阅读理解
The global energy crisis is approaching. What can we do? Here are some steps you can take.
Cooling puts the greatest stress on your summer energy bill and the power grid (电网 ). Just as a
tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system
can improve efficiency and comfort. Clean or replace filter monthly or as needed.
For central air conditioning systems and room air conditioners , look for the ENERCY STAR, the
federal government's symbol for energy efficiency. For central air, purchase the system with the highest
possible Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratia( SEER) .
Use energy-efficient ceiling fans either alone or with air conditioning. Ceiling fans do a great job of
circulating air. When used with air conditioning , fans allow you to raise the thermostat (恒温器) and
cut costs. Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms. so before you leave; tum off the ceiling fan.
Let a programmable thermostat " remember for you " to automatically adjust the indoor climate
with your daily and weekend patterns to reduce cooling bills by up to 10 percent. You can come home
to a comfortable house without wasting energy and creating
pollution all day while you are at work.
Try to make your home airtight enough to increase your comfort, make your home quieter and
cleaner and reduce your cooling costs up to 20 percent.
Cut your air conditioning load, and reduce pollution by planting leafy trees around your home and
fixing reflective bricks on your roof.
Close blinds or shades on south-and west-facing windows during the day , or fix shading equipment
to avoid heat build-up. Turn off everything not in use: lights, TVs, computers. And use fluorescent
bulbs(荧光灯),which provide bright,warm light while using
at least two-thirds less energy, producing 70 percent less beat and lasting up t0 10 times longer than
incandescent bulbs(白炽灯).
Drive the car that gets better gas mileage whenever possible if you own more than one vehicle. If
you drive 12,500 miles a year, switching 10 percent of your trips from a car that gets 20 miles per gallon
to one that gets 30 mpg will save you more than $65 per year.
Carpool. The average US commuter(乘车上班族) could save about $260 a year by sharing cars
twice a week with two other people in a car that gets 20. 1 mpg-assuming the three passengers share the
cost of gas.
1. According to the passage , the thermostat is used to_________.
A. make rooms quieter
B. control room temperature
C. turn off the air conditioner
D. reduce room air pollution
2. We can conclude from the passage that the author probably discourages__________.
A. planting leafy trees around your home
B. turning off the ceiling fan befo you leave your house
C. keeping your south-facing windows open during the day
D. using fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs
3. According to the passage,you can save fuel by_______.
A. using energy-efficient ceiling fans
B. sharing cars with others on workdays
C. turning off everything not in use
D. reducing lO% of your car trips every year
4. This passage is mainly about_________.
A. energy-saving tips
B. fuel-saving tips
C. do-it-yourself tips
D. environment-protecting tips
