Sunny countries are often poor. A shame, then, that solar power is still quite expensive. Eight19, a British company by Cambridge University, has, however, invented a novel way to get round this. In return for a deposit of around $10 it is supplying poor Kenyan families with a solar cell able to generate 2.5 watts of electricity, a battery that can deliver a three amp(安培) current to store this electricity, and a lamp whose bulb is a light-emitting diode(二极管). The firm thinks that this system, once the battery is fully charged, is enough to light two small rooms and to power a mobile-phone charger for seven hours. Then, next day, it can be put outside and charged back up again.
The trick is that, to be able to use the electricity, the system's keeper must buy a scratch card—for as little as a dollar—on which is printed a reference number. The keeper sends this reference, plus the serial number of the household solar unit, by SMS to Eight19. The company's server will respond automatically with an access code to the unit.
Users may consider that they are paying an hourly rate for their electricity. In fact, they are paying off the cost of the unit. After buying around $80 worth of scratch cards—which Eight19 expects would take the average family around 18 months—the user will own it. He will then have the option of continuing to use it for nothing, or of trading it in for a bigger one, perhaps driven by a 10-watt solar cell.
In that case, he would go then through the same process again, paying off the additional cost of the upgraded kit at a slightly higher rate. Users would therefore increase their electricity supply steadily and affordably.
According to Eight19's figures, this looks like a good deal for customers. The firm believes the average energy-starved Kenyan spends around $10 a month on oil—enough to fuel a couple of smoky lamps—plus $2 on charging his mobile phone in the market-place. Regular users of one of Eight19's basic solar units will spend around half that, before owning it completely. Meanwhile, as the cost of solar technology falls, it should get even cheaper.
1.The underlined word “get round” in the first paragraph can be replaced by _______ .
A.make use of B.come up with C.look into D.deal with
2.What should the user do when the electricity in the battery is used up?
A.Buy a scratch card. B.Recharge it outside.
C.Buy another solar cell. D.Return it to the company.
3.How much would users pay for the cell and scratch cards before they own a 2.5-watt solar cell?
A.Around $10. B.Around $80. C.Around $90. D.Around $180.
4.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that ____________.
A.Kenyan families would find it difficult to afford the solar cell
B.using the solar cell would help Kenyan families save money
C.few Kenyan families use mobile phones for lack of electricity
D.the company will make a great profit from selling solar cells
5.What might be the most suitable title for the passage?
A.Solar Energy: Starting from Scratch.
B.Eight19: a creative British Company.
C.Kenyan Families: Using Solar Energy for Free.
D.Poor Countries: Beginning to Use Solar Energy.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题
Sunny countries are often poor. A shame, then, that solar power is still quite expensive. Eight19, a British company by Cambridge University, has, however, invented a novel way to get round this. In return for a deposit of around $10 it is supplying poor Kenyan families with a solar cell able to generate 2.5 watts of electricity, a battery that can deliver a three amp(安培) current to store this electricity, and a lamp whose bulb is a light-emitting diode(二极管). The firm thinks that this system, once the battery is fully charged, is enough to light two small rooms and to power a mobile-phone charger for seven hours. Then, next day, it can be put outside and charged back up again.
The trick is that, to be able to use the electricity, the system's keeper must buy a scratch card—for as little as a dollar—on which is printed a reference number. The keeper sends this reference, plus the serial number of the household solar unit, by SMS to Eight19. The company's server will respond automatically with an access code to the unit.
Users may consider that they are paying an hourly rate for their electricity. In fact, they are paying off the cost of the unit. After buying around $80 worth of scratch cards—which Eight19 expects would take the average family around 18 months—the user will own it. He will then have the option of continuing to use it for nothing, or of trading it in for a bigger one, perhaps driven by a 10-watt solar cell.
In that case, he would go then through the same process again, paying off the additional cost of the upgraded kit at a slightly higher rate. Users would therefore increase their electricity supply steadily and affordably.
According to Eight19's figures, this looks like a good deal for customers. The firm believes the average energy-starved Kenyan spends around $10 a month on oil—enough to fuel a couple of smoky lamps—plus $2 on charging his mobile phone in the market-place. Regular users of one of Eight19's basic solar units will spend around half that, before owning it completely. Meanwhile, as the cost of solar technology falls, it should get even cheaper.
1.The underlined word “get round” in the first paragraph can be replaced by _______ .
A.make use of B.come up with C.look into D.deal with
2.What should the user do when the electricity in the battery is used up?
A.Buy a scratch card. B.Recharge it outside.
C.Buy another solar cell. D.Return it to the company.
3.How much would users pay for the cell and scratch cards before they own a 2.5-watt solar cell?
A.Around $10. B.Around $80. C.Around $90. D.Around $180.
4.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that ____________.
A.Kenyan families would find it difficult to afford the solar cell
B.using the solar cell would help Kenyan families save money
C.few Kenyan families use mobile phones for lack of electricity
D.the company will make a great profit from selling solar cells
5.What might be the most suitable title for the passage?
A.Solar Energy: Starting from Scratch.
