Electricity, like clean water, is a resource that’s often taken for granted. But last summer, when blackouts struck much of the northeastern US, Ontario and Rome, consumers on two continents were given a painful reminder of just how easily broken electricity supplies can be. The massive disorder stranded (使陷入困境)commuters, stopped freezers, shut down businesses and refocused attention on where most of the planet’s power comes from：oil-and-gas-fired generators and nuclear plants, These sources not only pollute the environment but also make many consumers feel unacceptable health risks.

Companies are trying to offer an alternative, clean energy from renewable resources that’s plentiful and portable. Lifton’s Medis Technologies, as well as companies like Hydrogenics and Nanosys, is tapping into fuel cells and dolor panels to give people power whenever and wherever they want it, free from dependence on local grids(电网).

The search for alternative energy is nothing new, but the current trend of innovators is focusing on the goal of making clean and sustainable power a mainstream commodity. For example, the fuel cell, which produces electricity from the chemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen, has been around for about 150 years, though its commercial development did not begin until the 1960s and then only as part of NASA spacecraft. Today this technology is coming down to Earth in places like Tokyo; in nine European cities, from Stockholm to Porto, each operating three hydrogen-fuel-cell buses; and in Iceland, which is trying to create the first fuel free hydrogen economy by 2030.

When hydrogen and oxygen molecules(分子)combine, the reaction produces heat and water. Fuel cells use this reaction to generate electricity. With the cell phone and gadget(小机件)market in mind, Medis has developed a fuel cell with cheap components that produces little heat and effortlessly reduces waste water without turning to energy consuming pumps.

What is the passage mainly about?

A．The future of alternative energy

B．How the fuel cells works

C．People’s search for alternative energy

D．The damage done by the blackout last summer.

What can we know about the fuel cell?

A．Its commercial use began in the 1960s.

B．Today it’s being used in almost every corner of the world.

C．It has been in widespread used for about 150 years.

D．It supplies electricity to make the combination of oxygen and hydrogen possible.

Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

A．Lifton’s Medis Technologies is tapping into fuel cells and solar panels.

B．The fuel cell has been around for about 150 years.

C．The fuel cell’s commercial development did not begin until the 1960s.

D．When hydrogen and oxygen molecules combine, the reaction produces o2 and H2O.

The underlined word “blackouts” in the 1 st paragraph means_____.

A．power failure                 B．the delivering of electricity

C．the power of electricity         D．power station

Treat with Respect

The speed with which Man is changing the face of Earth has outstripped（超过）all the mighty processes of nature put together. In his haste to supply himself with increasing quantities of Earth’s treasures, he risks destroying one he greatly needs, his natural surroundings. Some countries set aside unspoiled areas of natural beauty. Canada has the largest system of national parks in the world, covering about 13 million hectares, preserving the different landscapes and the plant and animal life.

Other countries are restoring areas which have been reduced to waste land by mining. At Broken Hill in Australia drifting sand from rock crushing turned the area into a desert swept by sand storms. This is now being irrigated, fertilized and planted with grass and trees. In Great Britain quarries and gravel pits(深坑) are being filled in or made into lakes, industrial wasteland is being turned into playing fields and waste tips into sloping green hills.

However Man tries to look after Earth, the fact is that he is using up at a great rate resources, especially fuel resources, which have taken millions of years to accumulate and which he cannot renew. Yet every day the Earth receives a huge supply of energy from the Sun. Man has made several experiments in using solar energy to heat furnaces(熔炉), cookers, and water-distillers. In space technology, e.g. on satellites, solar cells convert(使转变) sunlight into electricity. Houses and offices have been designed which are centrally heated by water or air heated by the sunlight. When Man can trap and store this energy, so that he can use it exactly as he needs it, he will have not only an endless supply, but a clean and safe one.

1．The main idea of the second paragraph is ________.

       A．Many areas throughout the world have been transformed into wasteland by mining.

       B．Australia and Great Britain are the only two countries that are changing the face of the Earth.

       C．Some countries are taking effective measures to make use of the wasteland and to beautify the Earth.

       D． Developing countries should learn from developed countries to look after our natural surroundings.

2．According to this selected passage, which energy is considered to be endless, clean and safe?

       A．Energy from lake waters.

      B．Energy from fuel resources which have taken millions of years to accumulate.

       C．Energy from forests.

       D．Energy from the Sun.

3．Which country has the largest scale of nature protection according to this passage?

       A．Great Britain       B．Australia          C．the U.S.A．      D．Canada

4．Which of the following statements do you think is true after reading the passage?

       A．Man is destroying the natural surroundings on purpose because the surroundings cannot make them satisfied to get enough treasures.

       B．All the wasteland throughout the world is now being irrigated, fertilized and planted with grass and trees.

       C．Where there is a desert, there can be sand storms.

       D．Energy from waters, forests, fuel resources and the sun takes millions of years to accumulate.

