Question

    A new device (设备) works like a solar panel, except it doesn't harvest energy from the sun to produce electricity. Instead, it uses energy from the cold night sky.

In the center of this device is a thermoelectric generator (热电发电机), which uses the temperature difference between Earth and outer space to create electricity.

As long as one side of it is cooler than the other, the generator can produce electricity. The cooler side faces the sky and is attached to an aluminum plate. That plate is sealed under a transparent cover and surrounded with materials that keep heat out. It stays cooler than the surrounding air by getting rid of any heat it absorbs as infrared (红外线的) radiation. That radiation can zip up through the transparent cover and on toward outer space.

The bottom of the generator is attached to an exposed aluminum plate, which is warmed by the local air. At night, the top plate can get several degrees centigrade cooler than the bottom of the generator.

Researchers tested the device one clear December night in Stanford, Calif. The generator produced up to about 25 milliwatts of power per square meter of the device. That was just enough power to light a small electric lamp. Further improvements might develop its production to at least 500 milliwatts per square meter.

"It's a very clever idea," says Yuan Yang, a materials scientist who works at Columbia University in New York City. "The device still needs improving," he notes. "But this new device may be useful for backup power," Yang says. "It might also provide a bit of energy to people living in areas that lack electricity."

"The device could help power remote weather stations or other environmental devices," says Aaswath Raman, a materials scientist who worked on the device at the University of California, Los Angeles. What's more, this may be useful in areas that don't see sunlight for months at a time, Raman adds.

1.How is the device designed?

A.It includes two aluminum plates with different functions.

B.It is equipped with a heat resistant generator in the center.

C.Its two aluminum plates are exposed to air to keep heat out.

D.Its generator is sealed by a transparent cover to remain cool.

2.What is the limitation with the tested device?

A.It won't be expanded to be much larger.

B.It fails to produce electricity fast enough.

C.It is unable to power small electric lamps.

D.It produces a limited amount of electricity.

3.In paragraph 6, Yuan Yang mainly intends to         .

A.evaluate the device on a positive basis

B.point out the problems with the device

C.explain the research work for the device

D.comment on Aaswath Raman's prediction

4.What can be a suitable title for the text?

A.Lamps Are Powered by the Energy From the Cold Night Sky

B.A Generator Producing Electricity Has Been Applied in Many Areas

C.Scientists Have Made a Breakthrough in Harvesting Green Energy

D.A Device Uses Energy From the Cold Night Sky to Produce Electricity

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.A

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章讲述了，一种类似太阳能电池板的新设备可以使用寒冷夜空的能量来发电，介绍了新设备的工作原理、实验情况和未来的价值。

1.细节理解题。由第三段的句子“The cooler side faces the sky and is attached to an aluminum plate. That plate is sealed under a transparent cover and surrounded with materials that keep heat out. It stays cooler than the surrounding air by getting rid of any heat it absorbs as infrared radiation.”（较冷的一面面向天空，与铝板相连。那块板被密封在一个透明的盖子下，并被隔热材料包围着。它比周围的空气更冷，因为它能消除红外线辐射所吸收的热量。）和第四段段“The bottom of the generator is attached to an exposed aluminum plate, which is warmed by the local air. At night, the top plate can get several degrees centigrade cooler than the bottom of the generator.”（发电机底部连接在暴露的铝板上，铝板由当地空气加热。）可知，这个设备由一个隐藏的铝板和一个暴露的铝板组成，推断出这个设备包括不同功用的两块铝板，排除C项，A项切题；由第二段的句子“In the center of this device is a thermoelectric generator”可知，中间是热发电机，排除B项；由第三段的“That plate is sealed under a transparent cover and surrounded with materials that keep heat out.”可知，被透明盖子盖住是为了保温，排除D项。故选A项。

2.细节理解题。由第五段的句子“The generator produced up to about 25 milliwatts of power per square meter of the device. That was just enough power to light a small electric lamp.”和第六段的句子“The device still needs improving”可知，发电机每平方米产生的功率高达25毫瓦，刚好足以点亮一盏小电灯，这个装置还需要改进；可知此设备只能提供有限的电量。故选D项。

3.推理判断题。由第六段的句子“It's a very clever idea”（这是一个非常聪明的想法），“But this new device may be useful for backup power”（这种新设备可能对备用电源有用）和“It might also provide a bit of energy to people living in areas that lack electricity.”（它还可能为生活在缺电地区的人们提供一点能源。）由此判断出，Yuan Yang主要从积极的方面评价这个设备。故选A项。

4.主旨大意题。由第一段的“A new device (设备) works like a solar panel, except it doesn't harvest energy from the sun to produce electricity. Instead, it uses energy from the cold night sky.”（一种新设备的工作原理与太阳能电池板类似，只是它不从太阳获取能量来发电；相反，它使用的是来自寒冷夜空的能量），第二到四这三段对此发电设备工作原理的描述，第五段关于它实验效果的描述，最后两段关于科学家对此设备的评论，可知本文最佳标题“是一种利用寒冷夜空的能量发电装置。”故选D项。