Electric cars are dirty.In fact,not only are they dirty,they might even be more dirty than their gasolinepowered cousins.
People in California love to talk about “zeroemissions vehicles”,but_people_in_California_seem_to_be_clueless_about_where_electricity_comes_from.Power plants mostly use fire to make it.Aside from the new folks who have their roofs covered with solar cells,we get our electricity from generators.Generators are fueled by something—usually coal,oil,but also by heat generated in nuclear power plants.There are a few wind farms and geothermal(地熱的) plants as well,but by far we get electricity mainly by burning something.
In other words,those “zeroemissions” cars are likely coalburning cars.It’s just because the coal is burned somewhere else that it looks clean.It is not.It’s as if the California Greens are covering their eyes—“If I can’t see it,it’s not happening.” Gasoline is an incredibly efficient way to power a vehicle;a gallon of gas has a lot of energy in it.But when you take that gas(or another fuel) and first use it to make electricity,you waste a nice part of that energy,mostly in the form of wasted heat—at the generator,through the transmission(傳送) lines,etc.
A gallon of gas may propel your car 25 miles.But the electricity you get from that gallon of gas won’t get you nearly as far—so electric cars burn more fuel than gaspowered ones.If our electricity came mostly from nukes;or geothermal,or hydro,or solar,or wind,then an electric car truly would be clean.But for political,technical,and economic reasons,we don’t use much of those energy sources.
In addition,electric cars’ batteries which are poisonous for a long time will eventually end up in a landfill.And finally,when cars are the polluters,the pollution is spread across all the roads.When it’s a power plant,though,all the junk is in one place.Nature is very good at cleaning up when things are too concentrated,but it takes a lot longer when all the garbage is in one spot.
【小題1】What does the underlined part mean in Paragraph 2?
A.People see the California Greens everywhere. |
B.People in California love to talk about zeroemissions vehicles. |
C.People in California love to have their roofs covered with solar cells. |
D.People in California have no idea that so far electricity mainly comes from burning coal,oil,etc. |
A.Electric cars are not clean at all. |
B.Electric cars are better than gasolinepowered ones. |
C.People cast doubts on electric cars’ batteries. |
D.Gasoline is an efficient way to power a vehicle. |
A.not less than 25 miles |
B.as far as 50 miles |
C.as far as 25 miles |
D.not more than 25 miles |
A.being green is good and should be encouraged in communication |
B.electric cars are not clean in that we get electricity mainly by burning something |
C.zeroemissions vehicles should be chosen to protect our environment |
D.electric cars are now the dominant vehicle compared with gasolinepowered cousins |
【小題1】D
【小題2】A
【小題3】D
【小題4】B
解析【小題1】 D
解析 句意理解題。由劃線句及后文對電能來源的解釋可知,此處指人們并不知道電能來自于煤和石油的燃燒。
【小題2】 A
解析 主旨大意題。文章首段開門見山指明了全文的主題Electric cars are dirty,隨后的幾段都是圍繞這一點展開的,即通過各種論據來證明“電能汽車并不清潔”這一論點。
【小題3】 D
解析 細節(jié)理解題。根據第四段第一、二句“A gallon of gas...the electricity you get from that gallon of gas won’t get you nearly as far...”可知,同樣用一加侖的汽油,電能汽車所能行駛的路程及不上燃油汽車,即不會超過25英里。
【小題4】 B
解析 推理判斷題。文章反復都在強調一個觀點,即電能汽車并不清潔環(huán)保,因為它需要靠燃燒其他東西來獲得電能,而燃燒其他東西的過程本身也是一個污染的過程。
科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Are you interested in country music?I like it very much !It will take me away for a while after I am tired .The guitars and songs will take me to mountains and fields.
Country music usually talks of everyday life and feelings.It’s the spirit of America ,easy to understand ,slow and simple.
Country music developed in the Southern United States.It was the folk music of American countryside.Many of songs tell about the lives of farmers .They talk about love,crops or death.
