Question

【题目】When computer servers operate a complex program, they can get very hot. Cooling the servers can be costly. So researchers asked what would happen if the heat created by the servers could be captured and used?

Data centers of large Internet companies such as Google and Microsoft have thousands of computer servers. As these servers process information, they create large amounts of heat, so they need huge cooling systems, which send the heat into the air.

The Dutch company Nerdalize thinks paying for electricity to operate the servers and then paying again to cool them is a waste of energy. So it developed a device called the e-Radiator, a computer server that also works as a heating source.

Boaz Leupe, the chief executive officer of Nerdalize, says the e-Radiator saves money because companies don’t have to pay to cool their servers. “…The kilowatt hour you are using is used twice — once to heat the home and once to compute the client’s task without the cooling expenses.”

At present five homeowners in the Netherlands are testing the heating device in their homes.

“We compensate the electricity the server uses, and that we can do because of the computer clients on the other side, and, in that way, homeowners actually get heating for free, and computer users don’t have to pay for the expenses of the data center.”

Jan Visser is one of the participants in the year-long experiment. He notices that the amount of heat produced by the e-Radiator depends on the work being done by the computer server. He reveals it cannot be used as the primary source of heat. But he is ready to try it. “If it provides enough warmth, I will be able to use my home’s heating system less, which will save me money.” he added.

Nerdalize says e-Radiators create heat temperatures of up to 55 degrees Celsius. It’s also said that the devices could save users up to $440 in heating costs a year.

【1】What can we learn from this passage?

A. E-Radiator can save homeowners a big sum of money in cooling the computers.

B. Google and Nerdalize developed the heating device, e-Radiator.

C. E-Radiator has been put into use in the Netherlands.

D. The heating device will benefit computer users as well as homeowners.

【2】According to the passage, what’s Jan Visser’s attitude towards e-Radiator?

A. Cautious. B. Positive. C. Satisfied. D. Doubtful.

【3】Where can we most probably read the passage?

A. In an economic report.

B. In a science magazine.

C. In an education newspaper.

D. In a computer guide book.

【4】Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?

A. Money-saving heating device.

B. E-Radiator, the primary source of heat.

C. Hot computers could be used to heat home.

D. Nerdalize developed e-Radiator, a heating system.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】D

【2】B

【3】B

【4】C

【解析】

试题分析：短文主要讲的是利用新发明e-Radiator来充分利用电脑散发出来的热量给家庭供暖。

【1】D 细节理解题。根据第五段和第六段homeowners actually get heating for free可知，答案选D。

【2】B 细节理解题。根据第七段But he is ready to try it.可知，Jan Visser的态度是积极的，故选B。

【3】B 推理判断题。短文主要讲的是e-Radiator在电脑散热方面的应用，有可能出现在科学类杂志上，故选B。

【4】C 文章大意题。短文主要讲的是将电脑散发出来的热量试着用来给家里供暖，故最佳标题选C。