2015年考研英语阅读理解考前专项训练（2）
发布时间：2012/10/30 22:11:29 来源：城市网学院 编辑：admin
The notion that we might need nuclear energy to stave off global warming makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy that began when Ronald Reagan took office in1981 and promptly removed Jimmy Carter's solar panels from the White House roof. It was not simply a symbolic act. Reagan also slashed alternative energy funding so deeply that it virtually put the solar industry out of business.
Alternatives are hampered today because Reagan was doing then what Bush is doing now: serving the interests of big oil, which seeks to squeeze out every last drop of profit from fossil fuels. The war in Iraq and other foreign policy actions today continue with that aim.
And nuclear is not unlike oil in that it is a very centralized industry, controlled by a l'ew #panies. It will enrich the few and further hamper progress for renewables. A decentralized energy future will be far better for an economy that wants to float all boats （not just yachts） while not having so many energy eggs in one basket. That nuclear might belong in the mix right now is only due to the climate predicament we are in because of our past sins. If undertaken at all, it should only be a bridge （a“necessary evil”） to a future powered instead by many forms of safe, clean energy sources.
Much is happening now in that regard, spurred by our almost sudden acceptance that global warming is real. Seattle wants to harness ocean power and provide electricity for 60,000 homes. SirniIar projects are planned from Alaska to New York. Wind power has quadrupled since 2000 and, though wind is now only one percent of the U.S. power grid, it is poised for a quantum leap; offshore wind projects are in various stages of development in Maryland, Texas, Massachusetts, New York and elsewhere. Hydrogen- and electric-powered cars are also likely to #e online more quickly than we imagined even five years ago.
Nuclear has far too many problems, not the least of which is its waste, which will only be#e a bigger problem if its use proliferates. The waste stays radioactive for thousands of years and has to be buried undergroimd. Even if plans for doing that are ever realized, deadly waste will need to be transported across the country, through #munities, subjecting people to unacceptable risks. Nuclear is also still a large accident risk. Industry proponents claim that nuclear is safer today than ever before, but even a small malfunction or leak could have devastating effects. And even if Chernobyl-style meltdowns are not likely, nuclear facilities still emit low-level radiation, a potentially serious public health concern. [448 words]
1. The author thinks that the use of nuclear energy ______.
A. hampers global warming effectively
B. to avoid global warming is doubtful
C. is inevitable with the shortage of oil
D. is necessary to evade global warming
2. By saying “It is a self-fulfilling prophecy” （Line 2, Paragraph 1）， the author implies that it will be#e true that ______.
A. nuclear energy is used more widely than today
B. solar panels are promptly removed from roofs
C. oil is to a large extent replaced by alternatives
D. alternative energy funding is further curtailed
3. President Bush is quite similar to Ronald Reagan in that he ______.
A. makes the most of fossil fuels for profit
B. cuts alternative energy funding deeply
C. puts the solar industry out of business
D. serves the interests of oil monopolies
4. To alleviate global warming, various forms of safe, clean energy sources will be used in the future, a possible bridge to which is ______.
A. wind power projects
B. ocean power projects
C. nuclear power stations
D. hydrogen-powered vehicles
5. The author claims that nuclear ______.
A. subjects people to less risk
B. is not unlike oil in its waste
C. is much safer than ever before
D. impedes the use of renewables [NextPage] 难句透析
①It is a self-fulfilling prophecy[that began（when Ronald Reagan“took office in l981 and promptly removed Jimmy Carter'S solar panels from the White House roof）].
【结构】方括号所标示的”that began…“用做”prophecy“的后置定语从句。圆括号所标示的”when Ronald Re agan took office…and promptly removed…roof“是时间状语从句；其中，主语是”Ronald Reagan“，后面跟有两个并列的谓语动词”took“和”removed“。
【释义】这是一种本身自会成为事实的预言。1981年罗纳德·里根入主白宫，他马上下令拆除吉米·卡特安装在白宫屋顶上的太阳能接收板。那时就开始有了这种预言。
②Alternatives are hampered today[because Reagan was doing then（what Bush is doing now）：serving the inter— eats of big oil，（which seeks tO squeeze out every last drop of profit from fossil fuels）].
【结构】方括号所标示的”because Reagan was doing then…“是原因状语从句。圆括号所标示的”what Bush is doing now'‘用做“was doing”的宾语从句。圆括号所标示的“which seeks…fossil fuels”用做“big oil”的后置定语从句。
【释义】今天的布什与当年的里根，所作所为如出一辙，那就是为石油大亨的利益服务，他们要从化石燃料中榨干最后一滴利润。因此，替代能源的发展依然受阻。
③A decentralized energy future will be far better for an economy[that wants to float all boats（not just yachts）] while not having SO many energy eggs in one basket.
【结构】方括号所标示的“that wants to float all boats…”用做“economy”的后置定语从句。用“while”引导的现在分词短语“while not havin9…basket”起补充说明作用。
【释义】能源多样化，意味着不把很多鸡蛋放在一个篮子里。能源多样化的未来对于承载着各类航船（不仅仅游艇）的经济来说更加有利。
④[That nuclear might belong in the mix right now]is only due tO the climate predicament[we are in because of our past sins].
