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　　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。 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”(Line 3， 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 USA closer to other countries。

　　[B] will accelerate global environmental change。

　　[C] is not really encouraged by the USA government。

　　[D] is not competitive enough with regard to its cost。

　　26、[答案][C] failing

　　[解析]詞匯釋義題。根據論點論據關系，二段最后一句話證明but之后的論點句。由第二段最后一句得知在過去8年中，solar panels (太陽電池板)和wind turbines (風輪機)成本分別下降了80%和約1/3，故可推知可再生能源的價格會下降，故C項failing正確。

　　27、[答案][A] is progressing notably

　　[解析]邏輯推理題。根據題干應該定位到三段第三句話。本段第三句說“其他國家在清潔能源發展方面保持領先(takes the lead)，美國也看到了顯著的變化”，also提示我們美國和其他國家的情況應該有相似之處。再結合后一句中的數據，可確定美國可再生能源的使用正穩步發展，A項正確。

　　28、[答案][A] wind is a widely used energy source

　　[解析]邏輯推理題。由Iowa我們可快速定位至第四段。一般來講，推理題優先考慮段落主旨，But轉折之后應該為本段中心。盡管前兩句提到Trump不看好風能，但but后面話鋒一轉，說到Iowa的很多人不贊成這種看法，并列舉數據說明風能在Iowa的發展勢頭良好，故本題選A。

　　29、[答案][C] Its continuous supply is becoming a reality

　　[解析]雙段推理題。根據提干關鍵詞Paragraph 5&6定位到5、6段，雙段推理題應該優先考慮雙段主旨。第5段中心為關鍵信息詞but之后的內容。文中a boost in the storage capacity of batteries keeps power flowing around the clock對應選項中的its continuous supply; is becoming a reality對應文中is making their ability to。。。。同樣，第6段可以驗證。6段中心為最后一句話Although electric cars are still a rarity on roads now， this massive investment could change the picture rapidly in coming years， 也說明這件事在未來可能成為現實。

　　30、[答案][C] is not really encouraged by the US government

　　[解析]推理判斷題。根據提干關鍵詞the last paragraph定位到文中最后一段，最后一段關鍵信息詞while(盡管)引導的內容為重點信息：“盡管還有很長的路要走，這種趨勢勢不可擋”，故可以排除D： is not competitive enough with regard to its cost。而根據第二句“have a meaningful effect in slowing climate change” 故排除B： will accelerate global environmental change。文章最后一句“what Washington does—or doesn’t do—to promote alternative energy may mean less at a time of a global shift in thought。” “無論華盛頓行動還是不行動越來越不重要了”，可以推測出美國政府的態度，因此選C。

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