B.Eight19: a creative British Company.
C.Kenyan Families: Using Solar Energy for Free.
D.Poor Countries: Beginning to Use Solar Energy.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项。
Sunny countries are often poor. A shame, then, that solar power is still quite expensive. Eight19, a British company by Cambridge University, has, however, invented a novel way to get round this. In return for a deposit of around $10 it is supplying poor Kenyan families with a solar cell able to generate 2.5 watts of electricity, a battery that can deliver a three amp(安培) current to store this electricity, and a lamp whose bulb is a light-emitting diode(二极管). The firm thinks that this system, once the battery is fully charged, is enough to light two small rooms and to power a mobile-phone charger for seven hours. Then, next day, it can be put outside and charged back up again.
The trick is that, to be able to use the electricity, the system's keeper must buy a scratch card—for as little as a dollar—on which is printed a reference number. The keeper sends this reference, plus the serial number of the household solar unit, by SMS to Eight19. The company's server will respond automatically with an access code to the unit.
Users may consider that they are paying an hourly rate for their electricity. In fact, they are paying off the cost of the unit. After buying around $80 worth of scratch cards—which Eight19 expects would take the average family around 18 months—the user will own it. He will then have the option of continuing to use it for nothing, or of trading it in for a bigger one, perhaps driven by a 10-watt solar cell.
In that case, he would go then through the same process again, paying off the additional cost of the upgraded kit at a slightly higher rate. Users would therefore increase their electricity supply steadily and afford ably.
According to Eight19's figures, this looks like a good deal for customers. The firm believes the average energy-starved Kenyan spends around $10 a month on oil—enough to fuel a couple of smoky lamps—plus $2 on charging his mobile phone in the market-place. Regular users of one of Eight19's basic solar units will spend around half that, before owning it completely. Meanwhile, as the cost of solar technology falls, it should get even cheaper.
1.The underlined word “get round” in the first paragraph can be replaced by _______ .
A. make use of B. come up with
C. look into D. deal with
2.How much would users pay for the cell and scratch cards before they own a 2.5-watt solar cell?
A. Around $10. B. Around $80.
C. Around $90. D. Around $180.
3.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that ____________.
A. Kenyan families would find it difficult to afford the solar cell
B. using the solar cell would help Kenyan families save money
C. few Kenyan families use mobile phones for lack of electricity
D. the company will make a great profit from selling solar cells
4.What might be the most suitable title for the passage?
A. Solar Energy: Starting from Scratch.
B. Eight19: a creative British Company.
C. Kenyan Families: Using Solar Energy for Free.
D. Poor Countries: Beginning to Use Solar Energy.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
I can’t believe that there are _____ many poor people in ____ a rich country.
A.such; such B.so ; such C.so; so D.such; so
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
I can’t believe that there are _____ many poor people in ____ a rich country.
A. such; such B. so ; such C. so; so D. such; so
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
Many people are aware of the beauty of a solar eclipse (日食), but are surprised to learn that lunar eclipses are often just as impressive. While total solar eclipse lasts only for a few minutes and can be seen only in a small area of a few kilometers, total lunar eclipse can last for several hours and can be seen over much of the planet. In fact, the beauty and stability of lunar eclipses make them a favorite of both amateur and professional photographers.
Lunar eclipses generally occur two or three times a year, and are possible only when the Moon is full. When we see the Moon, we are actually seeing sunlight reflected off the surface of the Moon When the Earth is positioned in between the Moon and the Sun, however, the Earth's shadow falls on the Moon, and a lunar eclipse occurs.
The type of lunar eclipse - total, partial, or penumbral (半影) - that occurs depends both on how much of the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow and through which part of the shadow it passes. A penumbral eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's outer shadow. This type of eclipse is brief and frequently goes unobserved by all but astronomers. By contrast, total and partial eclipses occur when all or part, respectively, of the Moon passes through the umbra(本影) shadow of the Earth. These eclipses are quite easy to see and are widely observed.
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to watch. Solar radiation that occurs during an eclipse of the Sun can cause a form of burns of one's eyes known as eclipse blindness. In fact, the only way to safely view a solar eclipse is by using specially designed equipment. However, since the Moon's light is reflected sunlight, it is completely safe to watch a lunar eclipse without any special equipment, although a pair of binoculars can certainly help the viewer appreciate the beauty of this phenomenon
1.The underlined word "stability " most probably means_______.
A. strength B. position C. steadiness D. visibility
2.According to the passage, a partial lunar eclipse occurs________.
A. when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth
B. when all of the Moon passes through the Earth's umbra shadow
C. when only a part of the Moon passes through the Earth's outer shadow
D. when only a part of the Moon passes through the Earth's umbra shadow
3.The passage implies that penumbral eclipses are________.
A. longer-lasting than most solar eclipses
B. more common than partial or full lunar eclipse
C. the result of the shadow cast by the Moon onto the Earth
D. more difficult to observe than other types of lunar eclipse
4.According to the passage, it is safe to watch a lunar eclipse, unlike a solar eclipse, because ________.
