The United States rose to global power on the strength of its technology, and the lifeblood that technology has long been electricity. By providing long-distance communication and energy, electricity created the modem world. Yet properly understood, the age of electricity is merely the second stage in the age of steam, which began a century earlier.
"It is curious that no one has put together a history of both the steam and electric revolutions." writes Maury Klein in his book The Power Makers, Steam, Electricity , and the Men Invented Modern America . Klein, a noted historian of technology, spins a narrative so lively that at times it reads like a novel.
The story begins in the last years of the 18th century in Scotland, where Watt perfected "the machine that changed the world". Klein writes, "America did not invent the steam engine, but once they grasped its passwords they put it to more uses than anyone else. "
Meanwhile, over the course of 19th century, electricity went from mere curiosity to a basic necessity. Morse invented a code for sending messages over an electromagnetic circuit. Bell then gave the telegraph a voice. Edison perfected an incandescent bulls that brought electric light into the American home.
Most importantly, Edison realized that success depended on mass electrification, which he showed in New York City. With help from Tesla, Westinghouse's firm developed a system using alternating current, which soon became the major forms of power delivery.
To frame his story, Klein creates the character of Ned, a fictional witness to the progress brought about by the steams and electric revolutions in America during one man's lifetime. It's a technique that helps turn a long narrative into an interesting one.
24 ． What is Klein's understanding of the age of electricity?
A ． It is closely linked to the steam age.
B ． It began earlier than proper thought.
C ． It is a little-studied period of history.
D ． It will come to an end sooner or later.
25 ． What can be inferred about Ned?
A ． He was born in New York City. B ． He wrote many increasing stories,
C ． He created an electricity company. D ． He lived mainly in the 19th century.
26 ． What is the text?
A ． A biography. B ． A book review. C ． A short story. D ． A science report.
A 25 ． D 26 ． B
【分析】本文是说明文。文章按照时间顺序讲述了蒸汽时代和电力时代的联系。
24 ．推理判断题。根据第二段 “It is curious that no one has put together a history of both the steam and electric revolutions.” （我很好奇，竟然没有人把蒸汽和电力革命的历史放在一起。）可知，在 Klein 看来，电力时代和蒸汽时代是有很紧密的联系的。故选 A 。
25 ．推理判断题。根据最后一段 “To frame his story, Klein creates the character of Ned, a fictional witness to the progress brought about by the steams and electric revolutions in America during one man's lifetime.” （为了编织他的故事， Klein 创造了一个人物 Ned ，它是对美国蒸汽和电力革命在一个人的整个人生中的进程的神奇的见证。）和第四段 “Meanwhile, over the course of 19th century, electricity went from mere curiosity to a basic necessity.” （同时，在 19 世纪，电力从好奇变成了根需。）可知， Ned 见证了蒸汽时代和电力革命，所以他应该是生活在 19 世纪。故选 D 。
26 ．推理判断题。根据最后一段 “To frame his story, Klein creates the character of Ned, a fictional witness to the progress brought about by the steams and electric revolutions in America during one man's lifetime. It's a technique that helps turn a long narrative into an interesting one.” （为了构建他的故事，克莱因创造了奈德这个角色，一个虚构的人物，在一个人的一生中见证了蒸汽和电力革命给美国带来的进步。这是一种有助于将长篇故事变得有趣的技巧。）可知，这篇文章是一篇书评。故选 B 。
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