What will power your house in the future?Nuclear,wind,or solar power?According to scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US,it might be leaves — but artificial (人造的) ones.
Natural leaves are able to change sunlight and water into energy. It is known as photosynthesis (光合作用).Now researchers have found a way to imitate this seemingly simple process.
The artificial leaf developed by Daniel Nocera and his colleagues at MIT can be seen as a special silicon chip with catalysts (催化剂).Similar to natural leaves,it can split water into hydrogen and oxygen when put into a bucket of water. The hydrogen and oxygen gases are then stored in a fuel cell,which uses those two materials to produce electricity,located either on top of a house or beside the house.
Though the leaf is only about the shape of a poker card,scientists claimed that it is promising to be an inexpensive source of electricity in developing countries. “One can imagine villages in India and Africa not long from now purchasing an affordable basic power system based on this technology,” said Nocera at a conference of the American Chemical Society.
The artificial leaf is not a new idea. The first artificial leaf was invented in 1997 but was too expensive and unstable for practical use. The new leaf,by contrast,is made of cheap materials,easy to use and highly stable. In laboratory studies,Nocera showed that an artificial leaf prototype (原型) could operate continuously for at least 45 hours without a drop in activity.
The wonderful improvements come from Nocera's recent discovery of several powerful,new and inexpensive catalysts. These catalysts make the energy transformation inside the leaf more efficient with water and sunlight. Right now,the new leaf is about 10 times more efficient at carrying out photosynthesis than a natural one. Besides,the device can run in whatever water is available;that is,it doesn't need pure water. This is important for some countries that don't have access to pure water.
With the goal to “make each home its own power station” and “give energy to the poor”,scientists believe that the new technology could be widely used in developing countries,especially in India and rural China.
1.Which of the following orders correctly shows how the artificial leaf is used to produce electricity?
a.artificial leaves split water into hydrogen and oxygen
b.the hydrogen and oxygen gases are stored in a fuel cell
c.the artificial leaves are put in water
d.the fuel cell uses hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity
A.c,a,b,d B.c,b,a,d
C.b,c,a,d D.c,a,d,b
2.The purpose of the scientists at MIT in developing the new artificial leaf is to________.
A.build up more power stations in the world
B.provide cheaper energy for developing countries
C.offer people in developing countries access to pure water
D.gain a deeper understanding of the photosynthesis process
3.The main idea of this passage is ________.
A.an introduction to the history of artificial leaves
B.a mixture of water power and solar energy
C.giving energy to the poor
D.an invention copying photosynthesis
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
What will power your house in the future?Nuclear,wind,or solar power?According to scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US,it might be leaves — but artificial (人造的) ones.
Natural leaves are able to change sunlight and water into energy. It is known as photosynthesis (光合作用).Now researchers have found a way to imitate this seemingly simple process.
The artificial leaf developed by Daniel Nocera and his colleagues at MIT can be seen as a special silicon chip with catalysts (催化剂).Similar to natural leaves,it can split water into hydrogen and oxygen when put into a bucket of water. The hydrogen and oxygen gases are then stored in a fuel cell,which uses those two materials to produce electricity,located either on top of a house or beside the house.
Though the leaf is only about the shape of a poker card,scientists claimed that it is promising to be an inexpensive source of electricity in developing countries. “One can imagine villages in India and Africa not long from now purchasing an affordable basic power system based on this technology,” said Nocera at a conference of the American Chemical Society.
The artificial leaf is not a new idea. The first artificial leaf was invented in 1997 but was too expensive and unstable for practical use. The new leaf,by contrast,is made of cheap materials,easy to use and highly stable. In laboratory studies,Nocera showed that an artificial leaf prototype (原型) could operate continuously for at least 45 hours without a drop in activity.
The wonderful improvements come from Nocera's recent discovery of several powerful,new and inexpensive catalysts. These catalysts make the energy transformation inside the leaf more efficient with water and sunlight. Right now,the new leaf is about 10 times more efficient at carrying out photosynthesis than a natural one. Besides,the device can run in whatever water is available;that is,it doesn't need pure water. This is important for some countries that don't have access to pure water.
With the goal to “make each home its own power station” and “give energy to the poor”,scientists believe that the new technology could be widely used in developing countries,especially in India and rural China.
1.Which of the following orders correctly shows how the artificial leaf is used to produce electricity?
a.artificial leaves split water into hydrogen and oxygen
b.the hydrogen and oxygen gases are stored in a fuel cell
c.the artificial leaves are put in water
d.the fuel cell uses hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity
A.c,a,b,d B.c,b,a,d
C.b,c,a,d D.c,a,d,b
2.The purpose of the scientists at MIT in developing the new artificial leaf is to________.
