The notion that we might need nuclear energy to stave off global warming makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy that began when Ronald Reagan took office in1981 and promptly removed Jimmy Carter’s solar panels from the White House roof. It was not simply a symbolic act. Reagan also slashed alternative energy funding so deeply that it virtually put the solar industry out of business.
　　Alternatives are hampered today because Reagan was doing then what Bush is doing now: serving the interests of big oil, which seeks to squeeze out every last drop of profit from fossil fuels. The war in Iraq and other foreign policy actions today continue with that aim.
　　And nuclear is not unlike oil in that it is a very centralized industry, controlled by a l’ew companies. It will enrich the few and further hamper progress for renewables. A decentralized energy future will be far better for an economy that wants to float all boats (not just yachts) while not having so many energy eggs in one basket. That nuclear might belong in the mix right now is only due to the climate predicament we are in because of our past sins. If undertaken at all, it should only be a bridge (a"necessary evil") to a future powered instead by many forms of safe, clean energy sources.
　　Much is happening now in that regard, spurred by our almost sudden acceptance that global warming is real. Seattle wants to harness ocean power and provide electricity for 60,000 homes. SirniIar projects are planned from Alaska to New York. Wind power has quadrupled since 2000 and, though wind is now only one percent of the U.S. power grid, it is poised for a quantum leap; offshore wind projects are in various stages of development in Maryland, Texas, Massachusetts, New York and elsewhere. Hydrogen- and electric-powered cars are also likely to come online more quickly than we imagined even five years ago.
　　Nuclear has far too many problems, not the least of which is its waste, which will only become a bigger problem if its use proliferates. The waste stays radioactive for thousands of years and has to be buried undergroimd. Even if plans for doing that are ever realized, deadly waste will need to be transported across the country, through communities, subjecting people to unacceptable risks. Nuclear is also still a large accident risk. Industry proponents claim that nuclear is safer today than ever before, but even a small malfunction or leak could have devastating effects. And even if Chernobyl-style meltdowns are not likely, nuclear facilities still emit low-level radiation, a potentially serious public health concern. [448 words]
　　1. The author thinks that the use of nuclear energy ______.
　　A. hampers global warming effectively
　　B. to avoid global warming is doubtful
　　C. is inevitable with the shortage of oil
　　D. is necessary to evade global warming
　　2. By saying "It is a self-fulfilling prophecy" (Line 2, Paragraph 1), the author implies that it will become true that ______.
　　A. nuclear energy is used more widely than today
　　B. solar panels are promptly removed from roofs
　　C. oil is to a large extent replaced by alternatives
　　D. alternative energy funding is further curtailed
　　3. President Bush is quite similar to Ronald Reagan in that he ______.
　　A. makes the most of fossil fuels for profit
　　B. cuts alternative energy funding deeply
　　C. puts the solar industry out of business
　　D. serves the interests of oil monopolies
　　4. To alleviate global warming, various forms of safe, clean energy sources will be used in the future, a possible bridge to which is ______.
　　A. wind power projects
　　B. ocean power projects
　　C. nuclear power stations
　　D. hydrogen-powered vehicles
　　5. The author claims that nuclear ______.
　　A. subjects people to less risk
　　B. is not unlike oil in its waste
　　C. is much safer than ever before
　　D. impedes the use of renewables

　难句透析
　　①It is a self-fulfilling prophecy[that began(when Ronald Reagan”took office in l981 and promptly removed Jimmy Carter’S solar panels from the White House roof)]．
　　【结构】方括号所标示的“that began…”用做“prophecy”的后置定语从句。圆括号所标示的“when Ronald Re agan took office…and promptly removed…roof”是时间状语从句；其中，主语是“Ronald Reagan”，后面跟有两个并列的谓语动词“took”和“removed”。
　　【释义】这是一种本身自会成为事实的预言。1981年罗纳德·里根入主白宫，他马上下令拆除吉米·卡特安装在白宫屋顶上的太阳能接收板。那时就开始有了这种预言。
　　②Alternatives are hampered today[because Reagan was doing then(what Bush is doing now)：serving the inter— eats of big oil，(which seeks tO squeeze out every last drop of profit from fossil fuels)]．