The fact that over 1.24 million people lose their lives each year in road accidents is a horrifying statistic that could soon be prevented. It should be of no surprise to understand that the autonomous vehicle industry is predicted to be worth $2.6 trillion a year within 15 years.
What's the future of personal transportation? Well, you'll likely be spending a lot less time behind the wheel, for one. The rise of self-driving cars means that some scenes out of science-fiction flicks（电影）（think Total Recall or I, Robot）are now reality—and even more will be available soon.
Cars today already include many semi-autonomous features, like assisted parking and self-braking systems. And completely autonomous vehicles—able to operate without human control—are rapidly becoming more of a reality. You're probably familiar with Google's version, which has made headlines with its Google Chauffeur software, which the company hopes to bring to market by 2020.
The pros of autonomous cars are many. "The sensors in a self-driving car are always observing, are not affected by the state of the driver（sleepy, angry, etc.）, and can scan in multiple directions simultaneously（同时地）," says Dr. Dominique Freckmann, an automotive engineering manager at TE Connectivity, "Autonomous driving is a key aspect of the industry's drive toward safer roadways."
"Recent NHTSA research shows that approximately 94 percent of accidents are caused by human error," adds Alan Amici, a vice president of automotive engineering at TE. "Cars with advanced safety features and eventually, self-driving cars, can significantly reduce the number of collisions. The impact of this innovation can be far-reaching, including reduced demand on emergency response systems and reduced auto insurance and health care costs."
1.What is the author's attitude towards the autonomous vehicle industry?
A.Positive. B.Disapproving.
C.Uncaring. D.Doubtful.
2.Why is Google Chauffeur software given as an example here?
A.Because people believe Google will sell it in 2020.
B.Because it is the most famous software of the company.
C.Because people are all familiar with the famous software.
D.Because it shows completely autonomous vehicles will be true.
3.Which is the main reason why Alan Amici favors self-driving?
A.Self-driving will cost less than now.
B.People will easily save a lot of time.
C.Self-driving will be safer than now.
D.People will rely more on auto insurance.
4.What is the author's purpose of writing the text?
A.To show his adoration of self-driving cars.
B.To predict the future of personal transportation.
C.To prevent so many road accidents caused by driving.
D.To introduce the benefits of autonomous vehicle industry.
As the climate warms, birds are shrinking and their wingspans are growing, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed 70,716 birds from 52 kinds of North American migratory（迁徙的）bird species collected over 40 years. The authors say the study is the largest of its kind and that the findings are important to understanding how animals will adapt to climate change.
"We found almost all of the species were getting smaller." said lead author Brian Weeks, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan.
"The species were pretty diverse, but responding in a similar wav." he said. "The consistency was shocking."
He said studies of animal responses to climate change often focus on shifts in geographical range or timing of life events, like migration and birth. But this study suggests body morphology（形态）is a crucial third aspect.
"That's one major implication," he said, "It's hard to understand how birds will adapt without taking all three of these things into consideration."
The findings showed that from 1978 to 2016, the length of the birds' lower leg bone shortened by 2.4%. Over the same time, the wings lengthened by 1.3%.
The evidence suggests warming temperatures caused the decrease in body size, which in turn caused the increase in wing length.
"Migration is an incredibly taxing thing they do," Mr. Weeks said, explaining that the smaller body size means less energy available for the birds to complete their long journeys.
He says the birds most likely to survive migration were the ones with longer wingspans and smaller bodies.
The scientists aren't exactly sure why warmer temperatures cause birds to shrink. One theory is that smaller animals are better at cooling off, losing body heat more quickly.
1.What's the best title for the text?
A.All of the Birds Are Getting Smaller
B.Animals Are Adapting to Climate Change
C.Climate Change Is Causing Birds to Shrink
D.Scientists Are Finding Causes of Warm Climate
2.What made Brian Weeks feel astonished?
A.It took 40 years to collect 70,716 birds from North America.
B.Many birds are shrinking when responding to the climate change.
C.All migratory bird species were collected to do the important research.
D.So many researchers take part in the largest study to work out the findings.
3.What does the underlined word "taxing" most probably mean?
A.Tiring. B.Important
C.Easy. D.Pleasant
4.What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A.The migratory birds aren't big.
B.The temperatures will be higher.
C.The scientists will go on further study.
D.The smaller animals will surely live longer.
Fifteen stores have been permanently barred from using Alibaba's online shopping platform for selling fake（伪劣的）or substandard surgical masks during the pneumonia outbreak caused by a novel coronavirus（冠状病毒）, the e-commerce giant said on Wednesday.
