26. What can we conclude about the moving operation of the Tremont Hotel?

A. It interrupted the business of the hotel.

B. It separated the building from its foundation.

C. It went on smoothly as intended.

D. It involved Pullman turning ten jackscrews.

27. The passage is mainly about early Chicago’s _______.

A. successful engineers and their achievements

B. engineering problems and their solutions

C. environmental disasters and their causes

D. popular lifestyles and their influences

C

Oh, batteries. Can’t live with them, can’t live with them. It sounds like a power ballad, but it’s the story of our lives around here. We’ve been dealing with lofty(崇高的) promises and batteries that kick the bucket far too early, for years now. And the fact that we’re still dealing with lead-acid batteries is sort of a puzzling thing to wrap one’s mind around. But all of that just might be changing. We won’t get our hopes too high until fuel cells become the viable(可行的) alternative that we have been told that they are, but we strangely have more faith in a vegetable than a science lab to revolutionize the battery.

A vegetable? Yes, indeed. Yissum Research Development Company Ltd., the technology transfer arm of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has just introduced what they’re calling “solid organic electric battery based upon treated potatoes.” In short, it’s a potato powered battery, and it’s as real as you’re hoping it is. The simple, sustainable, powerful device can potentially provide an immediate inexpensive solution to electricity needs in parts of the world lacking electrical equipment, but we’re hoping that it can work a similar amount of magic for developed nations as well.

Researchers at the Hebrew University discovered that the enhanced salt bridge capability of treated potato tubers can generate electricity through means readily available in the developing world. This cheap, easy to use green power source could substantially improve the quality of life of 1.6 billion people, including 32% of the developing non-OECD populations, currently lacking access to electrical equipment. Such a source can provide important needs, such as lighting, telecommunication, and information transfer.

The technical details are below, but here’s all yoreally need to know: potatoes may be a battery of the future and it’s a significant advancement that we all can be proud of.

28. What does the writer want to tell us?

A. The great revolutionary of battery thoroughly disappointed us.

B. Vegetables are being widely used in the world to make electricity.

C. Potatoes may power the batteries of the future and benefit people.

D. There are some potential powerful sources in developing countries.

29. What are the batteries of the future likely to be?

A. Complex but powerful. B. Recyclable and sustainable.

C. Costly but environment-friendly. D. Inexpensive and convenient.

30. According to the passage, the author’s attitude to the future of battery is ________.

A. neutral B. optimistic C. pessimistic D. doubtful

第二节短文选句(共5小题;每小题2分，满分10分)

根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项，选项中有两项为多余选项。

Did yoever tell somebody about something that had happened at work or school that day? If so, yowere reporting that event. Yomay think being a reporter means simply getting one’s facts straight and telling a story that’s of broad, general interest. 31

To be a good reporter, yoneed to be able to read, write, speak and listen effectively. 32 So making your communication skills the best they can be is quite important if yowant to be a good reporter. Keep a notebook or a journal, and remember to practice noting down what happens, whenever and wherever it happens.

In addition, yoshould obey these rules:

Strive for accuracy. When an issue is debatable, do your best to cover both sides. Don’t assume things, and never make up details. Reporters are supposed to seek and report the facts. Lying, making up stories or quotes, or misquoting someone will damage your credibility.

33 As a reporter your job is to report the facts so that others can create their own opinions. Make sure yopresent all the important details without including your own viewpoint.

Generally, a story starts with who, what, where, when, why and how. Build details from there, beginning with the most important information and ending with the least important. 34 Seek out stories that yofind interesting. Yocan report current events, or yocan do feature stories, which are usually of a more general interest.

Carry a camera and a tape recorder so that yohave them on hand whenever yoneed them. 35 Your news publisher may want to check your information before publishing it.

A. Be prepared to turn over your notes.

B. Yoalso need to be able to make up stories.

C. Yoalso need to be able to ask good questions.

D. Avoid expressing personal opinions.

E. But actually it’s not so easy.

F. Strive for expressing personal opinions objectively.