问答题Solar power has some obvious advantages over other energy sources.

共用题干
California Gives Green Light to Space Solar Power

Energy beamed down from space is one step closer to reality,now that California has given the green
light to an agreement that would see the Pacific Gas and Electric Company buy 200 megawatts（兆瓦）of power
beamed down from solar-power satellites beginning in 2016.But some major challenges will have to be
overcome if the technology is to be used widely.
A start-up company called Solaren is designing the satellites,which it says will use radio waves to beam
energy down to a receiving station on Earth.
The attraction of collecting solar power in space is the almost uninterrupted sunshine available in geo-
synchronous（与地球同步的）orbit. Earth-based solar cells , by contrast , can only collect sun light during day-
time and when skies are clear.
But space-based solar power must grapple（努力克服）with the high cost per kilogram of launching things in-
to space,says Richard Schwartz of Purdue University in West Lafayette,Indiana."if you're talking about it being
economically viable for power of the Earth,it's a tough go,"he says.
Cal Boerman,Solaren's director of energy services,says the company designed its satellites with a view
to keeping launch costs down."We knew we had to come up with a different,revolutionary design,"he says.
A patent the company has won describes ways to reduce the system's weight,including using inflatable mir-
rors to focus sunlight on solar cells,so a smaller number can collect the same amount of energy.
But using mirrors introduces other challenges,including keeping the solar cells from overheating,says
Schwartz."You have to take care of heat dissipation（散发）because you're now concentrating a lot of energy
in one place,"he says.According to the company's patent,Solaren's solar cells will be connected to radia-
tors to help keep them cool.
Though Boerman says the company believes it can make space-based solar power work,it is not expec-
ting to crowd out other forms of renewable energy.Laws in California and other states require increasing use
of renewable energy in coming years,he points out."To meet those needs,we're going to need all types of
renewable energy sources,"he says.

Space-based solar power will rule out other forms of renewable energy sources.
A:Right
B:Wrong
C:Not mentioned

共用题干
California Gives Green Light to Space Solar Power

Energy beamed down from space is one step closer to reality,now that California has given the green
light to an agreement that would see the Pacific Gas and Electric Company buy 200 megawatts（兆瓦）of power
beamed down from solar-power satellites beginning in 2016.But some major challenges will have to be
overcome if the technology is to be used widely.
A start-up company called Solaren is designing the satellites,which it says will use radio waves to beam
energy down to a receiving station on Earth.
The attraction of collecting solar power in space is the almost uninterrupted sunshine available in geo-
synchronous（与地球同步的）orbit. Earth-based solar cells , by contrast , can only collect sun light during day-
time and when skies are clear.
But space-based solar power must grapple（努力克服）with the high cost per kilogram of launching things in-
to space,says Richard Schwartz of Purdue University in West Lafayette,Indiana."if you're talking about it being
economically viable for power of the Earth,it's a tough go,"he says.
Cal Boerman,Solaren's director of energy services,says the company designed its satellites with a view
to keeping launch costs down."We knew we had to come up with a different,revolutionary design,"he says.
A patent the company has won describes ways to reduce the system's weight,including using inflatable mir-
rors to focus sunlight on solar cells,so a smaller number can collect the same amount of energy.
But using mirrors introduces other challenges,including keeping the solar cells from overheating,says
Schwartz."You have to take care of heat dissipation（散发）because you're now concentrating a lot of energy
in one place,"he says.According to the company's patent,Solaren's solar cells will be connected to radia-
tors to help keep them cool.
Though Boerman says the company believes it can make space-based solar power work,it is not expec-
ting to crowd out other forms of renewable energy.Laws in California and other states require increasing use
of renewable energy in coming years,he points out."To meet those needs,we're going to need all types of
renewable energy sources,"he says.

Solar-power satellites will use radio waves to beam energy down from space.
A:Right
B:Wrong
C:Not mentioned

Text 2 While fossil fuels—coal，oil，gas—still generate 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 momentum around the world：They now account for more than half of new power sources going on line.Some growth stems from a commitment by governments and farsighted businesses to fund cleaner energy sources.But increasingly the story is about the plummeting prices of renewables，especially wind and solar.The cost of solar panels has dropped by 80 percent and the cost of wind turbines by close to one-third in the past eight years.In many parts of the world renewable energy is already a principal 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，notably China and Europe，the United States is also seeing a remarkable 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 giants 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 put-down for skeptics.But a boost 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 a rarity 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 spiking.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.
According to Paragraph 3，the use of renewable energy in America____

A.is progressing notably
B.is as extensive as in Europe
C.faces many challenges
D.has proved to be impractical

Text 2 While fossil fuels—coal，oil，gas—still generate 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 momentum around the world：They now account for more than half of new power sources going on line.Some growth stems from a commitment by governments and farsighted businesses to fund cleaner energy sources.But increasingly the story is about the plummeting prices of renewables，especially wind and solar.The cost of solar panels has dropped by 80 percent and the cost of wind turbines by close to one-third in the past eight years.In many parts of the world renewable energy is already a principal 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，notably China and Europe，the United States is also seeing a remarkable 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 giants 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 put-down for skeptics.But a boost 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 a rarity 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 spiking.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.
Which of the following is true about clean energy according to Paragraphs 5&6?

A.Its application has boosted battery storage.
B.It is commonly used in car manufacturing.
C.Its continuous supply is becoming a reality.
D.Its sustainable exploitation will remain difficult.

