Question

【题目】Many Americans concerned about pollution are demanding cleaner supplies of energy. The demand has resulted in increased research about ethanol fuel. Ethanol is an alcohol that can be mixed with gas. It burns up most of the pollutants in gas. It replaces some of the chemicals that are known to cause cancer, and it can be produced in the United States.

Some experts say that in the future ethanol will replace some of the oil imported into America. Today ethanol is less than one percent of total American fuel supply. The head of the National Corn Growers Association, Kieve Hard, says ethanol will provide twenty-five percent of the fuel supply by 2030. The organization is involved in the production of ethanol because it can be made from corn.

One company in the American Midwest says it is starting to produce ethanol because of demands from people and from the government. The Congress approved the Clean Air Act in 1990. The company says this means the market for ethanol will expand. The company is a major producer of corn starch that can be used to make ethanol.

At Texas A and M University Professor Mark Holzapple produces ethanol from materials found in solid waste. He has developed a way to turn materials like paper into simple sugar. He then uses yeast to turn the sugar into ethanol. Professor Holzapple says two hundred liters of ethanol fuel can be produced from one ton of solid waste.

A professor at the University of Arkansas, John Geddie, is exploring another way to make ethanol. He is using acids on paper material. He says a large factory could produce ethanol from waste paper at a cost about the same as the cost of producing gasoline.

Environmentalists support the use of ethanol because it turns solid waste into a useful product. Professor Holzapple says law makers in industrial nations need to support the development of this clean, less expensive fuel of the future.

【1】Why does the interest in ethanol fuel increase in the United States according to the passage?

A. Ethanol products are known to cause cancer.

B. Ethanol can remove some harmful pollutants from gas.

C. The production of ethanol is protected by law.

D. Ethanol-fueled automobiles are cheaper than gas-fueled ones.

【2】In this passage, what is the significance of the Clean Air Act passed by American Congress in 1990?

A. It will increase the consumers’ demand for ethanol as a fuel.

B. It may increase the cost of producing gas.

C. It reflects the view of the government on automobiles production.

D. It limits the ethanol production of one company in the American Midwest.

【3】The author mentions all of the following resources for making ethanol except____.

A. corn starch B. natural gas

C. waste paper D. solid waste

【4】What does Professor Mark Holzapple think of the development of ethanol in countries?

A. It needs the cooperation of many chemists.

B. It associates with the use of advanced equipment.

C. It will improve the use of heat from exhaust gases.

D. It requires the support of the government.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】B

【2】A

【3】B

【4】D

【解析】

试题分析：很多关心污染的美国人需要一种更干净的能量提供。乙醇是一种酒精,可以与气体混合。它消耗掉大部分污染物气体。这种燃料的发展需要政府的支持。

【1】B细节理解题。根据第一段第三、四句Ethanol is an alcohol that can be mixed with gas. It burns up most of the pollutants in gas. 乙醇是一种酒精,可以与气体混合。它消耗掉大部分污染物气体。故选B。

【2】A推理判断题。根据第三段倒数第二句The company says this means the market for ethanol will expand. 该公司表示,这意味着乙醇将扩大市场。故选A。

【3】B细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句The organization is involved in the production of ethanol because it can be made from corn.可排除A项；根据第四段第一句At Texas A and M University Professor Mark Holzapple produces ethanol from materials found in solid waste.可排除D项；根据第四段第二句He has developed a way to turn materials like paper into simple sugar.可排除C项。因此可知选B。

【4】D推理判断题。根据文章最后一句Professor Holzapple says law makers in industrial nations need to support the development of this clean, less expensive fuel of the future. Holzapple教授说在工业国家的法律制定者（即政府）需要支持这种燃料的发展。故选D。