Many of the most damaging types of weather begin quickly, strike suddenly, and disappear rapidly, destroying small areas while leaving neighboring areas untouched．Such event as a tornado struck the northeastern part of Edmonton, Alberta, in July 1987．Total damages from the tornado went beyond $250 million, the highest ever for any Canadian storm．

Traditional computer models of the atmosphere have limited value in predicting short-lived local storms like the Edmonton tornado, because the available weather data are generally not detailed enough to allow computers to study carefully the slight atmospheric changes that come before these storms．In most nations, for example, weather-balloon observations are taken just once every twelve hours at places separated by hundreds of miles．With such limited data, traditional forecasting models do a much better job predicting general weather conditions over large areas than they do forecasting specific local events．

Until recently, the observation intensive method needed for exact, very short-range forecasts, or “Nowcasts,” was not possible．The cost of equipping and operating many thousands of conventional weather stations was extremely high, and the difficulties concerned in rapidly collecting and processing the weather data from such a network were hard to overcome．

Fortunately, scientific and technological advances have overcome most of these problems．Radar systems and satellites are all able to make detailed, nearly continuous observation over large areas at a lower cost．Communications satellites can send out data around the world cheaply and immediately, and modern computers can quickly collect and analyze this large amount of weather information．

Meteorologists（气象学者）and computer scientists now work together to design computer programs and video equipment able to change weather data into words and graphic displays that forecasters can understand easily and quickly．As meteorologists have begun using these new technologies in weather forecasting offices, Nowcasting is becoming a reality．

1．Why can’t traditional computer models predict short-lived local storms?

A．The weather data people collect are often wrong．

B．Detailed weather data in some small areas are not available．

C．The computers are not advanced enough to predict them．D．The computers are not used to forecast specific local events．

2．The word “Nowcast” in Paragraph 3 means ________．

A．a network to collect storm data     

B．a way of collecting weather data

C．a more advanced system of weather observation

D．a forecast which can predict weather in the small area

3．What can make “Nowcasts” a reality according to the passage?

A．Scientific and technological advances． B．Advanced computer programs．

C．Computer scientists．              D．Meteorologists．

4．What does the passage mainly talk about?

A．The advantages of “Nowcasts”．        B．A tornado in Edmonton, Alberta．

C．The difficulty in predicting tornado．  D．A great development in weather forecast．

People in the United States honor their parents with two special days: Mother’s Day, on the second Sunday in May, and Father’s Day, on the third Sunday in June.

Mother’s Day was proclaimed a day for national observance by President Woodrow Wilson in 1915. Ann Jarvis from Grafton, West Virginia, had started the idea to have a day to honor mothers. She was the one who chose the second Sunday in May and also began the custom of wearing a carnation.

In 1909, Mrs. Dodd from Spokane, Washington, thought of the idea of a day to honor fathers. She wanted to honor her own father, William Smart. After her mother died, he had the responsibility of raising a family of five sons and a daughter. In 1910, the first Father’s Day was observed in Spokane. Senator Margaret Chase Smith helped to establish Father’s Day as a national commemorative day in 1972.

These days are set aside to show love and respect for parents. They raise their children and educate them to be responsible citizens. They give love and care.

These two special days are celebrated in many different ways. On Mother’s Day people wear carnations. A red one symbolizes a living mother. A white one shows that the mother is dead．Many people attend religious services to honor parents. It is also a day when people whose parents are dead visit the cemetery. On these days families get together at home, as well as in restaurants. They often have outdoor barbecues for Father’s Day. These are days of fun and good feelings and memories.

小题1:According to the passage, which of the following about the second Sunday in May is

NOT true?

A．It is a day to show love to mothers

B．It is a day to wear carnations

C．It is a day for people to visit the cemetery

D．It is a day for many people to attend religious services小题2:Choose the right time order of the following events.

a. The first Father’s Day was observed.

b. Mother’s Day was proclaimed a day for national observance

c. Father’s Day became a day for national observance. 

d. The idea of honoring fathers was brought up

A．a b c d

B．d a b c

C．b a c d

D．d a c b小题3:Who plays the most important role in Father’s Day becoming a national commemorative day?

A．Mrs. Do

B．Margaret Chase Smith

C．Ann Jarvis

D．Woodrow Wilson小题4:From the passage, we know in the U.S. ________________.

A．one should wear a red carnation if one’s mother pass away

B．on Mother’s Day, families often go out to have barbecues

C．on Father’s Day, people often stay at home to celebrate the special day.

D．The purpose to have these two special days is to show love to parents小题5:The author’s purpose of writing this passage is to __________

A．call on people to love and respect their parents

B．introduce Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

C．tell the difference between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day

D．show how important fathers and mothers are