Scientists say they have developed a system that uses machine learning to predict when and where lightning will strike. Researchers report the system is able to predict lightning strikes up to 30 minutes before they happen within a 30-kilometer area.
Lightning is a strong burst of electricity in the atmosphere. Since it carries an extremely powerful electrical charge, it can be destructive and deadly. European researchers have estimated that between 6,000 and 24,000 people are killed by lightning worldwide each year. For this reason, climate scientists have long sought to develop methods to predict lightning.
The system tested in the experiments uses a combination of data from weather stations and machine learning methods. The researchers developed a prediction model that was trained to recognize weather conditions that were likely to cause lightning.
The model was created with data collected over a 12-year period from 12 Swiss weather stations in cities and mountain areas. The data, related to four main surface conditions: air pressure, air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed, was placed into a unique machine learning algorithm (算法), which compared it to records of lightning strikes. Researchers say the algorithm was then able to learn the conditions under which lightning happens.
The researchers test-ran the system several times. They found that the system made predictions that proved correct almost 80 percent of the time. “It can now be used anywhere,” the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology said in a statement.
The researchers plan to keep developing the technology in partnership with a European effort that aims to create a lightning protection program. The effort is called the European Laser Lightning Rod project. Scientists working on the project are experimenting with a laser technology that could someday control lightning activity, transferring lightning charges from clouds to the ground. They hope that such technology can one day be used as protection against lightning strikes. Possible uses could be at stations, airports or places where large crowds gather.
12. Why was the system developed?
A. To meet kids’ curiosity about lightning.
B. To show the power of lightning.
C. To keep track of lightning deaths.
D. To protect people from lightning.
13. What is special about the system?
A. It was based on a number of samples worldwide.
B. It adopted a different machine learning algorithm.
C. It used an effective method of collecting data.
D. It required low cost of predicting lightning.
14. What will the researchers do next with the laser technology?
A. Monitor lightning activity. B. Prevent the occurrence of lightning.
C. Direct energy from lightning. D. Generate electricity with lightning.
15. What can be a suitable title for the text?
A. A System of Controlling Lightning B. A Method of Forecasting Lightning
C. A Theory of Employing Lightning D. A Model of Creating Lightning
【答案】12. D 13. B 14. C 15. B
【解析】
这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了科学家们开发出一种利用机器学习来预测闪电何时何地发生的系统。
【12题详解】
推理判断题。由第二段European researchers have estimated that between 6,000 and 24,000 people are killed by lightning worldwide each year. For this reason, climate scientists have long sought to develop methods to predict lightning.可知，欧洲研究人员估计，全世界每年有6000到24000人死于闪电。由于这个原因，气候科学家一直在寻找预测闪电的方法。结合上文，闪电具有破坏性而且是致命的，而且欧洲研究人员对每年死亡人数的估计，使得科学家们研发了这种系统，来保护人民免收闪电的伤害。故选D项。
【13题详解】
细节理解题。由第四段The data, related to four main surface conditions: air pressure, air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed, was placed into a unique machine learning algorithm (算法), which compared it to records of lightning strikes.可知，与四个主要表面条件即气压、气温、相对湿度和风速相关的数据被放入一个独特的机器学习算法中，这种算法将数据跟闪电袭击记录作比对。由此可见，这个系统的独特之处在于它独特的算法。故选B项。
【14题详解】
推理判断题。由最后一段Scientists working on the project are experimenting with a laser technology that could someday control lightning activity, transferring lightning charges from clouds to the ground.可知，参与该项目的科学家正在试验一种激光技术，希望有一天这种技术可能控制闪电活动，将闪电电荷从云层转移到地面。利用技术将闪电的电荷转移到地面另做他用，减少危害。换句话说就是控制和利用闪电能量，用作其他用途。故选C项。
【15题详解】
主旨大意题。由第一段Scientists say they have developed a system that uses machine learning to predict when and where lightning will strike.可知，科学家们表示，他们已经开发出一种利用机器学习来预测闪电何时何地发生的系统。这也就是一种预测闪电的方法，而且下文主要就是围绕这一点来讲的，故选B项。
Lightning is a strong burst of electricity in the atmosphere. Since it carries an extremely powerful electrical charge, it can be destructive and deadly. European researchers have estimated that between 6,000 and 24,000 people are killed by lightning worldwide each year. For this reason, climate scientists have long sought to develop methods to predict lightning.
