In recent years, China has made big steps forward in weather science. One important success is the “Haiyan” drone. Developed by the China Aviation Industry Group (AVIC), this unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has become a key tool for helping to predict typhoons better.

The Haiyan series has two main kinds of drones. The Haiyan I is built on the Wing Loong-10 platform. It is a jet-powered drone that can fly very high — up to 14 kilometers — and very fast. The Haiyan II, on the other hand, uses the Wing Loong-2 body and is made for long-time flight. It can stay in the air for more than ten hours, which makes it perfect for observing large weather systems over long periods.

These drones gather air information from areas that are hard or unsafe for humans to reach. They carry a modern dropsonde system. While flying, the drone releases small sensors with parachutes (降落伞). As the sensors fall, they measure temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind speed, and direction. The data is sent back to the drone immediately and then to scientists on the ground. This gives a clear 3D picture of the air inside weather systems such as typhoons.

The Haiyan drones have already proven useful. For example, in June 2025, the Haiyan I flew at 11,000 meters to study Typhoon “Butterfly”, breaking a record. Besides typhoons, the Haiyan II has also been used to watch other complex weather, like the Northeast Cold Vortex, and to offer weather support for major events such as the 2025 World Games.

Before these drones, scientists mostly used satellites to study typhoons over the ocean. Satellites are helpful, but they can’t collect detailed vertical information about the air. The Haiyan drone meets this need. It works like an “air scout” that flies near typhoons. The data it gathers is used in computer models at research centers, making better predictions about a typhoon’s path, strength, and rainfall. Better forecasts let people get ready earlier and stay safe.

1.1. What does the underlined word “drone” probably mean?

A A kind of ship.

B A flying machine.

C A weather sensor.

D A computer model.

解析：选B。B 词意指代题。第一段在“drone”后马上用“this unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)”来解释，结合第二段“fly very high”“stay in the air for more than ten hours”可知，它最可能指的是一种“飞行机器”，而不是船、传感器或电脑模型。故选B。

2.2.What is the main difference between Haiyan I and Haiyan II?

A What makes them fly.

B How they can fly.

C Who made them.

D What they carry.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。第二段指出，Haiyan I能飞得很高很快，而Haiyan II能长时间飞行。这些都是关于“飞行方式”的不同。故选B。

3.3.What does the dropsonde system do according to Para. 3?

A Helps the drone fly.

B Talks to satellites.

C Makes 3D pictures.

D Gets weather information.

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。第三段说明，该系统通过降落伞释放传感器，测量温度、气压等多种数据。因此，它的主要作用是“获取气象信息”。故选D。

4.4.Why does the writer mention the Northeast Cold Vortex?

A To give an example of Haiyan’s use.

B To show how a vortex forms.

C To compare it with a typhoon.

D To explain why it is more dangerous.

解析：选A。A 推理判断题。根据倒数第二段首句“The Haiyan drones have already proven useful.”以及作者在提到台风之后，说“Besides typhoons...”，然后举了东北冷涡和世界运动会的例子可知，作者的目的是为了说明“海燕”无人机除了监测台风，还有更广泛的应用，即“列举一个应用实例”。故选A。

5.5.What’s the advantage of “Haiyan” compared to satellites?

A It can fly higher.

B It is much cheaper.

C It gets clearer pictures.

D It sees inside the air.

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。最后一段指出，卫星无法收集详细的垂直空间数据，而“海燕”无人机填补了这一空白，能提供空气内部的3D图像。因此，它的优势是能“探测大气内部结构”，而不仅仅是拍更清晰的图片。故选D。