Question

    When a disaster strikes, humanitarian agencies (人道主义机构) like The World Food Programme (WFP) need information more than anything else. They need a clear picture of the damage to roads and bridges, for example, to be able to take quick action.

WFP has published a picture of damage to the epicenter (震中) of the earthquake which struck Haiti. The picture, which has been produced in the form of a satellite-based map, shows great damage to the epicenter, where 90% of the buildings were destroyed. In the map, one pixel (像素) stands for half a meter of land. That's a very close look of how things are on the ground. It helped rescue teams a lot.

WFP's Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch produced a series of clear maps showing the damage of Haiti. The maps have been produced in partnership with a research and development institute called In formation Technology for Humanitarian Assistance, Cooperati on and Action (ITHACA). The organization was set up years ago especially to work with WFP in bringing developments of satellite technology into its response to disasters. Just a few years ago, this would have meant having to wait for helicopters to overfly areas and for human beings to physically see the damage. The satellites which operate around high above our heads are of great help. They are able to see through clouds, which is helpful when weather conditions prevent the use of optical instruments(光学仪器) .

Now both WFP and ITHACA have teams working around the clock to make use of more new technologies to help people actively deal with natural disasters. “Deaths and injuries from natural disasters can be reduced if the disaster can be predicted. Several disaster prediction technologies have been developed over the years. We are also working hard to provide a more effective instrument to predict natural disasters,” said Riccardo Roscelli, president of ITHACA.

1.According to Paragraph 1, what does WFP extremely need after a disaster?

A.Doctors and volunteers.

B.Medical and food supplies.

C.The information about the damage.

D.The details about the causes of the disaster.

2.What does the author mainly want to show us when he mentions the Haitian earthquake in Paragraph 2?

A.The satellite-based map is useful. B.It was a very serious earthquake.

C.It caused many injuries and deaths. D.The picture of the damage is unclear.

3.What is the unique advantage of the satellites compared with optical instruments?

A.They can be used as the substitution of helicopters.

B.They can reduce deaths and injuries from natural disasters.

C.They can be operated around high above our heads.

D.They can see through clouds in bad weather conditions.

4.What can we learn from Riccardo Roscelli's words in the last paragraph?

A.It is not easy for people to predict natural disasters.

B.Natural disasters can cause more terrible consequences.

C.They are trying to find out a better disaster prediction instrument.

D.They have studied disaster prediction technologies for years.

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.D

4.C

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章以海地地震为例，主要说明了卫星地图在灾难来临时能够提供关于损坏的信息，对救援队帮助很大。说明了卫星地图的独特优势。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段中They need a clear picture of the damage to roads and bridges, for example, to be able to take quick action.可知例如，他们需要对道路和桥梁的损坏情况有一个清晰的认识，以便能够迅速采取行动。由此可知，世界粮食计划署在灾后最需要的是关于损坏的信息。故选C。

2.推理判断题。根据第二段中That's a very close look of how things are on the ground. It helped rescue teams a lot.可知这是对地面情况的非常近距离的观察。这对救援队帮助很大。由此可推知，当作者在第二段提到海地地震时，主要想告诉我们卫星地图很有用。故选A。

3.细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句They are able to see through clouds, which is helpful when weather conditions prevent the use of optical instruments.可知他们能够透过云层观测，这在天气条件不允许使用光学仪器时很有帮助。由此可知，与光学仪器相比，卫星的独特优势是在恶劣的天气条件下，他们能透过云层来观测。故选D。

4.细节理解题。根据最后一段中We are also working hard to provide a more effective instrument to predict natural disasters.可知我们也在努力提供一种更有效的工具来预测自然灾害。由此可知，从Riccardo Roscelli的话中我们可以了解到他们正在努力寻找一种更好的灾害预测仪器。故选C。