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2019年12月英语四级阅读真题及答案 第3套 Passage Two
Popping food into the microwave for a couple of minutes may seem utterly harmless, and Europe's stock of these quick-cooking ovens emit as much carbon as nearly 7million cars, a new study has found, and the problem is growing. With costs falling and kitchen appliances becoming "status" users, owners are throwing many microwave after an average of eight years. This is pushing sales of new microwave which are expected to reach 135 million annually in the EU by the end of the decade.
A study by the University of Manchester worked out the emissions of carbon dioxide -- the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change -- at every stage of microwaves, from manufacture to waste disposal. "It is electricity consumption by microwaves that has the biggest impact on the environment," say the authors, who also calculate that the emissions from using 19 microwaves over a year are the same as those from a car. According to the same study, efforts to reduce consumption should focus on improving consumer awareness and behaviour to use appliances more efficiently. For example, electricity consumption by microwaves can be reduced by adjusting the time of cooking to the type of food."
However, David Reay, professor of carbon management argues that, although microwaves use a great deal of enery, their emissions are minor compared to those from cars. In the UK alone and these emit way more than all the emissions from microwaves in the EU. Backing this up, recent data show that passenger cars in the UK emitted 69m tonnes of CO2 in 2015. This is 10 times the amount this new microwave oven study estimates for annual emissions for all the microwave ovens in the whole of the EU." further, the energy used by microwaves is lower than any other form of cooking. Among common kitchen appliances used for cooking, microwaves are the most energy efficient, followed by a stove and finally a standard oven. Thus, rising microwave sales could be seen as a positive thing.
单词
Emissions - 污染物排放
The release of pollutants or chemicals into the environment, usually caused by human activities.
Microwave - 微波炉
A machine used for cooking food by using electromagnetic waves that cause the food molecules to heat up.
Carbon dioxide - 二氧化碳
A gas that is produced by burning fossil fuels and other human activities, and is a major cause of climate change.
Efficiency - 效率
The ability to achieve maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or resources.
Electricity consumption - 电力消耗
The amount of electricity used by an appliance or device over a period of time.
Behaviour - 行为
The way in which a person acts or behaves in response to a particular situation or environment.
Appliance - 家用电器
A device or machine used in the home, such as a microwave, refrigerator, or washing machine.
Environment - 环境
The natural world around us, made up of living and nonliving things and the interactions between them.
Greenhouse gas - 温室气体
Any gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect, such as carbon dioxide, methane, or water vapor.
Climate change - 气候变化
A long-term change in the Earth’s climate, often caused by human activities and resulting in rising global temperatures and other environmental impacts.
Electricity - 电力
The flow of electrical power or charge, used to operate machines and appliances.
Manufacture - 制造
The process of making a product from raw materials or components, often done in a factory or production facility.
Sales - 销售
The activity of selling goods or services, often in exchange for money or other forms of payment.
Awareness - 意识
The state of being conscious or aware of something, often related to environmental or social issues.
Food - 食物
Any substance that is consumed to provide energy or nutrition to the body, often prepared or cooked before eating.
Cooking - 烹饪
The process of preparing food for eating, often involving the use of heat or other methods.
Energy - 能源
The capacity for doing work or producing power, often measured in units such as joules or watts.
Efficiency - 效率
The ability to use resources or energy in the most effective and productive way possible.
Standard oven - 标准烤箱
A conventional oven used for baking, roasting and other cooking methods, often powered by electricity or gas.
Stove - 灶具
A cooking appliance or device, used for heating or cooking food, often powered by gas or electricity.
Reading Questions：
51. What is the finding of the new study?
A) Quick-cooking microwave ovens have become more popular.
B) The frequent use of microwaves may do harm to our health.
C) CO2 emissions constitute a major threat to the environment.
D) The use of microwaves emits more CO2 than people think.
52. Why are the sales of microwaves expected to rise?
A) They are becoming more afrdabla.
B) They have a shorter life cycle than other appliances.
C) They are gtting much easier to operate.
D) They take less tine to cook than other ppliaces.
53. What recommendation does the study by the University of Manchester make?
A) Cooking food of dfferent varieties.
B) Improving microwave users' habits.
C) Eating less to cut energy consumption.
D) Using microwave ovens less frequently.
54. What does Professor David Reay try to argue?
A) There are far more emissions from cars than from microwaves.
B) People should be persuaded into using passenger cars less often.
C) The UK produces less CO2 than many other countries in the EU.
D) More data are needed to show whether microwaves are harmful.
55. What does Professor David Reay think of the use of microwaves?
A) It will become less popular in the coming decades.
B) It makes everyday cooking much more convenient.
C) It plays a positive role in envronmental protection.
D) It consumes more power than conventional cooking.
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