While fossil fuels—coal, oil, gas—still generate roughly 85 percent of the world’s energy supply, it’s clearer than ever that the future belongs to renewable sources such as wind and solar. The move to renewables is picking up momentum around the world: They now account for more than half of new power sources going on line.

Some growth stems from a commitment by governments and farsighted businesses to fund cleaner energy sources. But increasingly the story is about the plummeting prices of renewables, especially wind and solar. The cost of solar panels has dropped by 80 percent and the cost of wind turbines by close to one-third in the past eight years.

In many parts of the world renewable energy is already a principal energy source. In Scotland, for example, wind turbines provide enough electricity to power 95 percent of homes. While the rest of the world takes the lead, notably China and Europe, the United States is also seeing a remarkable shift. In March, for the first time, wind and solar power accounted for more than 10 percent of the power generated in the US, reported the US Energy Information Administration.

President Trump has underlined fossil fuels—especially coal—as the path to economic growth. In a recent speech in Iowa, he dismissed wind power as an unreliable energy source. But that message did not play well with many in Iowa, where wind turbines dot the fields and provide 36 percent of the state’s electricity generation—and where tech giants like Microsoft are being attracted by the availability of clean energy to power their data centers.

The question “what happens when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine?” has provided a quick put-down for skeptics. But a boost in the storage capacity of batteries is making their ability to keep power flowing around the clock more likely.

The advance is driven in part by vehicle manufacturers, who are placing big bets on battery-powered electric vehicles. Although electric cars are still a rarity on roads now, this massive investment could change the picture rapidly in coming years.

While there’s a long way to go, the trend lines for renewables are spiking. The pace of change in energy sources appears to be speeding up—perhaps just in time to have a meaningful effect in slowing climate change. What Washington does—or doesn’t do—to promote alternative energy may mean less and less at a time of a global shift in thought.

1.The word “plummeting” (Para.2) is closest in meaning to _________.

A rising

B falling

C changing

D stabilizing

解析：选B。B 词义猜测题。根据plummeting定位到其所在句，综合上下文可知可再生能源发展的原因一是政府的支持，二是可再生能源的plummeting prices；结合后文可知太阳能和风力成本下降，可推知可再生能源（尤其是太阳能和风能）的价格应是“下降”，故选B。

2.According to Paragraph 3, the use of renewable energy in America _________.

A is as extensive as in Europe

B is progressing notably

C has proved to be impractical

D faces many challenges

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据题目定位到第三段，可知在中国和欧洲率先采取行动的同时，美国也发生了显著的转变，今年三月，风能和太阳能首次占美国发电总量的10%以上，B符合原文，故选B。

3.It can be learned that in Iowa, _________.

A wind energy has replaced fossil fuels

B there is a shortage of clean energy supply

C tech giants are investing in clean energy

D wind is a widely used energy source

解析：选D。D 推理判断题。根据Iowa定位至第四段，根据最后一句可知在爱荷华州，风力涡轮机散布在田野里，提供了该州36%的发电量，故选D。

4.Which of the following is true about clean energy according to Paragraphs 5 & 6?

A Its application has boosted battery storage.

B It is commonly used in car manufacturing.

C Its continuous supply is becoming a reality.

D Its sustainable exploitation will remain difficult.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据题目定位到第五、六段，可知电池储存容量的提升使得太阳能和风能全天候保持供电成为可能，故选C。

5.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that renewable energy _________.

A is not really encouraged by the US government

B is not competitive enough with regard to its cost

C will bring the US closer to other countries

D will accelerate global environmental change

解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据题目定位到最后一段，可知虽然未来还有很长的路要走，但在全球思想转型的时刻，可再生能源的发展势头势不可挡，不管美国政府支持或者不支持。根据语气可推知，美国并未真正鼓励可再生能源的发展，故选A。