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　　While fossil fuels—still generate roughly 85 percent of the world’s energy supply， it’s clearer than ever that the future belongs to renewable sources such as wind and solar。 The move to renewables is picking up momentum around the world： They now account for more than half of new power sources going on line。

　　Some growth stems from a commitment by governments and farsighted businesses to fund cleaner energy sources。 But increasingly the story is about the plummeting prices of renewables， especially wind and solar。 The cost of solar panels has dropped by 80 percent and the cost of wind turbines by close to one-third in the past eight years。

　　In many parts of the world renewable energy is already a principal energy source。 In Scotland， for example， wind turbines provide enough electricity to power 95 percent of homes。 While the rest of the world takes the lead， notably China and Europe， the United States is also seeing a remarkable shift。 In March， for the first time， wind and solar power accounted for more than 10 percent of the power generated in the US， reported the US Energy Information Administration。

　　President Trump has underlined fossil fuels—especially coal—as the path to economic growth。 In a recent speech in Iowa， he dismissed wind power as an unreliable energy source。 But that message did not play well with many in Iowa， where wind turbines dot the fields and provide 36 percent of the state’s electricity generation—and where tech giants like Microsoft are being attracted by the availability of clean energy to power their data centers。

　　The question “What happens when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine?” has provided a quick put-down for skeptics。 But a boost in the storage capacity of batteries is making their ability to keep power flowing around the clock more likely。

　　The advance is driven in part by vehicle manufacturers， who are placing big bets on battery-powered electric vehicles。 Although electric cars are still a rarity on roads now， this massive investment could change the picture rapidly in coming years。

　　While there’s a long way to go， the trend lines for renewables are spiking。 The pace of change in energy sources appears to be speeding up—perhaps just in time to have a meaningful effect in slowing climate change。 What Washington does—or doesn’t do—to promote alternative energy may mean less and less at a time of a global shift in thought。

　　26. The word “plummeting”(Line 3， Para。 2) is closest in meaning to 。

　　[A] stabilizing

　　[B] changing

　　[C] falling

　　[D] rising

　　27. According to Paragraph 3， the use of renewable energy in America 。

　　[A] is progressing notably

　　[B] is as extensive as in Europe

　　[C] faces many challenges

　　[D] has proved to be impractical

　　28. It can be learned that in Iowa， 。

　　[A] wind is a widely used energy source

　　[B] wind energy has replaced fossil fuels

　　[C] tech giants are investing in clean energy

　　[D] there is a shortage of clean energy supply

　　29. Which of the following is true about clean energy according to Paragraphs 5&6?

　　[A] Its application has boosted battery storage。

　　[B] It is commonly used in car manufacturing。

　　[C] Its continuous supply is becoming a reality。

　　[D] Its sustainable exploitation will remain difficult。

　　30. It can be inferred from the last paragraph that renewable energy____。

　　[A] will bring the USA closer to other countries。

　　[B] will accelerate global environmental change。

　　[C] is not really encouraged by the USA government。

　　[D] is not competitive enough with regard to its cost。

　　26、[答案][C] failing

　　[解析]词汇释义题。根据论点论据关系，二段最后一句话证明but之后的论点句。由第二段最后一句得知在过去8年中，solar panels (太阳电池板)和wind turbines (风轮机)成本分别下降了80%和约1/3，故可推知可再生能源的价格会下降，故C项failing正确。

　　27、[答案][A] is progressing notably

　　[解析]逻辑推理题。根据题干应该定位到三段第三句话。本段第三句说“其他国家在清洁能源发展方面保持领先(takes the lead)，美国也看到了显著的变化”，also提示我们美国和其他国家的情况应该有相似之处。再结合后一句中的数据，可确定美国可再生能源的使用正稳步发展，A项正确。

　　28、[答案][A] wind is a widely used energy source

　　[解析]逻辑推理题。由Iowa我们可快速定位至第四段。一般来讲，推理题优先考虑段落主旨，But转折之后应该为本段中心。尽管前两句提到Trump不看好风能，但but后面话锋一转，说到Iowa的很多人不赞成这种看法，并列举数据说明风能在Iowa的发展势头良好，故本题选A。

　　29、[答案][C] Its continuous supply is becoming a reality

　　[解析]双段推理题。根据提干关键词Paragraph 5&6定位到5、6段，双段推理题应该优先考虑双段主旨。第5段中心为关键信息词but之后的内容。文中a boost in the storage capacity of batteries keeps power flowing around the clock对应选项中的its continuous supply; is becoming a reality对应文中is making their ability to。。。。同样，第6段可以验证。6段中心为最后一句话Although electric cars are still a rarity on roads now， this massive investment could change the picture rapidly in coming years， 也说明这件事在未来可能成为现实。

　　30、[答案][C] is not really encouraged by the US government

　　[解析]推理判断题。根据提干关键词the last paragraph定位到文中最后一段，最后一段关键信息词while(尽管)引导的内容为重点信息：“尽管还有很长的路要走，这种趋势势不可挡”，故可以排除D： is not competitive enough with regard to its cost。而根据第二句“have a meaningful effect in slowing climate change” 故排除B： will accelerate global environmental change。文章最后一句“what Washington does—or doesn’t do—to promote alternative energy may mean less at a time of a global shift in thought。” “无论华盛顿行动还是不行动越来越不重要了”，可以推测出美国政府的态度，因此选C。

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