If cars had wings, they could fly and that just might happen, beginning in 2011.The company Terrafugia, based in Woburn, Massachusetts, says it plans to make such a car-plane called “Transition”, to customers(顾客) by the end of 2012. “It’s the next ‘wow’ vehicle,”said Terrafugia vice president Richard Gersh. “Anybody can buy a Ferrari, but as we say, Ferraris don’t fly.”
The car-plane has wings that unfold for flying—a process the company says takes one minute-and fold back up for driving. A runway is still needed to take off and land.
The Transition is being marketed more as a plane that drives than a car that flies, although it is both. The company has been working with FAA to meet aircraft regulations, and with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to meet vehicle safety regulations.
The company is aiming to sell the Transition to private pilots as an easier and cheaper way to fly.They say it saves you the trouble from trying to find another mode of transportation to get to and from airports: You drive the car to the airport and then you’re good to go.When you land, you fold up the wings and hit the road. There are no expensive parking fees because you don’t have to store it at an airport—you leave it in the car park at home.
The car-plane is designed to fly under 10,000 feet. It has a maximum take-off weight of 1,430 pounds, including fuel and passengers.
The Transition’s price tag: $194,000, But there may be something else you need to pay, like a radio, transponder or GPS and so on.
So far, the company has more than 70 orders. “We’re working very closely with them, but there are still some remaining steps,” Brown said.
1.We can learn from the first paragraph that _________.
A.car-planes will be popular in 2012
B.people might drive a car-plane in 2012
C.both Transition and Ferrari can take off and land
D.Richard Gersh is the vice president of Massachusetts
2.According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true?
A.The car-plane needs a runway to take off and land.
B.A car-plane with radio and GPS will cost $194,000
C.The car-plane may fly at 8,000 feet
D.People can park the car-plane in the car park at their home.
3. Which of the following has the closest meaning to the underlined word “unfold” on this passage?
A. start B. spread
C. cover D. travel
4.What’s the best title for the passage?
A. Cars With Wings May come true soon
B. A Ferrari or a Car Plane
C. A Easier and Cheaper Way to Fly
D. Cars With Wings Can Fly as Fast as Planes
Twenty years ago, I drove a taxi for a living. One night I went to pick up a passenger at 2:30 AM. When I arrived there, I walked to the door and knocked, “Just a minute,” answered a weak, elderly voice.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her eighties stood before me. By her side was a small suitcase.
When we got into the taxi, she gave me an address, and then asked, “Could you drive through downtown?”
“It’s not the shortest way,” I answered quickly.
“Oh, I’m in no hurry,” she said. “I’m on my way to a hospice(临终医院). I don’t have any family left. The doctor says I don’t have very long.”
I quietly reached over and shut off the meter(计价器).
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked, the neighborhood where she had lived, and the furniture shop that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she’d ask me to slow down in front of a special building and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
In the early morning, she suddenly said,” I’m tired. Let’s go now.”
We drove in silence to the address she had given me.
“How much do I pay you?” she asked.
“Nothing.” I said.
“You have to make a living,” she answered. “Oh, there are other passengers,” I answered.
Almost without thinking, I gave her a hug(拥抱). She held on me and said, “You gave an old woman a little moment of joy.”
1.The old woman chose to ride through the city in order to ______.
A. show she was familiar with the city
B. see some places for the last time
C. let the driver earn more money
D. reach the destination on time
2.The taxi driver did not get the money because he ______.
A. wanted to give her a hand
B. shut off the meter by mistake
C. had received her payment already
D. was in a hurry to take other passengers
3.What can we learn from the story?
A. No pains, no gains.
B. People should respect(尊重) each other.
C. An act of kindness can bring people great joy.
D. People should learn to enjoy our life.
Because earthquakes happen without warning, it’s important to take steps now to prepare.
Because you don’t know where you will be when an earthquake happens, prepare some supplies for your home, workplace, and car.
1. Water.
A person needs at least 1 or 2 gallon of water daily just for drinking. Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day and be prepared for a 72-hour period. It is suggested that you buy bottled water. Keep bottled water and do not open it until you need to use it. Also, do check the “use by” date.
2. Food.
It’s always a practical idea to keep food that can be stored easily. Have an enough supply of canned food, powdered milk, dried fruits, non-salted nuts and canned juices for at least 72 hours.
3. Flashlights(手电筒) and spare batteries.
Keep a flashlight beside your bed, at your place of work, and in your car. Do not use matches or candles after an earthquake. Maybe it’s dangerous. Prepare a battery-powered radio and spare batteries. Most telephones will be out of service, so radios will be your best thing of information.
