A new study warns that millions of Europeans could die from heat-related causes by the end of the century. The study was based on predicted climate activities in 854 different European cities. It found that hot weather could kill as many as 2.3 million people in Europe by 2100.

Presentlycold weather kills far more people in Europe than hot weather. But the study found that as temperatures continue to rise, deaths from cold weather will reduce over time. However, heat-related deaths are predicted to rise greatly.

The researchers said the number of predicted deaths could be reduced if nations are able to find better ways of cutting down carbon (碳) pollution levels. They called for increased efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and develop air-cooling systems in parts of Europe. Without such efforts, places in Italy, southern Spain and Greece are likely to see large increases in heat deaths related to climate change.

On the other hand, much of Scandinavia and Britain are predicted to see fewer cold-related deaths, largely because low temperatures are expected to be moderate.

Pierre Masselot helped lead the research of the environmental effects on human health. “The Mediterranean (地中海) is a so-called climate hotspot,” he said. “It’s an area that is warming much quicker than the rest of the world. And Malta is right in the middle of it.” The study predicts Malta’s temperature-related deaths will increase by 269 in every 100,000 people by the end of the century.

European officials reported several heat waves have killed thousands of people in recent years. The highest number was in 2003 when about 70,000 deaths were recorded. Among the areas predicted to see the most deaths from future temperature rises is Barcelona, Spain. The study found almost 250,000 people could die from temperature-related causes in that city by 2100.

1.1. What can we infer (推断) from the article?

A Temperatures in Europe are keeping on going up now.

B The whole of Europe will face the danger of hot weather.

C The study has researched enough actual climate activities.

D About 854 European cities are suffering from hot weather.

解析：选A。A.推理判断题。由第二段 “as temperatures continue to rise” 可知，欧洲气温正持续上升，A 项可推断。B 项 “整个欧洲” 错误，北欧冷死率会下降，并非全面临高温危险；C 项 “足够的实际气候活动” 错误，研究基于 “预测气候活动”；D 项 “854 个城市正遭受高温” 错误，是研究覆盖 854 个城市的预测数据，非当前现状。

2.2. Which paragraph talks about how to reduce the heat-related deaths?

A Paragraph 3.

B Paragraph 4.

C Paragraph 5.

D Paragraph 6.

解析：选A。A.细节理解题。第三段明确提到 “若各国降低碳污染、减少温室气体、研发制冷系统，可减少高温死亡”，直接阐述了减排措施，对应题干 “如何减少高温相关死亡”，故答案为 A。

3.3. Which is closest in meaning to the underlined word “moderate”?

A Freezing.

B Heated.

C Changeable.

D Comfortable.

解析：选D。D.词义猜测题。前文提到北欧冷死率会减少，原因是 “低温预计变得 moderate”。结合语境，冷死减少说明低温不再极端，趋向适宜。A 项 “极冷的”、B 项 “加热的”、C 项 “易变的” 均不符合，D 项 “舒适的”（此处指温度适中）最贴合。

4.4. What can be the best title (标题) for the article?

A Dangers will come at the end of the century

B Barcelona will be hit by heat-related deaths

C Millions of Europeans face deadly heat risks

D Actions are needed to reduce carbon pollution

解析：选C。C.主旨大意题。文章核心是研究警告 “本世纪末欧洲数百万人可能死于高温”，围绕高温致死风险展开。A 项 “世纪末的危险” 过于笼统；B 项 “巴塞罗那将受影响” 仅为局部细节；D 项 “需减排” 是解决方案，非核心主旨；C 项 “数百万欧洲人面临致命高温风险” 精准概括全文核心，故为最佳标题。