A.build up more power stations in the world
B.provide cheaper energy for developing countries
C.offer people in developing countries access to pure water
D.gain a deeper understanding of the photosynthesis process
3.The main idea of this passage is ________.
A.an introduction to the history of artificial leaves
B.a mixture of water power and solar energy
C.giving energy to the poor
D.an invention copying photosynthesis
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Wind power is an ancient source of energy ____we may return in the near future.
A.on which B.by which
C.to which D.from which
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
Wind power is an ancient source of energy ________we may return in the near future.
A. on which B. to which C. by which D. from which
高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
It isn’t decided yet __________ a nuclear power station will be built here.
A. that B. where C. what D. whether
高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
Your House Will Take Care of You In Old Age
Have you ever thought what your life would be like in old age?
Everyone talks about the “aging” society with large numbers of elderly people needing home care. Now German researchers have set up a “smart” house, programmed to help the elderly live at home with dignity. Scientists at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute say the house combines existing technology with future-oriented technology.
For example, the “smart” bathroom has a touch screen mirror that can remind people to take their medicine, wash their hands or brush their teeth. The hardware behind Fraunhofer’s electronic bathroom is not new, and the software runs on a regular personal computer.
When the medicine cabinet is opened, a display in the middle of the mirror tells the person how many pills to take. The mirror is linked to a care provider, who can remotely check whether a patient at home is actually taking medicine and brushing his or her teeth. As many elderly people have arthritic(关节炎的) conditions that make it difficult to operate water taps, the mirror also has displays that turn the water tap on or off or control the water temperature.
The bathroom is only the start. Kitchens, bedrooms and all other parts of the intelligent” home will become “user-friendly” to meet all kinds of individual needs. Sensors in doors, toilets, taps, light switches and carpets detect every activity and record them electronically. Doctors or care staff can see from the computer records what personal hygiene tasks have been completed, how often the elderly person visits the bathroom or uses the toilet. In case of an emergency, the computer automatically alerts the chosen contact person or calls the care center.
1.The smart bathroom has a touch screen mirror ____.
A. that can remind people to do many things
B. which is linked to a nursing house
C. behind which is a medicine cabinet
D. that can help the elderly brush their teeth
2.The underlined word them in the last paragraph refers to ___.
A. sensors
B. doors, toilets, taps, light switches and carpets
C. individual needs
D. every activity
3.How is the passage mainly developed?
A. By inferring. B. By comparing.
C. By listing examples. D. By introducing a practical method.
4. The author of the text mainly ___.
A. calls on people to care for the old
B. introduces a new house
C. promotes a new house
D. encourages the old to live with dignity
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
—What a large crowd!
—They ______ in the cold wind for hours; the famous star will come today.
A.waited B.were waiting C.are waiting D.have been waiting
高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
In the year 1986 there was a terrible explosion(爆炸). The explosion was at a nuclear power plant(核电站) in Ukraine. The radiation(辐射) caused a lot of damage. It polluted the soil and other things. People were living in the area when the explosion happened. More than twenty years later those people are still suffering. The influence of the explosion will go on for a long time.
Over two million people still live in that area. Only 56 people died from the explosion but many other problems have been caused because of it. Some types of cancer are more than 200 times above the world average(平均水平). Many children have cancer now and children born with problems have doubled since the accident.
Some people in the United States are worried about the children living in the explosion area. One group has been trying to raise money. They are called the Chenobyl Children’s Project. They want to bring children from Ukraine to the U.S. each summer.
A spokesperson for the group says that radiation is the highest in the summertime so it is a good time to get the children out of the country. They want to help the children get away for a little while. The Project wants them to be safe from radiation.
It costs $1,500 to bring each child to the United States for six weeks. The group raised enough money to bring 28 children to the United States last year. The children were able to do lots of fun things. They enjoyed clean air, healthy food, and plenty of outdoor fun. One little nine-year-old girl who got to come to the United States said that she likes America.
The spokesperson says that the children that come to America during the summer miss less school when they return home because they have a long summer vacation.
1.What can we learn about the explosion that happened in 1986?
A.Children suffering from cancer have doubled since the accident. |
B.More than 200 people died in the accident. |
C.The influence of the explosion will last for more than 20 years. |
D.Millions of people still live in the area where the explosion happened. |
2.Why does the group bring children to the U.S. in summer?
A.Because the radiation is the highest in summer. |
B.Because children have a long summer vacation. |
C.Because the U.S. is the most beautiful in summer. |
D.Because traveling in the U.S. in summer costs the least. |
3.Which of the following is TRUE about the Project?
A.It brings 28 children to the U.S. every summer. |
B.It lets children stay in the U.S. for six weeks. |
C.It teaches children useful outdoor skills. |
D.It mainly raises money in Ukraine. |
4.What does the underlined word in Paragraph1 mean?
