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請依下文回答第 36 題至第 40 題
Fuel poverty occurs when a household is unable to afford the most basic amount of energy for
adequate heating, cooking, lighting, and use of appliances in the home. According to European University
Institute, in 2011, 9.8% of households in the EU27 countries and 15.8% of households in the 12 new
member states could not afford to heat their homes adequately. Thus, fuel poverty is an increasingly serious
problem across Europe and requires the intervention of policymakers.
In particular, corrective measures have been implemented which aim to help fuel-poor households
pay their energy bills, and preventive policies have also been introduced, which focus more on improving
residential energy efficiency. Debates about the effectiveness of these measures have ensued for several
reasons; mainly because energy retrofit renovations have often been undertaken by wealthier households.
Thus, despite these measures, given the expected increase in the cost of energy, some could find it difficult
or even impossible to satisfy their energy needs. As a prerequisite to discussions about the effectiveness
of different measures to fight fuel poverty, debates have often focused on the need to reliably identify fuel-
poor households and create a detailed profile of such households. In fact, the multidimensionality of fuel
poverty makes it difficult to achieve this.
Fuel poverty has traditionally been treated as a monetary poverty problem. At European Union level,
there is no common definition or standardized indicator for assessing fuel poverty. While there is a large
body of literature on measuring poverty, consensus has not yet been reached on the related methodological
and conceptual issues. However, households affected by fuel poverty are not always the same as those
affected by monetary problems, even if the two phenomena are inextricably linked.
In this context, we suggest that a more careful and systematic understanding can be developed
through a multidimensional approach to the relationship between monetary poverty, residential energy
efficiency of buildings, and heating restrictions. Our objective in this paper is not to challenge existing
measures of fuel poverty, but provide new ways to better identify those who suffer the most from fuel
poverty in order to optimize policy. We argue this is needed to better identify the connection between
energy use and well-being and therefore deepen understanding of energy poverty.
36 Which of the following is the best title of the paper in which the passage above appears?
Overthrowing the Myth of Fuel Poverty in Europe.
Toward a Monetary Understanding of Fuel Poverty.
The Debate on Fuel Poverty in the European Union.
A Multidimensional Approach to Measuring Fuel Poverty.
37 Where is the above passage most likely to appear in the paper?
Introduction. Method.
Results and discussions. Conclusion.
38 What policy has been taken to avoid fuel insufficiency problems of low-income households?
Drawing the debate on fuel poverty to an end.
Importing more natural gas from other countries such as Russia.
Elevating the energy efficiency level of low-income households.
Lowering the price of electricity or natural gas in the winter.
39 To which of the following statements about fuel poverty do the authors of this paper disagree?
It is mainly caused by higher prices of natural gas.
It is mainly a financial problem of low-income households.
It is difficult to define, so a more comprehensive view is needed.
It affects mainly low-income households in winter.
40 What is the authors’main purpose in the paper?
To challenge existing measures of fuel poverty.
To reduce energy dependence on natural gas.
To provide a deeper understanding of fuel poverty.
To explain the monetary basis of fuel poverty.