The life of the countryside can be hard,so the words in country music are often sad.At first,people played the music only at family parties.But it became more popular later. In the 1920s,people played country songs on the radio,and they made them into records.
When people in the countryside moved to towns and cities to look for work,they took their music with them.Country music continued to change and became popular across America.
John Denver was one of America’s most famous country singers in the 1970s.His song “Take Me home,Country Roads”is well-known and people still play it today.
【小題1】Country music is usually about _______.
A.everyday life and feelings | B.farmers’s feelings |
C.the lives of workers | D.the lives of students |
A.in John Denver’s city |
B.in the Southern United States. |
C.in the Northern United States |
D.in the middle of United States |
A.in the 1920s | B.in 1920 | C.in the 1970s | D.in 1970 |
A.Because city people liked the music. |
B.Because farmers moved to cities with their music and it continued to change. |
C.Because country music talked about city people’s lives. |
D.Because country music is very famous |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
It is difficult for doctors to help a person with a damaged brain. Without enough blood, the brain lives for only three to five minutes. More often the doctors can't fix the damage. Sometimes they are afraid to try something to help because it is dangerous to work on the brain. The doctors might make the person worse if he operates on the brain.
Dr. Robert White, a famous professor and doctor, thinks he knows a way to help. He thinks doctors should make the brain very cold. If it is very cold, the brain can live without blood for 30 minutes. This gives the doctor a longer time to do something for the brain.
Dr. White tried his idea on 13 monkeys. First he taught them to do different jobs, then he operated on them. He made the monkeys' blood go through a machine. The machine cooled the blood. Then the machine sent the blood back to the monkeys' brains. When the brain's temperature was 10°C, Dr. White stopped the blood to the brain. After 30 minutes he turned the blood back on. He warmed the blood again. After their operations the monkeys were like they had been before. They were healthy and busy. Each one could still do the jobs the doctor had taught them.
【小題1】The biggest difficulty in operating on the damaged brain is that _______.
A.the time is too short for doctors |
B.the patients are often too nervous |
C.the damage is extremely hard to fix |
D.the blood-cooling machine might break down |
A.taking the blood out of the brain |
B.trying the operation on monkeys first |
C.having the blood go through a machine |
D.lowering the brain' s temperature |
A.can last as long as 30 minutes |
B.can keep the brain' s blood warm |
C.can keep the patient' s brain healthy |
D.can help monkeys do different jobs |
A.a,b,c,d | B.c,a,b,d | C.c, b, d, a | D.b, c, d, a |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Businesses are witnessing a difficult time,which has in turn produced influence on consumers’ desire to go green.However,shoppers are still laying stress on environmental concerns.
Two thirds of customers say that environmental considerations inform their purchases to the same degree as they did a year ago,while more than a quarter say that they are now even better aware of the environmental effect on what they buy.
This may help to influence how shops store goods on their shelves.And the companies should still make efforts to become more environmentally friendly.Two out of three people think it is important to buy from environmentally responsible companies,with about one in seven saying that they had even decided to take their custom elsewhere if they felt a company’s environmental reputation was not good enough.
Harry Morrison,chief executive(主管)of the Carbon Trust,sympathizes:“I understand this situation where survival is very important now.But from environmental considerations,the clock is ticking—we don’t have much time.In addition,cutting carbon has an immediate effect as costs drop and a mediumterm benefit for the brand.”
Larger companies have an extra motivation to look at reducing their carbon footprint,as new rules next year will require businesses to buy carbon allowances to make up for their emissions(排放).Those that have taken early action will have a head start.More than two thirds of consumers are not clear about which companies are environmentally responsible.This suggests that firms that are able to relay clearly their message to the public will be in a pole position to attract shoppers.
The Carbon Trust believes that it can help by informing customers about the good work companies are doing.“When companies are granted(授予) the standard,they can use a logo(標識) in all their marketing which makes it clear that they are working towards cutting emissions,” Mr.Morrison said. (2010·福建,C)
【小題1】What’s the main idea of the passage?
