A
(厦门外国语学校阶段考试)
Until recently, scientists had mapped only about 20 percent of the sea floor. But our knowledge of the deep seas is changing because of information from satellites. Scientists have produced a new map that provides a detailed picture of the oceans. The map is expected to help oceanographers (海洋学家), industry and governments.
The new map is twice as detailed as the map made 20 years ago. David Sandwell is a geophysics professor at the University of California. He and other scientists worked on the mapping project. He says they turned to space to look deeper into the ocean.
The scientists collected and studied information from two satellites. Some of the data came from the European Space Agency's Cryo2 satellite. It was placed in Earth's orbit to watch sea ice. The other satellite is the American Space Agency's Jason1. It is studying the surface of the oceans. Scientists combined the satellite data with images gathered by sonar (声呐) equipment on ships. Sonar works by sending sound waves through the water. When the sound waves hit an object, its presence is confirmed.
The new map shows the sea floor as it has never been seen before. It shows thousands of underwater mountains and places where continents pulled apart. It shows where earthquakes were active many years ago. They all are buried deep underneath the ocean floor.
David Sandwell says the map is a powerful tool for fisheries, those interested in protecting the environment and for oil exploration.
“The petroleum exploration industry is interested in how to reconnect the continents, bring them back together tectonically so you can map the basins on one continental edge—say, Africa—and use that to establish where the similar basin would be on the other continental edge in South America.”
If scientists know that information, they may be able to find oil fields. The new data also will help scientists improve their estimates of ocean depths. This information can help ships travel safely and improve military operations and scientific projects worldwide.
Mr Sandwell thinks scientists will make many more discoveries as they examine the new map and the information it provides.
这是一篇介绍关于新的海洋洋流地图的科普类文章。这个地图不仅能提供详细的大洋的图片而且还可以看到大洋底部的状况，我们通过这个地图可以判断多年前发生在海洋底部的大地震。
1．Which one is NOT mentioned about the benefits brought by the new map?
A．Fisheries. B．Scientific projects.
C．Ship manufacture. D．Oil exploration.
答案：C
解析：细节理解题。根据第五段中的“...the map is a powerful tool for fisheries, those interested in protecting the environment and for oil exploration.”可知，新式地图的编制有利于渔业，环境科学研究以及石油勘探等方面，但并没提到造船业。
2．What can we know about the new map?
A．It shows where earthquakes will happen.
B．It will be helpful to industry and governments.
C．It is three times as detailed as the old one years ago.
D．It shows the sea floor as it has ever been seen before.
答案：B
解析：细节理解题。根据第一段中的“The map is expected to help oceanographers (海洋学家), industry and governments.”可知，新式地图有望帮助海洋学家，工业及政府。
3．The text is likely to appear in ________.
A．a newspaper B．an advertisement
C．a science magazine D．a finance report
答案：C
解析：推理判断题。纵观全文，主要讲述了新式地图给海洋科学、工业科学、石油勘探等方面带来的有利之处。故可以推测该文来源于科技杂志。
4．Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A．The detailed picture of the oceans
B．Underwater mountains and places
C．More discoveries about the oceans
D．Scientists create new maps of ocean floor
答案：D
解析：主旨大意题。根据第一段中的“Scientists have produced a new map that provides a detailed picture of the oceans. The map is expected to help oceanographers (海洋学家), industry and governments.”以及下文对新式地图绘制过程及在各领域方面的运用可知，本文主要介绍了科学家绘制的新式海底地图。
