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A recent scientific study has revealed a surprising side effect of global warming: the massive island of Greenland is not just losing ice — it is physically changing shape and slowly moving. According to research published in a leading earth science journal, the island is shrinking in size and gradually drifting toward the northwest. This discovery provides a powerful example of how deeply climate change can affect our planet.

Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark used data from 58 GPS stations located around Greenland. By carefully analyzing this information, they were able to track subtle shifts in the island’s position and the elevation of its bedrock — the solid rock beneath the ice. Their findings paint a picture of a landmass undergoing significant transformation.
The primary cause of this movement is the rapid melting of Greenland’s enormous ice sheet. Over the past two decades, the island has been losing billions of tons of ice each year. As this incredible weight lifts off the land, the Earth’s crust below, which was once pressed down, begins to rebound, or spring back upward. This process, known as “post-glacial rebound”, is causing the bedrock to twist, stretch, and compress (压缩). These geological shifts are causing the entire island to move northwest at a speed of about two centimeters per year. Furthermore, the island itself is changing shape. Some areas are being stretched apart, while others are being squeezed (挤压) together. The overall result is that Greenland is getting slightly smaller.
The influence of these changes is global. The melting ice from Greenland pours into the ocean, directly contributing to rising sea levels. Scientists estimate that the ice sheet holds enough frozen water to raise global sea levels by over seven meters if it all melted. Even small increases can put millions of people living in coastal areas at risk of flooding.

This research highlights the interconnected nature of our world. A warming climate in the Arctic does more than just melt ice; it sets off a chain reaction that reshapes land, alters oceans, and poses new challenges for the future. Understanding these complex processes is a crucial step in preparing for and adapting to our changing planet.

1.1. What is the main finding of the recent study mentioned in the first paragraph?

A Greenland’s ice is melting at a steady pace.

B Global warming is a newly discovered issue.

C Greenland is transforming in size and location.

D A new earth science journal has been published.

解析：选C。1. C细节理解题。根据第一段的“A recent scientific study has revealed... Greenland is not just losing ice—it is physically changing shape and slowly moving”以及“the island is shrinking in size and gradually drifting”可知，研究的主要发现是格陵兰岛不仅在缩小，还在移动，即其大小和位置正在发生变化。A项“格陵兰岛的冰正在以稳定速度融化”未提及速度是否稳定；B项“全球变暖是一个新发现的问题”与文章无关；D项“一本新的地球科学杂志已出版”不是研究发现的内容。故选C。

2.2. How did the researchers from Denmark conduct their study?

A By predicting future climate models.

B By examining data from GPS stations.

C By measuring the ice thickness directly.

D By interviewing local residents.

解析：选B。2. B细节理解题。根据第二段第一句“Researchers... used data from 58 GPS stations located around Greenland”可知，研究人员是通过分析环格陵兰岛部署的58个GPS站的数据来进行研究的。A项“通过预测未来气候模型”、C项“通过直接测量冰层厚度”和D项“通过采访当地居民”在文中均未提及。故选B。

3.3. The physical changes in Greenland’s landmass are best described as ____________.

A rapid and unpredictable

B uniform and expansive

C complex and multi-directional

D superficial and temporary

解析：选C。3. C推理判断题。根据第三段后半部分对变化过程的描述“causing the bedrock to twist, stretch, and compress... the entire island to move northwest... Furthermore, the island itself is changing shape. Some areas are being stretched apart, while others are being squeezed together”可知，这些变化包括扭曲、拉伸、压缩、整体移动以及不同区域的差异性形变，因此其特点是“复杂且多向的”。A项“迅速且不可预测的”错误，文中提到移动速度是“每年约两厘米”，并非迅速，且变化有明确原因；B项“统一且扩张的”与文中“一些区域被拉伸，另一些被挤压”的描述相矛盾；D项“表面且暂时的”与文章阐述的由地质过程驱动的根本性变化相悖。故选C。

4.4. What is the global impact specifically mentioned as a result of Greenland’s ice melting?

A More frequent earthquakes worldwide.

B A decrease in global freshwater resources.

C The complete alteration of ocean currents.

D Threats to coastal populations from rising seas.

解析：选D。4. D细节理解题。根据第四段的“The melting ice... directly contributing to rising sea levels”和“Even small increases can put millions of people living in coastal areas at risk of flooding”可知，文中具体提到的全球性影响是海平面上升对沿海居民的威胁。A项“全球更频繁的地震”、B项“全球淡水资源减少”和C项“洋流的完全改变”在文中均未作为全球影响被具体提及。故选D。