4. Clothes.
If you live in a cold place, you must think about warmth. You might not have heat after an earthquake. Think about your clothing and bedding supplies.
1.Why should people prepare themselves for an earthquake?
A. Because earthquakes can be known before they happen.
B. Because earthquakes take place without warning.
C. Because earthquakes take place at times
D. Because it’s people’s daily work to prepare the earthquakes.
2.From the prepared water, we may know that .
A. A person should prepare 0.5 gallon of water for one day.
B. You’d better use your own bottle to keep water.
C. We should drink water after the “use by” date.
D. You shouldn’t open the bottled water until you need it.
3.According to the article we know that .
A. we can keep some fresh fruits for at least 72 hours.
B. a telephone is the most important prepared thing.
C. flashlights but not matches are first used after earthquakes.
D. clothes are used to protect your head.
SPECIAL EVENTS!
Long March exhibit
The Shanghai History Museum is putting on an exhibition to remember the Long March(长征). On show are more than 220 photos and 40 other things that explain with pictures how the Red Army went through all the difficulties in Jiangxi Province and fought its way to northern Shanxi province in the mid-1930s. The show will end on November 20.
Time: 10:00 am—4:00 pm.
Address: 1286 Hongqiao Road
Admission: 20 yuan each and half price for students
Thai elephants
Eight elephants from Thailand are entertaining visitors at Changfeng Park by riding bikes, playing basketball, balancing on a beam, dancing and blowing a mouth-organ. People are encouraged to have a tug-of-war(拔河) with the animals or lie on the ground and have the elephants walk over them, The elephants give three shows a day at 9:30 am,3:30 pm and 8:00 pm and there is an additional show at l:30 pm at weekends.The show will end on November 15.
Address: 189 Daduhe Road
Admission: 10 yuan
Dancing dolphins
Dolphins jumping from the water to touch a ball, swaying their bodies to music, kissing people and doing maths by tapping their tails have made the dolphinarium in Peace Park an attraction for children. Seals and sea lions also perform.
Hours: 10:30 am, 4:00 pm, and 7:30 prn
Admission: 10 on weekdays 20 yuan on weekends
1.At the exhibition, you will see
A. many articles written by famous writers.
B. 260 things used by the Red Army.
C. many photos and pictures about the Long Match.
D. many books on the Long March.
2.Which of the following is NOT done by the Thai elephants?
A.Riding bicycles B.Blowing a mouth-organ
C.walking with visitors D.Having a tug-of-war with people
3.If your parents want to enjoy all these events with you on Saturday, how much will you pay?
A.less than 80 yuan B. 80—100 yuan
C. 100—120 yuan D.more than 120 yuan
Hello! Welcome to our Music Program. And now if you listen to this programme, you’ll know that it’s time for our competition every week. Last week’s prize of two theatre tickets was won by Bill Martins. Congratulations, Bill. I hope you’ve your tickets by now. This week we are offering a classical (经典的) CD. I hope you will be the first listener to tell the name of the music and the person who it. but I do, you need to get a pencil and a piece of paper, as I’m going to give you some which should make your job a little easier. Are you ready? Right. Now listen carefully, as you might be this week’s winner.
Although the person who wrote the music was born in Italy, he spent most of his in Spain. Have you got that? The second point: There is also a famous play which has the same title as this music and which is usually performed in the open air in the summer. Any yet? I should warn you that it’s not that easy. Now for the next point: When this piece of music was first performed, many people in the audience got up and walked out. They thought the music was terrible and said it was a waste of their money. It’s really, when you think how it is today.
And now for the last point. Part of his music was used for an advertisement which you can see on television, in a lot of magazines and even on your cinema screen from next month. I’m when you hear the music, you’ll know what the advertisement is for. I’m not going to tell you what product (产品) it is, because that would almost give you the answer!
So, that’s four things to remember. If you can give us the answer, please ring 400-8937224. And the music is coming up now.
1.A.heard B.checkedC. receivedD. noticed
2.A. sang B. wroteC. lovedD. played
3.A. after B. untilC.while D. before
4.A. noticeB.storiesC. help D. secret
5.A. correctB. luckyC. successful D. funny
6.A. lifeB. moneyC. music D. dream
7.A. question B. idea C. thing D. point
8.A. fantastic B.surprising C. unfair D.unwelcome
9.A.commonB. funny C. interesting D. popular
10.A. believeB. think C. afraid D. sure
— Lisa, you look so tired. Shall I give you a ride?
—Thanks very much. .
A. It’s my pleasure B. It couldn’t be better
C. Don’t mention it D. Do as you like
