000 OFF-GRID HOUSEHOLDS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, A FIGURE...

200,000 off-grid households in the United States of America, a figure that Perez says has been increasing by a third every year for the past decade. For all of the people who live off-grid, self-sufficency means guilt-free energy consumption and peace of mind. “It feels brilliant to make use of clean, free energy that is not from fossil fuels” says Suzanne Galant, a writer who lives off-grid in a rural area in Wales. “And if something goes wrong, we can fix it ourself”. Now even urbanites are seeing the appeal of generating some if not all of their own power needs. So is energy freedom an eco pipe-dream or the untimate good life? Well, there is only one wy to find out: begin to explore the possibilities of solar, wind or hydro-power. But unless you live on a sunny, south-facing hillsidewith access to a nearby river or stream, that might prove prohibitively expensive! There is no doubt that being off-grid has its problems, and it is not always the cheapest way to get the energy you need. Even so, pioneers like Perez have proved that it can be done, and without giving up a 21st century lifestyle: “I have got five personal computers, two laser scanners, two fridge-freezer, a microwave, a covection oven, vacuum cleaners –you name it” says Perez. There is an external beam antenna on the roof for the phone and a satellite dish for an Internet connection. I have got 70 kWh in batteries that could last me five days. I have too much electricity”. Too much electricity and no more bills. That has got to be worth aiming for. Question 44: Which is the best serves as the title for the passage? A. Unplugging from the Grid B. No water, no life! C. A Day in the Life of an “Off-Grid” D. Living without Electricity Question 45: The phrase “blacks out” in paragraph 1 mostly means... A. fails to work B. is able to run C. has no functions D. serves many purposes Question 46: According to paragraph 1, Perez has managed to... A. save a lot of money with his own company B. stay independent of certain public utilities C. provide energy for people in his neighbourhood D. pay off his electricity bills since 1970 Question 47: The word “pipe-dream” in paragraph 2 mostly means... A. a promissing vision B. a terrible situation C. an impractical hope D. a real nightmare Question 48: The word “it” in paragraph 4 refers to... A. being a pioneer B. getting the energy C. being off-grid D. giving up a 21st century lifestyle Question 49: Which of the following is NOT true, according to the passage? A. The number of “off-gridders” in the US is said to have risen by 33% over the past ten years B. Some city dwellers have shown an interest in producing their own electricity C. “Off-gridders” enjoy not doing harm to the environment D. People opting for off-grid living used to be considered quite eccentric Question 50: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage? A. Adopting an off-grid lifestyle is only suitable for low-income people B. Leading a 21st century lifestyle means consuming a great deal of electricity C. Many “off-gridders” have made a fortune selling thier own electricity D. Most people living in temperate regions are against the idea of living off-grid ---The End---