Question

When it comes to climate change, there are always some new, terrifying consequences to worry about—like ancient viruses and bacteria coming from the ice as the earth warms. Unfortunately, researchers fear we may see more of this in the future.

Some of these viruses and bacteria may have been trapped for thousands of years, and it’s not even totally clear yet what they are, let alone what kind of damage they might have.

Researchers have met complex “giant viruses” in the melting permafrost(永久冻土) of Siberia. One such virus, 30,000 years old, was still infectious when it was discovered in 2015, though it posed no danger to humans. It turns out that permafrost is excellent at preserving bacteria and viruses that are temporarily inactive, and then become reactivated with warming.

Scientists have discovered Spanish flu viruses in dead bodies buried in 1918 in the Alaskan tundra (冻原). When close to half of the population of a Siberian town in the 1890s died of smallpox (天花), their bodies were buried in the permafrost along the Kolyma River. The banks of that river are now beginning to wear away amid global warming, the BBC reports.

In Siberia in August 2016, some 100 people and 2,300 deer were infected with anthrax(炭疽) in the first outbreak in the area since 1941. One boy died from the disease. Scientist believed the anthrax had been trapped in the body of a long-frozen dead deer and became active during particularly hot summer of 2016, releasing the bacteria cells into the environment.

But even in warmer climates, rising temperatures can help grow and spread dangerous diseases. Over a decade ago, researcher Paul Epstein prophesied the possible spread of mosquito-born illnesses as a result of climate change. “Mosquitoes are sensitive to temperature changes,” he said. “Warming speeds up their rates of reproduction and the number of blood meals they take, makes their breeding (繁殖) season long, and shortens the maturation period for the germs they spread” --- all of which makes them more efficient at spreading disease.

1.Why are researchers worried about?

A. More ancient germs may reappear.    B. The earth is being seriously polluted

C. Ice melting may cause heavy floods.    D. Global climate change is worsening.

2.What can we learn from Paragraph 3?

A. No “giant viruses” were discovered in Siberia.

B. A new way was found to deal with the new germs.

C. One ancient virus could still result in people’s death.

D. Permafrost can keep germs alive for a long time.

3.What led to a boy’s death in Siberia?

A. Flu.    B. Cancer.

C. Anthrax.    D. Smallpox.

4.Which can best replace the underlined word “prophesied” in the last paragraph?

A. Denied.    B. Predicted.

C. Doubted.    D. Prevented.

Answer

1. A

2. D

3. C

4. B

【解析】

本文是一篇科普文章。当谈到气候变化时，总会有一些新的、可怕的后果让人担心——就像随着地球变暖，来自冰层的古老病毒和细菌一样。不幸的是，研究人员担心我们将来可能会看到更多这样的情况。

1.推理判断题。根据第一段When it comes to climate change, there are always some new, terrifying consequences to worry about—like ancient viruses and bacteria coming from the ice as the earth warms. Unfortunately, researchers fear we may see more of this in the future.可知，研究人员担心更多古老的细菌可能会再次出现。故选A。

2.推理判断题。根据第三段中It turns out that permafrost is excellent at preserving bacteria and viruses that are temporarily inactive, and then become reactivated with warming.可知，从第三段我们可以了解到Permafrost可以使细菌存活很长时间。故选D。

3.推理判断题。根据第五段中In Siberia in August 2016, some 100 people and 2,300 deer were infected with anthrax(炭疽) in the first outbreak in the area since 1941. One boy died from the disease.可知，Anthrax导致西伯利亚的一个男孩死亡。故选C。

4.词义猜测题。根据第六段中Over a decade ago, researcher Paul Epstein prophesied the possible spread of mosquito-born illnesses as a result of climate change. 十多年前，研究人员保罗·爱泼斯坦预言，气候变化可能导致蚊子传播疾病。由此推知划线词的意思是Predicted“预测”。故选B。