A. effort B affect C. offer D. effect
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
BERLIN — With the crisis in Japan raising fears about nuclear power, Germany and Switzerland said on Monday that they would reassess(再次评估) the safety of their own reactors([核] 反应堆).
Doris Leuthard, the Swiss energy minister, said Switzerland would put off plans to build nuclear plants. She said no new ones would be permitted until experts had reviewed safety standards.
Germany will put off “the recently decided extension of the running time of German nuclear plants,” Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters. “This moratorium(延缓)will run for three months and it will allow for a thorough examination of the safety standards of the county’s 17 nuclear power plants.
The European Union called for a meeting on Tuesday of nuclear safety authorities to assess Europe’s preparedness.
Germany’s foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, called for a new risk analysis of the country’s nuclear plants, particularly regarding their cooling systems. He is the leader of the Free Democratic Party, which strongly supports nuclear power.
A previous government, led by the Social Democrats, passed a law in 2001 to close all the country’s nuclear plants by 2021. But Mrs. Merkel’s government changed that decision last year to extend the lives of the plants by an average of 12 years.
In Switzerland, Doris Leuthard said she had already asked to analyze the exact cause of the problems in Japan and draw up new or tougher safety standards “particularly in terms of seismic(地震的,与地震相关的) safety and cooling.”
In Russia, the Prime Minister said his government would “draw conclusions from what’s going on in Japan.”
1. Where can you most likely read this passage?
A.In a newspaper. | B.In a magazine. | C.In a science report. | D.In a diary. |
2.How will Germany react to Japan’s nuclear crisis?
A.Germany will close all the country’s nuclear plants. |
B.Germany will hold a meeting of nuclear safety authorities. |
C.Germany will change the decision made last year. |
D.Germany will delay the extension of nuclear plants running time. |
3.The author mentions all the following EXCEPT ______.
A.The moratorium in Germany will give time to examine the nuclear plants safety standards. |
B.Switzerland will not build new nuclear plants unless they meet the experts’ safety standards. |
C.The Social Democrats in Germany shares the same view with the Free Democratic Party. |
D.Russia will try to learn something from the nuclear power crisis in Japan. |
4.What is the best title of the passage?
A.Watch Out for the Danger of Nuclear Power |
B.Europe Is against Building Nuclear Plants |
C.Nuclear Plants in Europe Are Delayed |
D.Opinions on Nuclear Power Are Opposite |
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Two nuclear power stations _______ in the past two months in Japan
A. are damaged B. have been damaged
C. would be damaged D. are damaging
高二英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
What will we be eating in the future? Here are the top factors that will be affecting the food that ends up on our tables in the new century.
Genetically engineered food Many crops are already genetically engineered, often to produce more food, fight against pests or improve nutrition. But concern is growing over the lasting effects of changing nature. While existing research has found little harm in genetic engineering, a recent study found the flower powder of a genetically engineered corn can kill the normal butterfly. This finding made many people nervous and brought attention to the topic.
Dining out Americans are increasingly eating meals away from home, both in sit-down restaurants and in fast food outlets. In the last decade alone there was a 14 percent decrease in the number of meals eaten at home. At the same time, restaurants are just beginning to really open their doors on the Internet. Websites exist to make restaurant reservations (预约), view menus, and get tips from your favorite chefs. The dining out trend and the demand for high-quality, chef-prepared food have encouraged chefs to spend time out of the kitchen — teaching classes, appearing on TV, and writing cookbooks.
Eating in Eating in doesn’t always mean cooking. Ready-made meals and frozen food sold in supermarkets taste better all the time. Restaurants are offering neatly packaged “food to go”, and meals can be ordered over the Internet. Cooking is not as much as a necessity, as it is a hobby or a special treat.
Agriculture Although American farmers have been hit hard recently by bad weather, low prices and decreasing government help, they can increase grain production not using old farming methods.
1.Which of the following is the main reason for genetically engineered crops?
A. To lead to more food and better nutrition. B. To kill the normal butterfly.
C. To reduce the harm done by insects. D. To change the nature of the crops.
2.From the passage, we learn that _________.
A. eating out is not popular among the old people in USA
B. it is now easier for people to get information about eating out
C. it is popular for restaurants to send out information on the Internet
D. the trend of eating out is causing many chefs to give up their jobs
3.In the future, cooking at home will probably _________.
A. still be the job of most housewives
B. take up most of people’s free time
C. bring much joy to more people
D. lead to many restaurants closing down
4.According to the passage, farmers should _________ to get a higher grain production.
A. turn to better farming methods B. ask for the support of the government
C. raise the prices of crops D. not care about the effects of bad weather
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析