There is a definite possibility that the climate of the world may be changing. Some scientists imagine that this could even mean the beginning of another ice age. The effects of such a change in climate on the human population of the world would be startling（惊人的）.

Recent research suggests that the general warming tend of the past hundred years or so may be coming to an end. During the past ten years, meteorologists tell us the average temperature of the earth has dropped about one degree Fahrenheit. This does not seem like much, but it could have effects on wind and rain patterns which influence the overall weather picture. If these patterns change a lot, it could mean that certain regions of the world may continue to have long droughts while others will possibly suffer from widespread flooding.

What regulates（调节）the climate is not exactly known. Meteorologists believe that clouds may be an important factor in regulating the amount of solar（太阳的）heat held by the earth, which in turn determines he temperature of the planet. Another possibility is that man’s industrial and agricultural methods may be affecting the natural weather patterns. However, the weather is not understood well enough for scientists to say for certain what is happening to the climate and what side effects this will actually have on the word’s population.

1. According to the text, the climate of the world seems to ______.

A. be getting colder

B. be getting warmer

C. remain the same in the past ten years

D. have good effects on the world’s population

2. According to what you have read, Which of the following is turn?

A. Man’s activities have no effect on the climate.

B. Another ice age will come soon.

C. People don’t care about the changing climate.

D. Scientists are not yet sure about the reason for the changing climate.

3. A meteorologist is a person who ______.

A. reads weather forecasts on radio or television

B. thinks there will be another ice age

C. studies and knows about the weather

D. believes there will be widespread flooding

4. Which of the following may be factors that affect the natural weather patterns?

A. Clouds

B. The amount of heat the earth receives

C. Man’s industrial and agricultural methods

D. All of the above

5. A best title for the text would be ______.

A. Droughts and Floods B. Meteorologists

C. Changing Climate D. Solar Heat

Keys: 1-5 ADCDC