A breakthrough (突破) in the provision of energy from the sun for the European Economic Community (EEC) could be brought froward by up to two decades, if a modest increase could be provided in the EEC’s researcheffort in this field, according to the senior EEC scientists engaged in experiments in solar energy at EEC’s scientific laboratories at Ispra, near Milan.

　　The senior West German scientist in charge of the Community’s solar energy programme, Mr. Joachim Gretz, told journalists that at present levels of research spending it was most unlikely that solar energy would provide as much as three per cent of the Community’s energy requirements even after the year 2000. But hesaid that with a modest increase in the present sums, devoted by the EEC to this work it was possible thatthe breakthrough could be achieved by the end of the next decade.

　　Mr. Gretz calculates that if solar energy only provided three per cent of the EEC’s needs, this could still produce a saving of about a billion pounds in the present bill for imported energy each year. And he believes that with the possibility of utilizing more advanced technology in this field it might be possible to satisfy a much bigger share of the Community’s future energy needs.

　　At present the EEC spends about $2.6 millions a year on solar research at Ispra, one of the EEC’s official joint research centres, and another $3 millions a year in indirect research with universities and other independent bodies.

　　练习题：

　　Choose correct answers to the question:

　　1. The phrase "be brought forward" (Line 2, Para. 1) most probably means "______".

　　A. be expected

　　B. be completed

　　C. be advanced

　　D. be introduced

　　2. Some scientists believe that a breakthrough in the use of solar energy depends on ______.

　　A. sufficient funding

　　B. further experiments

　　C. advanced technology

　　D. well-equipped laboratories

　　3. According to Mr. Gretz, the present sum of money will enable the scientists to provide _____.

　　A. more than 3% of the EEC’s needs after the year 2000

　　B. only 3% of the EEC’s needs before the year 2000

　　C. less than 3% of the EEC’s needs before the year 2000

　　D. 3% of the EEC’s needs after the year 2000

　　4. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage ?

　　A. The EEC spends one billion pounds on imported energy each year.

　　B. At the present level of research spending, it is difficult to make any significant progress in the provision of energy from the sun.

　　C. The desired breakthrough could be obtained by the end of the next decade if investment were increased.

　　D. The total yearly spending of the EEC on solar energy research amounted to almost 6 million.

　　5. The application of advanced technology to research in solar energy ______.

　　A. would lead to a big increase in research funding

　　B. would make it unnecessary to import oil

　　C. would make it possible to meet the future energy needs of the EEC

　　D. would provide a much greater proportion of the Community’s future energy needs