Question

Last night’s meteor(流星) shower left many people in the community dissatisfied and demanding answers. According to Gabe Rothsclild, Emerald Valley’s mayor, people gathered in the suburbs of the city, carrying heavy telescopes, expecting to watch the brightly burning meteors passing through the sky. What they found instead was a sky so brightened by the city’s lights that it darkened the light of the meteors passing overhead.

 “My family was so frustrated,” admitted town resident Duane Cosby, “We wanted to make this an unforgettable family outing, but it turned out to be a huge disappointment. ”

       Astronomers—scientists who study stars and planets—-have been complaining about this problem for decades. They say that light pollution prevents them from seeing objects in the sky that they could see quite easily in the past. They call on people and the government to take measures to fight against it.

 There is yet a population besides professional and amateur star observers that suffers even more from light pollution. This population consists of birds, bats frogs, snakes, etc. For example, outdoor lighting severely affects migrating(迁徙的)birds. According to the International Dark-Sky Association. “100 million birds a year throughout North America die in crashes with lighted buildings and towers. ”

 Countless more animals casualties(伤亡）result from the use of artificial lighting. Clearly, people enjoy the benefits of lighting their evenings, but some scientists think it can be harmful for humans, too. They worry that exposure to light while sleeping can increase person’s chances of getting cancer.

        Emerald Valley is only one community that is becoming aware of the negative effects of light pollution. For years, Flagstaff,Arizona,has enforced lighting regulations in its city in order to assist astronomers at the Lowell Observatory. Similar efforts have been made worldwide, and a movement is underway to remind us to turn off lights when we are not using them, so that other creatures can share the night.

1. What is the author concerned about according to Paragraph 4?

A. Birds may take other migration paths

B. Animals’ living habits may change suddenly

C. Varieties of animals will become sharply reduced

D. Animals’ survival is threatened by outdoor lighting

2.Lighting regulations in Flagstaff, Arizona are put into effect to

A. Lessen the chance of getting cancer

B. create an ideal observation condition

C. ensure citizens a good sleep at night

D. enable all creatures to live in harmony

3. What message does the author most want to give us?

A. Saving wildlife is saving ourselves

B. Great efforts should be made to save energy

C. Human activities should be environmentally friendly

D. New equipment should be introduced for space study

Answer

1.D

2.B

3.C

【解析】

试题分析：本文叙述了户外照明的危害。户外照明不仅影响天文学家的观测，还影响了动物的迁徙，对动物的生活是一种威胁。科学家还说照明对人体有害，易导致癌症。因此人们开始采取措施，实施一些光照条例，能过让人与动物共同享受夜晚。

1.推理判断题。根据第四段的This population consists of birds, bats frogs, snakes, etc. For example, outdoor lighting severely affects migrating(迁徙的)birds.可知户外照明已经影响了动物的迁徙，对动物的生活是一种威胁。故选D。

2.推理判断题。根据最后一段的For years, Flagstaff,Arizona,has enforced lighting regulations in its city in order to assist astronomers at the Lowell Observatory.可知美国亚利桑那州的弗拉格斯塔夫市为了帮助天文学家在洛厄尔天文台的观测，执行了照明条例。从中看冲这样是为了创造一个好的观测的环境。故选B。

3.推理判断题。根据第五段的Countless more animals casualties(伤亡）result from the use of artificial lighting.可知户外照明对动物有危害。根据最后一段的Similar efforts have been made worldwide, and a movement is underway to remind us to turn off lights when we are not using them, so that other creatures can share the night. 可知人们已经意识到照明的危害，开始采取措施。因此可概括为本文是想告诉我们人类的活动要环保。故选C。

考点：科普环保类短文阅读。