单选题
Many of the most damaging and life threatening types of weather, such as torrential rains and severe thunderstorms, begin quickly, strike suddenly, and disappear rapidly, de-stroying small regions while leaving neighboring areas untouched. Conventional (普通) computer models of the atmosphere have limited value in predicting short-lived local storms because the available weather data are generally not detailed enough to allow com-puters to see clearly the small atmospheric changes that come before these storms.In most nations, for example, weather-balloon observations are taken just once every twelve hours at location typically separated by hundreds of miles. With such limited data, conventional forecasting models do a much better job predicting general weather conditions over large re-gions than they do forecasting specific local events.
Until recently, the observation-intensive approach needed for accurate, very short range forecasts, or "nowcasts", was impracticable. The cost of equipping and operating many thousands of conventional weather stations was extremely high, and the difficulties involved in rapidly collecting and processing the raw weather data from such a network were beyond overcoming. Fortunately, scientific and technological advance have overcome most of these problems. Radar systems, automated weather instruments, and satellites are all capable of making detailed, nearly continuous observations over large regions at a rela-tively low cost. Communication satellites can transmit data around the world cheaply and immediately, and modern computers can quickly compile and analyze this large volume of weather information. Meteorologists (气象学家) and computer scientists now work together to design computer programs and video equipment capable of transforming raw weather data into words, symbols, and vivid graphic displays that forecasters can interpret easily and quickly. As meteorologists have begun using these new technologies in weather forecasting offices, nowcasting is becoming a reality.
单选题
What is the best title of the passage?
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】本题属于主旨定标题。粗读短文，便可知道全文讲的是由于科学技术的最新发展，才使得迅发天气预报(nowcasts)成为可能。故Science Advances and Now-casts是最合适的标题。
单选题
Nowcasts used to be impracticable because______.
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】本题属于询问细节题。与原文第二段第二句，即“The cost of equipping and operating many thousands of conventional weather stations was extremely high”对应。故B为正确答案。
单选题
Things have been changed by the following EXCEPT______.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】本题属于反向排除题。这道题的正确选项C有一定的迷惑度，因为文中提到了meteorologists and computer scientists的合作，即“Meteorologists and com-puter scientists now work together to design computer programs and video equipment…”．但这一条并不属于科技发展和进步之类的新生事物本身。其他三项均可在第二段中找到。
单选题
The dream of nowcasts will come true when______.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】本题属于短文大意推理预测题。所谓推理，往往指推知未来。题句The dream of nowcasts will come true when______的意思是“短期天气预报当______就能成为现实。”短文最后一句说As meteorologists have begun using these new technologies in weather forecasting offices，nowcasting is becoming a reality．(随着气象工作者开始使用这些天气预报的新技术，短期天气预报也正在变成现实。)本题题意则是在这句话的基础上推出来的。