By the eighteenthcentury, Britain was experiencing asevereshortageof energy. Because of the growth ofpopulation, most of the great forests ofmedievalBritain had long ago been replaced by fields ofgrainandhay. Wood was in ever-shortersupply, yet it remained tremendously important. It served as theprimarysourceof heat for all homes and industries and as abasicrawmaterial. Processed wood (charcoal) was thefuelthat was mixed with ironorein theblastfurnaceto produce pig iron (rawiron). The ironindustry’sappetitefor wood wasenormous, and by 1740 the British ironindustrywas stagnating. Vastforests enabled Russia to become the world’sleadingproducer of iron, much of which was exported to Britain. But Russia’spotentialfor growth was limited too, and in a few decades Russia wouldreachthebarrierof inadequate energy that was already holding England back.

As this early energy crisis grew worse, Britain looked toward itsabundantand widelyscatteredreserves ofcoalas analternativeto its vanishing wood. Coalwas first used in Britain in the late Middle Ages as asourceof heat. By 1640 most homes in London were heated with it, and it also provided heat for making beer, glass, soap, and other products. Coalwas not used, however, to producemechanicalenergy or to powermachinery. It was there thatcoal’spotentialwasenormous.

As morecoalwas produced, mines were dug deeper and deeper and wereconstantlyfilling with water. Mechanicalpumps, usually powered by hundreds of horses waling in circles at the surface, had to be installed. Such power was expensive and bothersome. In anattempttoovercomethese disadvantages, Thomas Savery in 1698 and Thomas Newcomen in 1705 invented the firstprimitivesteam engines. Both engines were extremely inefficient. Both burnedcoalto produce steam, which was then used tooperateapump. However, by the early 1770s, many of the Savery engines and hundreds of the Newcomen engines were operating successfully, though inefficiently, in English and Scottish mines.

In the early 1760s, a gifted young Scot named James Watt was drawn to acriticalstudy of the steamengine. Watt was employed at the time by the University of Glasgow as a skilled crafts worker makingscientificinstruments. In 1763, Watt was called on to repair a Newcomenenginebeing used in a physics course. After aseriesof observations, Watt saw that the Newcomen’swasteof energy could be reduced by adding aseparatecondenser. This splendid invention, patented in 1769, greatly increased theefficiencyof the steamengine. The steamengineof Watt and his followers was thetechnologicaladvancethat gave people, atleastfor a while, unlimited power and allowed the invention and use of all kinds of power equipment.

The steamenginewas quickly put to use in several industries in Britain. It drained mines and made possible the production of ever morecoalto feed steam engines elsewhere. The steam power plant began toreplacewaterpower in the cotton-spinning mills as well as other industries during the 1780s, contributing to a phenomenal rise inindustrialization. The British ironindustrywasradicallytransformed. The use of powerful, steam-drivenbellowsinblastfurnaces helped iron makersswitchover rapidly from limitedcharcoalto unlimited coke (which is made fromcoal) in thesmeltingof pig iron (theprocessof refining impure iron) after 1770. In the 1780s, Henry Cort developed the puddlingfurnace, which allowed pig iron to berefinedin turn with coke. Cort also developed heavy-duty, steam-powered rolling mills, which werecapableof producing finished iron in everyshapeand form.

Theeconomicconsequenceof thesetechnicalinnovations in steam power was a greatboomin the British ironindustry. In 1740annualBritish iron production was only 17,000 tons, but by 1844, with thespreadof cokesmeltingand theimpactof Cort’s inventions, it had increased to 3,000,000 tons. This was a truly amazingexpansion. Oncescarceand expensive, iron became cheap,basic, andindispensableto theeconomy.

