Everything about nuclear energy seems terrifically big: the cost, construction and decommissioning—and the fears of something going badly wrong.
The future, however may well be much smaller. Dozens of companies are working on a new generation of reactors that, they promise, can deliver nuclear power at lower cost and reduced risk.
These small-scale plants will on average generate between 50MW and 300MW of power compared with the 1,000MW-plus from a conventional reactor. They will draw on modular manufacturing techniques that will reduce construction risk, which has plagued larger-scale projects. Supporters believe these advanced modular reactors (AMRs)—most of which will not be commercial until the 2030s—are critical if atomic power is to compete against the rapidly falling costs of solar and wind.
“The physics hasn’t changed. It’s about much cleverer design that offers much-needed flexibility in terms of operation,” said Tim Stone, long-term industry adviser and chairman of Nuclear risk Insurers, which insures nuclear sites in the UK.
Since the Fukushima meltdown in Japan in 2011, safety fears have threatened nuclear power. But the biggest obstacle today is economic. In western Europe, just three plants are under construction: in the UK at Hinkley point C in Somerset; at Flamanville in France; and at Olkiluoto in Finland. All involve the European Pressurized Reactor technology of EDF that will be used at Hinkley Point. All are running years late and over budget. In the US, the first two nuclear projects under way for the past 30 years are also blowing through cost estimates.
The UK, which opened the world’s first commercial nuclear reactor in 1956, is one of the few western nations committed to renewing its ageing fleet to ensure energy security and meet tough carbon reduction targets. It is seen as a proving ground, by many in the industry, of nuclear power’s ability to restore confidence.
However, the country’s agreement with EDF to build two units at Hinkley Point—which together will generate 3.2GW of electricity—has come under severe criticism over its cost. The government is looking at different funding models but said it still sees nuclear power as vital to the country’s future energy mix. Small reactors, it believes, have the potential to generate much-needed power from the 2030s.
A nuclear sector deal, unveiled last month, promised up to ￡56m in funding for research and development into AMRs and attracted interest of start-ups from around the world. The government hopes the funding will give the UK a lead in the global race to develop these technologies, helping to provide energy security while also creating a multibillion-dollar export market for British engineering companies.
1.Which of the following is true about the advanced modular reactors (AMRs)?
A. AMRs produce more power than traditional reactors
B. Small in scale, AMRs rose more safety risks
C. So far, most AMRs have not been put into use yet
D. Governments prefer energy of solar and wind to that of AMRs
2.In paragraph 5, the author mentions the plants in Western Europe and the US to ________.
A. prove that nuclear power has been threatened by safety concern.
B. show that the construction of nuclear power plants cost more that the budget available.
C. indicate the construction of nuclear plants are slow in speed.
D. point out that most power plants have adopted the latest nuclear technology.
3.What can be inferred from the passage?
A. Some people have lost confidence in the development of nuclear plants
B. The UK government seeks to reduce the negative impact of nuclear power on its economy.
C. The plan to build two power plants in Hinkley Point has been deserted
D. a kind costs for small modular reactors would be higher relative to large nuclear reactors.
4.Which of the following can serve as the best title of this passage?
A. Britain counts on nuclear energy to keep lights on
B. Traditional nuclear plants boom with mini reactors
C. Nuclear’s share of power generation remain stead
D. Nuclear power looks to shrink its way to success
MTLEDANON ICE CENTER *900 CEDAR BOULEVARD*
PITTSBURGH,PA 15228
(412)561-4363 www.mtlebanon.org
WHO: Skaters of all ages and abilities. Must be 3 years of age and potty trained.
Any Preschool Kindergarten age child who has never taken lessons at the Mr. Lebanon Ice Center needs to be evaluated.
The On-line registration feature does not apply to evaluation registration.
Evaluation dates and times are listed below.
EVALUATIONS: Evaluations help to determine both readiness and class placement. Upon completion of the evaluation, it is recommended that you register for classes with an associate located in the ice center booth. A variety of days and times for the evaluations are also listed online and at the Ice Center.
Evaluation registration may be done in person or by phone at 412-561-4363.
DAY | EVALUATION DATES | TIME | EVALUATION FEE |
Saturday | June 2,2018 | 12:00 p.m. | $5.00 |
Sunday | June 3,2018 | 12:00 p.m. | $500 |
Monday | June 4,2018 | 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. | $500 |
Wednesday | June 6,2018 | 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. | $5.00 |
Thursday | June 7,20l8 | 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. | $5.00 |
Additional evaluation dates may be offered for session Ⅱ.
REFUND POLICY: Refund requests must be made a minimum of 7 days prior to event. See www.mtlebanon.org.for details.
REGISTRATION:
In person—Stop by the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center, ground floor, Monday through Saturday 9:00 a. m.9:00 p.m. or Sunday 9: 00 a.m. 5:30 p.m.
By Phone—Call the Ice Center at (412)561-4363 to schedule your skating evaluation appointment
Make checks payable to: Mt. Lebanon, PA visa, Master Card, &Debit Cards accepted
QLESTIONS: Please call the Mt. Lebanon Ice Center staff at (412)561-4363
LeboALERT—A FREE notification service(phone, text, e-mail). In the event of an emergency and to provide you with updates about cancellations and recreation department programs and events. Please visit www.mtlebanon.org.and sign up for LeboALERT. All recreation participants should sign up, and at minimum select the “Cancellations” category.
1.What’s the passage manly about?
A. To introduce a skating program.
B. To advertise a skating center.
C. To serve as a skating assessment schedule.
D. To issue a free skating notification.
2.Mary’s mother wants to registers the evaluation for her daughter. Which time as follows is suitable for her to go to the center?