A.Businesses are finding ways to send their message to the shoppers. |
B.Companies will soon get information about cutting carbon emissions. |
C.Firms are making efforts to encourage customers to keep goods at home. |
D.Firms are urged to cut carbon emissions by shoppers’ environmental awareness. |
A.affect | B.change | C.disturb | D.reject |
A.will benefit from cutting carbon emissions |
B.should buy carbon allowances for shoppers |
C.are required to make up for their carbon emissions |
D.have encouraged shoppers to take their custom elsewhere |
A.have a strong desire to reduce costs |
B.use the same logo in their marketing |
C.gain advantages by taking early action |
D.attract more shoppers by storing goods |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Men have always believed that they are smarter than women. Now, a study has found that while this is certainly true, men also have to deal with the fact that they are also more stupid than the fairer sex.
In the study, scientists measured the IQ of 2500 brothers and sisters and they found an uneven number of men not only in the top two percent, but also in the bottom two percent.
The study's participants were tested on science, maths, English and mechanical abilities.
Though there were twice as many men as women in the smartest group, there were also twice as many men among the dolts.
The aggregate scores of men and women were similar.
One of the study's authors, psychology professor Timothy Bates, said that the phenomenon may be because men have always been expected to be high achievers and women have been restricted to spend more time taking care of their home.
"The female developmental program may be tilted more towards ensuring survival and the safety of the middle ground.," the Daily Mail quoted Professor Bates, of Edinburgh University, as saying.
The research tallies with past results that men were more likely than women to receive first class University degrees or thirds and women secured the seconds.
It has been said that men are more ready to take risk when it comes to academics. Women have always found to be steadier in their learning.
A past study has shown that women are securing more firsts and seconds, while men are continuing to receive more thirds.
The argument for the change is that the increase of coursework at the cost of exams favors women's steady approach.
【小題1】The purpose of the passage is to tell us that ________.
A.man are smarter then women |
B.man are more stupid the women |
C.a new fact about the IQ of men and women has been found |
D.men are more likely to receive first class university degrees |
A.they are born stupid |
B.they have to spend more time to tale care of their home than men |
C.they don’t like to take risk |
D.they are not expected to be high achievers |
A.agree with | B.deal with | C.go against | D.go with |
A.Women are steadier in their learning. |
B.men are more ready to take risk in everything |
C.women are securing more firsts and seconds |
D.women are doing much better in academy |
A.Why are men smarter than women? |
B.Why are men more stupid than women? |
C.How does the result go along with the past research? |
D.How can we help the men in the bottom? |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Scientists in Israel have discovered a new way to test for water pollution by “l(fā)istening” to what the plants growing in water have to say.
By shining a laser beam (激光束) on the tiny pieces of algae floating in the water,the researchers said they hear sound waves that tell them the type and amount of contamination (致污物) in the water.
“It is a red light,telling us that something is beginning to go wrong with the quality of water,” said Zvy Dubinsky,an aquatic biologist at Israel’s Bar Ilan University.“Algae is the first thing to be affected by a change in water quality.”“The secret,” he said,“is to measure the rate of photosynthesis (光合作用) in the algae,meaning the plant’s ability to transform light into energy.” During photosynthesis,plants also release oxygen into the air.
Dubinsky’s technique is easy to perform because of the overabundance of algae in the planet’s water.Most of the oxygen in the atmosphere comes from algae.A prototype tester that occupies about one square meter of a laboratory desktop,shoots a laser beam at water samples to stimulate photosynthesis in the algae.But not all of the laser’s heat is used.Depending on the condition of the algae and the rate of photosynthesis,some of the heat is shot back into the water,creating sound waves,Dubinsky said.With a special underwater microphone,researchers are able to analyze the strength of the sound waves and determine the health of the algae and the condition of the surrounding water.
