第2题:
单选题
The topic of this passage can be best summarized as ______.
A
impacts of the Prudhoe Bay’s shutdown
B
BP punished for its inadequate maintenance of pipelines
C
shutdown of the Prudhoe Bay driving up oil prices
D
Prudhoe Bay’s shutdown incurring great losses to Alaska
正确答案:
A
解析:
主旨题。该段录音首先描述了阿拉斯加州长为应对Prudhoe Bay油田关闭所采取的措施,继而对油田关闭的原因进行了介绍,接着指出油田关闭对该州造成的重大经济损失,以及对美国油价波动带来的影响。由此可推测,该段录音的主要内容是Prudhoe Bay的关闭对阿拉斯加州带来的巨大损失,因此选项D概括最全面。
【录音原文】
Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski imposed a state hiring freeze Wednesday because of the millions of dollars in revenue Alaska is losing as a result of the Prudhoe Bay oilfield shutdown, and said he would support hearings into BP’s maintenance practices. The governor also said he would direct Alaska’s attorney general to investigate whether the state could hold the oil giant fully accountable for the state’s losses.
Earlier this week, BP said it would shut down Prudhoe Bay—the biggest oilfield in the nation—because of a small leak and severe pipeline corrosion. Energy officials have said the pipeline repairs are likely to take months, curtailing Alaskan production into next year.
The expected loss of 400, 000 barrels per day at today’s oil prices means the state is losing about $6.4 million a day in royalties and taxes, Revenue Commissioner Bill Corbus said. The state receives 89 percent of its income from oil revenue; Alaska has no state sales tax and no personal income tax. Without money coming in from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska’s government can operate for only about two months before going into the red, Corbus said.
BP, the world’s second largest oil company, said it would replace 16 miles of pipeline that carries oil from Prudhoe Bay to the 800-mile Trans-Alaska Pipeline. The Prudhoe Bay field accounts for 8 percent of US domestic output. Because oil demand is so high and the nation’s petroleum supplies are so tight, the shutdown has already driven oil prices up and could mean higher prices at the gasoline pump as well.