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Wind Power: More Than Just Hot Air 风力发电，环保尖兵

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Trees are uprooted, roofs are ripped off homes, and the entire nation is brought to a standstill. Anyone who has experienced a typhoon or hurricane knows the awesome power of wind. Now, scientists are turning this energy into something all people can use and enjoy.

树木被连根拔起，屋顶被掀离房子，整个国家陷入停摆。只是遭遇过台风或飓风的人，都了解风力的可怕。如今，科学家正将这股能量转变为所有人可享用的资源。

Although wind is a clean and renewable resource, it is often unevenly and inconveniently distributed. Wind farms are also ugly to look at, and many people complain about them if they are built near their homes. Researchers hope to solve both of these problems by looking to the heavens.

虽然风力是一种无污染的可再生资源，却往往分布得既不平均也不便利。而且风力发电厂也不美观，如果盖在住家附近，便会引发不少民怨。研究人员希望能藉由向高空发展，一并解决这两项问题。

Ten kilometers up in the sky, the winds of jet stream are far stronger than those on the Earth’s surface. If just 1% of this energy were harvested, it would be enough to power the entire world. Scientists in California are designing flying, electrical generators in the hope of accomplishing this feat. The machines would work like tiny helicopters, with rotors that both generate power and keep the craft airborne.

在距离地表十公里的高空，喷射气流的风力远比地表上的强劲。若能运用其百分之一的风力，便足以供应全世界所需的电力。在加州，科学家正设计一种能飞行的发电机，盼能达成这项目标。这种机器就像极小型直升机，有螺旋桨可发电，且让机器停留空中。

Perhaps the most novel idea has come from a Dutch inventor who wants to use kites to create power. As the kite is lifted, it would turn into a generator. A series of these kites would produce a constant, reliable and cheap electrical current. With great ideas like these, it seems like it’s time for us to truly throw caution to the wind and try out this windy yet wonderful solution.

或许最新奇的点子来自于一位想利用风筝能产生稳定、可靠、价廉的电流。有了这些好点子，看来是时候我们放手一搏，尝试这种多风但绝妙的解决之道了！

−by Michael Karanicolas

Vocabulary

单词发音

standstill [ˋstænd͵stɪl] n. 静止（状态）; 停顿; 停滞

awesome [ˋɔsəm] adj. 可怕的; 感到敬畏（或畏惧）的

distribute [dɪˋstrɪbjʊt] v. 散布，分布

accomplish [əˋkɑmplɪʃ] v. 完成

constant [ˋkɑnstənt] adj. 持续的

More Information

单词发音

uproot [ʌpˋrut] v. 连根拔；根除

rip [rɪp] v. 撕掉，扯

renewable [rɪˋnjuəb!] adj. 可再生的; 可更新的

unevenly [ʌnˋivən] adv. 不稳定地; 不平均地

wind farm 风电场

jet stream 喷射气流

harvest [ˋhɑrvɪst] v 获得，得到

feat [fit] n. 功绩; 壮举; 伟业

rotor [ˋrotɚ] n. 旋转翼

airborne [ˋɛr͵born] adj. 在空中的; 在飞行中的

generator [ˋdʒɛnə͵retɚ] n. 发电机

throw caution to the wind 不顾一切; 鲁莽行事 to take a risk

try out 试验, 试用 to test or put to experimental use

windy [ˋwɪndɪ] adj. 多风的；风大的

Reading Questions

1.   The word “resource” in the second paragraph is the closest in meaning to _____.

A.  supply

B.  bargain

C.  fuel  

D.  product

2.   According to the article, how would a flying generator create power?

A.  It would launch helicopters to the heavens to generate electricity.

B.  It would fly through hurricanes to collect power.

C.  It would attach itself to a helicopter and absorb its power.

D.  It would hover in the jet stream, converting wind to power.

3.   Which of the following is another good title for the article?

A.  How to Fly a Series of Kites

B.  Breezy Solutions to Energy Problems

C.  Working Without Electricity

D.  Lower Your Power Bills with Wind Farms

Answer