Question

Think about the different ways that people use the wind. You can use it to fly a kite or to sail a boat. Wind is one of our cleanest and richest power sources, as well as one of the oldest. Something shows that windmills (风车) began to be used in ancient Iran back in the seventh century BC. They were first introduced to Europe during the 1100s, when armies returned from the Middle East with knowledge of using wind power.

For many centuries, people used windmills to grind (磨碎) wheat into flour or get water from deep underground. When electricity was discovered in the late 1800s, people living in faraway areas began to use them to produce electricity. This allowed them to have electric lights and radio. However, by the 1940s when electricity was available to people in almost all areas of the United States, windmills were hardly used.

During the 1970s, people started becoming more cared about the pollution that is created when coal and gas are burned to produce electricity. People also realized that the supply of coal and gas would run out one day. Then, wind was rediscovered, though it means higher costs. Today, there is a global movement to supply more and more of our electricity through the use of wind.

1.What was a new use for wind power in the late 19^th century?

A. Sailing a boat.

B. Producing electricity.

C. Grinding wheat into flour.

D. Pumping water from underground.

2.One of the reasons wind was rediscovered in the 1970s is that _________.

A. wind power is cleaner

B. it is one of the oldest power sources

C. it was cheaper to create energy from winds

D. the supply of coal and gas failed to meet needs

3.What would the author probably discuss in the paragraph that follows?

A. The advantage of wind power.

B. The design of wind power plants.

C. The movement to save energy.

D. The global trend towards producing wind power.

Answer

1.B

2.A

3.D

【解析】试题分析：本文是一篇说明文。风能是洁净的丰富的能源，本文主要介绍了风能及有史以来风能运用的情况，今天，有一项全球性的运动，通过使用风能来提供越来越多的电力。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段句子When electricity was discovered in the late 1800s, people living in faraway areas began to use them to produce electricity.可知，人们最初利用风车磨面或抽水，十九世纪末有了电之后，人们又用其发电，故选B。

2.细节理解题。根据第三段句子During the 1970s, people started becoming more cared about the pollution that is created when coal and gas are burned to produce electricity.可知，重新使用风能是因为它是清洁的。故选A。

3.推理判断题。根据最后一段可知，二十世纪七十年代，人们更加注重环保，而且认识到煤和气的短缺；而尽管成本较高，但是风能的特点是洁净并丰富的。如今，全球范围内正在发起利用风能发电的运动。因此推断下一段将会讲述全球利用风能发电的情况。故选D。