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Families in the heart of China’s coal belt are secretly burning tree branches and coal gangue to keep warm this winter, after a government campaign to install gas heating failed to meet deadlines.

The high price of natural gas and supply shortages have added to their sadness, making it impractical for rural families and businesses to switch to the cleaner fuel.

“The gas heating system is better to keep us warm, but it’s just too expensive,” said Zhang Yue, a villager in Linfen, Shanxi Province. The newly-installed gas heating system in her home was left to idle, while the family sat around a stove burning tree branches. The 63-year old also said she doesn’t cook on her new gas stove. The system would cost her family 120 yuan per day and 14,000 yuan for the whole winter, said Zhang. That’s nearly five times more than what the family spent on coal in previous winters. Zhang’s family of five lives on a monthly income of about 4,000 yuan.

Residents in neighboring Nanma village who were ordered to switch to an electric heating system, were also struggling with the cost bills. Villager Liang Ruxin said it would cost his family about 70 yuan per night for keep the electric heating on. “This is on top of the 4,280 yuan we’ve already paid in a one-off expense for the connection,” he said.

1.What made the gas heating system impractical? ①the high price of natural gas②the supply shortage of natural gas ③the expense for the connection ④the pollution coal caused

A ①②

B ①③

C ②③

D ②④

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据第二段The high price of natural gas and supply shortages have added to their sadness, making it impractical for rural families and businesses to switch to the cleaner fuel.可知煤改气不切实际是因为天然气太贵且天然气供应短缺，①②符合，故选A。

2.What do the underlined words “left to idle” mean in Chinese?

A 多多益善.

B 大有裨益.

C 闲置不用.

D 用处良多.

解析：选C。词义猜测题。根据后面的the family sat around a stove burning tree branches. The 63-year old also said she doesn’t cook on her new gas stove.可知新的燃气供热系统应该是没有被使用，应该是闲置不用的意思，故选C。

3.How much would Zhang’s family spend on gas heating for a winter?

A 70 yuan.

B 120 yuan.

C 4,000 yuan.

D 14,000 yuan.

解析：选D。细节理解题。根据第三段倒数第三句The system would cost her family 120 yuan per day and 14,000 yuan for the whole winter, said Zhang.可知张悦一家一个冬天的天然气供暖费是14000元，故选D。

4.Which kind of heating method was suggested using in Nanma village?

A Coal burning heating system.

B Natural gas heating system.

C Electric heating system.

D Air-conditioning system.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第四段第一句Residents in neighboring Nanma village who were ordered to switch to an electric heating system, were also struggling with the cost bills.可知南马村被要求用电热系统取暖，故选C。

5.Where can you find this passage?

A In a story book.

B In a newspaper.

C In an advertisement.

D In a children’s book.

解析：选B。推理判断题。根据文章内容煤改气因为费用太高和天然气供应短缺而推行不下去可知这应该是社会时事新闻，应该出现在报纸上，故选B。