Questions:
question_stem: What can be inferred from paragraph 1 about Britain’s short supply of wood in the eighteenth century?
choices: tag: A
text: Wood from Britain’s great forests was being exported to other countries for profit.

tag: B
text: A growing population had required cutting down forests to increase available land for farming.

tag: C
text: Larger families required the construction of larger homes made from wood.

tag: D
text: What was left of the great forests after the medieval period was being strictly protected.
answer_key: B
explanation: 【题目翻译】从第1段可以推断出十八世纪英国木材短缺的情况？
A：来自英国大森林的木材正在向其他国家出口以获取利润。
B：不断增长的人口需要砍伐森林来增加可用的耕地。
C：大家庭需要建造由木材制成的更大的房屋。
D：中世纪后，剩余的森林被严格保护。

【判定题型】：根据题干中出现的关键词“inferred”，判定本题为推理题。

【关键词定位】根据关键词“short supply of wood”,定位到 Passage 1整段。

【逻辑分析】文章写了因为能源，木材的短缺使得开始使用煤。煤的使用也增加了。

【选项分析】
A 项从第一段无法读出。是俄国出口到英国，故错误。
B 项 Because of the growth of population, most of the great forests of medieval Britain had long ago been replaced by fields of grain and hay. 这句可以读出。B 项符合。
C 原文没有提及。故错误。
D 原文没有提及。故错误。

question_stem: The word “abundant” in the passage is closest in meaning to
choices: tag: A
text: reliable

tag: B
text: plentiful

tag: C
text: well-preserved

tag: D
text: existing
answer_key: B
explanation: 【题目翻译】单词“abundant”与下列哪一个意思最相近？
A：reliable，可靠的
B：plentiful，丰富的
C：well-preserved，被保存好的
D：existing，存在的

【判定题型】：题目要求选出与高亮单词意思最接近的选项，故判断本题为词汇题。

【关键词定位】：根据关键词“abundant”,定位到原句“As this early energy crisis grew worse, Britain looked toward its abundant and widely scattered reserves of coal as an alternative to its vanishing wood.”。

【词汇解析】：词汇“abundant”的意思是“丰富的，充足的”,带入到原句中，原句的意思是“随着这种早期能源危机愈演愈烈，英国转而使用数量丰富且分布广泛的煤炭作为即将消失的木材的替代品。”

【选项分析】
A：reliable，可靠的，不符，错误
B：plentiful，丰富的，同义替换，正确
C：well-preserved，被保存好的，不符，错误
D：existing，存在的，不符，错误

question_stem: Why are “beer, glass, soap, and other products” mentioned in the discussion of Britain’s energy?
choices: tag: A
text: To help explain why the energy crisis was so severe

tag: B
text: To show that despite the energy crisis and as early as 1640, London homes were advanced and well supplied

tag: C
text: To emphasize that after 1640, British homes required energy for more than heat

tag: D
text: To indicate that coal had been used for the production of certain products before the eighteenth century
answer_key: D
explanation: 【题目翻译】为什么在讨论英国能源时提到“啤酒、玻璃、肥皂和其他产品”？
A：为了解释为什么能源危机如此严重

B：这表明，尽管能源危机，早在1640年，伦敦的住房就已经很先进，供应充足。

C：要强调的是，1640年以后，英国家庭所需的能源多于取暖。

D：表示在十八世纪以前，煤被用于生产某些产品。

【判定题型】：根据题干问法“why …… mention”，题目询问“xxxxxx”(文章引用内容)的修辞目的，可以判断本题为修辞目的题。

【关键词定位】：根据题目,定位到 Passage 2第3句，原句为“By 1640 most homes in London were heated with it, and it also provided heat for making beer, glass, soap, and other products. ”

【引用内容分析】此句为细节句，往前找答案，前句属于细节句，再往前定位至本段的中心句，由于英国当时面临能源危机，所以用相对丰富的煤来替代对树木的需求。后文就进一步说明当时英国人用煤来满足各种领域的生产需求。

【选项分析】
A.本段是要说因为源危机愈演愈烈，英国转而使用煤炭作为木材的替代品。而不是解释为什么能源危机这么严重。故错误。
B.与住房等无关，是要说明煤用来生存很多产品。故错误。
C.主题偏了，煤是主题，故错误。
D.与文章相符，正确。

question_stem: According to paragraph 3, all of the following are ways in which the Savery and Newcomen engines were similar EXCEPT:
choices: tag: A
text: Both became relatively inexpensive after the 1770s.