“Algae suffering from lead poisoning,like waste discharged from battery and paint manufacturing plants,will produce a different sound than those suffering from lack of iron or exposure to other toxins,” said researcher Yulia Pinchasov.She said that testing algae photosynthesis can determine water quality more accurately and easily than laborintensive methods now used like chemical and radioactive carbon testing.
【小題1】The underlined word “algae” in Paragraph 2 probably refers to a kind of________.
A.instrument | B.plant |
C.wood | D.pollutant |
A.Because it floats on the water. |
B.Because it can have photosynthesis. |
C.Because it is the first to be polluted. |
D.Because it can produce different sounds. |
A.algae can produce a loud sound when polluted |
B.algae can die easily from pollution |
C.photosynthesis of the algae can only be caused by sunlight |
D.photosynthesis of the algae is related to water quality |
A.Scientists Listen to Plants to Find Water Pollution |
B.A Prototype Tester Is Used to Determine Water Pollution |
C.The Importance of Photosynthesis of the Algae |
D.The Problem of Chemical and Radioactive Carbon Testing |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
When author Nicholas Carr began researching his book on whether the Internet is ruining our minds,he restricted his online access and email.His new book argues the latest technology renders us less capable of deep thinking.Carr found himself so distracted(分心的) that he couldn’t work on the book while staying as connected.After first feeling confused by his sudden lack of online connection,he was able to stay focused on one task for a long period within several weeks.
Reading on the Internet has changed how we use our brains.Facing a lot of texts,video,music and links to other web pages and blogs,our minds have become used to skimming and scanning information.As a result,we have developed sharper skills at making fast decisions,particularly visual ones,Carr wrote.
But now most of us seldom read books or long articles that would help us focus.We are becoming more like librarians—able to find information quickly and see clearly the best nuggets(有價值的資料).That lack of focus hinders(阻礙) our longterm memory,leading many of us to feel distracted,he wrote.
“What we are losing is a whole other set of mental skills,which require not the shifting of our focus but the maintaining of our focus,” Carr said,adding that for centuries books protected our brains from distraction and focused our minds on one topic at a time.
But with devices such as Apple’s iPad becoming common,Carr predicts books also will change.“New forms of reading always require new forms of writing,” he said.Carr has a suggestion for those who feel web surfing has left them incapable of concentration—slow down,turn off the Internet and practice the skills of contemplation(沉思) and reflection.“It is pretty clear from the brain science that if you don’t exercise particular cognitive skills,you are going to lose them,” he said.“If you are constantly distracted,you are not going to think in the same way that you would think if you paid attention.”
【小題1】What topic is Nicholas Carr’s new book mainly concentrating on?
A.Whether there is any need for us to surf the Internet. |
B.How the Internet changes our way of thinking. |
C.What we should do when we are surfing the Internet. |
D.Whether our minds are being influenced by the Internet. |
A.Anxious. | B.Relaxed. |
C.Concentrated. | D.Puzzled. |
A.prevents | B.causes |
C.protects | D.sharpens |
A.They should read more books besides surfing the Internet. |
B.They should often slow down their pace of modern living. |
C.They should often get away from the disturbing of the Internet. |
D.They should spend more time thinking while surfing the Internet. |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Fish species are expected to shrink in size by up to 24% because of global warming, say scientists.
The scientists argue that failure to control greenhouse gas emissions will have a greater effect on marine ecosystems than previously thought. Previous research has suggested that changing ocean temperatures would affect both the distribution and the reproductive abilities of many species of fish. This new work suggests that fish size would also be heavily affected.
The researchers built a model to see how fish would react to lower levels of oxygen in the water. As ocean temperatures increase, so do the body temperatures of fish. But, according to lead author, Dr William Cheung, from the University of British Columbia, the lower level of oxygen in the water is key. Warmer waters could decrease ocean oxygen levels and greatly reduce fish body weight. On the other hand, rising temperatures directly increase the metabolic rate of the fish's body function. This leads to an increase in oxygen demand for normal body activities. So the fish will run out of oxygen for growth at a smaller body size.
