题目内容：

第三节：阅读理解（共15小题，每小题2分，共30分）

请认真阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。

Strong winds, sand in the air, poor visibility (能见度), we all know the characteristics of a sandstorm. But what else do you know about them?

Did you know, for example, that the first sandstorm of 2009 hit north China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region late February?

Sandstorms are today a feature of life in northern China because of desertification (沙漠化) and the retreat (退化) of the northern grasslands. They usually occur between February and May.

Fortunately, sandstorms this year should be fewer than in past years in north China, according to the National Meteorological Center (中央气象台).

And the chances of sandstorms hitting Beijing are small, because recent rain has stopped drought and reduced dry dirt and dust. Tree planting, and other measures taken by the government, has also helped decrease the chance of sandstorms in the city.

Sandstorms can be dangerous. However, there are measures you can take to protect yourself from harm.

﹡Wear a mask. Cover your nose and mouth with a mask that can keep out sand, or use a damp handkerchief.

﹡If you are driving and the storm is at a distance, it may be possible to outrun (超过) it. If it looks like you will be caught in the storm, stop and wait it out.

﹡Take a cover. If there is no shelter, then lie down. Keep eyes, nose and mouth covered. Cover your head with your arms or a backpack to protect yourself against flying objects.

If you are caught in a desert sandstorm, take the following actions.

﹡Mark your direction before lying down. It is easy to get lost in a desert.

﹡Keep plenty of water at hand. If you get lost, you need water to survive until you find your way or help arrives.

﹡Stay together if traveling in a group. Lock arms if caught in a sandstorm. The most useful measure would actually be to make sandstorms disappear forever. To make this goal come true, people should plant trees, and stop desertification.

Today, the straight-line distance between Tiananmen Square and a desert called Tianmo in Hebei province is only about 80km. If desertification is not stopped, environmental protection experts say, it will probably not be long before Beijingers can catch a camel to work.

56.According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?

A. So far in 2009 no sandstorm has happened.

B. Sandstorms usually happen in spring.

C. Sandstorms are a feature of life in China.

D. In sandstorms in cities, what you need to protect yourself from is just the sand in the air.

57.Which may not be the right action to take to protect yourself from harm in a sandstorm?

A. Finding a shelter.

B. Covering your head with a bag.

C. Lying down.

D. When driving, speed up and rush through the sandstorm.

58.What can we infer from the passage ?

A. North China has been suffering from sandstorms for several years.

B. The distance between Beijing and the desert has made the chances of sandstorms hitting Beijing small this year.

C. Planting trees can help make sandstorms disappear.

D. It is more dangerous to be caught in sandstorms in cities because there are more flying objects.

59.What’s the best title of the passage?

A. The realities of sandstorm                          B. The cause of sandstorm.

C. The influences of sandstorm                       D. The future of sandstorm.