Mobile Phones
Mobile phones should carry a label if they proved1 to be a dangerous source of radiation, according to Robert Bell,a scientist.And no more mobile phone transmitter towers should be build until the long-term health effects of the electromagnetic radiation they emit is scientifically evaluated,he said."Nobody's going to drop dead overnight2 but we should be asking for more scientific information, ”Robert Bell said at a conference on the health effects of low-level radiation. _____ (1) _____
A report widely circulated among the public says that up to now scientists do not really know enough to guarantee there are no ill effects on humans from electromagnetic radiation. According to Robert Bell,there are 3.3 million mobile phones in Australia alone and they are increasing by3 2,000 a day.
_____ (2) _____
As well,there are 2,000 transmitter towers around Australia,many in high density residential areas5._____ (3) _____The electromagnetic radiation emitted from these towers may have already produced some harmful effects on the health of the residents nearby.
Robert Bell suggests that until more research is completed the Government should ban construction of phone towers from within a 500 metre radius of school grounds, child care centres, hospitals,sports playing fields and residential areas with a high percentage of children.
_____ (4) _____ He adds that there is also evidence that if cancer sufferers are subjected to electromagnetic waves the growth rate of the disease accelerates.
_____ (5) _____ According to Robert Bell,it is reasonable for the major telephone companies to fund it. Besides, he also urges the Government to set up a wide ranging inquiry into possible health effects.
词汇:
mobile adj. 移动的 circulate v.流传
electromagneticadj. 电磁的 density n. 密度
transmitter tower 发射塔 disregard v. 不顾
shield n. 隔离屏 accelerate v. 加速,加快
注释:
1. 动词prove用的是过去式形式proved,这是一种虚拟语气表示假设的用法。
2. Nobody's going to drop dead overnight … : “没有人会在一个晚上倒地死去……” overnight 是副词,意为“一夜间;一下子;整夜”。如:
This stadium was not built overnight . 这个体育场不是一下子建起来的。
On his way to Europe, John stayed with his parents in Chicago overnight.
3. 介词by表示“以……(的速度增加)”。
4. 介词by表示“到……前”。
By Thursday morning you should complete writing the experiment report.
the year 2000 : 公元2000年。
5. many in high density residential areas :是独立分词短语。注意它省略了being, 即 many (being) in high density residential areas. 此外,many 指的是 many transmitter towers.
6. at a rate more than three times that of adults 可以理解为 at a rate (that is ) more than three times that of adults, 意为“以比成人多两倍的比率……”短语中的that 指代rate。倍数的表达法是:“数字 + times + 名词/that”。如:
His salary is three times that of mine.
The sales volume of refrigerators in 2000 was two times that in 1999.
练习:
A. He says there is emerging evidence that children absorb low-level radiation at a rate more than three times that of adults6.
B. By the year 20004 it is estimated that Australia will have 8 million mobile phones: nearly one for every two people
C. "If mobile phones are found to be dangerous, they should carry a warning label until proper shields can be devised,"he said.
D. Then who finances the research?
E. For example,Telstra,Optus and Vodaphone build their towers where it is geographically suitable to them and disregard the need of the community.
F. The conclusion is that mobile phones brings more harm than benefit.
答案与题解:
1. C “空1”应该填入与low-level radiation 有关的内容,例如 low-level radiation 究竟有害还是无害。所以,C是合适的选项。此外,直接阴郁也佐证了选择的合理性。
2. B “空2”前面一句介绍了澳大利亚拥有手机的现状。选项B的内容是对到2000年年底之前手机发展前景的预测,内容连贯,是正确答案。
3. E 这一段的第一句说的是,许多微波发射塔建在人口稠密的居民区。选项E的内容涉及微波发射塔的地点选择只考虑到地理位置,而不顾及公众的需求。选项E扩展了 第一句表达的信息。此外,选项E中出现 tower 这个词,与第一句的 tower 相呼应,也佐证了选择的合理性。
4. A “空4”前面一句说的是Robert Bell建议政府应该禁止在学校操场、儿童日托中心、医院、运动场所以及儿童占比例较高的居住场所方圆500米范围内建发射塔。选项A说明要这样做的原因,因而是答案。
5. D “空5”后面一句说的是 major telephone companies 出钱资助研究项目的问题,提示了D是正确答案。