【题目】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.

“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 oil 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 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(禁止) 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 its economy. When that flow is interrupted, we feel the pain in short supplies and higher prices, At the same time, we derive(得到,获得) 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】What does the author say about energy independence for America?

A. It sounds very attractive.

C. It will bring oil prices down.

B. It ensures national security.

D. It has long been everyone’s dream.

【2】Why does America rely heavily on oil imports?

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

B. Its own oil reserves are quickly running out.

C. It wants to keep its own environment intact.

D. Its own oil production falls short of demand.

【3】What is the author’s purpose in writing the passage?

A. To arouse Americans’ awareness of the energy crisis.

B. To stress the importance of energy conservation.

C. To explain the increase of international oil trade.

D. To justify(证明… 有理的) America’s dependence on oil imports.

【题目】根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。

I've always wanted to start my own business. I've always wanted to start working for myself. Yet I didn't make that decision. I finally got started instead of thinking about it or putting it off. And I made it. Maybe you've not started on something important to yourself. Maybe you can relate to what I'm saying, and you feel you've been slacking(松懈的) off for too long. You had better get started now. ____1__

1. It's better than thinking about it.

__2____ But thinking can also be dangerous when you do too much of it. You can think as much as you like, but thinking isn't going to change the situation. In fact, thinking isn't going to change anything. _3___ You won't go anywhere, as If you're a human statue. So you had better get started now.

2. It's better than never taking action.

Do you want to be the man or the woman who never does anything? Do you want to be the man or the woman who never gets started? __4____ You won't regret it.

3. ____5___.

How long are you going to dream about getting started? How long are you going to dream about how wonderful it'll be when you do take action? And how long are you going to dream about how much of a difference it'll make to your life? There's only so much dreaming you can do before you have to turn that dream into action. A dream without action is a fantasy, destined(注定) to never come true.

A. It's better than dreaming about doing it.

B. Here's why getting started is the best way to get started.

C. Thinking will just keep you in the same position you're already in.

D. Take action and get out of your own head.

E. You can adjust your actions along the way.

F. Thinking about something before you do it is a great quality to have.

G. It's better to make a mistake than do nothing at all.

 0  145945  145953  145959  145963  145969  145971  145975  145981  145983  145989  145995  145999  146001  146005  146011  146013  146019  146023  146025  146029  146031  146035  146037  146039  146040  146041  146043  146044  146045  146047  146049  146053  146055  146059  146061  146065  146071  146073  146079  146083  146085  146089  146095  146101  146103  146109  146113  146115  146121  146125  146131  146139  151629 

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网