阅读理解。
As the population of the planet increases, so does the number of homes, businesses, parking lots, schools,
airports and roadways. All these structures use electricity and need to be lighted. Humans demand these lights.
They want their homes more comfortable and they want their streets sage. The problem is that researchers are
finding that all the light is having a negative effect on humans and wildlife as well.
Less than 10 years ago I drove to a thinly populated section of my town, lay down in the middle of the road
and watched an attracted meteor shower (流星雨). The area was short of homes, street lights and traffic. If I
did that today, I wouldn't be able to see the meteor shower as well, and I would surely be run over by a car.
Nowadays scientists are finding light pollution can be almost as bad as carbon dioxide pollution. If you've
ever taken a flight at night, the view is beautiful, but you must remember that all the light you see is wasted
electricity. The crew of the space shuttles see an even bigger picture of how extensive the wasted electricity
is worldwide.
Additionally, electricity needs to be generated, and the generation of electricity creates pollution by giving
off greenhouse gases. This affects the air we breathe and our quality of life.
Scientists are also studying the effects of light pollution on wildlife. Thousands of birds die each year when
they crash into highly lighted buildings, as they become puzzled by the light. It has been long known that tiny
sea turtle hatchlings become lost and follow lights on the shore instead of heading towards the sea.
Fortunately, light pollution is one of the easiest sources of pollution that can be corrected without a negative
effect. Following some guidelines and a little searching on Google can give you many ideas on how to reduce
your contribution to light pollution.
1. The author tells the story in the second paragraph mainly to _____.
A. remember the past beauty of the town.
B. stress the advantages of less pollution
C. show the great changes of the town
D. prove the bad effects of light pollution
2. In the passage the author advises people ______.
A. to try to reduce unnecessary light.
B. not to ignore the beauty around.
C. to set proper light for animals
D. not to destroy the animal's living conditions.
3. What can be inferred from the passage?
A. Light pollution is difficult to deal with.
B. Light pollution is a threat to some animals.
C. Light pollution has nothing to do with global warming
D. Astronauts can't see clearly in space due to light pollution.
4. What is most likely to be discussed in the paragraph which follows the last paragraph?
A. The author's contribution to light pollution
B. Other sources of light pollution
C. Ways of reducing light pollution
D. More bad effects of light pollution
