
代號:2401
頁次:4
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4
 
41 with regard to  in spite of  except for  along with 
42 accustomed to  associated  with  consistent with  entitled to 
43 escort  aegis  tremor  sway 
44 offshoot  initiative  catastrophe  fraud 
45 secular  financial  spiritual  mercantile 
請依下文回答第 46 至50 題: 
The word volcano can describe anything from a single opening in the earth a few meters across to a field of 
connected openings that might be 20 kilometers or more in width. Most researchers consider any set of openings that 
are connected to a large central core as a single “volcano”. Otherwise, they would have to deal with an endless number 
of names for each individual opening. Italy’s Stromboli has been almost constantly erupting for over 2400 years, but 
most eruptions do not last that long. Currently, there are about 15 volcanoes worldwide that have been actively 
erupting for the last 30 years. On the other end of the scale, about ten percent of volcanoes have eruptions which last 
for just a single day. The majority of the eruptions lasted three months or less. This means the average time from 
beginning to end is usually about seven weeks. 
From the number of volcanic eruptions detected over the past few hundred years, it would appear that they are 
becoming much more frequent over time. However, when researchers tracked the growth in reported eruptions along 
with the growth of the human population, they realized that volcanic activity wasn’t actually becoming more frequent. 
Instead, as people spread over more areas of the earth’s surface, the monitoring and reporting of volcanic activity 
inevitably increased with the expanding population. 
The highest volcano when measured from sea level to its top is Ojos del Salado in the Andes mountains in South 
America. It is 6,887 meters above sea level. However, when measured from its base on the surface of the earth to the 
top, a different set of volcanoes become the highest ones. Some volcanoes in the Mauna Loa zone near Hawaii rise  as 
much as 19 kilometers above their bases at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. 
The first thing to do when caught near a volcanic eruption is to avoid a potentially disastrous situation, listen to 
the radio and travel only as instructed by the local police or other authorities. Stay away from lava, mud and flying 
rocks. Avoid river areas and low-lying regions. Before you leave the house, put on a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, 
and eyeglasses or sunglasses to protect your eyes. Wear an emergency  mask or hold a wet cloth over your face if you 
do not have one. Since ash can damage engine parts, refrain from driving if possible. If you decide not to leave the 
house, close all windows and doors to prevent ash from getting inside. 
46 What is the purpose of this passage? 
To explain the increasing rate of volcanic activities.  To explain some facts about volcanoes. 
To describe the causes of volcanic eruptions.  To analyze the threats of volcanic eruptions. 
47 Which of the following statements is true about volcanic activities in Paragraph Two? 
They have been on the increase over the years. 
They are no more frequent than they used to be. 
They increase as the human population becomes larger. 
They are more frequently observed as a result of increased population. 
48 In Paragraph Four, what does one refer to? 
A wet cloth.  A volcanic eruption.  An emergency mask.  A long-sleeved shirt. 
49 According to the passage, what is the right thing to do when being caught near a volcanic eruption? 
Drive to low-lying regions right away. 
Walk along river areas as soon as possible. 
Wear short-sleeved shirts before leaving the house. 
Close all the windows and doors when staying indoors. 
50 According to the passage, which of the following is true? 
Volcanic eruptions can last as long as thirty years. 
Most volcanic eruptions last no longer than three months. 
Ojos del Salado in South America is the highest volcano on the surface of the earth. 
It has been proved by scientists that volcanoes have become more active than ever.