tag: B
text: Both produced steam by burning coal.

tag: C
text: Both were used to operate pumps.

tag: D
text: Both were very inefficient.
answer_key: A
explanation: 【题目翻译】根据第3段，以下所有情况都是萨弗里和纽科曼发动机相似的方式，除了：
A：在1770年代之后，两者都变得相对便宜了。

B：二者都是通过燃煤产生蒸汽的。

C：都是用来操作泵的。

D：两个都很低效。

【判定题型】：根据题干中出现的大写“EXCEPT”/"NOT" 等其他明显表示否定的词，可以判定本题为否定事实信息题，需要找出与原文信息不符的那个答案。

【关键词定位】根据题干关键词“Savery and Newcomen engines”,可以将出题范围锁定在 Passage 3。通过两个人名可以定位至第四句话，后面的细节就是分别去讲两人的发明的相似点。

【选项分析】
A.A 选项没说，错了，所以选 A。
B.Both burned coal to produce steam, which was then used to operate a pump.对应 B 选项。不选
C.Both burned coal to produce steam, which was then used to operate a pump.对应 C 选项。不选
D.Both engines were extremely inefficient.对应 D 选项。不选

question_stem: The word “gifted” in the passage is closest in meaning to
choices: tag: A
text: independent

tag: B
text: talented

tag: C
text: famous

tag: D
text: ambitious
answer_key: B
explanation: 【题目翻译】文章“gifted”与以下哪一个意思最相近？
A：independent，独立的
B：talented，有天赋的
C：famous，著名的
D：ambitious，有志向的

【判定题型】：题目要求选出与高亮单词意思最接近的选项，故判断本题为词汇题。

【关键词定位】：根据关键词“gifted”,定位到原句“In the early 1760s, a gifted young Scot named James Watt was drawn to a critical study of the steam engine.”。

【词汇解析】：词汇“gifted”的意思是“有天赋的”,带入到原句中，原句的意思是“在18世纪60年代早期，一个满腹才华的年轻苏格兰人詹姆斯瓦特开始认真研究蒸汽机。”

【选项分析】
A：independent，独立的。不符，正确
B：talented，有天赋的。同义替换，正确
C：famous，著名的。不符，正确
D：ambitious，有志向的。不符，正确

question_stem: According to paragraph 4, what was James Watt’s major achievement?
choices: tag: A
text: He was able to apply his understanding of physics to invent a variety of scientific instruments and tools for skilled crafts workers.

tag: B
text: He taught university physics courses to outstanding students whose observations led to many patented inventions.

tag: C
text: He improved the efficiency of Newcomen’s engine by preventing energy from being lost.

tag: D
text: He redesigned Newcomen’s engine so that it no longer needed a separate condenser.
answer_key: C
explanation: 【题目翻译】根据第4段，詹姆斯·瓦特的主要成就是什么？
A：他能够运用他对物理学的理解为熟练的工艺工人发明各种科学仪器和工具。

B：他为优秀学生讲授大学物理课程，他们的观察导致了许多专利发明。

C：他通过防止能量损失来提高新来的发动机的效率。

D：他重新设计了纽科曼的发动机，这样它就不再需要单独的冷凝器了。

【判定题型】：题目问的是文章中的具体细节信息，故根据题目问法可以判断本题为事实信息题。

【关键词定位】根据关键词“James Watt”,定位到 Passage 4倒数第三句，原句为“After a series of observations, Watt saw that the Newcomen’s waste of energy could be reduced by adding a separate condenser. This splendid invention, patented in 1769, greatly increased the efficiency of the steam engine.”意思是“在观察之后，瓦特发现增加一个分离的冷凝器可以提高纽科门蒸汽机的效率。”

