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...
Đọc tiếp
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)
According to paragraph 1, the environmental goals set by green builders were initially considered unrealistic presumably because _______.
A. there was an abundance of natural materials for the construction of conventional buildings.
B. there was a lack of green builders at the beginning of the 20th century.
C. the problems of environment destruction were not prevalent at the time.
D. the potential applications of technology to constructing green buildings were not recognised then.
1. The sales team have _____ themselves a series of goals to achieve by the end of the month. A. set B. put C. made D. kept
2. The university has _____ a campus-wide campaign to reduce use of fossil fuels.
A. launched B. published C. made D. invented
3. Our associates are heroes, working _____ hours in a very stressful situation through the Covid lockdown.
A. rush B. ungodly C. earthly D. peak
4. Lily became campany EVP when she was only 27, but that’s an accident of _____ - her father is one of the major stockholders.
A. nasality B. birth C. bearing D. travail
5. She was worried that they would not _____ the deadline and that penalties would be imposed.
A. reach B. meet C. rush D. lose
6. It finally _____ home to me that it was time to buy a place of my own.
A. arrived B. came C. hit D. reached
7. When he couldn’t have the bike, my son was _____ disappointed.
A. considerably B. mainly C. mildly D. bitterly
8. The fact of the _____ is that we have a government that will do what it wants to do for the next two years.
A. matter B. problem C. point D. situation
9. A number of companies have been putting _____ on politicians to ease up on corporate taxes and regulations.
A. weight B. pressure C. burden D. anxiety
10. After years of being looked after by his mother, he didn’t _____ kindly to being told to cook for himself
A. take B. carry C. offer D. move