In the second half of each year, many powerful storms are born in the tropical(热带的)Atlantic and Caribbean seas. Of these, only about half a dozen becomes the strong, circling winds of 75 miles per hour or more that are called hurricanes, and several usually make their way to the coast. There they cause millions of dollars of damage, and bring death to large numbers of people.
The great storms that hit the coast start as soft circling wind hundreds — even thousands — of miles out to sea. As they travel aimlessly over water warmed by the summer sun, they are carried westward by the southeast winds. When conditions are just right, warm, moist(潮湿) air flows in at the bottom of such a wind, moves upward through it and comes out at the top. In the process(过程), the moisture in this warm air produces rain, and with it the heat is changed to energy in the form of strong winds. As the heat increases, the young hurricane begins to move in a counter-clockwise motion(逆时针运动).
The life of a hurricane is only about nine days, but it contains almost more power than we can imagine. The energy in the heat released(释放) by a hurricane’s rainfall in a single day would satisfy the entire electrical needs of the United States for more than six months. Water, not wind, is the main source of death and destruction(毁灭) in a hurricane. A typical hurricane brings 6 to 12 inch downpours, causing sudden floods. Worst of all is the powerful movement of the sea — the mountains of water moving toward the hurricane center. The water level rises as much as 15 feet above normal as it moves toward shore.
1. When is an ordinary tropical storm called a hurricane?
A. When it begins in the Atlantic and Caribbean seas.
B. When it hits the coastline.
C. When it is more than 75 miles wide.
D. When its winds reach 75 miles per hour.
2. What is the worst thing about hurricanes?
A. The terrible effects of water. B. The heat they give off.
C. That they last about nine days. D. Their strong winds.
3. Here the word “downpour” means ______.
A. heavy rainfall
B. dangerous waves
C. the progress of water to the hurricane center
D. the increasing heat
4. Which statement about a hurricane is wrong?
A. It travels more than 75 miles per hour.
B. It usually stays about 9 days.
C. It usually causes 6 to 12 inch downpours.
D. It sometimes brings the sea water level to the height of 15 feet.
【答案与解析】本文为说明文，介绍了飓风形成的过程和危害。
1. D。细节题。根据 … the stories, circling winds of 75 miles per hour or more that are called hurricanes，可推知此题答案为D。
2. A。细节题。根据Water, not wind, is the main source of death and destruction(毁灭) in a hurricane 以及文章的最后两句可推知此题答案为A。
3. A。词义猜测题。根据构词法可猜出其意义。也可根据第3段第4句中的causing sudden floods(导致突然的水灾)推出其义。
4. D。细节题。根据The water level rises as much as 15 feet above normal as it moves toward shore可知，水位已高出正常水位15英尺，这显然与D项内容不符。
