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 your heating and cooling system can improve
efficiency and comfort. Clean or replace filters monthly or as needed.
For central air conditioning systems and room sir conditioners, look for the ENERGY STAR, the federal
government's symbol for energy efficiency. For central air, purchase the system with the highest possible
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (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, turn 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 cresting 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 beat 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 Jess beat and lasting up
to 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 U.S. commutes (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 before 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 10% 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
