Energy firm Npower is to cut up to 2,500 jobs, more than a fifth of its UK workforce, with details to be announced this week.Npower, which is owned by the German energy giant RWE, employs 11,500 people in Britain and is one of the big six gas and electricity suppliers in the UK.Last year it posted a loss of £48m for the first nine months of the year.In February Npower announced a 5.2% cut in its gas price, taking effect on 28 March—a £32 average annual reduction to customers on a standard domestic tariff.Like other energy suppliers, it is under pressure from ministers and consumer groups to lower energy bills for customers amid a rapid decline in oil prices.The news on job losses also comes days before UK competition regulators unveil plans to make the energy market more transparent for consumers.1.What is the main idea of the news report?A) Npower is to cut up to 2,500 jobs, over a fifth of its UK workforce.B) Npower posted a loss of £48 for the first nine months last year.C) Npower is one of the big five gas and electricity suppliers in the UK.D) Npower announced a 2.5% cut in its gas price for the domestic pressure.2.What does the news report say about the Npower firm?A) The German energy giant RWE belongs to Npower.B) There are 11,500 employees in Npower.C) Npower supplies customers with gas and oil.D) Npower makes a big profit from selling gas.3.What is the common problem for energy suppliers?A) There is a sudden increase in oil prices.B) They have to reduce energy bills for customers.C) UK competition regulators set a new policy.D) The energy market will be more transparent for consumers.

Energy firm Npower is to cut up to 2,500 jobs, more than a fifth of its UK workforce, with details to be announced this week.Npower, which is owned by the German energy giant RWE, employs 11,500 people in Britain and is one of the big six gas and electricity suppliers in the UK.Last year it posted a loss of £48m for the first nine months of the year.In February Npower announced a 5.2% cut in its gas price, taking effect on 28 March—a £32 average annual reduction to customers on a standard domestic tariff.Like other energy suppliers, it is under pressure from ministers and consumer groups to lower energy bills for customers amid a rapid decline in oil prices.The news on job losses also comes days before UK competition regulators unveil plans to make the energy market more transparent for consumers.1.What is the main idea of the news report?A) Npower is to cut up to 2,500 jobs, over a fifth of its UK workforce.B) Npower posted a loss of £48 for the first nine months last year.C) Npower is one of the big five gas and electricity suppliers in the UK.D) Npower announced a 2.5% cut in its gas price for the domestic pressure.2.What does the news report say about the Npower firm?A) The German energy giant RWE belongs to Npower.B) There are 11,500 employees in Npower.C) Npower supplies customers with gas and oil.D) Npower makes a big profit from selling gas.3.What is the common problem for energy suppliers?A) There is a sudden increase in oil prices.B) They have to reduce energy bills for customers.C) UK competition regulators set a new policy.D) The energy market will be more transparent for consumers.