A. moonlight is less strong than sunlight
B. a lunar eclipse is briefer than a solar eclipse
C. a lunar eclipse lasts much longer than a solar eclipse
D. special equipment can be employed to view a lunar eclipse
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
With more large solar farms being developed in the sunny southwestern United States, researchers and conservationists alike are beginning to notice surprising environmental effects. While solar energy is known for its positive environmental impacts, officials at the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory have come to recognize one of its significant downsides: Some specks of birds that live close to large solar plants (太阳能板) are dying off, including endangered birds.
A recent federal investigation recovered 233 birds that had been killed as a direct result of solar plants. Researchers believe that some of the affected birds have mistaken the large, reflective areas of the solar panels for bodies of water. This is a phenomenon referred to by scientists as “lake effect.” The birds are drawn to what they assume to be water. They aim for the area and slam into the panels with great force. It is thought that the insects that birds cat fall victim to “lake effect” as well, leading the birds into the panels.
Researchers figure that between 1,000 and 28,000 birds are killed as a result of harvesting solar energy. The number of birds affected by wind farming is much greater, ranging from 140,000 to 328,000. Coal-fired electricity has the largest negative effect on birds, killing nearly 8 million a year. These numbers make solar farming seem like the best option. However, conservationists are quick to point out that areas where solar is expected to boom between 2015 and 2020 are home to some of the rarest birds in the United States. This could put specific bird species at risk of extinction.
There exists a state order in California that 20 percent of all electricity of all energy sold should be renewable by the year 2017. This has been one driving force behind the rapid development of huge solar farms. The industry, which is expected to boom as a result of this change to renewable energy, is facing newly filed lawsuits (起诉) by conservationist groups. These lawsuits could slow down the approval process for the planned solar development across the Southwest.
1.What can we infer from paragraph 1?
A. Solar farms require a long development period.
B. Most people would be shocked by the size of solar farms.
C. Solar energy equipment looks strange to most people.
D. Most people think that solar energy is very beneficial.
2.The underlined word “slam” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to .
A. dash B. break
C. move D. slide
3.Which of the following best reflects the author’s viewpoint?
A. Using solar farms is the most practical way to create energy.
B. More birds are endangered by solar farms than wind farming.
C. Solar farms may not be as friendly to the environment as expected.
D. Ways should be found to reduce “lake effect” caused by solar farms.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
. In that country, the rich ______ richer, the poor, poorer.
A.become | B. has become | C.becomes | D.is becoming |
高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
The rich man often provides the local poor people with free food and money, so they are very thankful for his ________.
A.adventure B.generosity C.passion D.personally
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
The teeth are _____ , and my grandmother often takes them out to wash them and then put them back.
A. magical B. artificial
C. logical D. official
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
When we think about giving help to developing countries, we often think about giving money so that these countries can build schools and hospitals, buy food and medicine, or find clean water supplies.These seem to be the most important basic needs of the people we are trying to help.However, it's far from enough.Ladies and gentlemen, we've got to come up with some better ideas to help them.
I was very surprised, then, when I read about a plan to make cheap laptop computers for children in developing countries.A man called Nicholas Negroponte invented a cheap laptop computer, which can run without electricity.He decided to invent this computer after he visited a school in Cambodia.
The laptop which Mr.Negroponte has designed is a little different from the normal laptop computers you can buy in the shops.One difference is that it is covered in rubber so that it is very strong and won't be damaged easily.As an electricity supply can be a problem in developing countries, the computer also has a special handle so that children can wind the computer up to give it extra power when needed.
These special laptop computers will cost less than 100 US dollars and Mr.Negroponte wants to build as many as 15 million machines in the first year of production.The idea is that these computers will help the children's education as they will be able to access the Internet.These computers might not help the people in developing countries immediately, but by improving children's education they should help people to find their own solutions to their problems in the long term.
Another idea to help children in developing countries is to recycle old mobile phones so that they can be used again.In the UK, and, probably in many other countries too, millions of mobile phones are thrown away every year.The waste created by throwing away these old phones is very bad for the environment, so it seems to be an excellent idea to recycle them.In this way we will be able to achieve two important goals at the same time.We will reduce the waste we produce and help others.In other words, we will be able to 'kill two birds with one stone', and that is always a good thing.
1.It's an excellent idea to recycle old mobile phones because _______.
A.it reduces waste and can help others
B.it prevents waste and can earn lots of money
C.it can send the waste produced by developed countries to other countries
D.it is good for the environment and very educative for phone users
2.The author gives the example of Mr.Negroponte's cheap computers _______.
A.to show what high tech can bring us.
B.to illustrate the kindness of people in the developed countries
C.to show how to find business opportunities in developing countries
D.to give an example of how to help developing countries
3.Which of the following statements is TRUE about Mr.Negroponte's cheap computers?
A.His computers don’t need any power to function well.
B.His computers are covered with rubber so that they are very cheap.
C.His computers will help children in developing countries to have better education.
D.His computers will help people in developing countries to find all the solutions.
4.Where does this passage probably come from?
A.A magazine B.A newspaper
C.A lecture D.An advertisement
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析