Question

Tide is the regular rise and fall of the ocean level caused by the movement of the sun, the earth and the moon. It is considered a promising source of green energy to produce electricity in coastal areas.

To make use of tidal energy, we need to build tidal power stations. The bays and the river mouths where the tide is high (the tidal range is more than 10 metres) are usually perfect sites to build tidal power stations. There are many such places in the world. According to the IRENA (the International Renewable Energy Agency), by just using 2% of our coastlines, we can produce 4, 383TWh of ocean power each year, enough to meet 16. 4% of the world's electricity needs.

To build a tidal power station, we need to build a dam. In the dam are many turbines and on each turbine there is an electric generator. When the tide rises, water comes through the dam, the turbines turn and the electric generators work, producing electricity. When the tide fall, water goes out through the dam, the turbines turn again. The electric generators continue to work.

Tidal energy has it advantages. Using tidal energy to produce electricity is much cheaper than using the traditional energy, like coal or gas. For example, the Rance Tidal Power Station in France has been there for over 50 years, producing around 540, 000TWh of electricity each year. The cost is only 1.3 cents/TWh. Tidal energy can be used nearly 24 hours a day. As long as the sun, the earth and the moon exist, we can use it to produce electricity. But without sunshine, here is no solar energy. When there is no wind, electric generators will not work. In addition, with the development of modern technology, tidal energy can be stored and used to produce electricity continuously. However, we still have some problems to solve. It is difficult to build a dam in the sea, and the cost is very high. Moreover, it's expensive to keep a tidal power station in is best condition.

Scientists are working on them.

1.A tidal power station is best built __________.

A.at a river mouth with wind B.along the coast with waves

C.in a bay with tide high enough D.in coastal areas with sunshine

2.The underlined word "turbine" in Paragraph There is a machine to__________.

A.make the tide rise and fall B.make an electric generator work

C.let water go through the dam D.keep the dam in good condition

3.What advantage does tidal energy have?

A.We can use it to get useful tide. B.It can improve the ocean environment.

C.We can use it nearly all the time. D.It meets 16. 4% of the electricity needs.

4.How can we make better use of tidal energy?

A.By digging more bays and river mouths.

B.By building cheaper tidal power stations.

C.By closing traditional electric power.

D.By using tidal energy to replace other energy.

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.C

4.B

【解析】

本文主要向我们介绍了潮汐能，它的优势以及目前存在的问题。

1.

细节理解题。根据第二段中“The bays and the river mouths where the tide is high (the tidal range is more than 10 metres) are usually perfect sites to build tidal power stations.”可知，涨潮时(潮差超过10米)的海湾和河口通常是建造潮汐发电站的理想地点。故选C。

2.

推理判断题。分析第三段中“In the dam are many turbines and on each turbine there is an electric generator. When the tide rises, water comes through the dam, the turbines turn and the electric generators work, producing electricity. When the tide fall, water goes out through the dam, the turbines turn again.”可知，水坝里有许多涡轮机，每个涡轮机上都有一个发电机。涨潮时，水通过大坝，涡轮转动，发电机工作，产生电力。退潮时，水流通过大坝流出，涡轮再次转动。所以turbine是让发电机工作的机器。故选B。

3.

推理判断题。A：我们可以用它来获取有用的潮汐。B：它可以改善海洋环境。C：我们几乎可以随时使用它。D：满足16.4%的电力需求。根据第四段中“Using tidal energy to produce electricity is much cheaper than using the traditional energy, like coal or gas.”和“In addition, with the development of modern technology, tidal energy can be stored and used to produce electricity continuously.”可知，潮汐发电的优势一是利用潮汐能发电比使用煤炭或天然气等传统能源要便宜得多；二是随着现代技术的发展，潮汐能可以被储存起来，并用于持续发电。结合选项，故选C。

4.

细节理解题。A：挖掘更多的海湾和河口。B：通过建造更便宜的潮汐发电站。C：通过关闭传统电力。D：利用潮汐能来替代其他能源。根据第二段中“To make use of tidal energy, we need to build tidal power stations.”可知，为了利用潮汐能，我们需要修建潮汐能电站。结合选项，故选B。