Question

    While fossil fuels — coal, oil, gas — still produce roughly 85 percent of the world’s energy supply, it’s clearer than ever that the future belongs to renewable sources such as wind and solar. The move to renewables is picking up the development around the world: They now account for more than half of new power sources going in operation.

Some growth stems from a commitment by governments and farsighted businesses to fund cleaner energy sources. But increasingly the story is about the falling prices of renewables, especially wind and solar. The cost of solar panels has dropped by 80 percent and the cost of wind turbines（涡轮机）by close to one-third in the past eight years.

In many parts of the world renewable energy is already an important energy source. In Scotland, for example, wind turbines provide enough electricity to power 95 percent of homes. While the rest of the world takes the lead, especially China and Europe, the United States is also seeing an amazing shift. In March, for the first time, wind and solar power accounted for more than 10 percent of the power generated in the US, reported the US Energy Information Administration.

President Trump has underlined fossil fuels — especially coal — as the path to economic growth. In a recent speech in Iowa, he dismissed wind power as an unreliable energy source. But that message did not play well with many in Iowa, where wind turbines dot the fields and provide 36 percent of the state’s electricity generation — and where tech enterprise like Microsoft are being attracted by the availability of clean energy to power their data centers.

The question “what happens when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine?” has provided a quick remark for skeptics. But an increase in the storage capacity of batteries is making their ability to keep power flowing around the clock more likely.

The advance is driven in part by vehicle manufacturers, who are placing big bets on battery-powered electric vehicles. Although electric cars are still uncommon on roads now, this massive investment could change the picture rapidly in coming years.

While there’s a long way to go, the trend lines for renewables are zooming. The pace of change in energy sources appears to be speeding up — perhaps just in time to have a meaningful effect in slowing climate change. What Washington does — or doesn’t do — to promote alternative energy may mean less and less at a time of a global shift in thought.

1.According to Paragraph 3, the use of renewable energy in America ______.

A.has proved to be impractical B.is as common as in Europe

C.faces many challenges D.is progressing greatly

2.It can be learned that in Iowa ______.

A.wind is a widely used energy source

B.wind energy has replaced fossil fuels

C.there is a shortage of clean energy supply

D.tech enterprises are investing in clean energy

3.Which of the following is true about clean energy according to Paragraphs 5&6?

A.Its application has increased battery storage.

B.Its continuous supply is becoming a reality.

C.It is commonly used in car manufacturing.

D.Its sustainable exploitation will remain difficult.

4.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that renewable energy ______.

A.will bring the US closer to other countries

B.will accelerate global environmental change

C.is not really encouraged by the US government

D.is not competitive enough with regard to its cost

Answer

1.D

2.D

3.B

4.C

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章介绍未来的新能源。尽管煤、石油、天然气等化石燃料仍占全球能源供应的85%左右，但未来属于风能和太阳能等可再生能源，这一点比以往任何时候都更加清楚。向可再生能源的转移正在加速世界范围内的发展:它们现在占新能源运行的一半以上。

1.细节理解题。根据第三段中While the rest of the world takes the lead, especially China and Europe, the United States is also seeing an amazing shift. In March, for the first time, wind and solar power accounted for more than 10 percent of the power generated in the US, reported the US Energy Information Administration.“当世界其他地区，尤其是中国和欧洲，处于领先地位时，美国也看到了惊人的转变。据美国能源情报署(US Energy Information Administration)报道，今年3月，风能和太阳能首次占到美国发电量的10%以上。” “the United States is also seeing an amazing shift”，“amazing shift”与D阐述的“progressing greatly”对应，表示一个好的进展（转变）。故选D。

2.细节理解题。根据第四段中But that message did not play well with many in Iowa, where wind turbines dot the fields and provide 36 percent of the state’s electricity generation — and where tech enterprise like Microsoft are being attracted by the availability of clean energy to power their data centers.“但这一信息在爱荷华州并不受欢迎，那里风力涡轮机遍布各地，为该州提供了36%的电力，而像微软这样的科技企业正被清洁能源的可用性所吸引，为他们的数据中心提供动力。”可知科技企业正在投资清洁能源。故选D。

3.细节理解题。根据第五段中an increase in the storage capacity of batteries is making their ability to keep power flowing around the clock more likely.“电池存储容量的增加使它们更有可能保持24小时供电。”和第六段中Although electric cars are still uncommon on roads now, this massive investment could change the picture rapidly in coming years.“尽管电动汽车目前在公路上还不常见，但这笔巨额投资可能会在未来几年迅速改变这一局面。”由此可知，它的持续供应正在成为现实。故选B。

4.推理判断题。根据最后一段What Washington does — or doesn’t do — to promote alternative energy may mean less and less at a time of a global shift in thought.美国政府在推广替代能源方面所做的——或不做的——可能意味着意义越来越小。”由此可知，从最后一段可以推断处，美国政府并没有真正鼓励使用可再生能源。故选C。