B

Now satellites are helping to forecast(预报)the weather.From space,they can see any part of the earth.These satellites take pictures of the atmosphere(大气),because this is where the weather forms.These pictures are sent to weather stations on earth.Meteorologists(气象学家)can see the weather of any part of the world.From the pictures,the scientists can often see how the weather will change.

Today,nearly five hundred weather stations in sixty countries receive satellite pictures.When they receive new pictures,the meteorologists compare them with earlier ones.Perhaps they may find that the clouds have changed during the last few hours.This may mean that the weather on the ground may soon change,too.In their next weather forecast,the meteorologists can report this.

So weather satellites are a great help to the meteorologists.Before satellites were invented,the scientists could forecast the weather for about 24 or 48 hours.Now they can make good forecasts for three or five days.Soon,perhaps,they may be able to forecast the weather for a week or more ahead.

39.Satellites travel__________.

A.in space

B.in the atmosphere

C.above the ground

D.above space

40.Why do we use the weather satellites to take pictures of the atmosphere?Because__________.

A.the weather satellites can do it easily

B.clouds form there

C.the weather forms there

D.the pictures can forecast the weather

41.Meteorologists forecast the weather__________.

A.when they have received satellite pictures

B.after they have compared new satellite pictures with earlier ones

C.before they receive satellite pictures

D.during they study of satellite pictures

42.The main idea of this passage is that satellites are now used in__________.

A.taking pictures of the atmosphere

B.receiving pictures of the atmosphere

C.doing many other types of work

D.weather forecasting

39.【答案】A

【解题指要】本题是细节题。题干问的是：卫星的活动范围是什么?从文章的内容来看，卫星是在太空里活动，因此本题选择A。

40.【答案】C

【解题指要】本题是细节题。题干问的是：我们为什么利用气象卫星获取大气层的图片。A是说气象卫星能很容易地获取图片。B说云层在大气层里形成。C是说天气变化在大气层里形成。D是说这些图片可以预测天气变化。从文中第一段中间的文字来看，作者明确指出，我们利用气象卫星获取大气层的图片是因为，天气变化在大气层里形成，故本题选择C。

41.【答案】B

【解题指要】本题是细节题。题干问的是：气象学家什么时间预报天气状况?A是说当他们接收到卫星图片时。B是说在他们将新的卫星图片和以前的卫星图片做过比较之后。C是说在他们接收卫星图片之前。D是说在他们研究卫星图片的时候。根据文章内容，本题选择B。

42.【答案】D

【解题指要】本题是归纳推理题。题干问的是：本文的中心思想是卫星用于什么?A说卫星被用于获取大气层的图片。B是说卫星被用于接收大气层的图片。C是说在很多方面做一些其他工作。D是说卫星用于天气预报。

【短文C：文章大意】

短文介绍了美国大学里的足球运动。