Many of the most damaging and life-threating types of weather-torrential rains, severe thunderstorms, and tornadoes-begin quickly, strike suddenly, and dissipate rapidly, devastating small regions while leaving neighboring areas untouched. One such event, a tornado, struck the northeastern section of Edmonton, Alberta, in July 1987. Total damages from the tornado exceeded $$$$250 million, the highest ever for any Canadian storm. Conventional computer models of the atmosphere have limited value in predicting short-live local storms like the Edmonton tornado, because the available weather data are generally not detailed enough to allow computers to discern the subtle atmospheric changes that precede these storms. In most nations, for example, weather balloon observations are taken just once every twelve hours at locations typically separated by hundreds of miles. With such limited data, conventional forecasting models do a much better job predicting general weather conditions over large regions than they do forecasting specific local events.
Until recently, the observation-intensive approach needed for accurate, very short range forecasts, or “Nowcasts”, was not feasible. The cost of equipping and operating many thousands of conventional weather stations was prohibitively high, and the difficulties involved in rapidly collecting and processing the raw weather data from such a network were insurmountable. Fortunately, scientific and technological advances have overcome most of these problems. Radar systems, automated weather instruments, and satellites are all capable of making detailed, nearly continuous observation over large regions at a relatively low cost. Communications satellites can transmit data around the world cheaply and instantaneously, and modern computers can quickly compile and analyzing this large volume of weather information. Meteorologists and computer scientists now work together to design computer programs and video equipment capable of transforming raw weather data into words, symbols, and vivid graphic displays that forecasters can interpret easily and quickly. As meteorologists have begun using these new technologies in weather forecasting offices, Nowcasting is becoming a reality.
Câu 636:
What does the passage mainly discuss?
A. Computers and weather B. Dangerous storms
C. Weather forecasting D. Satellites
Câu 637:
What does the word “they” refer to?
A. models B. conditions C. regions D. events
Câu 638:
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an advance in short-range weather forecasting?
A. Weather balloons B. Radar systems
C. Automated instruments D. Satellites
Câu 639:
Which of the following best paraphrase this sentence: “With such limited data, conventional forecasting models do a much better job predicting general weather conditions over large regions than they do forecasting specific local events.”
A. Despite the dearth of data, conventional forecasting models demonstrate superior efficiency in predicting overarching weather patterns across expansive geographic areas compared to their ability to forecast localized weather occurrences.
B. Due to the shortage of data, conventional forecasting models are more accurate in predicting localized weather events than general weather conditions over large regions.
C. Conventional forecasting models are equally effective at predicting both general weather conditions and specific local events, regardless of the amount of data available.
D. The limited data available significantly hampers the ability of conventional forecasting models to predict both general weather conditions and specific local events.
Câu 640:
With which of the following statements is the author most likely to agree?
A. Communications satellites can predict severe weather.
B. Meteorologists should standardize computer programs.
C. The observation-intensive approach is no longer useful.
D. Weather predictions are becoming more accurate.
ĐỀ VIP 1 - THI THỬ HSA 2025 FORM MỚI - MÔN TIẾNG ANH - HS
