Question

Bedazzling (眼花缭乱) with their bright colors and eye-catching displays, fireworks light up our night skies during the holidays. However, these crowd-pleasers can have some damaging side effects.

Once a firework is set off, it only takes a couple of seconds before smoke, dust and harmful chemicals are let out into the atmosphere. The loud booming noises are caused by gunpowder. While the sounds may excite some people, they can be frightening to domestic and wild animals—as well as some humans.

The pretty colors you see are a result of more chemicals. Barium, added to make green, is known for its poisonous and radioactive qualities. Blue comes from copper compounds. Cadmium, lithium and lead—all found in fireworks—have been linked to diseases, such as allergies and skin rashes in both humans and animals. Acid rain has been linked to gases given off by fireworks, which sometimes go beyond the toxin(毒素) limits of the United States Clean Air Act.

Once all those chemicals come back down to the ground, they can cause problems too. Debris (碎片) from the fireworks falls to the ground, where animals can burn their paws or noses on piping hot pieces. Humans also are at risk of stepping on or picking up something sharp or hot. Meanwhile, debris that finds its way into waterways can damage animal habitats and water supply sources.                              

Instead of setting off fireworks, try to come up with some new ways for fun. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Sky lanterns—a tradition that originated long ago in the most-populated Asian country.

• Party crackers—a favorite in the United Kingdom—give you noise and surprises without the mess of fireworks. You can make your own or buy eco-friendly crackers.

• Want noise excitement with less volume? Consider a fireworks sound recording beforehand or break out the party horns (号角) and blow up a storm! 

1.The advantages of fireworks can be seen below EXCEPT that _____.

A. the special sounds of fireworks excite people

B. debris from fireworks can even find its way into water

C. the pretty and bright colors add to the beauty of night skies

D. fireworks are enjoyed as one of the crowd-pleasers

2. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A. Copper compounds are needed to make green in fireworks.

B. Chemicals in fireworks are both poisonous and dangerous.

C. Too much gases from fireworks can result in acid rain.

D. Chemicals in fireworks are harmful in the air and on the ground.

3. All the italicized (斜体的) words are probably ____.

A. mineral materials  B. tiny solids  C. chemical elements   D. broken pieces

4. What is implied from the passage?

A. Gunpowder in fireworks makes loud booming noises.

B. It must be Indians who first started to hang sky lanterns.

C. Fireworks does less harm in the air than on the ground.

D. Fireworks can even break the balance of nature.

5. What can be concluded as the writer’s attitude towards fireworks?

A. It is not allowed to set off fireworks except during the holidays.

B. Fireworks should be banned and replaced by some other means.

C. Night is the best time to set off fireworks and see the pretty colors.

D. You cannot set off fireworks unless you come up with new ways.

Answer

1.B

2.A

3.C

4.D

5.B

【解析】

试题分析：本文主要讲述的是燃放烟花爆竹的害处，呼吁我们不要再燃放烟花爆竹，以保护我们的环境不受破坏。

1.B 细节题。根据文章1,2段中的However, these crowd-pleasers can have some damaging side effects.

While the sounds may excite some people,和Bedazzling (眼花缭乱) with their bright colors and eye-catching displays可知ACD三项都是烟花的好处。只有B项文章没有提及。

2.A 细节题。根据文章第三段第2行Blue comes from copper compounds.可知含有铜的物质会带来蓝色。故A项中说带来绿色的说法是错误的。

3.C 推理题。根据文章第2段1,2行Once a firework is set off, it only takes a couple of seconds before smoke, dust and harmful chemicals are let out into the atmosphere. 可知在烟花中有很多的化学物质。接着在第三段里提及了带来不同颜色的不同的化学物质。可知这些斜体字表示的都是化学物质。故Ｃ正确。

4.D 推理题。根据文章第4段最后一句Meanwhile, debris that finds its way into waterways can damage animal habitats and water supply sources.可知这些烟花中的有害物质甚至进入了水循环，破坏我们的自然平衡。故D正确。

5.B 推理题。根据Instead of setting off fireworks, try to come up with some new ways for fun. Here are some ideas to get you started:可知作者认为我们应该禁止燃放烟花，因为他们污染了环境。我们也应该使用另外一些被的方法来替代烟花。故B正确。

考点：考察社会知识类短文阅读