Last night’s meteor (流星) shower left many people in the munity dissatisfied and demanding answers. According to Gabe Rothschild, 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 plaining 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 animal 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 a person’s chances of getting cancer.
Emerald Valley is only one munity that is being 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.
【小题1】It happened last night that .A．the city’s lights affected the meteor watchingB．the meteors flew past before being noticedC．the city light show attracted many peopleD．the meteor watching ended up a social outing【小题2】What do the astronomers plain about?A．Meteor showers occur less often than before.B．Their observation equipment is in poor repair.C．Light pollution has remained unsolved for years.D．Their eyesight is failing due to artificial lighting.【小题3】What is the author concerned about according to Paragraph 4?A．Birds may take other migration paths.B．Animals’ living habits may change suddenlyC．Varieties of animals will bee sharply reducedD．Animals’ survival is threatened by outdoor lighting.【小题4】Lighting regulations in Flagstaff, Arizona are put into effect to .A．lessen the chance of getting cancerB．create an ideal observation conditionC．ensure citizens a good sleep at nightD．enable all creatures to live in harmony【小题5】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..A
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(答案→)A
解析：
【文章大意】许多人想在晚上看流星雨，结果由于光线太亮，影响了他们的观看效果。由此引发了人们对光污染的思考。本文是一篇议论文，文章由一个事例引发出要讨论的话题。
【小题1】第一段的最后一句话a sky so brightened by the city’s lights that it darkened the light of the meteors passing overhead表明答案为A。
【小题2】题干中的Astronomers出现在第三段，文中有一句话have been plaining about this problem for decades，第一段就提到了光线太亮，这句话的后面又提到了light pollution。结合选项，答案为C。
【小题3】第四段第一句话就告诉我们除了专业及业余的观星者之外，还有些群体也收到了光污染的影响。而这些群体指的就是birds、bats等动物。D项的意思是“动物的生存受到户外灯光的影响”。
【小题4】题干中的信息告诉我们答案应该出现在最后一段，根据“in order to assist astronomers at the Lowell Observatory”，答案显然为B。
【小题5】文中作者反复强调光污染问题对人类的一些活动和动物的影响。这显然是强调环境问题。