共用题干
California Gives Green Light to Space Solar Power

Energy beamed down from space is one step closer to reality,now that California has given the green
light to an agreement that would see the Pacific Gas and Electric Company buy 200 megawatts（兆瓦）of power
beamed down from solar-power satellites beginning in 2016.But some major challenges will have to be
overcome if the technology is to be used widely.
A start-up company called Solaren is designing the satellites,which it says will use radio waves to beam
energy down to a receiving station on Earth.
The attraction of collecting solar power in space is the almost uninterrupted sunshine available in geo-
synchronous（与地球同步的）orbit. Earth-based solar cells , by contrast , can only collect sun light during day-
time and when skies are clear.
But space-based solar power must grapple（努力克服）with the high cost per kilogram of launching things in-
to space,says Richard Schwartz of Purdue University in West Lafayette,Indiana."if you're talking about it being
economically viable for power of the Earth,it's a tough go,"he says.
Cal Boerman,Solaren's director of energy services,says the company designed its satellites with a view
to keeping launch costs down."We knew we had to come up with a different,revolutionary design,"he says.
A patent the company has won describes ways to reduce the system's weight,including using inflatable mir-
rors to focus sunlight on solar cells,so a smaller number can collect the same amount of energy.
But using mirrors introduces other challenges,including keeping the solar cells from overheating,says
Schwartz."You have to take care of heat dissipation（散发）because you're now concentrating a lot of energy
in one place,"he says.According to the company's patent,Solaren's solar cells will be connected to radia-
tors to help keep them cool.
Though Boerman says the company believes it can make space-based solar power work,it is not expec-
ting to crowd out other forms of renewable energy.Laws in California and other states require increasing use
of renewable energy in coming years,he points out."To meet those needs,we're going to need all types of
renewable energy sources,"he says.

Space-based solar cells could collect solar power only when skies are clear.
A:Right
B:Wrong
C:Not mentioned

Text 2 While fossil fuels—coal，oil，gas—still generate 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 momentum around the world：They now account for more than half of new power sources going on line.Some growth stems from a commitment by governments and farsighted businesses to fund cleaner energy sources.But increasingly the story is about the plummeting prices of renewables，especially wind and solar.The cost of solar panels has dropped by 80 percent and the cost of wind turbines by close to one-third in the past eight years.In many parts of the world renewable energy is already a principal 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，notably China and Europe，the United States is also seeing a remarkable 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 giants 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 put-down for skeptics.But a boost 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 a rarity 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 spiking.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.
It can be learned that in Iowa,_____

A.wind is a widely used energy source
B.wind energy has replaced fossil fuels
C.tech giants are investing in clean energy
D.there is a shortage of clean energy supply

共用题干
California Gives Green Light to Space Solar Power

Energy beamed down from space is one step closer to reality,now that California has given the green
light to an agreement that would see the Pacific Gas and Electric Company buy 200 megawatts（兆瓦）of power
beamed down from solar-power satellites beginning in 2016.But some major challenges will have to be
overcome if the technology is to be used widely.
A start-up company called Solaren is designing the satellites,which it says will use radio waves to beam
energy down to a receiving station on Earth.
The attraction of collecting solar power in space is the almost uninterrupted sunshine available in geo-
synchronous（与地球同步的）orbit. Earth-based solar cells , by contrast , can only collect sun light during day-
time and when skies are clear.
But space-based solar power must grapple（努力克服）with the high cost per kilogram of launching things in-
to space,says Richard Schwartz of Purdue University in West Lafayette,Indiana."if you're talking about it being
economically viable for power of the Earth,it's a tough go,"he says.
Cal Boerman,Solaren's director of energy services,says the company designed its satellites with a view
to keeping launch costs down."We knew we had to come up with a different,revolutionary design,"he says.
A patent the company has won describes ways to reduce the system's weight,including using inflatable mir-
rors to focus sunlight on solar cells,so a smaller number can collect the same amount of energy.
But using mirrors introduces other challenges,including keeping the solar cells from overheating,says
Schwartz."You have to take care of heat dissipation（散发）because you're now concentrating a lot of energy
in one place,"he says.According to the company's patent,Solaren's solar cells will be connected to radia-
tors to help keep them cool.
Though Boerman says the company believes it can make space-based solar power work,it is not expec-
ting to crowd out other forms of renewable energy.Laws in California and other states require increasing use
of renewable energy in coming years,he points out."To meet those needs,we're going to need all types of
renewable energy sources,"he says.

Solaren is going to design 200 solar-power satellites.
A:Right
B:Wrong
C:Not mentioned

Text 2 While fossil fuels—coal，oil，gas—still generate 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 momentum around the world：They now account for more than half of new power sources going on line.Some growth stems from a commitment by governments and farsighted businesses to fund cleaner energy sources.But increasingly the story is about the plummeting prices of renewables，especially wind and solar.The cost of solar panels has dropped by 80 percent and the cost of wind turbines by close to one-third in the past eight years.In many parts of the world renewable energy is already a principal 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，notably China and Europe，the United States is also seeing a remarkable 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 giants 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 put-down for skeptics.But a boost 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 a rarity 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 spiking.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.
The word“plummeting”（Line 3，Para.2）is closest in meaning to_____

A.stabilizing
B.changing
C.falling
D.rising

Text 2 While fossil fuels—coal，oil，gas—still generate 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 momentum around the world：They now account for more than half of new power sources going on line.Some growth stems from a commitment by governments and farsighted businesses to fund cleaner energy sources.But increasingly the story is about the plummeting prices of renewables，especially wind and solar.The cost of solar panels has dropped by 80 percent and the cost of wind turbines by close to one-third in the past eight years.In many parts of the world renewable energy is already a principal 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，notably China and Europe，the United States is also seeing a remarkable 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 giants 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 put-down for skeptics.But a boost 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 a rarity 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 spiking.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.
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