B
From May to November, 2024, six beach houses fell down in North Carolina's Outer Banks—a troubling sign of how erosion(侵蚀) continues to take a toll on the state's coastal villages.
The most recent collapse(倒塌) happened after a storm caused powerful waves along Rodanthe. The house was empty, and officials have been in contact with the house owner. Less than a mile away, three other homes had fallen down in September. Since 2020, a total of 11 houses in the area have been washed away into the ocean.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore said strong winds, large waves, as well as rising sea levels—which are caused by climate change—are causing beaches on the Outer Banks to wash away. "Many buildings close to the beach in Rodanthe are either partially or fully covered with ocean water on a regular basis," the Seashore said.
It's a problem faced by coastal communities around the country. In North Carolina, over 750 homes along the state's beaches are considered in danger from erosion, according to an August report released by the state's Department of Environmental Quality and Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Erosion in these coastal villages affects tourism and destroys sea turtles' home, and when homes fall down, it leaves ruins(废墟). The situation is expected to worsen as a result of rising sea levels and more coastal storms.
National Seashore officials have warned owners of unsafe houses to either strengthen their home's supports or move to a safer location if possible.
(
C
)6. What does the underlined phrase "take a toll on" in Paragraph 1 mean?
A. Do good to.
B. Give way to.
C. Cause damage to.
D. Bring more people to.
(
B
)7. What can we know about the most recent collapse?
A. Six houses were washed away.
B. It happened because a storm hit.
C. It resulted in many people missing.
D. Police failed to contact the house owner.
(
A
)8. What might put the beach houses in danger?
A. The daily effects of winds and waves.
B. The loss of wildlife's home.
C. The ruins of houses left on beaches.
D. The weak structure of the houses.
(
D
)9. What should be done according to the local officials?
A. Take measures to control rising sea levels.
B. Solve the problem by protecting the ecosystem.
C. Reduce the effect on tourism by clearing the ruins.
D. Strengthen the house structure or move to new places.
(
C
)10. What's the best title for the text?
A. New Houses Were Built for Safety
B. Tourism Worsens in North Carolina
C. Rising Sea Levels Put Coastal Towns at Risk
D. Climate Change Leads to Strong Storms
