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 30 to 34. The Great Energy Debate Modern civilization is heavily dependent on energy. Without reliable power sources, e coulnt operate machines, use transportation, communicate via Internet, or do many other things. Although everyone recognizes the importance of energy, deciding what kind of energy the world should use in the future is not a simple...
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 30 to 34.
The Great Energy Debate
Modern civilization is heavily dependent on energy. Without reliable power sources, e coulnt operate machines, use transportation, communicate via Internet, or do many other things. Although everyone recognizes the importance of energy, deciding what kind of energy the world should use in the future is not a simple task. The two leading candidates for this role are green energy and nuclear energy.
Currently, most of the energy we use is derived from fossil fuels. Although this energy source has got us this far, there are several problems with it. For starters, it is a finite resource which is quickly running out. Some analysts have even estimated that the Earth could run out of coal and oil within the next 50 years. Burning fossil fuels also creates large amount of pollution, which is harmful to the environment. Although fossil fuels still provide the majority of our power, governments are seeking better energy sources to use going forward.
Green energy is one option that is becoming increasingly attractive. It includes technologies such as solar, wind, and hydro power. These are seen as clean sources of energy because they cause very little pollution. In addition, they are completely renewable, so there is no danger that it will run out. The major disadvantage with green energy sources is that they are not cheap.
The other alternative is nuclear power. Like green energy, it is also a renewable source of power that will not run out, and it also doesn’t produce air pollution. In addition, nuclear power is more reliable than green energy, as it doesn’t depend on sunshine, rain, or wind to operate. The major issues with nuclear power are safety concerns and nuclear waste. Nuclear power plants create a considerable amount of nuclear waste which is extremely hazardous to people’s health. I they happen to have a meltdown, this could destroy the surrounding area for years to come.
The recent nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan brought this reality into the spotlight once again. In response, Germany announced it would close down eight of its nuclear plants immediately, and close the rest by 2022. Meanwhile, other nations refuse to give up on nuclear power, stating that these disasters are rare. The debate of whether to use green or nuclear power will likely continue for some time. In the end, it is quite possible that both energy sources will be used to fuel our planet.
What does the author think is the most likely energy solution for the future?
A. A mix of different energy sources will be the answer.
B. Fossil fuels will continue to be the best choice.
C. Nuclear energy probably makes the most sense.
D. People will all eventually support green energy.
As America’s nuclear power industry continues to suffer major economic difficulties, some are questioning whether it can - or should - survive. The latest setback came July 31, when state power companies in South Carolina halted construction of two reactors. After spending about $9 billion, the companies decided that increasing costs and repeated building delays did not make the project worth finishing.
U.S. energy company Westinghouse Electric had been building the nuclear plant, which it started in 2012. In March, Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy, due in part to huge losses related to the South Carolina project, as well as others. Industry groups had hoped the South Carolina reactors would mark a new beginning for U.S. nuclear power and show the benefits of the latest technology. The United States remains the world’s top producer of nuclear power, according to the British-based World Nuclear Association. The country’s 100 reactors provide nearly 20 percent of total U.S. electrical output.
However, only two new nuclear reactors are currently being built in the United States – both of them in Georgia. The reactors were the first large nuclear plants to be started in the United States in more than 30 years. And the future of those reactors is uncertain. The project - currently about half-finished - has also suffered major cost overruns and delays. For now, the company’s parent, Japan-based Toshiba, has promised to provide at least $3.7 billion to finish the project.
Translate into Vietnamese:
Tương lai của ngành công nghiệp năng lượng hạt nhân Hoa Kỳ là gì?
Ngành công nghiệp năng lượng hạt nhân của Mỹ tiếp tục bị chính những khó khăn kinh tế, một số đang đặt câu hỏi cho dù nó có thể - hoặc nên - sống sót. Trở ngại mới nhất đến ngày 31 tháng 7, khi công ty quyền lực nhà nước ở South Carolina dừng xây dựng hai lò phản ứng. Sau khi chi tiêu khoảng 9 tỷ USD, các công ty đã quyết định rằng chi phí gia tăng và sự chậm trễ lặp đi lặp lại xây dựng đã không thực hiện các dự án có giá trị khi kết thúc.
Mỹ năng lượng công ty điện Westinghouse đã xây dựng các nhà máy hạt nhân, nó bắt đầu vào năm 2012. Trong tháng ba, Westinghouse nộp cho phá sản, do một phần to lớn thiệt hại liên quan đến dự án Nam Carolina, cũng như những người khác. Nhóm ngành công nghiệp đã hy vọng các lò phản ứng South Carolina sẽ đánh dấu một sự khởi đầu mới cho năng lượng hạt nhân Hoa Kỳ và hiển thị các lợi ích của công nghệ mới nhất. Hoa Kỳ vẫn là nhà sản xuất hàng đầu thế giới của điện hạt nhân, theo Anh dựa trên Hiệp thế giới hạt nhân. Lò phản ứng 100 quốc gia cung cấp gần 20 phần trăm tổng sản lượng điện Hoa Kỳ.
Tuy nhiên, chỉ có hai lò phản ứng hạt nhân mới hiện đang được xây dựng tại Hoa Kỳ-cả hai người trong số họ ở Georgia. Các lò phản ứng đã là các nhà máy hạt nhân lớn đầu tiên được bắt đầu tại Hoa Kỳ trong hơn 30 năm. Và tương lai của các lò phản ứng là không chắc chắn. Các dự án hiện nay, khoảng một nửa đã hoàn thành - cũng đã bị chính chi phí nghiêm và sự chậm trễ. Bây giờ, cha mẹ của công ty, dựa trên Nhật bản Toshiba, đã hứa sẽ cung cấp cho tối thiểu là 3,7 tỷ USD để hoàn thành dự án.
( Don't use Google Translate.)