Before You Read
1.What kind of energy do you usually use in your daily life？
2.What should we do in order to save energy？
3.As we know，energy is limited，how can we develop new energy？
4.In your opinion，what measures should the government take to save energy？
5.What kind of new energy do you know will be used in our daily life？Can you share with us？
Reading 1
The Magic of Energy
We talk about energy all the time—“the energy food”“energy crisis”，and so on.If asked to define it，however，we'd probably respond with something like“well，it's-？uh-？well，you know—electricity.”Truly，electricity is one kind of energy.However，energy comes in many forms.you cannot see or smell or taste it，but it's always there.One of the most fascinating things about it is its ability to change from one form to another—like magic.
（旁注：define［dɪ'faɪn］）
（旁注：v.定义；使明确；规定）
（旁注：respond［rɪ'spɒnd］）
（旁注：v.作出反应；承担责任）
（旁注：fascinating［'fæsɪneɪtɪŋ］）
（旁注：adj.迷人的；吸引人的）
Heat energy
（旁注：oxygen［'ɒksɪdʒ（ə）n］）
（旁注：n.［化学］氧气，氧）
（旁注：bum［bʌm］）
（旁注：n.嗡嗡声）
When a fuel unites with oxygen，we say the fuel bums；what is really happening is that chemical energy（fuel and oxygen）is changing to heat energy.This changing from one form of energy to another can continue almost indefinitely.If，for instance，the steam engine or turbine is connected to a generator，the mechanical energy can become electrical energy，which can become heat energy（for the electric stove），mechanical energy（for the washer），etc.What starts out as one form of energy may be a totally different form when it reaches its final use.
（旁注：instance［'ɪnst（ə）ns］）
（旁注：n.实例；情况；建议）
（旁注：turbine［'tə:baɪn］）
（旁注：n.［动力］涡轮机）
（旁注：totally［'təutəlɪ］）
（旁注：adv.完全地）
Radiant energy
Radiant energy is also called light energy.Our most important source of radiant energy is，of course，the sun radiant energy—and we depend upon plant life.Other forms of radiant energy are radio waves，infrared rays〔1〕，ultra-violet rays〔2〕，X rays〔3〕，and gamma rays〔4〕.
Mechanical energy
It is the energy of a moving object.Your heartbeat，the pushing of a lawn mower，a baseball speeding through the air，water falling onto a waterwheel—all are mechanical energy.
Electrical energy
Electrical energy usually has to be changed to another form before it actually does what we want it to do.In the toaster，it changes to heat；in a tiny wrist watch，it changes to mechanical energy；in an electrolysis process，it changes to chemical energy.
（旁注：toaster［'təustə］）
（旁注：n.烤面包器，烤箱）
（旁注：wrist［rɪst］）
（旁注：n.手腕，腕关节）
（旁注：electrolysis［ɪ.lek'trɒlɪsɪs］）
（旁注：n.［化学］电解，电解作用）
Chemical energy
Various fuels such as coal，gas，oil，and food are common examples of chemical energy.These fuels give off heat when they burn.Man uses the energy from some kind of fuels for everything，from flying to the moon to thinking about it.
Nuclear energy
A special kind of chemical energy is nuclear energy，sometimes called atomic energy.Nuclear fuels give off heat energy when fission（the splitting of atoms in these fuels）occurs.We have seen tremendous advances in the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.Many people see nuclear energy as the future answer to almost all of our energy need.
（旁注：atomic［ə'tɒmɪk］）
（旁注：adj.原子的，微粒子的）
（旁注：splitting［'splɪtɪŋ］）
（旁注：adj.爆裂似的，剧烈的）
（旁注：tremendous［trɪ'mendəs］）
（旁注：adj.极大的；惊人的）
Energy—the kind of magic we can't live without it
Language Focus
1.change...to…更改为，转化为
e.g.:Energy can change from one form to another.
能量可以从一种形式转化为另一种形式。
Water can change from liquid to solid.
水可以由液态转化为固态。
2.If asked to define it，however，we'd probably respond with something like“well，it's-uh-well，you know-electricity.”
——如果要我们去给“能”下个定义，答案很可能是一些模棱两可的话：“哦，能量是，嗯，你知道，电。”
*if引导条件状语从句，从句中主语和主句中主语一致，为避免重复，故从句中主语we省略。
e.g.:If invited to the party，he would buy a gift for her.
如果他被邀请去参加聚会，他将为她买件礼物。
3.—what is really happening is that chemical energy（fuel and oxygen）is changing to heat energy.
——实际发生的是化学能（燃料与氧气）转化成热能。
*句中由what引导主语从句，that引导表语从句。
e.g.:What is the most important is that you have realized your error.
最重要的是你已经意识到了你的错误。
4.for instance：例如（相当于for example）
e.g.:For instance，which commands should you use and when？
例如，什么时候应该使用哪个指令？
You can't depend on her，for instance，she arrived late yesterday.