【逻辑分析】根据文章：瓦特优化了前人的研究发明出新的蒸汽机提高了效率。

【选项分析】
A.这不是主要成就，这是瓦特本身的知识储备，故错误。
B.不是许多专利的发明，而是增加一个分离的冷凝器可以提高纽科门蒸汽机的效率。故错误。
C.与文章相对应，故正确。
D.是增加一个分离的冷凝器，故错误。

question_stem: The word “splendid” in the passage is closest in meaning to
choices: tag: A
text: original

tag: B
text: necessary

tag: C
text: magnificent

tag: D
text: popular
answer_key: C
explanation: 【题目翻译】单词“splendid”与下列哪个意思最相近？
A：original：初始的
B：necessary：必要的
C：magnificent：壮丽的
D：popular：流行的

【判定题型】题目要求选出与高亮单词意思最接近的选项，故判断本题为词汇题。

【关键词定位】根据关键词“splendid”,定位到原句“This splendid invention, patented in 1769, greatly increased the efficiency of the steam engine. ”。

【词汇解析】词汇“splendid”的意思是“辉煌的；杰出的”,带入到原句中，原句的意思是“这项杰出的发明，在1769年取得专利权，大大提高了蒸汽机的效率。”

【选项分析】
A：original：初始的。不符，错误
B：necessary：必要的。不符，错误
C：magnificent：壮丽的。同义替换，正确
D：popular：流行的。不符，错误

question_stem: Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 5 as a development that greatly changed the production of iron?
choices: tag: A
text: The use of coke in the smelting of pig iron

tag: B
text: The invention of a furnace that used coke to refine iron

tag: C
text: The discovery of a method for increasing the production of charcoal

tag: D
text: The invention of powerful machinery that could shape, form, and finish iron
answer_key: C
explanation: 【题目翻译】以下哪一项在第5段中没有提到，因为这一发展极大地改变了铁的生产？
A：焦炭在生铁冶炼中的应用

B：用焦炭炼铁的熔炉的发明

C：增加木炭产量的方法的发现

D：一种能成形、成形和精整铁的强大机械的发明。

【判定题型】：根据题干中出现的大写“EXCEPT”/"NOT" 等其他明显表示否定的词，可以判定本题为否定事实信息题，需要找出与原文信息不符的那个答案。

【关键词定位】：根据题干关键词“change”,可以将出题范围锁定在 Passage 5。
The use of powerful, steam-driven bellows in blast furnaces helped iron makers switch over rapidly from limited charcoal to unlimited coke (which is made from coal) in the smelting of pig iron.
【选项分析】
定位对应 A 选项；Henry Cort developed the puddling furnace, which allowed pig iron to be refined in turn with coke.不选
对应 B 选项中的 used coke to refine iron；Cort also developed heavy-duty, steam-powered rolling mills, which were capable of producing finished iron in every shape and form.不选
C 选项文中无对应，所以选 C。
对应 D 选项中的 could shape, form, and finish iron；不选

question_stem: In paragraph 6, why does the author compare British iron production in 1740 with that of 1844?
choices: tag: A
text: To contrast the amounts of iron needed in Britain in two different centuries

tag: B
text: To illustrate how easy it was to make money using Cort’s invention

tag: C
text: To demonstrate the tremendous growth of the iron industry in Britain

tag: D
text: To demonstrate how inexpensive coal had become
answer_key: C
explanation: 【题目翻译】在第6段中，作者为什么将1740年的英国钢铁产量与1844年的英国钢铁产量进行比较？
A：对比英国两个不同世纪所需的铁量

B：为了说明用 CORT 的发明赚钱是多么容易。

C：展示英国钢铁工业的巨大增长

D：为了证明煤变得多么便宜

【判定题型】：根据题干问法“why …… compare”，题目询问“xxxxxx”(文章引用内容)的修辞目的，可以判断本题为修辞目的题。

【关键词定位】：根据关键词“1740和1844”,定位到 Passage6 第2句，原句为“In 1740 annual British iron production was only 17,000 tons, but by 1844, with the spread of coke smelting and the impact of Cort’s inventions, it had increased to 3,000,000 tons. ”。

