B.

Last night’s meteor(流星) shower left many people in the community dissatisfied and demanding answers.According to Gabe Rothsclild, Emerald Valley’s mayor,people gathered in the suburbs of the city, carrying heavy telescopes,expecting to watch the brightly burning meteors passing through the sky.What they found instead was a sky so brightened by the city’s lights that it darkened the light of the meteors passing overhead.

“My family was so frustrated,” admitted town resident Duane Cosby, “We wanted to make this an unforgettable family outing,but it turned out to be a huge disappointments.”

Astronomers---scientists who study stars and planets----have been complaining about this problem for decades.They say that light pollution prevents them from seeing objects in the sky that they could see quite easily in the past.They call on people and the government to take measures to fight against it.

There is yet a population besides professional and amateur star observers that suffers even more from light pollution. This population consists of birds,bats frogs,snakes,etc. For example,outdoor lighting severely affects migrating(迁徙的)birds.According to the International Dark-Sky Association. “100 million birds a year throughout North America die in crashes with lighted buildings and towers.”

Countless more animals casualties(伤亡)result from the use of artificial lighting.Clearly,people enjoy the benefits of lighting their evenings,but some scientists think it can be harmful for humans,too. They worry that exposure to light while sleeping can increase person’s chances of getting cancer.

Emerald Valley is only one community that is becoming aware of the negative effects of hight pollution.For years,Flagstaff,Arizona,has enforced lighting regulations in its city in order to assist astronomers at the Lowell Observatory.Similar efforts have been made worldwide,and a movement is underway to remind us to turn off lights when we are not using them,so that other creatures can share the night.

41.It happened last night that

A.the city’s lights affected the meteor watching

B.the meteors flew past before being noticed

C.the city light show attracted many people

D.the meteor watching ended up a social outing

42.What do the astronomers complain about?

A.Meteor showers occur less often than before

B.Their observation equipment is in poor repair

C.Light pollution has remained unsolved for years

D.Their eyesight is failing due to artificial lighting

43.What the author concerned about according to Paragraph 4?

A.Birds may take other migration paths

B.Animal’living habits may change suddenly

C.Varieties of animals will become sharply reduced

D.Animals’survival is threatened by outdoor lighting

44.Lighting regulations in Flagstaff,Arizona are put into effect to

A.Lessen the chance of getting cancer

B.create an ideal observation condition

C.ensure citizens a good sleep at night

D.enable all creatures to live in harmony

45.What message does the author most want to give us?

A.Saving wildlife is saving ourselves

B.Great efforts should be made to save energy

C.Human activities should be environmentally friendly

D.New equipment should be introduced for space study

C.

Poet William Stafford once said that we are defined more by the detours(绕行路)in life that by the narrow road toward goals.I like this image.But I as quite by accident that I discovered the deep meaning of his words.

For years we made the long drive from our home in Seattle to my parents’ home in Boise in nine hours.We traveled the way most people do:the fastest,shortest easiest road,especially when ai was alone with four noisy,restless kids who hates confinement(限制)and have strong opinions about everything.

Road trips felt risky,so I would drive fast,stopping only when I had to.We would stick to the freeways and arrive tired.

But then Banner,our lamb was born.He was rejected by his mama days before our planned trip to Boise.I had two choices:leave Banner with my husband,or take him with me.My husband made the decision for me.

That is how I found my self on the road with four kids,a baby lamb and nothing but my everlasting optimism to see me through.We took the country roads out of necessity.We had to stop every hour,let Banner shke out his legs and feed him.The kids chased him and one another.They’d get back in the car breathless and energized,smelling fresh from the cold air.

We explored side roads,catching grasshoppers in waist-high grass.Even if we simply looked out of the car windows at baby pigs following their mother,or fish leaping out of the water,it was better than the best ride down the freeway. Here was life.And new horizons(见识).

We eventually arrived at my parents’doorstep astonishingly fresh and full of stories

I grew brave with the trip back home and creative with my disciplining technique.On an empty section of road,everyone started quarreling.I stopped the car,ordered all kids out and told them to meet me up ahead.I parked my car half a mile away and read my book in sweet silence.

Some road trips are by necessity fast and straight.But that trip with Banner opened our eyes to a world available to anyon adventurous enough to wander around and made me realize that a detour may uncover the best part of a journey----and the best part of yourself.

46.Why did the author use to take freeways to her parents’home?

A.It was less time

B.It would be faster and safer

C.Her kids would feel less confined

D.She felt better with other drivers nearby

47.The author stopped regularly on the country roads to

A.relax in the fresh air

B.take a dep breath

C.take care of the lamb

D.let the kids play with Banner

48.What does the author discover from the trip according to Paragraph 6?

A.Freeways are where beauty hides.

B.Getting close to nature adds to the joy of life

C.Enjoying the beauty of nature benefits one’s health

D.One should follow side roads to watch wild animals

49.Why did the author ask the kids to get out of the car on their way back home?

A.To give herself some time to read

B.To order some food for them

C.To play a game with them.

D.To let them cool down

50.What could be the best title for the passage?

A.Charm of the Detour

B.The Road to Bravery

C.Creativity out of Necessity

D.Road trip and Country Life