Question

    The United States has more tornadoes (龙卷风) than any other country in the world. In a normal year there are 800 to 1,000 tornadoes. Most happen in the middle part of the country. Tornadoes form when warm and cool air meet. In the Midwest, the warm air from the Gulf of Mexico often meets the cold air from Canada.

The usual tornado season is March through May. Tornadoes form most often in the afternoon and early evening. There is often no warning of a tornado. People who live in the Midwest know the signs (征兆) of tornado activity. The sky becomes dark, often a greenish color. Dark clouds appear in the sky and there is often large hail (冰雹). Suddenly, there is a loud sound, like a train or a jet plane. Sometimes, two, three, five, ten or more tornadoes can form over a large area.

This type of tornado activity hit Oklahoma and Kansas in May 1999. The day was stormy, with heavy thunderstorms in the afternoon. As the storms continued, tornadoes began to form. Dozens of tornadoes hit towns and neighborhoods in Oklahoma, then in Kansas. Some stayed on the ground for several hours, destroying everything they touched. The tornadoes killed 43 people and injured 600 others. They destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. In some areas, not one home stood. In other areas, the tornadoes destroyed every home on the left side of the street, but didn't touch any homes on the right side. The tornadoes lifted people and cars into the air and then threw them back down to earth. So it is important to know where to hide and how to protect yourself in the face of a tornado.

1.What can we learn about tornadoes in America?

A.There are more tornadoes in the Eastern States.

B.They usually happen in the summer.

C.They may appear in groups.

D.There are more than 1,000 tornadoes every year.

2.The tornadoes that hit Oklahoma and Kansas in May 1999 _____.

A.took place at the same time

B.brought death and serious damage

C.came and went quickly

D.were the biggest in history

3.What will the author most probably talk about next?

A.Tornado dangers and warning signs.

B.How a tornado forms.

C.Different kinds of tornadoes.

D.How to stay safe during a tornado.

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了美国的龙卷风，美国比世界上其他国家有更多的龙卷风，在正常年份，有800到1000次龙卷风，大部分发生在这个国家的中部，还介绍了1999年发生的一次龙卷带来的危害。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段中Sometimes, two, three, five, ten or more tornadoes can form over a large area. 有时，2个、3个、5个、10个或更多的龙卷风会在大片地区形成。可知，这些龙卷风可能会成群出现。故选C项。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段中...destroying everything they touched. The tornadoes killed 43 people and injured 600 others. They destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. In some areas, not one home stood. In other areas, the tornadoes destroyed every home on the left side of the street摧毁他们接触到的一切。龙卷风造成43人死亡，600人受伤。他们摧毁了成千上万的房屋和企业。在一些地区，没有一个家。在其他地区，龙卷风摧毁了街道左侧的每家每户。可知，发生在1999年的龙卷风带来了人员的伤亡，并毁灭了许多家园。故选B项。

3.推理判断题。根据最后一段最后一句话So it is important to know where to hide and how to protect yourself in the face of a tornado.所以知道在龙卷风面前藏在哪里以及如何保护自己是很重要的。可知，接下来作者应谈论如何在龙卷风中进行自我保护。故选D项。