【结构】方括号所标示的“That nuclear might belong in the mix right now”用做主语从句。方括号所标示的“we are in…sins”用做“predicament”的后置定语从句。
【释义】由于过去的过失，我们如今生活在气候困境之中。就因为这个原因，现在对核能的应用依然顾虑重重。
⑤[If undertaken at all]，it should only be a bridge（a“necessary evil”）tO a future[powered instead by many forms of safe，clean energy sources].
【结构】方括号所标示的“If undertaken at all”相当于“If it is undertaken at all”，用做条件状语从句。方括号所标示的过去分词短语“powered instead by…sources”用做“future”的后置定语。
【释义】如果真应用核能，那也只能是通向未来的一座桥（不可避免的邪恶）而已。未来的能源形式应该多种多样，既安全又清洁。
⑥Nuclear has far too many problems，not the least of which is its waste，（which will only be#e a bigger prob— lem<if its use proliferates>）].
【结构】方括号所标示的“not the least of which is its waste，…”用做“problems”的后置定语从句。圆括号所标示的“which will only be#e a bigger problem…”用做“waste”的后置定语从句；尖方括号所标示的“if its use pr0— liferates”是其中的条件状语从句。
【释义】应用核能问题极多。其中一个严重问题就是产生的核废物。如果广泛使用核能，这个问题只会变得更加严重。 [NextPage] 答案注释
1.根据第一段第一句“The notion that we might need nuclear energy tO stave off global warming makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time”，对于使用核能减缓全球变暖的观念，作者既感到高兴又感到悲哀，可知，作者对 该观念持怀疑态度。所以，选项B应为答案。
2.根据第一段前两句中的“The notion that we might need nuclear energy to stave off global warming makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time.It is a self-fulfilling prophecy…”（其中，“It”指“The notion that we…warming”）可知，选项A应为答案。
3.根据第二段第一句中的“Alternatives are hampered today because Reagan was doing then what Bush is doing now：serving the interests of big oil，…”可知，选项D应为答案。
4.根据第三段最后一句“If undertaken at all，it should only be a bridge（a'necessary evil‘）tO a future powered in— stead by many forms of safe，clean energy sources”可知，选项C应为答案。
5.根据第三段第二句“It will enrich the few and further hamper progress for renewables”可知，选项D应为答案。
超纲词汇
stave off vt.避开，挡住，阻止
hamper vt.妨碍，牵制
decentralized adj.分散的
yaeht n.游艇，快艇
predicament n.困境，境遇
spur vt.鞭策，刺激，激励
quadruple vi.成为四倍
grid n.高压输电网
poise vt.使…均衡，使…作好准备
quantum leap n.跃进，巨大突破
proliferate vi.激增，扩散
meltdown n.熔毁，彻底垮台
全文翻译
我们可能需要利用核电来避免全球变暖，这种说法令人哭笑不得。这是一种本身自会成为事实的预言。1981年罗纳德·里根入主白宫，他马上下令拆除掉吉米·卡特安装在白宫屋顶上的太阳能接收板。那时就开始有了这种预言。这并不仅仅是象征性的举动。里根同样大幅削减了替代能源的资金支持，此举实质上阻止了太阳能的发展。
今天的布什与当年的里根，所作所为如出一辙，那就是为石油大亨的利益服务，他们要从化石燃料中榨干最后一滴利润。因此，替代能源的发展依然受阻。如今，伊拉克战争以及其他的外交行动也出于同样的目的。
如同石油业一样，核电也是一个集中度极高的行业，由少数公司控制。这个行业会让几家公司获利，并会进一步阻碍可再生能源的发展。能源多样化，意味着不把很多鸡蛋放在一个篮子里。能源多样化的未来对于承载着各类航船（不仅仅游艇）的经济来说更加有利。由于过去的过失，我们如今生活在气候困境之中。就因为这个原因，现在对核能的应用依然顾虑重重。如果真应用核能，那也只能是通向未来的一座桥（不可避免的邪恶）而已。未来的能源形式应该多种多样，既安全又清洁。
随着人们突然间认识到全球确实在变暖，上述方面正发生巨大变化。西雅图打算利用海洋能为6万个家庭提供电能。从阿拉斯加到纽约，相似的工程都在筹划。自2000年起，风能发电增加了四倍。尽管风能发电仅占美国电网的1％，但风能发电将会出现大幅的增长。马里兰、德克萨斯州、马萨诸塞州、纽约以及其他地区，利用海风发电的项目已经相继进入到各个不同阶段。氢能和电能汽车也似乎要上线，速度比我们五年前的预期更快。
应用核能问题极多。其中一个严重问题就是产生的核废物。如果广泛使用核能，这个问题只会变得更加严重。核废料的放射性会持续成千上万年，而且必须深埋在地下。尽管这种做法可以实现，这些致命的核废料在运输途中需要穿越乡村及社区，人们要承受难以接受的风险。核能依然是事故发生的一大风险。核能的支持者宣称如今的核能要比以往更加安全，但是，即使是一个小小的故障或者泄漏都有可能导致灾难性的后果。而且，即使切诺贝利惨剧不会再重演，核设施依然会出现轻度辐射，这就对公众的健康构成了潜在的威胁。
参考答案： 1.B 2.A 3.D 4.C 5.D
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