PASSAGE 7
The search for alternative sources of energy has been led in various directions. In Sweden, many communities are burning garbage and other biological waste products to produce electricity. Another efficient way to dispose waste is to convert waste products to gases or oil. Moreover, experimental work is being done to derive synthetic fuels from coal, oil shale, and coal tars. But to date, that process has proven expensive. Other experiments are underway to harness power with giant windmills. Geothermal power is also being tested.
Nowadays, some experts expect utility companies to revive hydroelectric power derived from streams and rivers. Fifty years ago hydroelectric power provided one third of the electricity used in the United States, but today it supplies only 4 percent. The oceans are another potential source of energy and scientists are studying ways to convert the energy of ocean currents, tides, and waves to electricity. Experiments are also underway to make use of temperature differences in ocean water to produce energy.
1. Which is the most suitable title for the passage?
A. Efficient Ways of Disposing of Waste B. The Use of Water Resources for Energy
C. The Search for Alternative Sources of Energy D. New Discoveries in Geothermal Power
2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an efficient way to dispose of wastes?
B. deriving synthetic fuels from coals, oil shale, and coal tars
C. converting waste products to gases or oil
D. burning biological waste products
3. According to the text, deriving synthetic energy from coals, oil shale, and coal tars is impractical because
A. it is money-consuming B. it is time-consuming
C. sources are scarce and hard to find D. of the lack of technology
4. What can be inferred about hydroelectric power?
A. It provides 4 percent of the electricity used in the US.
B. It provides over 30 percent of the electricity used in the US.
C. It provides one-third of the electricity used in the US.
D. It supplies more electricity today than it did fifty years ago.
5. In the last paragraph, the word “convert” could be best replaced by which of the following?
A. transmit B. transform C. use D. make use of