The system tested in the experiments uses a combination of data from weather stations and machine learning methods. The researchers developed a prediction model that was trained to recognize weather conditions that were likely to cause lightning.
The model was created with data collected over a 12-year period from 12 Swiss weather stations in cities and mountain areas. The data, related to four main surface conditions: air pressure, air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed, was placed into a unique machine learning algorithm (算法), which compared it to records of lightning strikes. Researchers say the algorithm was then able to learn the conditions under which lightning happens.
The researchers test-ran the system several times. They found that the system made predictions that proved correct almost 80 percent of the time. “It can now be used anywhere,” the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology said in a statement.
The researchers plan to keep developing the technology in partnership with a European effort that aims to create a lightning protection program. The effort is called the European Laser Lightning Rod project. Scientists working on the project are experimenting with a laser technology that could someday control lightning activity, transferring lightning charges from clouds to the ground. They hope that such technology can one day be used as protection against lightning strikes. Possible uses could be at stations, airports or places where large crowds gather.
12. Why was the system developed?
A. To meet kids’ curiosity about lightning.
B. To show the power of lightning.
C. To keep track of lightning deaths.
D. To protect people from lightning.
13. What is special about the system?
A. It was based on a number of samples worldwide.
B. It adopted a different machine learning algorithm.
C. It used an effective method of collecting data.
D. It required low cost of predicting lightning.
14. What will the researchers do next with the laser technology?
A. Monitor lightning activity. B. Prevent the occurrence of lightning.
C. Direct energy from lightning. D. Generate electricity with lightning.
15. What can be a suitable title for the text?
A. A System of Controlling Lightning B. A Method of Forecasting Lightning
C. A Theory of Employing Lightning D. A Model of Creating Lightning
【答案】12. D 13. B 14. C 15. B
【解析】
这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了科学家们开发出一种利用机器学习来预测闪电何时何地发生的系统。
【12题详解】
推理判断题。由第二段European researchers have estimated that between 6,000 and 24,000 people are killed by lightning worldwide each year. For this reason, climate scientists have long sought to develop methods to predict lightning.可知，欧洲研究人员估计，全世界每年有6000到24000人死于闪电。由于这个原因，气候科学家一直在寻找预测闪电的方法。结合上文，闪电具有破坏性而且是致命的，而且欧洲研究人员对每年死亡人数的估计，使得科学家们研发了这种系统，来保护人民免收闪电的伤害。故选D项。
【13题详解】
细节理解题。由第四段The data, related to four main surface conditions: air pressure, air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed, was placed into a unique machine learning algorithm (算法), which compared it to records of lightning strikes.可知，与四个主要表面条件即气压、气温、相对湿度和风速相关的数据被放入一个独特的机器学习算法中，这种算法将数据跟闪电袭击记录作比对。由此可见，这个系统的独特之处在于它独特的算法。故选B项。
【14题详解】
推理判断题。由最后一段Scientists working on the project are experimenting with a laser technology that could someday control lightning activity, transferring lightning charges from clouds to the ground.可知，参与该项目的科学家正在试验一种激光技术，希望有一天这种技术可能控制闪电活动，将闪电电荷从云层转移到地面。利用技术将闪电的电荷转移到地面另做他用，减少危害。换句话说就是控制和利用闪电能量，用作其他用途。故选C项。
【15题详解】
主旨大意题。由第一段Scientists say they have developed a system that uses machine learning to predict when and where lightning will strike.可知，科学家们表示，他们已经开发出一种利用机器学习来预测闪电何时何地发生的系统。这也就是一种预测闪电的方法，而且下文主要就是围绕这一点来讲的，故选B项。
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