The research team also used its model to predict fish movements as a result of warming waters. The group believes that most fish populations will move towards the Earth's poles at a rate of up to 35km per decade. "So in, say, the North Sea," says Dr Cheung," one would expect to see more smaller-body fish from tropical waters in the future."
Taking these factors into consideration, the research team concludes that fish body size will shrink between 14% and 24%, with the largest decreases in the Indian and Atlantic oceans.
When compared with actual observations of fish sizes, the model seems to underestimate what's actually happening in the seas. The researchers looked at two case studies involving North Atlantic cod and haddock. They found that recorded data on these fish showed greater decreases in body size than the models had predicted.
Dr Alan Baudron, from the University of Aberdeen, UK, believes smaller-sized fish could seriously affect the ability of fish to reproduce. "Smaller fish produce fewer and smaller eggs which could affect the reproductive potential of fish stocks," he said.
【小題1】What's the main idea of the passage?
A.Global warming makes fish smaller. |
B.Global warming makes fish decrease in numbers. |
C.Global warming affects the fish distribution. |
D.Global warming affects the ability of fish to reproduce. |
A.The rising body temperatures. |
B.The lower level of oxygen in the water. |
C.The increasing metabolic rate. |
D.The normal body activities. |
A.more big fish will be born in the sea |
B.fish tend to swim towards the shore |
C.fish tend to move towards the warm areas |
D.fish tend to move towards the colder areas |
A.make an exact prediction of | B.make too low an estimate of |
C.make too high an estimate of | D.make a careful study of |
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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解
Two new studies suggest that modern running shoes could increase the risk of injuries to runners.
One study involved sixty-eight healthy young women and men who ran at least twenty-four kilometers a week. The runners were observed on a treadmill machine (跑步機). Sometimes they wore running shoes. Other times they ran barefoot (赤腳).
Researchers from the JKM Technologies company in Virginia, the University of Virginia and the University of Colorado did the study.
They found that running shoes create more stress that could damage knees, hips and ankle joints than running barefoot. They observed that the effect was even greater than the effect reported earlier for walking in high heels.
The study appeared in the official scientific journal of The American Academy of Physical Medicine.
The other study appeared in the journal Nature. It compared runners in the United States and Kenya. The researchers were from Harvard University in Massachusetts, Moi University in Kenya and the University of Glasgow in Scotland.
They divided the runners into three groups. One group had always run shoeless. Another group had always run with shoes. And the third group had changed to shoeless running.
Runners who wear shoes usually come down heel first. That puts great force on the back of the foot. But the study found that barefoot runners generally land on the front or middle of their foot. That way they ease into their landing and avoid striking their heel.
Harvard’s Daniel Lieberman led the study. He says the way most running shoes are designed may explain why those who wear them land on their heels. The heel of the shoe is bigger and heavier than other parts of the shoe, so it would seem more likely to come down first. Also, the heel generally has thick material under it to soften landings.
But the researchers do not suggest that runners immediately start running barefoot. They say it takes some training. And there can be risks, like running when your feet are too cold to feel if you get injured.
The study was partly supported by Vibram, which makes a kind of footwear that it says is like running barefoot. The findings have gotten a lot of attention. But the researchers say there are many problems in the way the press has reported in their paper. So they have tried to explain their findings on a Harvard Website.
【小題1】What’s the main idea of the passage?
A.Walking in high heels could cause less serious effects than running barefoot. |
B.Two new discoveries encourage people to run in high heels. |
C.Running in shoes is partly good to runners. |
D.Two new studies prove running without shoes is beneficial to runners in most cases. |
A.Toes. | B.Hips. | C.Feet. | D.Legs. |
A.The way that we run by landing on the front or middle of our foot could avoid damaging our heel. |
B.We should start running barefoot in no time. |
C.Running in modern running shoes could cause more serious effects than running in high heels. |
D.We won’t be injured if we run barefoot. |
A.Persuasive. | B.Negative. | C.Objective. | D.Supportive. |
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