Though harvesting ice is not a new concept, recently it has been considered in a new way. Scientists have been studying this idea of harvesting ice as a possible solution to the problem of the world’s dwindling fresh water supply. Ninety percent of the earth’s fresh water is in the icecap of Antarctica. If only 10 percent of the ice could be towed to civilization, it could provide water for 500 million people. But the problem, of course, is one of melting. How can a giant iceberg be lower across the sea without melting? The answer could lie in enclosing the floating ice in a huge cylindrical container, which is opened at both ends, then the ends could be sealed and the seawater pumped out. After that it could be towed to civilization. The melting rate would be slowed down and the synthetic cocoon would act as a holding tank for the water. Engineering this project, which might include a container up to one kilometer in length and 100 meters in diameter, would be a feat, but engineers say it is possible. After al fishermen in North Austria sometimes use nets 8 kilometers long and 20 meters across.
1.
What is the main subject of this passage?
a.
The dwindling water supply on earth
b.
Fresh water in the Antarctic
c.
A solution to fresh water needs
d.
The making of a synthetic cocoon
2.
The word “harvesting”
as used in line 1 most likely refers to which of the following?
a.
Cutting and gathering
b.
Sorting and assembling
c.
Producing and selling
d.
Accumulating and storing
3.
The word “concept” in line 1 is most similar to
which of the following?
a.
Belief
b.
Idea
c.
Concern
d.
Opinion
4.
Of all the earth’s water, the icecaps of
Antarctica contain
a.
10 percent of the fresh water
b.
10 percent of the salt water
c.
90 percent of the fresh water
d.
90 percent of the salt water
5.
The word “dwindling” in line 2 could be replaced
by which of the following?
a.
Developing
b.
Insignificant
c.
Inferior
d.
Declining
6.
How does the author propose to transport the
ice?
a.
By pulling it
b.
By chopping it
c.
By piping it
d.
By melting it
7.
According to the passage the purpose of the
fabric container is to
a.
Protect the ice
b.
Diminish the speed of melting
c.
Hold the water
d.
Pump out the sea water
8.
The word “cylindrical” in line 6 refers to a
shape that is closest to which of the following?
a.
Box
b.
Funnel
c.
Tube
d.
Globe
9.
In line 8 the word “ synthetic” is closest in
meaning to
a.
Imagined
b.
Natural
c.
Durable
d.
Artificial
10.
The word “ sealed” as used in line 8 is most similar
in meaning to
a.
Secured
b.
Stamped
c.
Screened
d.
Scrubbed
11.
As used in line 8 , the word “cocoon” refers to
a.
Protection against insects
b.
A tank in the boat
c.
A very large net
d.
A protective covering
12.
The word “feat” in the second –last line is most
similar in meaning to which of the following?
a.
Expensive undertaking
b.
Difficult task
c.
Disagreeable job
d.
Critical step
13.
The purpose of the last sentence is to
a.
Reinforce the feasibility of the project
b.
Compare fisherman to engineers
c.
Contrast iceberg containers and fishing nets
d.
Define the size of the container
Answer:
1.
C
2.
D
3.
B
4.
C
5.
D
6.
A
7.
C
8.
C
9.
D
10.
A
11.
D
12.
B
13.
A
No comments:
Post a Comment