题目

阅读理解 An inspiration for poets and authors, explorers and adventurers, the vast Arabian Desert is one of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. It is hard not to be moved by its dramatic land or its seemingly endless sea of sand dunes (沙丘). However, limiting the physical movement of these natural desert wonders themselves is an almost impossible task. Strong winds that blow up through these wide-open spaces sweep the surface, reshaping large sand dunes at will. In addition, running water from winter rains carves fresh patterns into the desert floor. The unique geography and constant flow of sand presents a set of challenges to the early settlements, particularly since many of them are situated in remote desert locations. Fortunately, a discipline exists that traces its roots back to some of the earliest known civilizations, and which has also helped settlers there build safe, stable structures. Known as geotechnical engineering, it involves using geological knowledge to solve engineering problems and it is helping preserve desert operations through breakthroughs in sand and soil stabilization, without harming the natural environment. Experts have piloted a new method of sand control that involves spraying chemicals onto sand around facilities where there is an absence of vegetation or biodiversity. Thus, a hard coat is created that prevents the sand from moving. This has proven so successful that it will cover a total of 700 square kilometers in the upcoming projects. The chemicals hold sand in place for between three to five years without influencing the environment, at which point another coat can be applied if required. We are now using predictive modeling and satellite imaging to determine the effectiveness of the approach, while trials have been scheduled to assess whether it can be applied to access roads und pipeline routes as well. But as technology advances, so too must our approach to urban development. And as the science of materials progress, we can expect to see more examples of changing the way we connect with our surroundings. （1） What is the purpose of the first paragraph of the text? A . To introduce the theme. B . To present the main idea. C . To show the beauty of desert. D . To emphasize an impossible task. （2） Which of the following makes it challenging to live in deserts? A . Sand keeps flowing in a certain pattern. B . Deserts are remote and relatively uninhabited. C . Running water from winter rains is running out. D . Strong winds change the shape of sand dunes at will. （3） What do we know about the new method of sand control? A . The chemicals con work for more than 5 years. B . Sand around the facilities is coated with vegetation C . A chemical coat is formed to stop the sand from flowing. D . The method has been applied to 700 square kilometers successfully. （4） What can we infer from the last paragraph? A . Our way of life is changing faster than ever. B . Advances in materials are beyond our expectation. C . We are in the hope of setting examples of changing the world. D . The science of materials contributes to our relationship with nature. 答案： D A C C

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