As the temperature continues to rise because of global warming, some of this increased heat goes into the oceans, which leads to the rising of sea levels and raises temperatures at the sea surface. Scientists expect that rising sea surface temperatures could produce an increasing number of hurricanes(飓风) while making them stronger than previous ones. Globally, it is uncertain whether global warming is creating more of these storms. However, there are signs of change in some areas, such as the North Atlantic.
A close look at hurricane records from 1980 to 2022 shows that hurricane activity is increasing in the North Atlantic. An analysis shows that the number of hurricanes is going upward, and so is the number of major hurricanes, which have winds of 178 kilometres per hour or more. Of these years, the 2005 North Atlantic hurricane season stands out, as it had 15 hurricanes, of which 7 became major hurricanes.
However, this increase is still a normal change. Many of these increases are caused by the arrival of El Niño(厄尔尼诺现象) in the Pacific Ocean—a climate phenomenon that has an effect on hurricane development in the North Atlantic.
Are scientists at a point where they can argue confidently that hurricane activity is increasing? Or that global warming is causing an increase in hurricane activity? Right now the answer to both of these questions is no. Global and local hurricane records show that the
increase in hurricanes in the North Atlantic does not appear in many of the other hurricane-producing areas. In fact, hurricane activity in some areas has even reduced over the same period.
What's more, there is no sign that the increase in the North Atlantic will continue. While climate science goes on studying how El Niño affects global warming, research continues to suggest that a warming ocean makes hurricanes more and more likely. However, whether these hypotheses(假说) will be proved correct remains to be seen.
8. How do scientists do their research on hurricane increasing?
A. By doing field observation.
B. By making close observation.
C. By analyzing old records.
D. By grouping different hurricanes.
9. What can we infer about the increase of hurricanes from this passage?
A. It will cause sea level to rise.
B. It may be a local phenomenon.
C. It results in warmer sea surface.
D. It often creates disastrous storms.
10. What might the follow-up research focus on?
A. The direct cause of hurricanes on the Atlantic Ocean.
B. The reason for the change in the number of hurricanes.
C. The relationship between sea temperature and El Niño.
D. The relationship between hurricanes and warming ocean.
11. What can be the best title for this text?
A. Will Global Warming Be Controlled?
B. Will Human Beings Face More Dangers?
C. Are Hurricanes Spreading Elsewhere?
D. Is the Number of Hurricanes Increasing?
D

8.C 9.B 10.D 11.D
C
【文章大意】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了一些关于在全球变暖背景下,飓风活动是否会增加及其原因的科学研究和争议。
8. C 细节理解题。根据第二段“A close look at hurricane records from 1980 to 2022 shows that hurricane activity is increasing in the North Atlantic.”可知,科学家们是通过分析过去的飓风记录来研究飓风增加的。故选 C。
9. B 推理判断题。根据第四段“In fact, hurricane activity in some areas has even reduced over the same period.”可知,北大西洋飓风增加的现象并没有在全球范围内普遍出现,由此可推断出,飓风的增加可能是一种局部现象。故选 B。
10. D 推理判断题。根据最后一段“... research continues to suggest that a warming ocean makes hurricanes more and more likely. However, whether these hypotheses will be proved correct remains to be seen.”可知,后续的研究可能会继续关注海洋变暖和飓风之间的关系。故选 D。
11. D 标题归纳题。通读全文,结合第一段中“Scientists expect that rising sea surface temperatures could produce an increasing number of hurricanes while making them stronger than previous ones. Globally, it is uncertain whether global warming is creating more of these storms.”可知,文章开篇提到全球变暖可能使飓风数量增加等情况,接着围绕北大西洋飓风活动的增减情况以及科学界对于飓风数量是否真的在增加等相关问题进行探讨,一直在围绕飓风数量是否增加这一核心话题展开论述。所以最佳标题应该是“飓风的数量在增加吗?”。故选 D。