【引用内容分析】蒸汽机的应用所带来的经济结果是英国炼铁业的快速发展。

【选项分析】
A.不是需求量的对比，故错误。
B.未提到 CORT，故错误。
C.符合文意，正确。
D.煤变得廉价是要说明它成为了经济发展的不可缺少的一部分，主要目的还是要说钢铁工业的巨大增长。

question_stem: The word “indispensable” in the passage is closest in meaning to
choices: tag: A
text: advantageous

tag: B
text: essential

tag: C
text: less costly

tag: D
text: highly stimulating
answer_key: B
explanation: 【题目翻译】单词“indispensable”与下列哪一个意思最相近？
A：advantageous 是“有利的”
B：essential 是“必要的”
C：less costly 是“低成本的”
D：highly stimulating 是“高刺激的”

【判定题型】：题目要求选出与高亮单词意思最接近的选项，故判断本题为词汇题。

【关键词定位】：根据关键词“indispensable”,定位到原句“Once scarce and expensive, iron became cheap, basic, and indispensable to the economy.”。

【词汇解析】：词汇“indispensable”的意思是“必不可少的”,带入到原句中，原句的意思是“曾经稀少昂贵的铁，变得廉价、基础，成为了经济发展的不可缺少的一部分。”

【选项分析】
A：advantageous 是“有利的”，不符，错误
B：essential 是“必要的”，同义替换，正确
C：less costly 是“低成本的”，不符，错误
D：highly stimulating 是“高刺激的”，不符，错误

question_stem: According to the passage, which of the following is true about the development of steam power?
choices: tag: A
text: The steam engine’s basic technology can be traced back to medieval Britain when steam-powered machinery was being tried in farming activities.

tag: B
text: Although Russia and Britain developed steam-power technology simultaneously, Britain was first to try it in a large-scale industry due to a greater need for iron.

tag: C
text: Steam-power technology was largely the result of improvements developed to increase the supply of coal as a primary source of energy.

tag: D
text: Adaptations to steam engines required for their use in cotton-spinning mills led to radical developments in machinery used in the iron industry.
answer_key: C
explanation: 【题目翻译】根据文章，关于蒸汽动力的发展，以下哪一个是正确的？
A：蒸汽机的基本技术可以追溯到中世纪的英国，当时蒸汽驱动的机械正在农业活动中试用。

B：尽管俄罗斯和英国同时开发了蒸汽动力技术，但由于对铁的需求越来越大，英国是第一个在大型工业中尝试蒸汽动力技术的国家。

C：蒸汽动力技术在很大程度上是为增加作为主要能源的煤炭供应而进行的改进的结果。

D：由于适应了棉纺厂使用蒸汽机的需要，钢铁工业中使用的机械得到了彻底的发展。

【判定题型】：题目问的是文章中的具体细节信息，故根据题目问法可以判断本题为事实信息题。

【关键词定位】：根据关键词“ the development of steam power”,定位到 Passage 5 第3句，原句为“The steam power plant began to replace waterpower in the cotton-spinning mills as well as other industries during the 1780s, contributing to a phenomenal rise in industrialization. ”，意思是“在18世80年代，蒸汽动力取代水力用于棉花纺织工业和其他工业，这促进了工业化现象的崛起。”

【逻辑分析】此题是问整段的细节题，可以通过对文章的理解来选择，文章主要表达英国的能源有限，所以用 coal 来代替 wood，于是有人设计用 steam 去生产 coal。后瓦特改良 steam engine 来提高效率，使得炼铁产业得到很好地发展，为英国带来了相应的经济效益。

【选项分析】
A.文章未说在农业中试用，故错误。
B.文章未提及“英国是第一个在大型工业中尝试蒸汽动力技术的国家”，故错误。
C.符合原文，故正确。
D.选项中“彻底的发展”过于绝对，故错误。