Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 35 to 42.
The green building movement, started in the 1970s as a way to reduce environmental destruction, is changing the way buildings are constructed. In the early years, green builders were a small minority, and their goals of reducing the environmental impact of buildings were considered unrealistic. Now, however, the movement is growing, as builders have been able to take advantage of new technology.
Green builders try to make use of recycled materials, which means less waste in dumps. Also, they reduce environmental impact by reducing the energy requirements of a building. One way is to provide an alternative, non-polluting source of energy. First, with solar panels, it is possible to produce electricity from the rays of the sun. Once installed, they provide energy at no cost and with no pollution.
Another solution is to reduce the amount of energy required in a building. It is possible to cut electricity use noticeably by improving natural lighting and installing low-energy light bulbs. To reduce the amount of fuel needed for heating or cooling, builders also add insulation to the walls so that the building stays warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
One example of this advanced design is the Genzyme Center of Cambridge, the most environmentally responsible office building in America. Every aspect of the design and building had to consider two things: the need for a safe and pleasant workplace for employees and the need to lessen the negative environmental impact. 75 percent of the building materials were recycled materials, and the energy use has been reduced by 43 percent and water use by 32 percent, compared with other buildings of the same size.
In other parts of the world, several large-scale projects have recently been developed according to green building principles. One of these is in Vauban, Germany, in an area that was once the site of army housing. The site has been completely rebuilt with houses requiring 30 percent less energy than conventional ones. These houses, heated by special non-polluting systems, are also equipped with solar panels.
A larger project is under way in China. The first phase of this project will include houses for 400 families built with solar power, non-polluting bricks, and recycled wall insulation. In a second phase, entire neighborhoods in six cities will be built. If all goes well, the Chinese government plans to copy these ideas in new neighborhoods across China.
Green building ideas, on a small or large scale, are spreading. Individuals, companies, and governments are beginning to see their benefits. Not only are they environmentally friendly, green buildings improve living and working conditions and also save money in the long run.
(Adapted from “Advanced Reading Power” by Beatrice S. Mikulecky and Linda Jeffries)
The word “insulation” in paragraph 3 mostly means _______.
A. systems that protect buildings from the sun’s rays.
B. materials that prevent heat loss and absorption.
C. panels that convert solar energy into electricity.
D. devices that monitor changes in temperature.
Chọn đáp án B
The word “insulation” in paragraph 3 mostly means _______: từ “insulation” trong đoạn 3 có nghĩa gần nhất với _______
A. systems that protect buildings from the sun’s rays: hệ thống bảo vệ các tòa nhà khỏi ánh sáng Mặt trời
B. materials that prevent heat loss and absorption: vật liệu ngăn ngừa việc mất nhiệt và hấp thụ nhiệt
C. panels that convert solar energy into electricity: các tấm chuyển đổi năng lượng Mặt trời thành điện năng
D. devices that monitor changes in temperature: các thiết bị điều khiển thay đổi nhiệt độ
Dẫn chứng (đoạn 3): To reduce the amount of fuel needed for heating or cooling, builders stays warmer in winter and cooler in summer: Để giảm thiểu lượng nhiên liệu cần dung cho sưởi ấm hay làm mát, các nhà xây dựng cũng thêm chất cách nhiệt vào các bức tường để tòa nhà có thể ấm áp vào mùa đông và mát mẻ vào mùa hè.
Như vậy “insulation” là vật liệu giúp cho tòa nhà ấm áp vào mùa đông (tránh mất nhiệt) và mát mẻ vào mùa hè (tránh hấp thụ nhiệt). Ta chọn đáp án đúng là B.