题目

The terms "global warming" and "climate change" are used by many，seemingly interchangeably.But do they really mean the same thing？ Scientists shaped the history of the terms while attempting to accurately describe how humans continue to alter the planet.Later，political strategists adopted the terms to influence public opinion. In 1975，geochemist Wallace Broecker introduced the term "climate change" in an article published by Science.In 1979，a National Academy of Sciences report used the term "global warming" to define increases in the Earth's average surface temperature，while "climate change" more broadly referred to the numerous effects of this increase，such as sea-level rise and ocean acidification（酸化）. During the following decades，some industrialists and politicians launched a campaign to sow doubt inthe minds of the American public about the ability of fossil-fuel use，deforestation and other human activities to influence the planet's climate. Word use played a critical role in developing that doubt.For example，the language and polls expert Frank Luntz wrote a memo encouraging the use of "climate change" because the phrase sounded less scary than "global warming，" reported the Guardian. However，Luntz's recommendation wasn't necessary.A Google Ngram Viewer chart shows that by 1993 climate change was already more commonly used in books than global warming.By the end of the next decade both words were used more frequently，and climate change was used nearly twice as often as global warming. NASA used the term "climate change" because it more accurately reflects the wide range of changes to the planet caused by increasing amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The debate isn't new.A century ago，chemist Svante Arrhenius started one of the first debates over the potential for humans to influence the planet's climate.Arrhenius calculated the capability of carbon dioxide to trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere，but other chemists disagreed.Some argued that humans weren't producing enough greenhouse gases，while others claimed the effects would be tiny.Now，of course，we know that whatever you call it，human behavior is warming the planet，with grave consequences ahead.（1）Why did politicians use the two terms "global warming" and "climate change"？ ______A.To sway public opinion of the impact of human activities on Earth.B.To more accurately describe the consequences of human activities.C.To win more popular votes in their campaign activities.D.To assure the public of the safety of existing industries.（2）As used in a National Academy of Sciences report，the term "climate change" differs from "globalwarming" in that ______A.it sounds less vagueB.it looks more scientificC.it covers more phenomenaD.it is much closer to reality（3）What did industrialists of the late 20th century resort to in order to mislead Americans？ ______A.Made-up survey results.B.Hired climate experts.C.False research findings.D.eliberate choice of words.（4）What is the author's final conclusion？ ______A.Global warming is the more accurate term.B.Accuracy of terminology matters in science.C.Human activities have serious effects on Earth.D.Politics interferes with serious scientific debate.

The terms "global warming" and "climate change" are used by many，seemingly interchangeably.But do they really mean the same thing？    Scientists shaped the history of the terms while attempting to accurately describe how humans continue to alter the planet.Later，political strategists adopted the terms to influence public opinion.    In 1975，geochemist Wallace Broecker introduced the term "climate change" in an article published by Science.In 1979，a National Academy of Sciences report used the term "global warming" to define increases in the Earth's average surface temperature，while "climate change" more broadly referred to the numerous effects of this increase，such as sea-level rise and ocean acidification（酸化）.    During the following decades，some industrialists and politicians launched a campaign to sow doubt inthe minds of the American public about the ability of fossil-fuel use，deforestation and other human activities to influence the planet's climate.    Word use played a critical role in developing that doubt.For example，the language and polls expert Frank Luntz wrote a memo encouraging the use of "climate change" because the phrase sounded less scary than "global warming，" reported the Guardian.    However，Luntz's recommendation wasn't necessary.A Google Ngram Viewer chart shows that by 1993 climate change was already more commonly used in books than global warming.By the end of the next decade both words were used more frequently，and climate change was used nearly twice as often as global warming.    NASA used the term "climate change" because it more accurately reflects the wide range of changes to the planet caused by increasing amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.    The debate isn't new.A century ago，chemist Svante Arrhenius started one of the first debates over the potential for humans to influence the planet's climate.Arrhenius calculated the capability of carbon dioxide to trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere，but other chemists disagreed.Some argued that humans weren't producing enough greenhouse gases，while others claimed the effects would be tiny.Now，of course，we know that whatever you call it，human behavior is warming the planet，with grave consequences ahead.（1）Why did politicians use the two terms "global warming" and "climate change"？ ______A.To sway public opinion of the impact of human activities on Earth.B.To more accurately describe the consequences of human activities.C.To win more popular votes in their campaign activities.D.To assure the public of the safety of existing industries.（2）As used in a National Academy of Sciences report，the term "climate change" differs from "globalwarming" in that  ______A.it sounds less vagueB.it looks more scientificC.it covers more phenomenaD.it is much closer to reality（3）What did industrialists of the late 20th century resort to in order to mislead Americans？ ______A.Made-up survey results.B.Hired climate experts.C.False research findings.D.eliberate choice of words.（4）What is the author's final conclusion？ ______A.Global warming is the more accurate term.B.Accuracy of terminology matters in science.C.Human activities have serious effects on Earth.D.Politics interferes with serious scientific debate.

