water consumption, 68 percent of total electricity consumption and 38 percent of carbon dioxide emissions (排放), according to the Environment Protection Agency.

　　Green buildings use less energy, water, create less waste and are healthier to live, work and go to school in than standard buildings. Builders of green buildings use techniques that use resources more efficiently during the entire building cycle - construction, restoration, operation, maintenance (维护) and demolition (拆毁) - than those who construct more regular buildings.

　　The environmental benefits of building green include the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity, improved air and water quality, less waste flowing into streams and the conservation of natural resources. Green buildings can also result in lower operating costs because they typically use less energy and fewer materials and improve indoor air quality, improving the health of people who live there.

　　The process of building green includes technical and artistic planning with nature conservation in mind. Building designs often reflect the surrounding environment and natural resources and use renewable building materials such as bamboo and straw. In addition, recycled resources found locally are used for green buildings, reducing the cost and air pollution associated with transporting materials long distances.

　　Careful site selection is important to minimize (最小化) human impact on the surrounding environment. For example, placing a structure in an area that allows it to take advantage of cool breezes (微风) and sunlight can reduce energy use and expenses. More energy and expense are needed for larger buildings as well, so it is important to build small.

　　Green roofs are another feature of green houses that reduce energy use and cost. These roofs are partially or completely covered with plants, which helps to keep heating and cooling costs low, prevent water running off and deal with pollutants.

　　Other features of green buildings often include energy and water conservation, recycling and waste reduction. In addition, renewable energy sources such as solar power, hydropower (水能) and wind power are used for heat and electricity, which greatly reduces costs and decreases the impact on the environment.

12. What is the text mainly about?

A. The necessity of promoting energy efficiency.

B. The process of building green buildings.

C. The benefits and features of green buildings.

D. Green buildings' effects on the environment.

13. According to the text, green buildings refer to the buildings that .

A. produce no waste B. only use clean energy

C. are made of recycled materials D. use energy and resources more efficiently

14. Which of the following statements is TRUE about green buildings?

A. They rely on fossil fuels and solar power for heat and electricity.

B. Small buildings are less efficient in energy use than larger ones.

C. The ecosystem has to be considered when building a green building.

D. They are difficult to maintain and thus need more operating costs.

15. Green roofs are used because .

A. they fit the surrounding environment well

B. they are cheaper than other kinds of roofs

C. they can keep natural water for use in everyday life

D. they can help to control the temperature in the building well

第二部分 任务型阅读(共10小题；每小题1分，满分10分）

　　请认真阅读下列短文，并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入一个最恰当的单词。

　　注意：每个空格只填1个单词。请将答案写在答题卡上相应题号的横线上。

College helps students dream of more than a salary

　　From the earliest days of our country, we have seen education as the foundation for democracy and citizenship. Yet high school students and families are increasingly questioning its value. Is investing in a college or university education still worth it? The answer is definitely "Yes".

　　From a financial point of view, a college education surely pays off. Students who graduate from college can expect to make about 60% more than those who do not, well over a million dollars over a lifetime. Completing college makes an even greater difference to the earning power of young women. A 25-34 year-old female with a bachelor's degree can expect to make 70% more than if she had only completed her high school diploma. But what about the benefits of college that are more difficult to measure?

　　College is a passport to different places, different times, and different ways of thinking - from learning new languages to considering the arc of human history to diving deep into the building blocks of matter. It gives students a chance to understand themselves differently, seeing how their lives are both like and unlike those who inhabited other eras and other lands.

College introduces students to people they've never met before? One of the most important ways in which students