Question

  In the most southern part of our planet, there’s a place that’s covered with snow and ice all year round. But it has the clearest and cleanest air. Amazingly, in this place, the sun sometimes hangs even in the midnight sky. This place is Antarctica (南极洲): the coldest, windiest and harshest (恶劣的) place on the Earth.

As the world’s least-known place, Antarctica is of great interest to scientists around the world. In 1983, China joined the Antarctic Treaty (《南极条约》). The treaty made Antarctica a peaceful place for member countries to do scientific research. During 30 years, China has sent many scientists to Antarctica. They mostly look at the resources under the icy land and do research about climate change and marine (海洋的) biology.

Antarctica is a place with fantastic views. However, life there is very hard. Food is one of the biggest problems. Frozen food which can be heated easily is people’s daily food. Fresh vegetables are hard to grow in the cold weather. Therefore, scientists often eat dried or canned vegetables.

Sleep is also troublesome. In Antarctica, summer lasts from November to March. During this period, Antarctica points to the sun and receives sunlight 24 hours a day. In order to get some sleep, scientists cover the windows with black plastic cloth to create “night”.

Working in Antarctica is dangerous, especially when meeting gale-force(七级以上的)winds.Sometimes the wind is even stronger than a typhoon.It can easily blow people away.So there are ropes that connect buildings of some research stations.People can hold these ropes to keep their balance in forceful winds.

What’s more, communicating with others is difficult. Without cables and Internet in some research stations, two-way radios are the only tools to communicate. If people want to say hello to friends and relatives, they can use satellite phones.

Although it is challenging（挑战） to work in Antarctica, scientists’ passion to learn about this mysterious land will never end. It is hopeful that one day they will step every corner of this icy land.

1.Scientists from China go to Antarctica to _____.

A. find out ways to control water pollution

B. research climate change and marine biology

C. grow plants and vegetables in special condition

D. stop the hunters from killing the marine biology

2.In order to sleep well in Antarctica, the scientists have to _____.

A. wear more clothes to keep warmB. cover the windows with black cloth

C. connect research stations with ropesD. eat more fried and canned vegetables

3. We can replace (替换) the underlined word passion in the last paragraph with       .

A. strong love    B. full preparation

C. pleasant introduction D. amazing imagination

4.The passage is mainly about       .

A. view of the Antarctica

B. exploring the Antarctica

C. how to survive in the Antarctica

D. climate changes of the Antarctica

Answer

1.B

2.B

3.A

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：短文大意：在我们这个星球的最南部，有一个是冰雪覆盖全年的地方。但是它有清晰的和干净的空气。令人惊讶的是，在这个地方，太阳有时会在午夜的天空。这个地方就是南极：在地球上最冷的位置。

作为世界上最有名的地方，南极洲对世界各地的科学家有极大的兴趣。

1.第二段末During 30 years, China has sent many scientists to Antarctica. They mostly look at the resources under the icy land and do research about climate change and marine (海洋的) biology.可知该选B。

2.第四段末In order to get some sleep, scientists cover the windows with black plastic cloth to create “night”.可知该选B。

3.词义猜测题。passion n.激情，热情; 热心，爱好; 热恋; 酷爱; vt.&vi.[诗歌用语]表露强烈感情，显示巨大热情;结合句意可知该选A。

4.主旨大意题。根据短文内容可知该选B。

考点：科普类阅读。