Text 1
The pollution of Hong Kong’s beaches by
oil from a damaged tanker last year recalls a similar incident which took place
in Britain in 1967 when the Torrey Canyon, a huge oil tanker, split in two and
caused disaster in coastal areas. Shoals of fishes were killed, sea birds
hopelessly fouled with oil and coastal holiday resorts put out of business for
several weeks. As a result of this particular incident scientists are becoming
restless at the thought of Britain’s inability to cope with national disasters
on a large scale. The reason for their concern is that technology is rapidly
outstripping(超越) man’s ability to control it.
Oil tankers, for
instance, have been allowed to get bigger and bigger without sufficient thought
being given to emergency braking and manoeuvring arrangement. Collisions at sea
continue, but little effect has been made to develop safety devices as effective
as those used for aircraft.
Scientists were outspoken in
expressing their concern during a recent meeting of the British Association.
Unanimous approval was voiced when the leading speaker urged that a permanent
national rescue services should be established, equipped for any emergency and
ready to move off immediately.
Of all the possible disasters
mentioned, the one promoting most discussion was a major release of
radioactivity from a nuclear power station. One does not need a particularly
vivid imagination to visualize the other possibilities discussed. What would be
the effect of a jumbo-jet crashing on a large chemical plant handling destroying
liquids Could the tapping of natural gas lead to any form of collapse Suppose
a lorry full of a highly poisonous chemical crashed unseen into a large
reservoir Dams can burst, abnormal conditions can lead to massive electrical
blackouts.
An intensive study of such possibilities could at
least reduce the effects of future disasters. For example, it would mean that a
number of technical alternatives (such as the choice between detergent or chalk
for dispersing oil) could be examined and tested in advance so that specially
trained expert would know exactly what action was needed in a given
emergency. |
What is the author’s attitude toward the rapid development of technology
A:Tolerant. B:Enthusiastic. C:Hateful. D:Cautious.
Loud noises can be annoying（ ）.
A:hateful B:painful C:horrifying D:disturbing
She was grateful to him for being so good to her.
A:helpful B:hateful C:delightful D:thankful
Loud noise can be annoying.
A:hateful B:painful C:horrifying D:irritating
She was {{U}}grateful{{/U}} to him for being so good to her.
A:careful B:hateful C:beautiful D:thankful
The chemical is {{U}}deadly{{/U}} to rats but safe to cattle.
A:fatal B:hateful C:good D:useful
Loud noises can annoying.
A:hateful B:painful C:horrifying D:irritating
Loud noises can be annoying.
A:hateful B:painful C:horrifying D:irritating
单选题
