Nuclear energy has always been controversial. But since the tsunami and nuclear disaster in Fukushima (Japan) last year the issue is back in the headlines. And the world is divided— some countries are planning more nuclear plants, while others have promised to shut theirs down.
After Fukushima, Germany decided to switch off all its nuclear plants by 2022. Switzerland and Italy are also phasing out nuclear power. But France and the United States remain staunch supporters of atomic energy. In fact, almost 80% of France’s electricity comes from nuclear power, the highest percentage in the world. And in the US, the Obama administration said it “continues to support the expansion of nuclear power, despite the crisis in Japan.”
Nuclear supporters claim nuclear power can help the environment. Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear power doesn’t create greenhouse gases. So, pro-nuclear countries argue that nuclear power allows them to generate energy without contributing to climate change. Britain’s chief scientific adviser (John Beddington) supports this view. He recently said that the world doesn’t have the luxury of ignoring nuclear energy.
Nuclear power is also relatively cheap. Renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro and wind power may be clean, but they’re expensive; and right now, they require a lot of investment. This higher cost of using “green energy” is usually passed onto the consumer. So, while many people may prefer their energy to come from a renewable source, not so many are prepared to pay higher energy bills. This is of particular concern while the world economy is in such bad shape.
The main argument against nuclear energy is that it isn’t safe. For a start, nuclear waste is very difficult to dispose of, and remains toxic to humans for thousands of years. And even before Fukushima, there were several high-profile nuclear disasters. The most famous is probably the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, in the Ukraine. The radiation from the meltdown spread all over Europe, affecting thousands.
The nuclear energy issue is very complex. And it doesn’t look like it’ll be resolved anytime soon. As a Japanese commentator recently said, “it’s been a bad year for the ‘nuclear village’, but I don’t think they’re down and out yet.” The battle continues.
【小题1】Which of the following may NOT be the advantage of nuclear energy over other energy sources?

A．Nuclear energy doesn’t produce any greenhouse gases.

B．Nuclear energy can help prevent the climate damage.

C．Nuclear energy is more environmental-friendly than other green energy sources.

D．Nuclear energy can save the consumers some money, compared to other renewable energies.

【小题2】What does the underlined word “this” refer to in paragraph 4?

A．The fact that many people prefer to use the green energy sources while unwilling to pay higher bill.

B．The cost of using renewable sources

C．The fact that the nuclear power is cheaper.

D．The investment of renewable energy sources

【小题3】We can learn from the last paragraph that _______.

A．the Japanese commentator is positive about the future of nuclear energy

B．the nuclear energy issue will be soon settled

C．a battle will break out in the future

D．Japan is considering to build a nuclear village in the future

【小题4】What is the author’s purpose of writing the passage?

A．To highlight the danger of using nuclear energy.

B．To introduce some serious nuclear disasters.

C．To show the argument between nuclear supporters and protesters.

D．To give some advice on how to use nuclear energy safely.

The experiment is of particular importance.

—I see. We will carry on with it ________ we can get enough money.

A．unless

B．though

C．whether

D．until

 

When newspapers and radio describe the damage caused by a hurricane named Hazel,girls named Hazel are probably teased by their friends.To keep out of trouble,the Weather Bureau says,“Any resemblance between hurricane names and the names of particular girls is purely accidental.”

Some women became angry because hurricanes are given their names,but many other women are proud to see their names make headlines.They don’t even care that they are the names of destructive storms.Because more women seem to like it than dislike it,the Weather Bureau has decided to continue using girl’s names for hurricanes.

In some ways a hurricane is like a person.After it is born,it grows and develops,then becomes old and dies.Each hurricane has a character of its own.Each follows its own path through the world,and people remember it long after it gone.So it is natural to give hurricanes’ names,and to talk about them almost if they were alive.

What happens to girls named Hazel according to the passage?

A.They suffer from hurricanes.

B.The Weather Bureau look for them.

C.Others often make fun of them.

D.They can’t find boyfriend.

The underlined word“resemblance”probably means ______.

A.trouble                      B.difference                  C.sameness                   D.success

According to the passage,which is more reasonable?

A.Some women feel unhappy because hurricanes are given their names.

B.A lot of women complain of the Weather Bureau.

C.Many women want to be known.

D.All the hurricanes are caused by women.

Public opinions make the Weather Bureau ______.

A.consider the disagreement of some women

B.go on naming hurricanes after women

C.name hurricanes after men

D.look for a new method to name hurricanes

STUDY CENTER COURSES

From Paragraph to essay Of particular relevance to students who wish to improve their organizational skills and who feel that their final product is never clear enough. Thursday 10:00—12:00 Kiran Singh

Source Material How do you gather information for a project or paper? A practical course which looks at sources of information and how to use cataloguing systems.                                        Monday 10:00—11 :00                                             Kiran Singh

Express Yourself An advanced course suitable for students who are about to step into organizations where they may have to voice their opinions often. Monday 12:00—2:00 Dave Parrin

Media Use Open to all students ,this course focuses on the many ways we can benefit from the radio and television. Group projects form part of course.                                           Tuesday 9:00—11:00                                              Steve Ansell

The Short Story A research into the world of popular writers. One story is selected for adaptation into a short play and group performance. Pre-arranged groups welcome. Thursday 11:00—1:30 Mrs Owen

Caught for Speeding Open to all students .Simple eye exercises to help you with speed reading. How to be selective on the page . Using headings, topic sentences and paragraphs for easy access. Wednesday 11:00—1:00 Mrs Owen

Tense about Tenses For those who worry about their use of words—a look at tenses and other aspects of the language through poetry and song. Good voice helps but not a must. Saturday 10:00—12:00 Steve Ansell

STUDY CENTER COURSES

From Paragraph to essay Of particular relevance to students who wish to improve their organizational skills and who feel that their final product is never clear enough. Thursday 10:00—12:00 Kiran Singh

Source Material How do you gather information for a project or paper? A practical course which looks at sources of information and how to use cataloguing systems.                                        Monday 10:00—11 :00                                             Kiran Singh

Express Yourself An advanced course suitable for students who are about to step into organizations where they may have to voice their opinions often. Monday 12:00—2:00 Dave Parrin

Media Use Open to all students ,this course focuses on the many ways we can benefit from the radio and television. Group projects form part of course.                                           Tuesday 9:00—11:00                                              Steve Ansell

The Short Story A research into the world of popular writers. One story is selected for adaptation into a short play and group performance. Pre-arranged groups welcome. Thursday 11:00—1:30 Mrs Owen

Caught for Speeding Open to all students .Simple eye exercises to help you with speed reading. How to be selective on the page . Using headings, topic sentences and paragraphs for easy access. Wednesday 11:00—1:00 Mrs Owen

Tense about Tenses For those who worry about their use of words—a look at tenses and other aspects of the language through poetry and song. Good voice helps but not a must. Saturday 10:00—12:00 Steve Ansell

1.If a student takes the course The Short Story, he can’t take     .

         A．From Paragraph to Essay                              B．Tense about Tenses

         C．Source Material                                               D．Media Use

2.Which of the courses can develop the students’ team work?

         A．From Paragraph to Essay                              B．The Short Story

         C．Caught for Speeding                                       D．Express Yourself

3.From where can a student read this?

         A．On the radio.                                                    B．On television.   

         C．In a local newspaper.                                     D．On a school notice board.