绵阳市高中2013第三次诊断性考试英语试题(7)

　　Researchers say this could eventually change the way that wastewater is treated all over the world， replacing the widely used “activated sludge （泥浆） ” process that has been in use tor almost a century. The new approach would produce significant amounts of electricity while effectively cleaning the wastewater，

　　“If this technology works on a COMMERCIAL SCALE the way we believe it will ，the treatment of wastewater could be a huge energy producer， not a huge energy cost？， said Hong Liu ，an associate professor in the OSU Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering. “This could have an impact around the world， save a great deal of money， provide better water treatment and promote energy sustainability.”

　　The biodegradable （能降解的）characteristics of wastewater， if developed to their full potential， could theoretically provide many times the energy that is now being used to process them， with no additional greenhouse emissions.

　　OSU researchers reported several years ago on the promise of this technology， but at that time the systems in use produced far less electrical power. With new concepts， the technology can now produce more than two kilowatts per cubic meter of liquid reactor volume.

　　The new system also works better than an alternative approach to creating electricity from wastewater， based on anacrobic （臭氧的）digestion that produces methane （甲烷）。 It treats the wastewater more effectively， and doesn’t have any of the ENVIRONMENTAL DRAWBACKS OF THAT TECHNOLOGY， SUCH AS PRODUCTION OF POSSIBLE RELEASE OF methane， a significant greenhouse gas.

　　47. What can we learn about the new technology from the passage？

　　A. It can produce 100 limes more electricity than any approach used today.

　　B. Through it more electricity can he created and water can be cleaned better.

　　C. It has already changed the way that wastewater is treated all over the world

　　D. It has opened the door to put microbial fuel cells to productive use.

　　48. What attitude does Professor Liu hold towards the new technology？

　　A. Supportive. B. Critical. C Unconcerned. D. Curious.

　　49. According to the last paragraph， why does the new system work better than the alternative approach？

　　A. Because it is co-friendly and treats wastewater more effectively.

　　B. Because it can make lull use of anaerobic digestion producing methane.

　　C. Because it may produce less methane than the alternative approach.

　　D. Because it can produce 10 limes the energy than the alternative approach.

　　50. Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage？

　　A. The treatment of wastewater is a huge energy cost.

　　B. Wastewater is being treated differently over the world.

　　C. Waste treatment plants have found a new way to power themselves.