International experts meeting in Australia say global carbon emissions (排放) can be reduced by more than 50 percent through simple energy saving measures. People at a conference in Australia, which increasingly relies on coal for power, say that reducing power consumption is an affordable way to both cut energy costs and reduce pollution.
While many nations turn to cheap and dirty energy sources, such as coal, to meet their increasing energy needs, analysts in Australia say the best way to meet those needs is to improve energy efficiency.
A range of simple solutions include using energy-efficient homes, household appliances and lighting, and driving electric cars. Encouraging homeowners and office workers to switch off their televisions and computers at the end of the day is also seen as an effective way to save electricity.
Grayson Heffner, from the Paris-based International Energy Agency, says reducing consumption could greatly cut global carbon emissions. He calls efficiency strategies (策略) the “soft giant” of clean energy.
“We forecast that energy efficiency will deliver something like three-quarters of the greenhouse gas emissions reductions over the next 20 years. So in the short term energy efficiency is the main way that we reduce greenhouse gas emissions but oftentimes it is not so importantly stressed in the discussions,” said Heffner.
Energy experts working in China say the government is making significant cuts in power usage.
Wan Xingwang, a Beijing-based representative of the Energy Foundation, a U.S. non-government organization, says the results have been impressive.
“In the past five years China achieved about 19.1 percent of energy reduction of its GDP. That translates to something like more than 600 million tons of coal savings,” said Wan Xingwang.
While most nations have some sort of government-sponsored energy efficiency programs, energy analysts say initiatives (主动性) by individuals and companies can also help cut demand.
Steven Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, a non-profit group based in Washington, says other developing nations are recognizing the benefits of cutting power consumption and taking action.
【小题1】To increase their energy supplies, many nations _____________________.

International experts meeting in Australia say global carbon emissions (排放) can be reduced by more than 50 percent through simple energy saving measures. People at a conference in Australia, which increasingly relies on coal for power, say that reducing power consumption is an affordable way to both cut energy costs and reduce pollution.

While many nations turn to cheap and dirty energy sources, such as coal, to meet their increasing energy needs, analysts in Australia say the best way to meet those needs is to improve energy efficiency.

A range of simple solutions include using energy-efficient homes, household appliances and lighting, and driving electric cars. Encouraging homeowners and office workers to switch off their televisions and computers at the end of the day is also seen as an effective way to save electricity.

Grayson Heffner, from the Paris-based International Energy Agency, says reducing consumption could greatly cut global carbon emissions. He calls efficiency strategies (策略) the “soft giant” of clean energy.

“We forecast that energy efficiency will deliver something like three-quarters of the greenhouse gas emissions reductions over the next 20 years. So in the short term energy efficiency is the main way that we reduce greenhouse gas emissions but oftentimes it is not so importantly stressed in the discussions,” said Heffner.

Energy experts working in China say the government is making significant cuts in power usage.

Wan Xingwang, a Beijing-based representative of the Energy Foundation, a U.S. non-government organization, says the results have been impressive.

“In the past five years China achieved about 19.1 percent of energy reduction of its GDP. That translates to something like more than 600 million tons of coal savings,” said Wan Xingwang.

While most nations have some sort of government-sponsored energy efficiency programs, energy analysts say initiatives (主动性) by individuals and companies can also help cut demand.

Steven Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, a non-profit group based in Washington, says other developing nations are recognizing the benefits of cutting power consumption and taking action.

1.To increase their energy supplies, many nations _____________________.

A．turn to new energy                      B．turn to cheap energy

C．develop solar energy                    D．introduce clean energy

2.Which of the following cannot help to reduce energy consumption effectively?

A．Using electronic products in small size.

B．Using more electric cars.

C．Turning off computers after work.

D．Building energy-efficient houses.

3.What can we learn from what Grayson Heffner said?

A．75% of the greenhouse gas emissions can easily be cut in the next 20 years.

B．Ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions should be discussed.

C．Using clean energy is the strategy to cut global carbon emissions.

D．The key to reducing greenhouse gases in the short term is to improve energy efficiency.

4.According to the last two paragraphs, which of the following statements is true?

A．The programs reducing energy consumption shouldn’t be sponsored by individuals and companies.

B．All nations have government-sponsored energy efficiency programs.

C．It is time that all nations should combine their efforts to save energy.

D．Some developing nations are taking action to cut power consumption.

Other countries are restoring areas which have been reduced to waste land by mining. At Broken Hill in Australia drifting sand from rock crushing turned the area into a desert swept by sand storms. This is now being irrigated, fertilized and planted with grass and trees. In Great Britain quarries and gravel pits are being filled in or made into lakes, industrial wasteland is being turned into playing fields and waste tips into sloping green hills.

However Man tries to look after Earth , the fact is that he is using up at a great rate resources, especially fuel resources, which have taken millions of years to accumulate and which he cannot renew. Yet every day the Earth receives a huge supply of energy from the Sun. Man has made several experiments in using solar energy to heat furnaces, cookers, and water-distillers. In space technology, e.g. on satellites, solar cells convert sunlight into electricity. Houses and offices have been designed which are centrally heated by water or air heated by the sunlight. When Man can trap and store this energy, so that he can use it exactly as he needs it, he will have not only an endless supply, but a clean and safe one.

1．The main idea of the second paragraph is ________.

       A．Many areas throughout the world have been transformed into wasteland by mining.

    B．Australia and Great Britain are the only two countries that are changing the face of the Earth.

    C．Some countries are taking effective measures to make use of the wasteland and to beautify the Earth.

    D．Developing countries should learn from developed countries to look after our natural surroundings.

2．According to this selected passage, which energy is considered to be endless, clean and safe?

       A．Energy from lake waters                

B．Energy from fuel resources which have taken millions of years to accumulate

       C．Energy from forests

       D．Energy from the Sun

3．Which country has the largest scale of nature protection according to this passage?

      A．Great Britain       B．Australia            C．the U.S.A．      D．Canada

4．Which of the following statements do you think is true after reading the passage?

       A．Man is destroying the natural surroundings on purpose because the surroundings cannot make them satisfied to get enough treasures.

       B．All the wasteland throughout the world is now being irrigated, fertilized and planted with grass and trees.

       C．Where there is a desert, there can be sand storms.

D．Energy from waters, forests, fuel resources and the sun takes millions of years to accumulate.