Question

Today there are many more fires than in the past. Over 100 000 wildfires burn each year in America. Russia has 20 000 to 35 000 wildfires every year. Australia has on average 60 000 each year. These fires destroy(损害) huge areas of forests and burn hundreds of homes.

   Many experts believe there are several reasons for this sudden increase in fires. The first reason is climate(气候)change. Recent weather has been warmer and drier. This leads to dangerous fire conditions. When lightning strikes(发生雷击), dry grass easily catches fire. Hot winds add to the problem. The wind spreads a fire quickly. In 2010, Russia had the hottest and driest summer in a century. In just one month, 500 fires destroyed over 2 000 homes. Some people lost their lives.

   Traditional fire-fighting practices are another reason for the increase in fires. In America, firefighters used to quickly put out every fires. They didn’t allow the grass and trees to burn. As a result, today many forests have thicker vegetation(植被). Thicker vegetation means more fuel for fires. Also, without fires from time to time, forests become overcrowded and unhealthy. Some trees are dead. The dead wood then easily catches fire. So surprisingly, America has many more fires today partly because of its past fire-fighting practices.

   Scientists now understand that a fire can be a natural part of a healthy forest. As a result, countries like Australia allow more fires to burn naturally. Sometimes, firefighters even start fires to get rid of dead wood. Of course, they carefully control the fires. The fire thins out old trees. This allows sunlight to reach the ground. As a result, fires help new trees to grow. Therefore, if a fire is not a serious threat to people, firefighters may let it burn naturally.

1.Why did Russia have so many fires in one month in 2010?

A. Because lighting spread a fire.

B. Because there was much fuel for fires.

C. Because there were not enough firefighters. 

D. Because it was unusually hot, dry and windy.

2. What is the main idea of paragraph 4?

A. Fires are serious threats to human beings.

B. Fires can play an important role in forests.

C. Australian firefighters don’t put out fires.

D. It’s difficult for firefighters to control the fires.

Answer

1.D

2.B

【解析】

试题分析：现在的火灾比过去更多了。每年有许多火灾发生，摧毁了许多森林和人们的家园，什么原因引发了更多的火灾？如何控制火让其更好地服务于人类？本文分析了引发火灾的原因及怎样控制火灾。

1.

2.B 段落大意题 题意：第4自然段的主要意思是什么？A. Fires are serious threats to human beings.火灾对人类是非常严重的威胁；C. Australian firefighters don’t put out fires.澳大利亚的消防员不灭火； B. Fires can play an important role I forests.火对森林起着重要的作用；D. It’s difficult for firefighters to control the fires.消防员控制火灾是件难事。第四自然段指出，火对于森林有着特殊的作用，可以烧去死去的树木，让阳光照耀地面，可以帮助幼树成长……，故选B。

考点：社会现象类短文阅读