Across countryside, non-food crops are growing alongside wheat．Some are used in new alternatives to plastics and other materials, but others will simply be burned．
Burning crops is becoming more popular because it is good for the planet．Doing so is also cheaper than burning fossil fuels．As more land is devoted to non-food crop production, the economics of crops for fuel are likely to become even more favorable．
Humans have been burning such biomass—organic materials from plants or animals— since they discovered fire．But that burning fossil fuels could have catastrophic consequences has brought biomass back into fashion．
Even allowing for emissions (排放) of carbon dioxide from fuel used in planting, harvesting, processing and transporting biomass fuel, replacing fossil fuel with biomass can typically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90 percent．
Power stations around the world are experimenting with forms of biomass to add to their coal or oil, with encouraging results．Indeed, power companies could profit by turning to biomass, especially when the subsidies (补助) many governments offer for using renewable energy are taken into account．
Farmers can benefit from growing biomass．In Europe, the reduction of subsidies for certain crops is exposing farmers to market forces．Instead of being paid for whatever they produce, farmers must seek a clear demand for their product．Many believe that the demand for alternatives to fossil fuels could be just such a driver．
But while biomass offers a variety of potential alternatives, the world's infrastructure (基础设施） has developed around burning fossil fuels to such a stage that switching to biomass involves a change in conception that many companies have not accepted．
Also, there are problems with using biomass．Although most coal-fired power stations could take a small amount of their fuel from biomass without significant adjustment, few are built to run on biomass alone．Burning some forms of biomass also causes environmental problems．Oils and waste can be smelly, while wood produces smoke unless burned properly．
The supply chains for fossil fuels are set up well, but those for biomass are just the beginning. Sources of supply for biomass rely on farm production and can therefore be less reliable. They are necessarily limited and it wouldn't make sense to turn a very large amount of valuable agricultural land away from food crops．But as the world adjusts to the need to control greenhouse gas emissions, these problems may receive more attention．
【小题1】What do we know about biomass?

A

There were smiling children all the way. Charily they knew at what time the train passed their homes and they made it their business to stand along the railway, wave to complete strangers and cheer them up as they rushed towards Penang. Often whole families stood outside their homes and waved and smiled as if those on the trains were their favorite relatives. This is the simple village people of Malaysia. I was moved.

I had always traveled to Malaysia by plane or car, so this was the first time I was on a train. I did not particularly relish the long train journey and had brought along a dozen magazines to read and reread. I looked about the train. There was not one familiar face. I sighed and sat down to read my Economics.

It was not long before the train was across the Causeway and in Malaysia. Johore Baru was just another city like Singapore, so I was tired of looking at the crowds of people as they hurried past. As we went beyond the city, I watched the straight rows of rubber trees and miles and miles of green. Then the first village came into sight, Immediately I came alive; I decided to wave hack.

From then on my journey became interesting. I threw my magazines into the waste basket and decided to join in Malaysian life. Then everything came alive. The mountains seemed to speak to me. Even the trees were smiling. I stared at everything as if I was looking at it for the first time.

The day passed fast and I even forgot to have my lunch until I felt hungry. I looked at my watch and was surprised that it was 3:00 pm. Soon the train pulled up at Butterworth. I looked at the people all around me. They all looked beautiful. When my uncle arrived with a smile, I threw my arms around him to give him a warm hug (拥抱). I had never done this before. He seemed surprised and then his weather-beaten face warmed up with a huge smile. We walked arm in arm to his car. I looked forward to the return journey.

1.The author expected the train trip to be _______.

A．adventurous                           B．pleasant

C．exciting                               D．dull

2.What did the author remember most fondly of her train trip?

A．The friendly country people.

B．The mountains along the way.

C．The crowds of people in the streets.

D．The simple lunch served on the train.

3.Which of the following words can best take the place of the word“relish”in the second paragraph?

A．choose                               B．enjoy

C．prepare for                            D．carry on

4.What can we learn from the story?

A．Comfort in traveling by train.

B．Pleasure of living in the country.

C．Reading gives people delight.

D．Smiles brighten people up.

