阅读理解
(2019·新疆维吾尔自治区适应性检测) Superstorm Sandy slammed into the eastern United States years ago. The winddriven water caused a lot of flooding, especially in the region’s subway system. Now two teens have invented a device that could help prevent future subway floods.
In New York City alone, Superstorm Sandy caused an estimated $ 19 billion in damage. Much of the floodwaters entered the subway system through its ventilation grates(通风栅). Those metal grilles usually lie at ground level. When the system is shut down ahead of a flood, engineers try to cover those grates with plywood(胶合板) and sandbags. But the flooding often washes away those measures, which allows water to flow into the tunnels. Raising those grates even a tiny bit above ground level would cost a lot of money. Other ideas have included building tall chimneys around the holes. That would raise the grates and cost a lot of money, too.
Kyle and Raymond came up with a different, less expensive idea. They designed a metal grate with a builtin, adjustable cover. When trains are running, one part of the grate slides open to bring in fresh air. But when the system is shut down, that part can be slid shut to completely block the grate.
Their grate is the same size as the grates used now. So, it would be simple, they say, to lift out the old grate and drop in a replacement. Their design includes tamperproof features, which can prevent operation mistakes. They make sure that people don’t intentionally shut off airflow during normal conditions. For people with the proper key, it would only take a minute or two to close the grate ahead of a flood.
【解题导语】 本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了几年前超级风暴Sandy猛烈袭击美国东部，造成了洪水灾害，当地的地铁被洪水淹没。为防止地铁再次被洪水淹没，两位少年发明了一种装置。
1．What’s the second paragraph mainly about?
A．The steps to operate grates.
B．The measures to prevent flood.
C．The function of plywood and sandbags.
D．The disadvantage of present subway system.
D 解析：段落大意题。根据第二段第一句可知，据估计超级风暴Sandy仅在纽约市就造成了价值190亿美元的损失。文章接下来分析了超级风暴造成的洪水淹没地铁的原因：目前的地铁系统存在很大的弊端。故本题选D。
2．Which of the following words best describes the two teens’ new invention?
A．Costly. B．Timesaving.
C．Practical. D．Conventional.
C 解析：推理判断题。根据文章最后一段第一、第二句可知他们使用的栅栏和现在使用的栅栏大小一样，所以很容易就可以把旧的栅栏取出来，放入一个替换栅栏；再结合最后一段最后两句可知，新的装置操作起来也很方便。故选C。
3．What’s the purpose of designing the tamperproof feature?
A．To replace the old grate correctly.
B．To close the grate ahead of a flood.
C．To ensure airflow in normal conditions.
D．To stop the train speeding up unexpectedly.
C 解析：细节理解题。根据最后一段第三、第四句可知，设计干预防护的特点可以阻止操作失误，有了干预防护，他们确保人们不会有意地在正常情况下关掉空气流通的功能，故本题选C。
4．Where does the text most probably come from?
A．A news report.
B．An adventurous story.
C．An introduction to new equipment.
D．A guidebook to making grates.
A 解析：文章出处题。通读全文可知，本文主要讲述了两位少年发明了一种成本较低、实用的地铁防洪装置以及该装置的特点和优势，应该属于新闻报道类文章，故选A。