A. Monday 8: 30 a.m. B. Wednesday 2 p.m.
C. Friday 9: 30 p.m. D. Sunday 6: 00 p.m.
3.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. The evaluation is intended for all preschool and kindergarten children.
B. Refund requests can be accepted within 7 days after the registration.
C. Participants who sign up for Lebo Alert can receive free notification about the event.
D. Evaluation registration can be done in person, by phone or on-line
More people are travelling than ever before, and lower harriers to entry and falling costs means they are doing so for _______ periods.
The rise of “city breaks” --48-hour bursts of foreign cultures, easier on the pocket and annual leave balance has increased tourist numbers, but not their _______ spread. The same attractions have been used to market cities such as Paris, Barcelona and Venice for decades, and visitors use the same infrastructure as residents to reach them. “Too many people do the same thing at the exact same time,” says Font. “For _______, the city no longer belongs to them.”
This starts with marketing, says Font, who notes that Amsterdam has started advising visitors to seek _______ outside of the city centre on its official website. “That takes some balls, really to do that. But only so many people will look at the website, and it means they can say to their residents they’re doing all they can to ease congestion.”
But it also _______ a better way, it is called “detourism”: sustainable travel tips an _______ itineraries for exploring an authentic Venice, off the paths beaten by the 28 million visitors who flock there each year.
A greater variety of _______ for prospective visitors ------ ideas for what to do in off-peak seasons, for example, or outside of the city center ------ can have the effect of diverting them from already saturated landmarks, or _______ short breaks away in the first place. Longer stays _______ the pressure, says Font. If you go to Paris for two days, you’re going to go to the Eiffel Tower. “If you go for two weeks, you’re not going to go to the Eiffel Tower 14 times.”
Similarly, repeat visitors have a better sense of the __________, “We should be asking how we get tourists to __________, not how to get them to come for the first time. If they’re coming for the fifth time, it is much easier to integrate their behavior with ours.”
Local governments can foster this sustainable activity by giving preference to responsible operator and even high-paying consumers. Font says cities could stand to be more selective about the tourists they try to attract when the current metric for marketing success is how many there are, and how far they’ve come. “You’re thinking, ‘yeah but at what cost...’.”
He points to unpublished data from the Barcelona Tourist Board that prioritizes Japanese tourists for spending an average of €40 more per day than French tourist as a(n) __________ that fails to take into account their bigger carbon footprint. __________ tourists are also more likely to be repeat visitors that come at off-peak times, buy local produce, and __________ to less crowded parts of the city ------ all productive steps towards more __________ tourism, and more peaceful relations with residents.
1.A. longer B. shorter C. wider D. clearer
2.A. environmental B. national C. economic D. geographic
3.A. locals B. tourists C. visitors D. cleaners
4.A. transports B. accommodation C. restaurants D. service
5.A. addresses B. paves C. proposes D. receives
6.A. separate B. individual C. alternative D. objective
7.A. reform B. guidance C. invitation D. support
8.A. convincing B. discouraging C. preventing D. resisting
9.A. pace B. escape C. withstand D. ease
10.A. culture B. knowledge C. entertainment D. ability
11.A. take over B. bring up C. come back D. lay off
12.A. distinction B. harmony C. association D. comparison
13.A. French B. Italian C. Spanish D. German
14.A. carry out B. give into C. spread out D. impact on
15.A. slight B. complex C. temporary D. sustainable
Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.
Start with the end and work backwards
When Jason Hoelscher was an undergraduate of fine art studies, there weren’t any professional development classes. So ambition and the timely realization 1. he would have to determine “what’s next” on his own urged Jason to engage his future self to find direction. It was 1996, and he was finishing his BFA (Bachelor of Fine Art) in Denver. He was faced with the choice of sitting back to wait for something 2. (happen), or pursuing a path into the unknown. He chose the latter.
Jason set up a plan that in five years he 3. (show) his work in the top gallery in that area of the country. This five-year goal gave him a starting point 4. which to work backwards.
By setting the goal, all of Jason’s efforts 5. (point) in the same direction. He showed up at different art show openings, and researched as best he could to make 6. familiar with the market environment.
As a result of showing up, Jason took opportunities 7. got him closer to his goal. He sent work to a student show and was accepted by Robin Rule, the owner of Rule Gallery. 8. (inspire), Jason spent the next month making new work.
In April of 1997, Jason went back to Rule Gallery with his new work. 9. scared to death, he looked confident at the gallery meeting. When he left, he left as the newest addition to the rule gallery roster (花名册). He had his first exhibition there one year later.
Jason could have stopped with the show selection, but what he really wanted was gallery representation. He struck while the iron was hot, and in 10. (do) so, shortened his five-year plan into a year-and-a-half.
在很多公众场所，我们都可以看到“中式英文”(Chinglish)的标识，我们是否应该彻底清理这些 Chinglish 呢？对此，人们持有不同的观点，请结合以下信息，以“Should We Get Rid of Chinglish?”为题，写一篇英语短文。
赞成 | 1.外国人很难看懂。2.我们应该学习标准英文。 |
反对 | 1.“中式英文”丰富了英语本身。2.“中式英文”为我们的生活增添了情趣。 |
你的观点 | ？ |
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假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文,请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误,每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加:在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧),并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除:把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉。
修改:在错的词下划一横线,并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意:1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词;
2.只允许修改10处,多者(从第11处起)不计分。
One summer evening, I was sitting by an open window, read a story book. Suddenly, I heard someone crying for help which was sounded like a child's. I went out into the yard to see anybody was in trouble.
Once again，I heard the cry from the trees at the end of a yard. "Who was there?" I called. And there was no answer. Feeling rather foolishly, I went back into the house. I was going to read my book again when he was frightened by the cry of "Help! Help!" There, sitting on the table, was my neighbor's parrots! It must have flown in through the open window while I was out on the yard.