Across countryside, non-food crops are growing alongside wheat．Some are used in new alternatives to plastics and other materials, but others will simply be burned．

Burning crops is becoming more popular because it is good for the planet．Doing so is also cheaper than burning fossil fuels．As more land is devoted to non-food crop production, the economics of crops for fuel are likely to become even more favorable．

Humans have been burning such biomass—organic materials from plants or animals— since they discovered fire．But that burning fossil fuels could have catastrophic consequences has brought biomass back into fashion．

Even allowing for emissions (排放) of carbon dioxide from fuel used in planting, harvesting, processing and transporting biomass fuel, replacing fossil fuel with biomass can typically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90 percent．

Power stations around the world are experimenting with forms of biomass to add to their coal or oil, with encouraging results．Indeed, power companies could profit by turning to biomass, especially when the subsidies (补助) many governments offer for using renewable energy are taken into account．

Farmers can benefit from growing biomass．In Europe, the reduction of subsidies for certain crops is exposing farmers to market forces．Instead of being paid for whatever they produce, farmers must seek a clear demand for their product．Many believe that the demand for alternatives to fossil fuels could be just such a driver．

But while biomass offers a variety of potential alternatives, the world's infrastructure (基础设施） has developed around burning fossil fuels to such a stage that switching to biomass involves a change in conception that many companies have not accepted．

Also, there are problems with using biomass．Although most coal-fired power stations could take a small amount of their fuel from biomass without significant adjustment, few are built to run on biomass alone．Burning some forms of biomass also causes environmental problems．Oils and waste can be smelly, while wood produces smoke unless burned properly．

The supply chains for fossil fuels are set up well, but those for biomass are just the beginning. Sources of supply for biomass rely on farm production and can therefore be less reliable. They are necessarily limited and it wouldn't make sense to turn a very large amount of valuable agricultural land away from food crops．But as the world adjusts to the need to control greenhouse gas emissions, these problems may receive more attention．

1.What do we know about biomass?

A．It is a useful way of burning crops．

B．It is plant and animal matter used to provide power．

C．It is a new alternative to be used widely．

D．It is a popular approach to fighting against pollution．

2.What are the advantages of using biomass?

a．It gives off less greenhouse gases．

b．It helps farmers receive subsidies for what they produce．

c．It has met the clear demand for energy．

d．It has brought subsidies for some power companies．

e．It is cheaper than burning fossil fuels．

A．a, b, c            B．b, c, d            C．c, d, e            D．a, d, e

3.For coal-fired power stations, ______．

A．more effective ways to use biomass have been tried

B．using renewable energy has become their daily task

C．burning biomass alone would require considerable changes

D．setting up dependable supply channels needs governments' support

4.What is the author's attitude towards biomass fuels?

A．Defensive．       B．Doubtful．        C．Negative．        D．Objective

Across countryside, non-food crops are growing alongside wheat．Some are used in new alternatives to plastics and other materials, but others will simply be burned．
Burning crops is becoming more popular because it is good for the planet．Doing so is also cheaper than burning fossil fuels．As more land is devoted to non-food crop production, the economics of crops for fuel are likely to become even more favorable．
Humans have been burning such biomass—organic materials from plants or animals— since they discovered fire．But that burning fossil fuels could have catastrophic consequences has brought biomass back into fashion．
Even allowing for emissions (排放) of carbon dioxide from fuel used in planting, harvesting, processing and transporting biomass fuel, replacing fossil fuel with biomass can typically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90 percent．
Power stations around the world are experimenting with forms of biomass to add to their coal or oil, with encouraging results．Indeed, power companies could profit by turning to biomass, especially when the subsidies (补助) many governments offer for using renewable energy are taken into account．
Farmers can benefit from growing biomass．In Europe, the reduction of subsidies for certain crops is exposing farmers to market forces．Instead of being paid for whatever they produce, farmers must seek a clear demand for their product．Many believe that the demand for alternatives to fossil fuels could be just such a driver．
But while biomass offers a variety of potential alternatives, the world's infrastructure (基础设施） has developed around burning fossil fuels to such a stage that switching to biomass involves a change in conception that many companies have not accepted．
Also, there are problems with using biomass．Although most coal-fired power stations could take a small amount of their fuel from biomass without significant adjustment, few are built to run on biomass alone．Burning some forms of biomass also causes environmental problems．Oils and waste can be smelly, while wood produces smoke unless burned properly．
The supply chains for fossil fuels are set up well, but those for biomass are just the beginning. Sources of supply for biomass rely on farm production and can therefore be less reliable. They are necessarily limited and it wouldn't make sense to turn a very large amount of valuable agricultural land away from food crops．But as the world adjusts to the need to control greenhouse gas emissions, these problems may receive more attention．

1. 1.

