Question

In a speech this week to the Institute of Civil Engineering, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, made clear his support for wind energy. He focused on some of the many advantages of developing the industry.

Let’s examine those reasons. It is an abundant, clean and sustainable source of energy, reducing our dependence on expensive fossil fuel imports, increasingly from politically unstable parts of the globe. Let’s not forget that Russia turned off the gas supply to Europe in 2006.

More recently, we have all felt the pain this winter, when international gas prices soared by 40% compared to last year. Should we carry on exposing ourselves to the instability（不稳定） of global energy prices and the unpredictability of global events, or should we recognize the value of taking control of our energy supply?

As for the economic opportunities, over the last decade wind energy has attracted $5 billion in investment(投资) to the UK and is set to go above $50 billion by 2020. Look at the companies queuing up to build wind turbine (涡轮) factories in the UK, such as Siemens and Vestas. Examine the number of people employed in the wind industry in the UK—nearly 12000, now with nearly 90000 jobs by 2021.

The UK is already the global leader in wind power, with greater ability than anywhere else in the world—enough to supply more than a million homes with electricity all year round—and the government is calling for an increase by eight times in the amount of wind turbines installed by 2020, which the industry can achieve as long as it gets the right level of support from ministers. In return, as well as bring the environmental benefits of clean energy, the wind industry is committed to save consumers a lot of money.

1.What can we know from Paragraph 4?

A. Many job opportunities are created by wind industry.

B. The UK would not accept many companies’ investment.

C. Over the last ten years the UK has attracted little investment.

D. Other industries are less important than wind industry.

2.The writer uses the example of Russia to prove that ________.

A. international gas price is not always stable

B. there exists the unpredictability of global events

C. there are conflicts between Europe and Russia

D. every nation is badly in need of gas

3.What is the most important thing for the government to achieve its goal by 2020?

A. Attracting more investment.

B. Getting enough support from ministers.

C. Improving the technology a lot.

D. Listing the advantages of wind power to the public.

4.What is correct for the UK facing the problem of energy?

A. The UK should increase its dependence on fossil fuel imports.

B. It’s OK to carry on exposing itself to the instable energy prices.

C. The UK should believe the global events can be predictable.

D. The government has recognized the necessity of controlling its energy supply and did better.

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.B

4.D

【解析】本文是英国前首相发表的针对风能产业的演讲，该演讲指出开发风能的必要性和好处，呼吁部长们支持风能开发。

1.推理判断题。根据第四段的描述可知，风能产业带动了经济的发展，创造了很多的就业机会。故选A。

2.推理判断题。根据第二段中的It is an abundant, clean and sustainable source of energy, reducing our dependence on expensive fossil fuel imports, increasingly from politically unstable parts of the globe. Let’s not forget that Russia turned off the gas supply to Europe in 2006.（它是一种丰富、清洁和可持续的能源，减少了我们对昂贵矿物燃料进口的依赖，这种进口越来越多地来自全球政治上不稳定的地区。别忘了，俄罗斯在2006关闭了对欧洲的天然气供应。）可推知，作者用俄罗斯的例子想证明全球事件存在着不可预测性。故选B。

3.细节理解题。根据第五段中的and the government is calling for an increase by eight times in the amount of wind turbines installed by 2020, which the industry can achieve as long as it gets the right level of support from ministers.（此外，政府还呼吁到2020年风力涡轮机数量增长八倍，只要得到部长们的适当支持，该行业就可以实现这一目标）可知，要实现2020年的政府目标，最重要的是得到部长们的足够支持。故选B。

4.推理判断题。根据全文对英国风能的开发的描述可推知，英国政府认识到控制能源供应的必要性，而且做的较好。故选D。