Almost all our energy comes from oil, coal and natural gas. We call them fossil fuels. The earth’s
fossil fuels are running out. What would happen if there were no oil, coal and gas on earth?
Scientists are trying to find and use other alternative sources of energy. We can use energy
from the sun, the wind and the water.
Solar energy is unlimited. It supplies all the energy used to grow plants, to evaporate water for
rain, and to maintain the temperature of the planet. All are necessary for human life. If we’re able to
collect solar energy, we’ll be sure to make good use of this abundant source of power.
Another source of energy from nature is the wind. Wind power is clean and plentiful. Energy
from the wind has been used for centuries to move ships, grind grain, pump water and do other kinds
of work. In more recent time, wind power has been used to generate electricity.
Water can also provide power. For a long time, people have used water to power machines.
Some early uses of water power were to mill grain, saw wood and power machinery for the textile
industry. Today water power is mostly used to generate electricity.
11. We are asking the question “What would happen if there were no oil, coal and gas on earth?” because ___.
A. we are now depending so much on fossil fuels.
B. we are looking forward to seeing great changes.
C. we are looking for other alternative sources of energy.
D. other sources of energy can come from the sun, the wind and the water.
12. Which of the following can NOT be used as alternative sources of energy?
A. coal/gas B. the sun/the water
C. the sun/the wind D. solar energy/nuclear power
13. Centuries ago, people used wind power to ___.
A. maintain the earth’s temperature B. get water from underground
C. grow plants D. generate electricity
14. Up till now, water energy has been used for ___.
A. similar purposes C. the textile industry
B. moving ships D. different purposes

4
15. The word “plentiful” in line 8 mostly means ___.
A. fresh B. natural C. available D. limited

Read the following passage, and then tick the correct answers : T or F.

Many people still believe that natural resources will never be used up. Actually, the world's energy resources are limited. Nobody knows exactly how much fuel is left. However, we also should use them economically and try to find out alternative sources of power. According to Professor Marvin Burnham of the New England Institute of Technology, we have to start saving coal, oil and gas before it is too late; and solar power is the only alternative.

1. Natural resources will never run out.

2. We don't know exactly how much fuel is left.

3. We shouldn't waste natural resources.

4. We should find out other types of energy besides fossil fuels.

5. According to Professor Marvin Burnham, solar energy will be used as a form of alternative energy.

Choose the word or phrase among A, B, C or D which best fits each gap of the passage.

We need energy to live and work. Our major source of…(36)……….is oil. Oil is one kind of fossil fuel. The amount of fossil fuel in the world is……(37)….Therefore, we must save it, and the same time, we must find new sources of energy. Geothermal heat and nuclear power are……(38)….sources of energy. They can give us electricity. Other alternative sources are the sun, waves and water. The sources are not only …(39)……and available but also clean and safe for the…(40)…People should develop and use them more and more in the future.

Question 39:

A. unlimited

B. harmful

C. polluted

D. dangerous

Choose the word or phrase among A, B, C or D which best fits each gap of the passage.

We need energy to live and work. Our major source of…(36)……….is oil. Oil is one kind of fossil fuel. The amount of fossil fuel in the world is……(37)….Therefore, we must save it, and the same time, we must find new sources of energy. Geothermal heat and nuclear power are……(38)….sources of energy. They can give us electricity. Other alternative sources are the sun, waves and water. The sources are not only …(39)……and available but also clean and safe for the…(40)…People should develop and use them more and more in the future.

Question 36:

A. energy

B. energetic

C. energize

D. energetically

Choose the word or phrase among A, B, C or D which best fits each gap of the passage.

We need energy to live and work. Our major source of…(36)……….is oil. Oil is one kind of fossil fuel. The amount of fossil fuel in the world is……(37)….Therefore, we must save it, and the same time, we must find new sources of energy. Geothermal heat and nuclear power are……(38)….sources of energy. They can give us electricity. Other alternative sources are the sun, waves and water. The sources are not only …(39)……and available but also clean and safe for the…(40)…People should develop and use them more and more in the future.

Question 40:

A. ecologists

B. invention

C. environment

D. atmosphere

Choose the word or phrase among A, B, C or D which best fits each gap of the passage.

We need energy to live and work. Our major source of…(36)……….is oil. Oil is one kind of fossil fuel. The amount of fossil fuel in the world is……(37)….Therefore, we must save it, and the same time, we must find new sources of energy. Geothermal heat and nuclear power are……(38)….sources of energy. They can give us electricity. Other alternative sources are the sun, waves and water. The sources are not only …(39)……and available but also clean and safe for the…(40)…People should develop and use them more and more in the future.

Question 37:

A. limit

B. limitation

C. unlimited

D. limited

We need energy to live and work. Our major source of…(36)……….is oil. Oil is one kind of fossil fuel. The amount of fossil fuel in the world is……(37)….Therefore, we must save it, and the same time, we must find new sources of energy. Geothermal heat and nuclear power are……(38)….sources of energy. They can give us electricity. Other alternative sources are the sun, waves and water. The sources are not only …(39)……and available but also clean and safe for the…(40)…People should develop and use them more and more in the future.

Question 38:

A. alternative

B. polluted

C. harmful

D. expensive

V. Read the following passage, then choose a word from the box and write the correct word next to numbers 1-5. There is one exemple.

roofs	garden	non - polluting	polluting
the moon	are	renewable	the Sun

   Solar energy is a long lasting source (0)..of.. energy, and it can be used almost anywhere. To generate solar energy, we only need solar cells and (1).....................! Solar cells can easily be installed on house (2) ................., so we don’t need any new space. Compared to other (3)...................... sources, they also possess many advantages: wind and water power rely on turbines which (4).................noisy, expensive and which take up large space. Solar cells are totally silent and (5).......................... As they have no moving parts, they require little maintenance and have a long lifetime.

Question 2

Read the following passage and decide if it is T or F Many people still believe that natural resources will never be used up. Actually, the world's energy resources are limited. Nobody knows exactly how much fuel is left. However, we also should use them economically and try to find out allternative sources of power. According to Professor Marvin Burnharrm of the New England Institude of Technology, we have to start conserving coal, oil and gas before it is too late; and solar power is the only alternative. 1. We don't know how much fuel is left ................... 2. According to Professor Marvin Burnharrm , solar energy will be used as a form of alternative energy..................... 3. Natural resources will never run out.................... 4. We shouldn't waste natural resources....... 5. We should find out other types of energy besides fossil fuels..........

V. Read the following passage, then choose a word from the box and write the correct word next to numbers 1-5. There is one exemple.

roofs	garden	non - polluting	polluting
the moon	are	renewable	the Sun

   Solar energy is a long lasting source (0)..of.. energy, and it can be used almost anywhere. To generate solar energy, we only need solar cells and (1).....................! Solar cells can easily be installed on house (2) ................., so we don’t need any new space. Compared to other (3)...................... sources, they also possess many advantages: wind and water power rely on turbines which (4).................noisy, expensive and which take up large space. Solar cells are totally silent and (5).......................... As they have no moving parts, they require little maintenance and have a long lifetime.

Question 1