   What do we know about biomass?

   1. A.
      It is a useful way of burning crops．
   2. B.
      It is plant and animal matter used to provide power．
   3. C.
      It is a new alternative to be used widely．
   4. D.
      It is a popular approach to fighting against pollution．
2. 2.

   What are the advantages of using biomass?
   a．It gives off less greenhouse gases．
   b．It helps farmers receive subsidies for what they produce．
   c．It has met the clear demand for energy．
   d．It has brought subsidies for some power companies．
   e．It is cheaper than burning fossil fuels．

   1. A.
      a, b, c
   2. B.
      b, c, d
   3. C.
      c, d, e
   4. D.
      a, d, e
3. 3.

   For coal-fired power stations, ______．

   1. A.
      more effective ways to use biomass have been tried
   2. B.
      using renewable energy has become their daily task
   3. C.
      burning biomass alone would require considerable changes
   4. D.
      setting up dependable supply channels needs governments' support
4. 4.

   What is the author's attitude towards biomass fuels?

   1. A.
      Defensive．
   2. B.
      Doubtful．
   3. C.
      Negative．
   4. D.
      Objective

A new Canada Prize for the Arts and Creativity could be in place by 2010，with large cash prizes for emerging(新兴的)artists in dance，music，theatre and visual arts．

The prize is the idea of Tony Gagliano and David Pecaut，founders of the Luminato festival，wh0 were probably able to convince the federal government to back it．The federal budget has allocated$．25 million to support the awards open to emerging artists that have the prestige(声望)of a Nobel Prize.   

“When you think about the major prizes of the world―the Nobel Prize．in Sweden，the Kyoto prizes in Japan or the Booker Prize in the U．K．一the bring great，honor and opportunity to the countries that award them，’’ Pecaut said．“The．idea here is that every year，the Canada prizes will be awarded to the very．best promising emerging artists around the world in those four fields．”

 A jury(评委会)of international experts would judge the 12 finalists，who would come to  Canada and perform or show their work in public to win.the Canada prizes．The performances would be televised，allowing Canadians across the country．to see it．

The federal government liked the idea of such an international prize that would advance Canada’s brand，draw tourists and arts professionals from around the world．For the Canadian arts people．one of the greatest challenges is connecting to that international arts world to come up with CO―productions and foreign investment(投资)and touring chances．

    A group is working toward establishing the prize by 2010，with potential for semi-final rounds to take place：about the same time as the Vancouver Olympic Games．“Thirty or forty years from now，the future outstanding dancers and performers will look back and say.‘I broke out on the world scene in Toronto―that’s where 1 was discovered’”

  66．Why did David Pecaut have the idea of founding a new Ganada Prize?

    A．To enlarge the content of the Luminato festival．

    B．To consider his own benefits from the prize．

    C．To advance Canada’s honor and opportunities．

    D．To make more Canadians get world prizes．

    67．According to David Pecaut , the new Canada Prize will               

    A．be divided into four detailed parts

    B．have at least twelve winners

    C．be held every four years in Canada   

    D．offer every winner about$25 million

    68．Those participating the final round of the new Canada Prize              

    A．needn’t experience semi―final rounds

    B.  will have their performances broadcast on the TV 

    C．need to have their performances made into films

    D．must accept the judge from Canadian experts

    69．Towards the founding of the Canada Prize，David Pecaut is              ．

    A．unconcerned    B．doubtful    C．hopeless D．optimistic

    70．Which of the following would be the best title for the text?

    A．Canada―the Capital of the World in Arts

    B．A Canada Prize for Arts May Take Place by 2010

    C．The Nobel Prize in Arts will Come into Being

    D．David Pecaut Takes Charge of a Canada Prize for Arts