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Energy independence. It has a nice ring to it. Doesn't it? If you think so, you're not alone,because energy independence has been the dream of American president for decades, and never more so than in the past few years, when the most recent oil price shock has been partly responsible for kicking off the great recession(经济衰退).

"Energy independence"and its rhetorical(修辞的) companion"energy security"are, however,slippery concepts that are rarely though through. What is it we want independence from, exactly?

Most people would probably say that they want to be independent from imported oil.But there are reasons that we buy all that old from elsewhere.

The first reason is that we need it to keep our economy running. Yes, there is a trickle(涓涓细流)of biofuel(生物燃料)available, and more may become available, but most biofuels cause economic waste and environmental destruction.

Second, Americans have basically decided that they don't really want to produce all their own oil. They value the environmental quality they preserve over their oil imports from abroad. Vast areas of the United States are off-limits to oil exploration and production in the name of environmental protection. To what extent are Americans really willing to endure the environmental impacts of domestic energy production in order to cut back imports?

Third, there are benefits to trade. It allows for economic efficiency, and when we buy things from places that have lower production costs than we do, we benefit. And although you don't read about this much, the United States is also a large exporter of oil products, selling about 2 million barrels of petroleum products per day to about 90 countries.

There is no question that the United States imports a great deal of energy and, in fact, relies on that steady flow to maintain ite economy. When that flow is interrupted, we feel the pain in short supplies and higher prices. At the same time, we derive massive economic benefits when we buy the most affordable energy on the world market and when we engage in energy trade around the world.

1.From the passage, we know that biofuels

A.keep America's economy running healthily

B.prove to be a good alternative to petroleum

C.do not provide a sustainable energy supply

D.cause serious damage to the environment

2.Why does America rely heavily on oil imports?

A.Its own oil production falls short of demand.

B.Its own oil reserves are quickly running out.

C.It wants to keep Its own environment undamaged.

D.It wants to expand its storage of crude oil.

3.What can we conclude from the last paragraph?

A.America doesn't have enough oil supplies.

B.People can benefit more from importing oil.

C.Energy independence is significant for Americans.

D.Short of energy may cause economic depression.

4.What is the author's purpose in writing the passage?

A.To justify America's dependence on oil imports.

B.To stress the importance of energy conservation.

C.To arouse Americans' awareness of the energy crisis.

D.To explain the increase of international oil trade.

阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项。

Why do Americans struggle with watching their weight, while the French, who consume rich food, continue to stay thin? Now a research by Cornell University suggests how life style and decisions about eating may affect weight. Researchers conclude that the French tend to stop eating when they feel full. However, Americans tend to stop when their plate is empty or their favorite TV show is over.

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, a health expert, the French see eating as an important part of their life style. They enjoy food and therefore spend a fairly long time at the table, while Americans see eating as something to be squeezed between the other daily activities. Mercola believes Americans lose the ability to sense when they are actually full. So they keep eating long after the French would have stopped. In addition, he points out that Americans drive to huge supermarkets to buy canned and frozen foods for the week. The French, instead, tend to shop daily, walking to small shops and farmers’ markets where they have a choice of fresh fruits, vegetables, and eggs as well as high-quality meats for each meal.

After a visit to the United States, Mireille Guiliano, author of French Women Don’t Get Fat, decided to write about the importance of knowing when to stop rather than suggesting how to avoid food. Today she continues to stay slim and rarely goes to the gym.

In spite of all these differences, evidence shows that recent life style changes may be affecting French eating habits. Today the rate of obesity — or extreme overweight — among adults is only 6%. However, as American fast food gains acceptance and the young reject older traditions, the obesity rate among French children has reached 17% — and is growing.

1. In what way are the French different from Americans according to Dr. Joseph Mercola?

A. They go shopping at supermarkets more frequently.

B. They squeeze eating between the other daily activities.

C. They regard eating as a key part of their lifestyles.

D. They usually eat too much canned and frozen food.

2.This text is mainly about the relationship between _________.

A. Americans and the French B. life style and obesity

C. children and adults D. fast food and overweight

3.This text is mainly developed _____________

A. by contrast B. by space

C. by process D. by classification(分类)

4. Where does this text probably come from?

A. A TV interview B. A food advertisement

C. A health report D. A book review

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