她靠不住，比如她昨天就迟到了。
5.be connected to：与……有联系，与……有关联
e.g.:Business users will be connected to it to create and manage their business rules.
业务用户将被连接到这个服务器，以便创建和管理其业务规则。
It can be connected to another service associated with the enterprise architecture，but will not be a service in its own right.
它可以连接到另一个与企业体系相关的服务，但是不能单独作为一个服务而存在。
6.give off：发出（光等）；长出（枝、权等）
e.g.:Many flowers give off a nice smell.
许多花朵都会散发出香味。
When the sun goes down，the solar trees will return to their original position to give off a full spectrum of light to the street and pedestrians below.
日落后，“太阳树”会回复到最初的位置，发出全光谱光线，为下面的街道和行人提供照明。
Related Background Information
Energy Crisis（能源危机）
世界经济的现代化，得益于化石能源，如石油、天然气、煤炭与核裂变能的广泛应用，是建立在化石能源基础之上的一种经济。然而，这一经济的资源载体将在21世纪上半叶接近枯竭。因此，节约能源，研发新能源，大力发展可再生能源，不仅是出于生存的需要，也是世界经济可获得持续发展的要求。
Reading Comprehension
Decide whether the following statements are true or false.Write“T”for True and“F”for False.
1.As we know，electricity is one kind of energy.（ ）
2.Energy comes in many forms.（ ）
3.Changing from one form of energy to another cannot continue indefinitely.（ ）
4.What starts out as one form of energy may not be a totally different form when it reaches its final use.（ ）
5.Radiant energy is also called light energy.（ ）
6.Our most important source of radiant energy is，of course，the sun.（ ）
7.Mechanical energy is the energy of a moving object.（ ）
8.Electrical energy usually needn't to be changed to another form before it actually does what we want it to do.（ ）
9.Various fuels such as coal，gas，oil and food are not common examples of chemical energy.（ ）
10.A special kind of chemical energy is nuclear energy，sometimes called atomic energy.（ ）
Reading 2
How to Solve the Energy Shortage
Energy shortage is a very serious problem in the world.Many people worry that energy resources on the earth will be exhausted if we use them in an unchecked way.This，most people agree，will cause serious problems and even crisis and jeopardize the survival of mankind.
（旁注：shortage［'ʃɔ:tɪdʒ］）
（旁注：n.缺乏，缺少；不足）
（旁注：exhausted［ɪg'zɔ:stɪd］）
（旁注：adj.疲惫的；耗尽的）
（旁注：jeopardize［'dʒepədaɪz］）
（旁注：v.危害；使处于危险境地）
Most people agree that the problem can be solved in one way or another.One is to conserve and save our energy.Energy refers not only to coal，oil，or natural gases but also to goods，land and water，etc.Most countries have realized the wastefulness in their using of energy.They are trying to conserve energy.For example，some countries have a daylight saving system to use less electricity for lighting.Some cities have enforced water savers at public such as restrooms and bars.Some have enforced serious penalties on overuse of electricity，water，and farming land.By these means，people hope the drain on energy resources could be slowed down.
（旁注：conserve［kən'sʒ:v］）
（旁注：v.保护，保存，节约）
（旁注：wastefulness［'weɪstfulnɪs］）
（旁注：n.浪费；挥霍无度）
（旁注：enforce［ɪn'fɔ:s］）
（旁注：v.实施，执行；强迫，强制）
（旁注：drain［dreɪn］）
（旁注：v.排水；流干）
（旁注：utilize［'ju:tɪ'laɪz］）
（旁注：vt.利用）
（旁注：conventional）
（旁注：［kən'venʃ（ə）n（ə）l］）
（旁注：adj.符合习俗的，传统）
However，conservation alone cannot solve the problem.What we should do is to develop new energy resources.Obviously，no matter how hard we try to save energy resources and how abundant they are，we will use them up sooner or later.There are many energy resources that we can develop and utilize.We don't have to depend only on the current conventional energy resources.There are many other energy resources that we can develop.For instance，recently，scientists at the Georgia Technology University〔5〕in the United States announced that they have successfully developed a chip that uses human kinetic energy to drive power generation，which converts the energy generated by the human body during activity into electrical energy，providing power support for portable electronic devices.According to the researchers，the chip is made up of millions of cables that are 500 times thinner than the hair.These cables capture any activity of the human body，such as walking，even heartbeat，and the energy produced.It collects the energy generated by wind，tire rotation and other natural activities and converts it into electricity.Researchers said that although the current chip production was only a few volts，with the continuous improvement of the version，the chip's power generation was enough to provide power for portable devices such as iPads and mobile phones.
