Question

Every country may have to consider what, if anything, to do about “global warming”. We should understand that the oft-repeated claim that nearly all scientists demand that something dramatic be done to stop global warming is not true.

Perhaps the most inconvenient fact is the lack of global warming for well over 10 years now. This is known to the warming establishment, as one can see from the 2009 “Climategate” email of climate scientist Kevin Trenberth: “The fact is that we can’t account for the lack of warming at the moment and it is an irony that we can’t.” But the warming is only missing if one believes computer models where so-called feedback involving water vapor and clouds greatly amplifies the small effect of CO2. The fact is that CO2 is not a pollutant and it is a key component of the biosphere ( 生物圈)’s life cycle. Plants get better growth with more of it and part of the increase of agricultural yields in the past century certainly came from additional CO2 in the atmosphere.

Although the number of the scientists who are publicly opposed to the claim is growing, many young scientists secretly say that while they also have serious doubts about the global-warming message, they are afraid to speak up for fear of not being promoted or worse.

Why is there so much passion about global warming? There are several reasons, but a good place to start is the old question “Cui bono?”, or the modern update, “Follow the money”. Alarmism (危言耸听) over climate is of great benefit to many, providing government funding for academic research, and thus those people who benefit from this fiercely defended their dogma (信条) and the privileges it brought them.

Every country should support rational ( 合理 的) measures to protect and improve our environment, but it makes no sense at all to back expensive programs that turn away resources from real needs and are based on alarming but shaky claims of “incontrovertible” evidence.

1.What can we infer about the author’s opinion on global warming?

A. Global warming hasn’t happened in the latest 10 years.

B. Global warming has become an urgent problem these years.

C. Global warming has worsened a little bit in the recent years.

D. Global warming has never happened since measures were taken.

2.Which of the following statements about CO2 does the writer probably agree with?

A. CO2 greatly affects the global warming.

B. CO2 makes crops more productive.

C. CO2 involves water vapor and clouds.

D. CO2 is the most important part of the biosphere.

3.Why is there so much passion for global warming?

A. Because t is a good chance for young scientists to be promoted.

B. Because the scientists want to have an insight into the problem.

C. Because the government values the problem and tries to solve it.

D. Because some people can greatly benefit from the research about it.

4.What’s the writer’s attitude toward the programs to protect and improve our environment?

A. To support all the programs as long as they are beneficial.

B. To support cheap programs instead of expensive ones.

C. To support the programs that are necessary and reliable.

D. To support those programs that use less money and resources.

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.D

4.C

【解析】

本文是一篇议论文。文章论述的是“关于地球的变暖。” 每个国家都可能不得不考虑“全球变暖”的问题。我们应该明白，经常重复的说法是，几乎所有的科学家都要求采取一些引人注目的措施来阻止全球变暖，这是不正确的。

1.推理判断题。根据第二段第一句Perhaps the most inconvenient fact is the lack of global warming for well over 10 years now.可知，我们能从作者对全球变暖的观点中推断出“在最近的10年里，全球变暖并没有发生。”故选A。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段中Plants get better growth with more of it and part of the increase of agricultural yields in the past century certainly came from additional CO2 in the atmosphere.可知，关于 “二氧化碳使作物更多产。”陈述可能是作者同意的。故选B。

3.细节理解题。根据第四段中thus those people who benefit from this fiercely defended their dogma (信条) and the privileges it brought them.可知，对全球变暖有如此多的热情是因为有些人可以从这项研究中获益良多。故选D。

4.推理判断题。根据第五段中Every country should support rational ( 合理 的) measures to protect and improve our environment, but it makes no sense at all to back expensive programs that turn away resources from real needs可知，作者对保护和改善环境的计划的态度是支持那些必要和可靠的项目。故选C。