博客

Milpitas, an affluent city in California’s Silicon Valley, is globally recognized for high-tech innovation. However, for decades, its residents have struggled with a significantly less sophisticated issue: a persistent and unpleasant odour. This smell originates from various industrial sites, most notably a massive 342-acre landfill where waste is processed. Chia-Ling Kong, a local engineer, has experienced the problem first-hand. For over a decade, she was unable to open her windows due to the foul air. While conditions have improved, the community still faces several hours of offensive smells daily. Given the region’s technological reputation, it is perhaps unsurprising that authorities are now turning to modern solutions to address the crisis. Local officials have mandated that landfill operators implement advanced tracking methods. This includes deploying drones and installing electronic monitors to detect the specific chemicals causing the stench. Additionally, the facility must automate the collection of landfill gases. By capturing these gases before they escape into the atmosphere, air quality can be maintained. Kong remains optimistic that this data-driven approach will enable the company to pinpoint the exact moment a problem occurs, allowing for immediate action. This struggle is not unique to California. Globally, protests regarding smells from sewage plants and factories are increasing. However, legal recourse is often limited. In many nations, including the United States, environmental agencies do not classify odours as official pollutants, making regulation difficult. The situation is further complicated by urban sprawl. As cities expand and land values rise, new housing developments are frequently built in close proximity to pre-existing industrial zones. This brings residents and factories into direct conflict. To mitigate these issues, experts are utilizing technologies that can absorb smells, alter them through chemical reactions, or incinerate them. As technology evolves, there is hope that urban growth will no longer be synonymous with industrial pollution, allowing residents to breathe freely once again.

1. What is the main purpose of the article?

• A.To complain about the waste management system in Silicon Valley.
• B.To discuss how technology is being used to combat industrial smells in growing cities.
• C.To explain the chemical process of how landfill gases are captured.
• D.To argue that residents should move away from industrial zones.

2. According to the text, why did Chia-Ling Kong keep her windows closed for ten years?

• A.Because of the high levels of noise from the nearby landfill.
• B.To prevent drones from entering her private property.
• C.Due to the extremely unpleasant quality of the outside air.
• D.Because the local authorities ordered her to do so.

3. What can be inferred about the regulation of odours in the United States?

• A.The Environmental Protection Agency has very strict rules against smells.
• B.It is difficult to take legal action because smells are not legally defined as pollution.
• C.Smells are only regulated if they come from sewage plants.
• D.New laws were passed in 2026 to classify odours as pollutants.

4. The author suggests that ‘urban sprawl’ makes the problem worse because…

• A.it leads to a decrease in the value of industrial land.
• B.it results in people living closer to sources of bad smells.
• C.it prevents factories from using advanced technology.
• D.it forces landfill operators to move to smaller sites.

5. What does the word ‘mitigate’ mean in the final paragraph?

• A.To make something more noticeable.
• B.To completely ignore a difficult situation.
• C.To make something less severe or harmful.
• D.To increase the speed of a process.