Even with the best will in the world, reducing our carbon emissions is not going to prevent global warming. It has become clear that even if we take the most strong measures to control emissions, the uncertainties in our climate models still leave open the possibility of extreme warming and rises in sea level. At the same time, resistance by governments and special interest groups makes it quite possible that the actions suggested by climate scientists might not be implemented soon enough. Fortunately, if the worst comes to the worst, scientists still have a few tricks up their sleeves. For the most part they have strongly resisted discussing these options for fear of inviting a sense of complacency that might thwart efforts to tackle the root of the problem. Until now, that is. A growing number of researchers are taking a fresh look at large-scale "geoengineering" projects that might be used to counteract global warming. "I use the analogy of methadone," says Stephen Schneider, a climate researcher at Stanford University in California who was among the first to draw attention to global warming. "If you have a heroin addict, the correct treatment is hospitalization, and a long rehab. But if they absolutely refuse, methadone is better than heroin." Basically the idea is to apply "sunscreen" to the whole planet. One astronomer has come up with a radical plan to cool Earth; launch trillions of feather-light discs into space, where they would form a vast cloud that would block the sun's rays. It's controversial, but recent studies suggest there are ways to deflect just enough of the sunlight reaching the Earth's surface to counteract the warming produced by the greenhouse effect. Global climate models show that blocking just 1.8 percent of the incident energy in the sun's rays would cancel out the warming effects produced by a doubling of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. That could be crucial, because even the most severe emissions-control measures being proposed would leave us with a doubling of carbon dioxide by the end of this century, and that would last for at least a century more.
单选题
According to the first two paragraphs, the author thinks that ______. A. strong measures have been taken by the government to prevent global warming B. to reduce carbon emissions is all impossible mission C. despite the difficulty, scientists have some options to prevent global warming D. actions suggested by scientists will never be realized
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 短文第一段讲了防止地球变暖是一项艰巨的任务,第二段说,尽管如此,科学家还是有一些办法,所以C项是正确选择。A项是错误的,因为作者认为政府和一些利益集团阻碍了科学家所倡导的行动的实施;B项不是作者的观点;D项也不是正确选择,因为第一段的最后一句“might not be implemented soon enough”并不表明永远不能实现。
单选题
Scientists resist talking about their options because they don't want people to ______. A. know what they are doing B. feel their efforts are useless C. think the problem has been solved D. see the real problem
单选题
What does Stephen Schneider say about a heroin addict and methadone? A. Methadone is an effective way to treat a hard heroin addict. B. Methadone is not a correct way to treat a heroin addict. C. Hospitalization together with methadone can work effectively with a heroin addict. D. Methadone and heroin are equally effective in treating a heroin addict.
单选题
What is Stephen Schneider's idea of preventing global warming? A. To ask governments to take stronger measures. B. To increase the sunlight reaching the Earth. C. To apply sunscreen to the Earth. D. To decrease greenhouse gases.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 文章最后一段的第一句提供的答案。
单选题
What is NOT true of the effectiveness of "sunscreen" according to the last paragraph? A. It deflects sunlight reaching the Earth to counteract the warming. B. It blocks the incident energy in the sun's rays. C. It is a controversial method. D. It decreases greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.