Question

    Scientists blame greenhouse gases for being a major cause of climate change around the world. This is because greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere and make the planet warmer.

Now, a team of researchers has announced a successful experiment that turned carbon dioxide into useful liquid fuel. The researchers created a device, called a reactor, which changes bon dioxide into a pure form of formic acid(甲酸). Formic acid is a substance (物质) found in ants and some other insects, as well as in many plants. It is used as an antibacterial material and in the processing of some kinds of clothing.

Haotian Wang led the research team. He said in a statement that the results of the experiment were important because formic acid is a major carrier of energy. So, the substance can provide a way to reuse carbon dioxide and prevent it from being released into the atmosphere. “It’s a fuel-cell fuel that can generate electricity and send out carbon dioxide which you can grab and recycle again,” Wang said.

“Other methods for turning carbon dioxide into formic acid require intense purification processes,” Wang said. Such methods are very costly and require a lot of energy. The Rice University team said it was able to reduce the number of steps in the traditional process to create a low-cost, energy-saving method.

The researchers reported the reactor device performed with a conversion rate (转化率) of 42 percent. This means that nearly half of the electrical energy can be stored in formic acid as liquid fuel. The team said the reactor was able to create formic acid continuously for 100 hours with little degradation (退化) of the device’s parts.

Wang said the reactor could easily be used to produce other high-value products, including alcohol-based fuels. The researchers noted that the technology could also be a big help in solving another major energy problem—how to store large amounts of power in small places.

1.What factor is the main cause of climate change?

A.Greenhouse gases. B.Chemistry waste.

C.Formic acid. D.Liquid fuel.

2.What do we know about formic acid?

A.It is a large amount of power. B.It can be found in ants.

C.It is high- value equipment. D.It is a substance in clothing.

3.What is Wang’s attitude towards his own research?

A.Doubtful. B.Aggressive.

C.Optimistic. D.Uncaring.

4.In what magazine can you read this text?

A.A travel magazine. B.A sports magazine.

C.A music magazine. D.A science magazine.

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.C

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。科学家指责温室气体是全球气候变化的主要原因。文章介绍了一组研究人员宣布的一项成功的实验，这个实验将二氧化碳转化为有用的液体燃料。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段第一句Scientists blame greenhouse gases for being a major cause of climate change around the world.“科学家指责温室气体是全球气候变化的主要原因。”由此可知，“温室气体”是气候变化的主要原因。故选A。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段中Formic acid is a substance (物质) found in ants and some other insects, as well as in many plants.“蚁酸是一种存在于蚂蚁和其他昆虫以及许多植物中的物质。”由此可知，蚁酸可以在蚂蚁身上找到。故选B。

3.推理判断题。根据最后一段第一句Wang said the reactor could easily be used to produce other high-value products, including alcohol-based fuels.“王说，该反应堆可以很容易地用于生产其他高价值产品，包括酒精燃料。”由此可知，王对自己的研究持“乐观的”态度。故选C。

4.推理判断题。根据最后一段中The researchers noted that the technology could also be a big help in solving another major energy problem—how to store large amounts of power in small places.“研究人员指出，这项技术还可以帮助解决另一个主要的能源问题——如何在小地方储存大量电力。”由此可知，这是科学研究，这样的文章不可能在旅游杂志、体育杂志和音乐杂志上读到，所以最有可能在“科学杂志”上读到。故选D。