Question

【题目】Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s)of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.

Building a Greener Future

Year after year, Earth's precious resources are becoming increasingly scarce. Still people need materials to build new houses, office buildings and schools. There's only one solution to this problem: do more with less. That's what sustainable construction is all about. Advocates of sustainable construction believe the entire building process can be done without harming the environment, and by doing so, the earth is kept sustainable for future generations. To make these green buildings possible, however, the process must be implemented from the beginning.

Picture a city government that wants to build a green office building. The first thing these city planners would do is select a site with a small environmental impact. Ideally, they would choose a site that had already been developed, thus keeping the forests and grasslands protected.

Next, city planners would turn their attention toward the construction process. Only green materials could be used to build their office towers. These include wood, steel, and other materials that have been recycled from destroyed buildings. If possible, they have been manufactured, recovered, or resourced locally. The closer that these green materials are to the construction site, the less energy is wasted getting them to where they're needed.

Maintenance costs are the next important factors that need to be considered. City planners would design heating and cooling systems that use as little energy as possible. They would fit solar roof panels that will absorb the heat from the sun to power the building. Toilets and sinks designed to minimize water waste would be fitted throughout the building. These efficiencies don't just help to protect the environment; they can save money over the long run as well.

After all this was finished, the city planners would relax and maybe even throw a party. They have designed a building that was green at every step--the golden rule of sustainable construction.

Answer 1

【答案】Sustainable construction is the solution to scarce resources and helps protect the environment. First, it means choosing a site which produces minimal environmental impact. It also involves using green recyclable and locally produced materials. Lastly, it is important to take measures like using sustainable energy to reduce maintenance cost. Therefore, sustainable construction focuses on making the whole building process green.

【解析】

这是一篇概要写作。文章是说明文，介绍如何建设绿色未来。

根据第一段中That's what sustainable construction is all about. Advocates of sustainable construction believe the entire building process can be done without harming the environment, and by doing so, the earth is kept sustainable for future generations. “这就是可持续建设的意义所在。可持续建设的倡导者认为，整个建设过程可以不损害环境，这样做，地球是可持续的子孙后代。”可知，Sustainable construction is the solution to scarce resources and helps protect the environment.（可持续建设是解决稀缺资源和保护环境的有效途径）；根据第二段中The first thing these city planners would do is select a site with a small environmental impact.“这些城市规划者要做的第一件事就是选择一个对环境影响小的地点。”可知，First, it means choosing a site which produces minimal environmental impact.（首先，这意味着选择一个对环境影响最小的地点）；根据第三段中Only green materials could be used to build their office towers. These include wood, steel, and other materials that have been recycled from destroyed buildings.“只有绿色材料才能用来建造他们的办公大楼。这些材料包括木材、钢铁和其他从被摧毁的建筑物中回收的材料。”可知，It also involves using green recyclable and locally produced materials.（它还包括使用绿色可回收和本地生产的材料）；根据第四段第一句Maintenance costs are the next important factors that need to be considered.“维护成本是下一个需要考虑的重要因素。”可知，Lastly, it is important to take measures like using sustainable energy to reduce maintenance cost.（最后，采取可持续能源等措施，降低维修成本）；根据最后一段After all this was finished, the city planners would relax and maybe even throw a party. They have designed a building that was green at every step--the golden rule of sustainable construction.“在所有这些都完成后，城市规划者会放松下来，甚至可能会举办一场派对。他们设计的建筑每一步都是绿色的——这是可持续建设的黄金法则。”可知，因此，可持续建设的重点是使整个建筑过程绿色。