Part A: Reading Comprehension

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.

26. The word “plummeting” (Para.2) is closest in meaning to

[A]

stabilizing. 

[B]

changing. 

[C]

falling. 

[D]

rising. 

27. 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. 

28. 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. 

29. 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. 

30. 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. 

答案解析 (Answers & Explanations)

26. [C] falling.
解析：词义猜测题。根据第二段上下文，`plummeting prices` 紧接着后文解释了“太阳能电池板的成本下降了80%（dropped by 80 percent），风力涡轮机的成本下降了近三分之一（close to one-third）”。这充分说明 `plummeting` 的意思是价格的下降或暴跌。选项C“falling（下降）”最符合题意。

27. [A] is progressing notably.
解析：第三段第三句提到：“当世界其他地区处于领先地位时，尤其是中国和欧洲，美国也正在经历一次显著的转变（remarkable shift）”。后文接着列举数据：3月份风能和太阳能发电量首次超过了美国发电总量的10%。这说明美国可再生能源的使用“取得了显著进展（is progressing notably）”，选A。

28. [A] wind is a widely used energy source.
解析：第四段提到，特朗普在爱荷华州发表演讲时贬低风能是不可靠的能源。但是这句话在爱荷华州吃不开，因为在爱荷华州，“风力涡轮机点缀着田野（dot the fields），并提供了该州36%的发电量（provide 36 percent of the state’s electricity generation）”。36%的比例说明风能在该州是一种“被广泛使用的能源（widely used energy source）”，选A。

29. [C] Its continuous supply is becoming a reality.
解析：第五段针对“没风没太阳怎么办”的质疑给出了回应：“电池存储容量的提升正使得它们日夜不停地持续供电的能力变得更加可能（making their ability to keep power flowing around the clock more likely）”。“keep power flowing around the clock”对应选项C的“它的持续供应正成为现实（continuous supply is becoming a reality）”。

30. [C] is not really encouraged by the US government.
解析：最后一段末尾提到：“华盛顿（指美国政府）在推动替代能源方面做或不做的事情，在全球思想转变的时代可能越来越无关紧要”。结合第四段特朗普总统（美国政府的代表）对煤炭等化石燃料的强调，以及对风能的贬低，可以推断出美国政府实际上“并不真正鼓励（is not really encouraged by the US government）”可再生能源，而是靠市场力量（如电池制造商和科技巨头）在推动，选C。

核心长难句精解 (High-Light)

1. 伴随状语从句与主句的对比：
"While fossil fuels... 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."
【解析】`While` 引导让步状语从句，表示“尽管化石燃料依然占大头”。主句使用了 `it is + adj. + that` 的句型，明确指出了“未来属于可再生能源”。通过对比突出了新能源势不可挡的趋势。

2. 关系副词 where 引导的并列定语从句：
"But that message did not play well with many in Iowa, where wind turbines dot the fields and provide 36 percent... and where tech giants like Microsoft are being attracted by..."
【解析】两个 `where` 引导的并列非限制性定语从句，共同修饰先行词 `Iowa`（爱荷华州）。这种并列结构生动描绘了该州在风能利用和吸引科技投资方面的繁荣景象，从而反驳了特朗普对风能的贬低。

3. 复杂的宾语从句作主语：
"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."
【解析】`What` 引导的主语从句构成了句子的主语（华盛顿做或者不做什么来促进替代能源）。谓语是 `may mean`，宾语是 `less and less`。这句话极具嘲讽意味地指出，在全球大趋势面前，美国政府的保守政策已经不再重要了。