Passage 3

　　Lead depoits,which accumulated in soil and snow during the 1960’s and 70’s, were primarily the result of leaded gasoline emissions originating in the United States. In the twenty years that the Clean Air Act has mandated significantly unleaded gas use in the United States,the lead accumulation worldwide has decreased significantly.

　　A study published recently in the journal Nature shows that air-borne leaded gas emissions from the United States were the leading contributor to the high concentration of lead in the snow in Greenland. The new study is a result of the continued research led by Dr. Charles Boutron,an expert on the impact of heavy metals on the environment at the National Center for Scientific Research in France.A study by Dr. Boutron published in 1992 showed that lead levels in arctic(北极的)snow were declining.

　　In his new study, Dr. Boutron found the ratios of the different forms of lead in the leaded gasolinge used in the United States were different from the ratios of European, Asian and Canadian gasolines and thus enabled scientists to differentiate the lead sources. The dominant lead ratio found in Greenland snow matched that found in gasoline from the United States.

　　In a study published in the journal Ambio, scientists found that levels in soil in the Northeastern United States had decreased markedly since the introduction of unleaded gasoline.

　　Many scientists had believed that the lead would stay in soil and snow for a longer period.

　　The authors of the Ambio study examined samples of the upper layers of soil taken from the same sites of 30 forest floors in New England, New York and Pennsylvania in 1980 and 1990. The forest environment processed and reistributed the lead faster than the scientists had expected.

　　Scientists say both studies demonstrate that certain parts of the ecosystem respond rapidly to license to pollute.

　　11.  The study published in the journal Nature indicates that______

　　A. the Clean Air Act has not produced the desired results.

　　B. lead deposits in arctic snow on the increase.

　　C. lead will stay in soil and snow longer than expected.

　　D. the U.S. is the major source of lead pollution in arctic snow.

　　12.  Lead accumulation worldwide decreased significantly after the use of unleaded gas in the U.S.______.

　　A. was discouraged.         

　　B. was enforced by law.

　　C. was prohibited by law.     

　　D. was introduced.

　　13.  How did scientists discover the source of lead pollution in Greenland?

　　A. By analyzing the data published in journals like Nature and Ambio.

　　B. By observing the lead accumulations in different parts of the arctic area.

　　C. By studying the chemical elements soil and snow in Northeastern America.

　　D. By comparing the chemical compositions of leaded gasoline used in various countries.

　　14.  The authors of the Ambio study have found that______.

　　A. forests get rid of lead pollution faster than expected.www.kaoyee.com /makes exam easier!

　　B. lead accumulations in forests are easily polluted by lead emissions.

　　C. lead deposits are widely distributed in the forests of the U.S.

　　D. the upper layers of soil in forests are easily polluted by lead emissions.

　　15.  It can be inferred from the last paragraph in that scientists______.

　　A. are puzzled by the mystery of forest pollution.

　　B. feel relieved by the use of unleaded gasoline.

　　C. still consider lead pollution a problem.

　　D. lack sufficient means to combat lead pollution.