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  3. Alaska is disappearing slowly but surely. Since the 1950s, it is estimated that as much as 15 percent of Alaska’s area has disap

Alaska is disappearing slowly but surely. Since the 1950s, it is estimated that as much as 15 percent of Alaska’s area has disap

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问题     Alaska is disappearing slowly but surely. Since the 1950s, it is estimated that as much as 15 percent of Alaska’s area has disappeared. But how can a whole state be disappearing?
    One reason for Alaska’s gradual disappearance is the melting of its glaciers. According to one geologist at the US Geological Survey, about 98% of Alaska’s glaciers are either unmoving or diminishing. This diminishing seems mainly due to the increase in global temperatures. Since the 1960s, the average year—round temperature has increased by 5°F. Additionally, the average winter temperature has increased by 8°F. Presently, an estimated 24 cubic miles of ice is disappearing from Alaskan glaciers every year. It may be even more in the near future, as some scientists predict that the average world temperature could go up 2. 5 to 10 °F by the year 2100.
    Another problem contributing to Alaska’s gradual disappearance is its melting permafrost. Much of the land in Alaska was permanently frozen, or frozen for most of the year. This maintained its stability. Now, the melting permafrost is causing a number of problems on land. Roads and utility poles are collapsing. Also, the hard permafrost, which originally prevented beaches from eroding during violent storms is now melting. Affected villages are forced to move somewhere else. For villages on small low islands, one terrible storm could wipe out the entire community.
    Some scientists believe that human activity is linked to the global increase in weather temperature. Whether the rising temperatures are caused by human activity or natural changes, the fact remains that Alaska is warming. Sadly, this could be a preview of what will happen to the rest of the world in the next century.
Summary:
There is a big problem in Alaska. The【49】______are melting. Scientists【50】______that 15 percent of Alaska has already melted. They say this change is the result of【51】______in the Earth’s【52】______. The higher temperatures are【53】______several problems in Alaska. The ground that was【54】______before is now beginning to defrost. This could be a(n)【55】______of what will happen to the rest of the world in the next century.
选项
答案glaciers and permafrost
解析 本文提到了阿拉斯加缩减的两个原因，一是第二段提到的冰川融化，二是第三段提到的永久性冻地融化。glacier冰川，冰河。permafrost永久冻地，永冻土。
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本试题收录于： D类竞赛（专科）题库大学生英语竞赛（NECCS）分类
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