2016年BEC考试初级备考阅读讲义详解四

　　2016年BEC考试初级备考阅读讲义详解四

　　ELECTRICITY: WEALTH, MONEY, POWER

　　Canadian industries have prospered for more than a century on the country’s abundance of cheap, reliable electrical power. ____ example ____. In fact, Canada consumes more electricity on a per person basis than any country except for Norway ____ 8 ____

　　Electricity is a significant source of export income for Canada. ____ 9 ____ But in the 1970s , Canadian exports rose sharply to address the U. S. demand for cheaper and more reliable.

　　In 1985, exports of Canadian electrical power reached 1,400 million US dollars ____. 10 ____. Net electricity exports account for more than 60% of Canada’s balance of trade.

　　Domestically, Canada continues to generate electrical power, primarily from water ____ 11 ____ Exports of electricity are now subject to forces far beyond the control of utility managers ____ 12 ____

　　Example: B

　　A. Besides, electricity from coal and nuclear is 50% to 75% cheaper than many other industrial nations.

　　B. Generated primarily by water, our power supplies have attracted and supported energy-intensive industries such as mining.

　　C. It also ranks among the top three electricity producers in the world, behind the U. S. and Russia.

　　D. Next to electricity, Canadian paper exports came to 900 million US dollars every year in the 1960s.

　　E. Two large nuclear power plants began to generate electricity.

　　F. Since then, electricity’ exports have declined but they have continued to exceed 700 million US dollars.

　　G. Environmental and trade policies all influence electrical production and trade.

　　H. Canada and the U. S. imported and exported power in almost equal measures after 1901.

　　I. Therefore, the Canadian government has little influence on these forces.

　　答案：8.C 9. H 10. F 11. A 12. G