阅读理解（共20小题）

More than 27,000 people from around the UK set off at dawn from London to begin the cycle route through Surrey to the Sussex coast.
The annual（一年一度的）54-mile ride raises money for the British Heart Foundation（BHF）  and is Europe’s largest charity cycling event. Cyclists began the exhausting journey at Clapham Common at 6 a. m. , hoping to reach Brighton seafront within an average of six hours.
Money from today's event will help the charity to continue its vital work through heart research and the development of its care and support services. Among those taking part was BBC Breakfast's resident（居民）Dr Rosemary Leonard and several colleagues.
BHF spokeswoman Gemma Cloke said, “It was quite cold this morning, but everyone set off without any problems.” Those taking part range in age from 14 to those in their 70s. Last year cyclists raised￡4. 1 million for the charity, and have raised more than￡50 million since the BHF became involved in the event in 1980. The first ride was held in 1976. It is hoped this year's fund raising total could reach￡4. 5 million. She added : “We have a lot of people taking part, from the more experienced cyclists to those cycling with friends and family in memory of someone and to raise money through sponsorship.”
“People are always pleased knowing the money is going to a good cause. There is so much support along the route, with local residents watching the ride. ”
“One of the highlights for participants（参加者）is coming along the seafront while people are clapping, which can really help when they've been in the saddle (自行车车座) for a long time. ”

51. What can we know about the cycling event from the text?
A. It is the world’s largest charity cycling event.
B. Cyclists may raise more money than last year.
C. The first event was held by the BHF in 1980.
D. The route of the event is 54 kilometers long.
52. What can we learn from what Gemma Cloke said?
A. Cyclists will receive encouragement from local people.
B. Some people doubt whether the money is properly used.
C. Most of the cyclists are professional.
D. Local people have little interest in cycling events.
53. The local residents’ attitude towards the ride is _____.
A. doubtful         B. unconcerned       C. worried          D. supportive
54. What is the text mainly about?
A. Cyclists have raised over￡50 million for the BHF.
B. More than 27,000 people like travelling by bike in the UK.
C. Charity cycling event wins support from local people.
D. More than 27,000 people in the UK join in the charity bike ride.

B
An energy watchdog is alarmed about the threat to the environment from the increasing electricity needs of gadgets（小装置）like MP3 players, mobile phones and flat screen TVs.
In a report today, the Paris-based International Energy Agency says new electronic gadgets will be three times their energy consumption by 2030 to 1,700 terawatt hours（千瓦时）, which is equal to today's home electricity consumption of the United States and Japan combined.
The world would have to build around 200 new nuclear power plants just to power all the TVs, iPods, PCs and other home electronics expected to be plugged in by 2030,when the global electric bill to power them will rise to $200 billion a year, the agency said.
“Consumer electronics is the fastest growing area and the area with the least amount of policies in place to control energy efficiency, ” said Paul Waide, a senior policy analyst at the agency.
Electronic gadgets already account for about 15 percent of household electric consumption, a share that is rising rapidly as the number of these gadgets multiplies. Last year, the world spent  $80 billion on electricity to power all these household electronics, the energy agency said.
“ Most of the increase in consumer electronics will be in developing countries, where economic growth is the fastest and ownership rates of gadgets are the lowest , ” Waide said.
“This will jeopardize efforts to increase energy security and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.” the agency said. Existing technologies’ could cut down gadgets’ energy consumption by more than 30 percent at no cost or by more than 50 percent at a small cost, the agency estimates, meaning total greenhouse gas emissions（排放） from households’ electronic gadgets could be held stable（稳定的） at around 500 million tons of CO2 per year.

55. How many terawatt hours did the energy consumption of new electronic gadgets reach?
A. Nearly l, 700.           B. Nearly 600.  C. About 200.        D. About 60.      
56. What is the condition in the area of consumer electronics?
A. There are a lot of rules to control the market.
B. There are few policies to control energy efficiency.
C. There are few choices for the customers.
D. There are lots of regulations to protect consumers' rights.
57. The underlined word “jeopardize” in the last paragraph probably means “_______ ”.
A. harm    B. inspire  C. strengthen         D. encourage
58. We can know from the last paragraph that existing technologies ___________.
A. are able to control gadgets’ energy consumption
B. could do nothing about gadgets’ energy consumption
C. could only cut down gadgets’ energy consumption by 30 percent
D. cut down gadgets’ energy consumption at great cost