honeymooners are as well-known as the Golden Gate Bridge. （ B） Because Niagara Falls is the resort for couples who spend their holidays. （ C） Because Niagara Falls attracts honeymooners the same way the Bridge does to suicides. （ D） Because Niagara Falls is a magnificent place for honeymooners to gather around there. 23 It can be inferred from the passage that the board of the Golden Gate Bridge will_. （ A） raise enough mo