（旁注：chip［tʃɪp］）
（旁注：n.［电子］芯片；筹码；碎片；）
（旁注：convert［kən'və:t］）
（旁注：v.使转变；转换）
（旁注：kinetic［kɪ'netɪk］）
（旁注：adj.［力］运动的；活跃的）
（旁注：portable［'pɔ:təb（ə）l］）
（旁注：adj.手提的，便携式的）
（旁注：device［dɪ'vaɪs］）
（旁注：n.装置；策略；图案；设备）
（旁注：cable［'keɪb（ə）l］）
（旁注：n.缆绳；电缆；海底电报）
（旁注：rotation［rə（u）'teɪʃ（ə）n］）
（旁注：n.旋转；循环，轮流）
（旁注：volt［vəult］）
（旁注：n.伏特（电压单位））
Of course，besides，if nuclear power，ocean power and biomass power can be developed，they can completely replace the conventional energy and thus solve the problem of energy.
（旁注：biomass［'baɪə（u）mæs］）
（旁注：n.（单位面积或体积内的））
（旁注：［生态］生物量）
Language Focus
1.in one way or another：用这样或那样的方式，不管怎么样
e.g.:It's an ideal we all have in one way or another.
这是我们以这种或那种方式拥有的理想。
In one way or another，we'll find the money.
不管怎样，我们会找到这笔钱的。
2.try to do：尽力做；设法完成
e.g.:Try to mend this hole in my shirt.
请设法把我衬衫上的洞补好。
Try to fix the meeting on Tuesday.
设法把会议安排在星期二。
try doing：尝试做……
e.g.:Try doing the things you used to enjoy，such as reading or taking a walk in the park.
尝试去做一些你过去很享受的事，比如阅读或者到公园去散步。
3.by means：借助，经由，通过某种方式
e.g.:It reduces risks by means of automated testing.
它以自动测试的方法降低了风险。
This pressure must be under control，and we control it by means of the mud which we circulate down the drill pipe.
这种压力必须加以控制，我们让泥桨顺着钻杆向下循环，用这种方法来控制压力。
4.use up：用完，耗尽
e.g.:CD drives can use up a lot of your laptop's battery very quickly.
CD光驱能迅速地耗尽笔记本的电池。
That will use up a quarter or more of the output of a power station fitted with CCS，according to most estimates.
据估计，使用CCS技术的发电厂将要耗去其电力产量的四分之一或者更多。
5.sooner or later：迟早，早晚
e.g.:I will tell you，sooner or later，all the complicated process.
我迟早要把这一复杂的过程全部告诉你。
He believes that death penalty will be repealed sooner or later.
他相信死刑早晚会被废除。
6.depend on/upon：取决于；依赖；依靠
e.g.:You may depend on the accuracy of the report.
你可以信赖报告的准确性。
Some of them depend on what your program does.
其中一些取决于您的程序要做什么。
7.be made up of：由……所组成
e.g.:This is because objects may be made up of other objects.
这是因为对象可能是由其他对象构成的。
Any rule must be made up of productions.
任何规则都必须由产品组成。
8.convert into：使转变；把……转化成；折合
e.g.:The signal will be converted into digitalcode.
信号将被转换成数字码。
We would like to convert the loft into another bedroom.
我们想把阁楼改造成另一间卧室。
Reading Comprehension
Make the best choice according to what you have read.
1.What is a very serious problem in the world according to the passage？
A.Water shortage.B.Food shortage.
C.Energy shortage.D.None of the above.
2.Many people worry that energy resources on the earth will be_____if we use them in an unchecked way.
A.exhausted B.disappeared C.reduced D.increased
3.Energy refers to_____.
A.coal and oil B.natural gases
C.goods，land and water D.all of the above
4.Which of the following statements is true according to the passage？
A.Most countries have realized the wastefulness in their using of energy.
B.Most countries have not realized the wastefulness in their using of energy.
C.Few countries have realized the wastefulness in their using of energy.
D.None of the above.
5.According to the researchers，the chip is made up of millions of cables that are_____thinner than the hair.
A.300 times B.500 times C.400 times D.600 times
6.With the continuous improvement of the version，the chip's power generation is____to provide power for portable devices such as iPads and mobile phones.
A.not enough B.enough C.excessive D.none of the above
7.What can the chip's power generation provide enough power for？
A.Computer.B.Car.
C.I-Pads and mobile phones.D.All of the above.
8.Besides some conventional energy and resources，what kind of new energy can we use？
A.Nuclear power.B.Ocean power.
C.Biomass power.D.All of the above.
9.In order to solve the problem of energy shortage，what should we do？
A.We need conserve the conventional energy and resources.
B.We should save energy.
C.We not only need to conserve and save conventional energy and resources，but also to develop and utilize new energy.
D.None of the above.
10.What is the author's attitude toward solving the problem of energy shortage？
A.Negative.B.Indifferent.C.Enthusiastic.D.Positive.