题目解答

答案

（1）A.推理判断题。根据第二段Scientists shaped the history of the terms while attempting to accurately describe how humans continue to alter the planet.Later，political strategists adopted the terms to influence public opinion.（科学家们在试图准确描述人类如何继续改变地球的同时，塑造了这些术语的历史。后来，政治战略家采用这些术语来影响公众舆论）"可知，政治家们使用"全球变暖"和"气候变化"这两个词来影响公众对人类活动对地球影响的看法。故选A。（2）C.细节理解题。根据第三段的In 1979，a National Academy of Sciences report used the term "global warming" to define increases in the Earth's average surface temperature，while "climate change" more broadly referred to the numerous effects of this increase，such as sea-level rise and ocean acidification（酸化）.（1979年，美国国家科学院（National Academy of Sciences）的一份报告使用了"全球变暖"一词来定义地球平均表面温度的上升，而"气候变化"更广泛地指的是这种上升带来的众多影响，如海平面上升和海洋酸化。）可知，正如在一份国家科学院的报告中所使用的，"气候变化"一词与"全球变暖"的区别在于"气候变化"这个词涵盖了更多的现象，例如海平面上升和海洋酸化。故选C。（3）D.细节理解题。根据第四段的 During the following decades，some industrialists and politicians launched a campaign to sow doubt in the minds of the American public about the ability of fossil-fuel use，deforestation and other human activities to influence the planet's climate.（在接下来的几十年里，一些实业家和政治家发起了一场运动，让美国公众对化石燃料的使用、森林砍伐和其他人类活动影响地球气候的能力产生怀疑。）以及第五段中的Word use played a critical role in developing that doubt（词语的使用在产生这种怀疑的过程中起到了关键作用）可知，20世纪后期的实业家们利用蓄意的用词来误导美国人。故选D。（4）C.细节理解题。根据最后一段的"Now，of course，we know that whatever you call it，human behavior is warming the planet，with grave consequences ahead.（现在，当然，我们知道，不管你怎么称呼它，人类的行为正在使地球变暖，并带来严重的后果。）可知，作者的最终结论是人类活动对地球有严重的影响。故选C。

解析

本题主要考查对文章内容的理解和推理能力。解题的关键在于仔细阅读文章，理解每个段落的主旨以及关键信息，并根据题目要求进行分析和判断。

  1. 第一题：
    • 文章第二段提到“Scientists shaped the history of the terms while attempting to accurately describe how humans continue to alter the planet. Later, political strategists adopted the terms to influence public opinion.”，这表明政治家使用“global warming”和“climate change”这两个术语的目的是影响公众舆论。
    • 选项A“To sway public opinion of the impact of human activities on Earth”（影响公众对人类活动对地球影响的看法）与原文意思相符。
    • 选项B“To more accurately describe the consequences of human activities”是科学家使用这些术语的目的，并非政治家，所以B错误。
    • 选项C“To win more popular votes in their campaign activities”在文中未提及，所以C错误。
    • 选项D“To assure the public of the safety of existing industries”也未在文中体现，所以D错误。
  2. 第二题：
    • 第三段指出“In 1979, a National Academy of Sciences report used the term ‘global warming’ to define increases in the Earth's average surface temperature, while ‘climate change’ more broadly referred to the numerous effects of this increase, such as sea - level rise and ocean acidification.”。
    • 这说明“global warming”主要指地球平均表面温度的上升，而“climate change”涵盖了温度上升带来的众多影响，如海平面上升和海洋酸化等。
    • 选项C“it covers more phenomena”（它涵盖了更多的现象）符合原文描述。
    • 选项A“it sounds less vague”（它听起来不那么模糊）、选项B“it looks more scientific”（它看起来更科学）和选项D“it is much closer to reality”（它更接近现实）在文中均未体现，所以A、B、D错误。
  3. 第三题：
    • 第四段提到“During the following decades, some industrialists and politicians launched a campaign to sow doubt in the minds of the American public about the ability of fossil - fuel use, deforestation and other human activities to influence the planet's climate.”，说明实业家和政治家发起运动让公众对人类活动影响地球气候的能力产生怀疑。
    • 第五段又指出“Word use played a critical role in developing that doubt”，即词语的使用在产生这种怀疑的过程中起到了关键作用。
    • 选项D“deliberate choice of words”（蓄意的用词选择）符合文意。
    • 选项A“Made - up survey results”（编造的调查结果）、选项B“Hired climate experts”（聘请气候专家）和选项C“False research findings”（虚假的研究结果）在文中均未提及，所以A、B、C错误。
  4. 第四题：
    • 最后一段“Now, of course, we know that whatever you call it, human behavior is warming the planet, with grave consequences ahead.”明确表明，无论用什么术语，人类的行为正在使地球变暖，并会带来严重的后果。
    • 选项C“Human activities have serious effects on Earth”（人类活动对地球有严重的影响）与原文一致。
    • 选项A“Global warming is the more accurate term”（“全球变暖”是更准确的术语）与文中提到的NASA使用“climate change”更能准确反映地球变化不符，所以A错误。
    • 选项B“Accuracy of terminology matters in science”（术语的准确性在科学中很重要）并非文章的最终结论，所以B错误。
    • 选项D“Politics interferes with serious scientific debate”（政治干扰了严肃的科学辩论）在文中未体现，所以D错误。