注釋：
1. cutting edge：本意為：(刀片的)刃口, 刀刃；比喻意為：最先進(jìn)的，科技含量的。
2. anywhere in between with a flip of a switch：就在開(kāi)或關(guān)的一霎那。
3. Uppsala University in Sweden：瑞典的烏普薩拉大學(xué)。烏普薩拉是瑞典東部一座城市，位于斯德哥爾摩的西北方向。
練習(xí)：
1. Which of the following statements does not indicate the importance of windows as described in the first two paragraphs?
A) Windows can change from clear to dark to save energy.
B) Windows help to save energy by letting light in.
C) Windows help to save energy by providing heat.
D) Windows enable people to have contact with the outside world.
2. When are windows the weak link in a building?
A) In the cold winter.
B) In the hot summer.
C) When air conditioners are turned on.
D) Both A and B.
3. What are smart windows, according to Paragraph 4?
A) Windows that are coated.
B) Windows that are glazed.
C) Windows the color of which can be changed.
D) Windows that have many layers.
4. To make electrochromic windows change color, what is applied to the window glass?
A) Electricity.
B) Tungsten oxide.
C) A battery.
D) A voltage.
5. What will be the benefit if the research on smart windows turns out to be successful, according to the last paragraph?
A) The buildings will look different.
B) Windows can be as large as you want.
C) We may not need air conditioners any more.
D) They are less expensive than traditional windows.
答案與題解：
1. A 第一段告訴我們窗戶因?yàn)樽岅?yáng)光進(jìn)入房間，并且為房間提供熱源，所以節(jié)約了能源。第二段說(shuō)，窗戶使人們能接觸外部世界。所以B、C和D都說(shuō)明了窗戶的重要性。第一段最后一句說(shuō)，研究者正在實(shí)驗(yàn)?zāi)茏尨皯糇儞Q亮度，但并沒(méi)有說(shuō)已經(jīng)實(shí)驗(yàn)成功，所以A是錯(cuò)誤的說(shuō)法，是正確選擇。
2. D 短文第三段的第一句說(shuō)：windows are the weak link in a building，接下來(lái)是對(duì)這句話分寒冬和炎夏做了說(shuō)明。所以D是正確選擇。
3. C 第四段告訴我們，多年來(lái)，科學(xué)家已研究出多種通過(guò)窗戶節(jié)能的辦法，而smart windows使用的技術(shù)使窗戶能變換顏色。所以C是正確選擇。
4. B 第五段第二句提供了答案。a sheet of glass coated with thin layers of chemical compound such as tungsten oxide中的 coated是“涂上一層薄薄的．．．”的意思。
5. C 短文最后一段的第五句提供了答案。
1. cutting edge：本意為：(刀片的)刃口, 刀刃；比喻意為：最先進(jìn)的，科技含量的。
2. anywhere in between with a flip of a switch：就在開(kāi)或關(guān)的一霎那。
3. Uppsala University in Sweden：瑞典的烏普薩拉大學(xué)。烏普薩拉是瑞典東部一座城市，位于斯德哥爾摩的西北方向。
練習(xí)：
1. Which of the following statements does not indicate the importance of windows as described in the first two paragraphs?
A) Windows can change from clear to dark to save energy.
B) Windows help to save energy by letting light in.
C) Windows help to save energy by providing heat.
D) Windows enable people to have contact with the outside world.
2. When are windows the weak link in a building?
A) In the cold winter.
B) In the hot summer.
C) When air conditioners are turned on.
D) Both A and B.
3. What are smart windows, according to Paragraph 4?
A) Windows that are coated.
B) Windows that are glazed.
C) Windows the color of which can be changed.
D) Windows that have many layers.
4. To make electrochromic windows change color, what is applied to the window glass?
A) Electricity.
B) Tungsten oxide.
C) A battery.
D) A voltage.
5. What will be the benefit if the research on smart windows turns out to be successful, according to the last paragraph?
A) The buildings will look different.
B) Windows can be as large as you want.
C) We may not need air conditioners any more.
D) They are less expensive than traditional windows.
答案與題解：
1. A 第一段告訴我們窗戶因?yàn)樽岅?yáng)光進(jìn)入房間，并且為房間提供熱源，所以節(jié)約了能源。第二段說(shuō)，窗戶使人們能接觸外部世界。所以B、C和D都說(shuō)明了窗戶的重要性。第一段最后一句說(shuō)，研究者正在實(shí)驗(yàn)?zāi)茏尨皯糇儞Q亮度，但并沒(méi)有說(shuō)已經(jīng)實(shí)驗(yàn)成功，所以A是錯(cuò)誤的說(shuō)法，是正確選擇。
2. D 短文第三段的第一句說(shuō)：windows are the weak link in a building，接下來(lái)是對(duì)這句話分寒冬和炎夏做了說(shuō)明。所以D是正確選擇。
3. C 第四段告訴我們，多年來(lái)，科學(xué)家已研究出多種通過(guò)窗戶節(jié)能的辦法，而smart windows使用的技術(shù)使窗戶能變換顏色。所以C是正確選擇。
4. B 第五段第二句提供了答案。a sheet of glass coated with thin layers of chemical compound such as tungsten oxide中的 coated是“涂上一層薄薄的．．．”的意思。
5. C 短文最后一段的第五句提供了答案。