SSAT 阅读 （三 )
Questions 15-19.
Mount Vesuvius, a volcano located between the ancientItalian cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, has received much attentionbecause of its frequent and destructive eruptions. The most famous of theseeruptions occurred in A. D. 79.
The volcano had been inactive for centuries. There waslittle warning of the coming eruption, although one account unearthed byarchaeologists says that a hard rain and a strong wind had disturbed thecelestial calm during the preceding night. Early the next morning, the volcanopoured a huge river of molten rock down upon Herculaneum, completely burying the city andfilling in the harbor with coagulated lava.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountain, cinders,stone and ash rained down on Pompeii.Sparks from theburning ash ignited the combustible rooftops quickly. Large portions of thecity were destroyed in the conflagration. Fire, however, was not the only causeof destruction. Poisonous sulphuric gases saturated the air. These heavy gaseswere not buoyant in the atmosphere and therefore sank toward the earth andsuffocated people.
Over the years, excavations of Pompeiiand Herculaneumhave revealed a great deal about the behavior of the volcano. By analyzingdata, much as a zoologist dissects a specimen animal, scientist have concludedthat the eruption changed large portions of the area's geography. For instance,it turned the Sarno River from its course and raised the level of thebeach along the Bay of Naples. Meteorologistsstudying these events have also concluded that Vesuvius caused a huge tidalwave that affected the world's climate.
In addition to making these investigations, archaeologistshave been able to study the skeletons of victims by using distilled water towash away the volcanic ash. By strengthening the brittle bones with acrylicpaint, scientists have been able to examine the skeletons and draw conclusionsabout the diet and habits of the residents. Finally, the excavations at both Pompeii and Herculaneumhave yielded many examples of classical art, such as jewelry made of bronze,which is an alloy of copper and tin
The eruption of Mount Vesuviusand its tragic consequences have provided us with a wealth of data about the effectsthat volcanoes can have on the surrounding area. Today volcanologists canlocate and predict eruptions, saving lives and preventing the destruction ofcities and cultures.
15.Herculaneumand its harbor were buried under ___lava.
A. liquid B. solid C. flowing D. gas E. answer notavailable
16. The poisonous gases were not ___ in the air.
A. able to float B. visible C. able to evaporate D.invisible E. able to condense
17. Scientists analyzed data about Vesuvius in the same waythat a zoologist ___ a specimen.
A. describes in detail B. studies by cutting apart C.photographs D. chart E. answer not available
18. ____have concluded that the volcanic eruption caused atidal wave.
A. Scientist who study oceans B. Scientist who studyatmospheric conditions
C. Scientist who study ash D. Scientist who study animalbehavior E. Answer not available in article
19. Scientist have used ___water to wash away volcanic ashfrom the skeletons of victims.
A. bottled B. volcanic C. purified D. sea E. fountain
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