Question

California has become the first U.S. state to approve plans to require newly-built homes to include solar equipment.

The state’s Energy Commission voted 5-0 to approve the new rules, which are to take effect in 2020. The rules will deal with most newly-built residential (住宅的) buildings up to three stories high.

The move is California’s latest step aimed at reaching renewable energy targets and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

California has set a goal of filling half of its electricity needs with renewable energy by 2030. Officials said they had reached 30 percent by the end of 2017. The state’s Governor, Jerry Brown, plans to hold an international climate meeting in September.

①The Energy Commission said the cost of adding solar equipment to a single-family home would be about $9,500. But, the group added that homeowners would save at least $19,000 in energy costs over 30 years.

Robert Raymer is the technical director for the California Building Industry Association. He says the action is a step forward for the wider use of solar power in the U.S. “You can bet every other of the 49 states will be watching closely to see what happens,” he told the Associated Press.

②Solar companies praised the new requirements, which officials have said will likely raise demand for solar equipment in California by 10-15 percent.

The Solar Energy Industries Association called it a “historic decision for the state and the U.S.” It estimated the action would produce “huge economic and environmental benefits,” including bringing tens of billions of dollars into California.

③Some legislative and community leaders argued that Californians cannot afford to pay any more for housing in what is already an extremely high-priced market.

“That’s just going to drive the cost up and make California, once again, not affordable to live in,” said California Assemblyman Brian Dahle.

④Severin Borenstein is an energy economist at the University of California, in Berkeley. He sent an email to the head of California’s Energy Commission to urge the state to reconsider its decision.

He expressed his belief that it is a mistake for California to approve such a policy instead of centering on efforts to develop large solar farms to produce renewable energy. He said these farms would cost much less to operate.

“Every energy economist I know is shaking their head at this,” he told the Wall Street Journal. “In many ways, this is setting the wrong example,” he added.

1.According to the rules to take effect in 2020, newly-built homes are expected to ________.

A. replace large solar farms    B. be equipped with solar equipment

C. have the height of three stories    D. stop greenhouse gas emissions

2.From what Robert Raymer says, we can know that _______.

A. other 49 states won’t follow in the footsteps of California

B. California can achieve its goal of renewable energy by 2030

C. the action will help homeowners save money in the long term

D. the new rules will probably enjoy a great popularity in the US

3.The sentence “But some individuals and groups were against the new rules.” should be placed in_______.

A. ①    B. ②

C. ③    D. ④

4.The purpose of the passage is _______.

A. to show different attitudes towards an approval

B. to express the significance of renewable energy

C. to inform a new way of dealing with climate change

D. to prove a new plan of solar equipment unreasonable

Answer

1. B

2. D

3. C

4. A

【解析】

本文属于新闻，介绍加利福利亚州是美国第一个州通过居民住房必须配置太阳能设备，这一举动旨在扩大太阳能的使用比例，减少二氧化碳的排放，受到环保和技术人士的支持，但是也有反对意见。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段California has become the first U.S. state to approve plans to require newly-built homes to include solar equipment.可知，该州通过法律，要求居民住宅配备太阳能设备，而该法律于2020年生效，故选B。

2.推理判断题。根据第六段You can bet every other of the 49 states will be watching closely to see what happens可知，Robert Raymer相信加州的这一举动会得到美国其他49个州的密切关注，因而相信会在美国其他州扩大，故选D。

3.推理判断题。根据第九段Some legislative and community leaders argued that Californians cannot afford to pay any more for housing in what is already an extremely high-priced market.可知，前文主要讲述支持的理由，而从本段开始提出了反对的意见，一些立法者认为加州房价已经够高，而这一举动会助长房价的进一步上涨，让人们无力承担，故But some individuals and groups were against the new rules.应放在第三句话处，故选C。

4.主旨大意题。根据文章可知，本文对加州新法案提供了正反两种不同的态度，因而本文的目的在于陈述不同的态度，故选A。