Five of the 15 online shops barred by Tuesday had been referred to public security bureaus（公安局）for further investigation, Alibaba said in a statement.
"We'll continue efforts to fight people making or selling fake goods related to epidemic（流行的）prevention and control on our platform and give them hard punishments, "it said, adding it had zero tolerance for such sellers.
Those engaging in price gouging（哄抬）or false advertising would also be punished more heavily, and the company said it would regularly disclose the names of problematic shops and the punishments they received.
“All the moves are not only to shoulder more responsibility for protecting consumers' interests, but also to show our utmost respect to online sellers who obey the laws and participate in the fight to prevent and control the epidemic,” it said.
Promising to let those engaging in improper or illegal behavior during the epidemic period go broke, with "no space to live in Alibaba", the company also called on other e-commerce platforms to shut their doors to such problematic sellers, and suggested government departments should add them to a dishonesty blacklist.
1.What does the underlined word "barred" most probably mean?
A.Encouraged. B.Banned.
C.Chosen. D.Forgiven.
2.Why are the five online shops invested by public security bureaus?
A.Because they might avoid further investigation.
B.Because they might have no licenses to sell medical articles.
C.Because they might make or purchase surgical masks illegally.
D.Because they might sell surgical masks on other e-commerce platforms.
3.What does Alibaba expose the names of those shops and their punishments for?
A.Advertising Alibaba's online shopping platform.
B.Getting more money from public security bureaus.
C.Punishing buyers who buy fake or substandard goods.
D.Protecting consumers' and online sellers' proper interest.
4.What is the last paragraph mainly about?
A.Alibaba's zero tolerance for bad dealers.
B.Government's punishment for dishonesty.
C.Support from other e-commerce platforms.
D.Improper or illegal business behavior of sellers.
New Scientist Discovery
Tour Amazing science-inspired tours across the globe with experts on board and in the company of fellow travelers who enjoy the discovery of science
Space: Past and Future: USA
14 days for £4.799
Departing 6th May and 14th September 2020
Follow the USA's footsteps in exploring space with this comprehensive tour of NASA's space centers and other key sites, including the Very Large Array in attractive New Mexico. Plus, visit the world's first commercial spaceport with leading researchers.
The Science of the Renaissance（文艺复兴）: Italy
7days for £1,825
Departing 3rd March and 3rd November 2020
Embark on a cultural adventure to the great science cities of Florence and Bologna, as architecture expert Andrew Spira and science historian Professor David Wootton guide you through the great discoveries and minds of the Renaissance.
Land of Fire and Ice: Iceland
8 days for £2,249
Departing 31st October and 7th November2020
Marvel at erupting geysers（喷泉）, glaciers and waterfalls on a trip of volcanic and geological（地质的）adventure. Joined by volcanologist Tamsin Mather, discover the best of Iceland with a chance to see the Aurora Borealis.
Tiger Conservation Safari: India
9 days for £3,850
Departing 10th April 2021
Involve yourself in jungle life in the search for the Bengal tiger. Learn how to protect the rich wildlife you encounter at India's reserves, complete with a masterclass in tracking and stay in a cozy lodge（小屋）.
1.Which tour is scheduled in May?
A.Space: Past and Future: USA
B.The Science of the Renaissance: Italy
C.Land of Fire and Ice: Iceland
D.Tiger Conservation Safari: India
2.How much will it cost if you are interested in Florence?
A.£4,799. B.£1,825.
C.£2,249. D.£3,850.
3.What can tourists do during the Iceland tour?
A.Explore space with researchers.
B.See geysers，glaciers and waterfalls.
C.Discover the culture of the Renaissance.
D.Learn about protecting wildlife while travelling.
假如你是某中学学生会主席李华，因新型冠状病毒疫情，原定于今年6月23日将在你校举办的中国传统文化展（the Traditional Chinese Culture Fair）推迟至今年晚些时候。请就此事给之前应邀的英国姊妹学校的学生会负责人Charlie写一封信。内容包括：
1.写信目的；
2.解释原因；
3.具体时间另行通知。
参考词汇：
新型冠状病毒的流行the COVID-19 epidemic
注意：1.词数100左右；
2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（^），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2.只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
I’d like to tell you anything about the one -day tour on last weekend. We went to the Wetland Park by bike, with an aim of advocating a green trip. In addition, our main task was do something meaningful, but we volunteered to pick up the rubbish in the park. Besides, we also participated in other interesting activity. We went boating in the river. The most excited activity was the fishing competition, during that I won the first prize. We all had a good time here. When we return in the afternoon, it was already five o’clock.
