An Australian company, Smart Car Technologies, has developed a system that lets drivers know when they’re speeding. When the technology becomes commercially available, it could help lead-footed drivers avoid tickets and also save lives. The company that developed the product hopes to convince Australian government agencies to put the technology into use in their automobile fleets.
The product, called Speed Alert, links real-time location data and speed obtained with the help of GPS to a database of posted speed limits stored in a driver’s PDA or programmable mobile phone. The setup of the product does not need to be hooked up to a car’s speedometer. In fact, it is entirely portable. It will also work with newer phones and PDAs that have built-in GPS receivers. If a driver exceeds the speed limit, the speed is shown and an alert sounds.
Michael Paine, an Australian vehicle design engineer and traffic safety consultant, was hired to analyze the product. He told Live Science that his colleagues in the road safety field are “very enthusiastic” about what they’re now calling “intelligent speed alert.” Other research, according to Paine, shows that 40 percent of all traffic deaths involve speeding. There is also a potentially controversial future use: “Since the system is so portable, it would be easy to make it a requirement for teenage drivers to always use a speed alert device when driving,” Paine said. “The system even has the capability to record speeding violations, so parents can monitor their teenage drivers.”
The product will soon go on sale in Sydney.
1. What’s the purpose of the new product?
A. To inform us of the new car system. B. To introduce some improvement in cars.
C. To limit certain drivers to safe driving. D. To popularize the built-in car system.
2.The second paragraph mainly talks about .
A. the project of the built-in product B. why the system becomes popular
C. the functions of GPS in cars D. how the product is programmed
3.Which of the following is true of Speed Alert according to Michael Paine?
A. Most of the traffic deaths can be avoided. B. Speeding violations can be easily found out.
C. The system will excite some teenage drivers. D. The product will not be available for adults.
4.What can be the best title of the passage?
A. Speed Alert and Its Future Use. B. Progress in Car-making Science.
C. Warning for Adventurous Drivers. D. New In-Car Device against Speeding.
Trip 1 Black Bear Count
There have been fires in this area in the last few years and the Office of the National Park is not sure how many black bears are still living. Some bears have been seen since the fires, and the Office has asked for young people to help count them. The entire trip will last three hours. Bookings necessary.
Cost: Free When: May 8
Trip 2 Garland Valley
Bring your drink and lunch for this walk in a beautiful area of the Blue Mountains. Garland Valley is close to the town of Garland but is part of the National park. Many wild animals live in this area, including many rare birds. This is a great walk for bird-lovers. The trip lasts four hours. Bookings necessary.
Cost: $15 When: May 8, May 15
Trip 3 Flashlight Adventure
Put on your warm clothes, bring a flashlight and a pair of glasses, and comes for a night walk along the Dungog Valley. A guide will lead the tour. Many of the animals you will see on this trip can only be seen at night. The guide will tell you about the lives of the animals you see. Numbers are strictly limited on night trips, so be sure to book early. This walk lasts two and a half hours.
Cost: $12 When: May 8, May 15, May 22
Equipment to be needed:
● Please bring enough water and food for all walks
● Wear good walking shoes – no high heels.
● Wear a hat for day walks.
● Dress warmly for night walks.
● Children must be with an adult.
● Make sure your flashlight works well and bring extra batteries for night walks.
● Follow all instructions from guides during the walks. The mountains are a dangerous place.
Bookings:
● Bookings for the above trips can be traded by telephone (893-4847) or on the Internet at www.Bluemountaintour.com
1.Where are these trips?
A. In a large city. B. In a park in the mountains.
C. In a special kind of zoo. D. In three different countries.
2.On which trip(s) had you better wear a hat?
A. Trip 1 B. Trip 2 C. Trip 1& 2 D. Trip 3
3.What is the best title for the passage?
A. Adventure Travel in America B. Hunting around the Great Mountains
C. Interesting Trips in the East of the USA D. Discovery Trips in the Blue Mountains
Are you sometimes a little tired and sleepy in the early afternoon? Many people feel this way after lunch. They may think that eating lunch is the cause of the sleepiness. Or, in summer, they may think it is the heat. However, the real reason lies inside their bodies. At that time – about eight hours after you wake up – your body temperature goes down. This is what makes you slow down and feel sleepy. Scientists have tested sleep habits in experiments where there was no night or day. The people in these experiments almost always followed a similar sleeping pattern. They slept for one long period and then for one short period about eight hours later.
In many parts of the world, people take naps(小睡) in the middle of the day. This is especially true in warmer climates(气候), where the heat makes work difficult in the early afternoon. Researchers are now saying that naps are good for everyone in any climate. A daily nap gives one a more rested body and mind and therefore is good for health in general. In countries where naps are traditional (传统的), people often suffer less from problems such as heart disease.
Many working people, unfortunately, have no time to take naps. Though doctors may advise taking naps, employers do not allow it! If you do have the chance, however, here are a few tips about making the most of your nap. Remember that the best time to take a nap is about eight hours after you get up. A short sleep too late in the day may only make you feel more tired and sleepy afterward. This can also happen if you sleep for too long. If you do not have enough time, try a short nap – even ten minutes of sleep can be helpful.
1. Why do people feel sleepy in the early afternoon according to the text?
A. Their body temperature becomes lower.
B. They sleep too little at night.
C. They eat too much for lunch.
D. The weather becomes a lot warmer.
2. If you get up at 6:30 am, what is the best time for you to take a nap?
A. About 12:30 pm. B. About 2:30 pm
C. About 1:30 pm. D. About 3:30 pm
3.What advice does the writer give on taking a nap?
A. You’d better take a nap about an hour after you have lunch.
B. You can sleep as long as you like so that you will not feel tied or sleepy.
C. Only people in warmer climate need to take a nap.
D. If your time is limited, a short nap can also help.
4.Naps are good for everyone in any climate because ______________ .
A. a nap makes both your body and mind have a good rest.
B. a daily nap benefits your health.
C. people who often take naps suffer less from problems such as heart disease than those who don’t.
D. All the above.
5. What would be the best title for the text?
A. Just for a Rest B. All for a Nap
C. A Special Sleep Pattern. D. Taking Naps in Warmer Climate.
One fine day, an old couple around the age of 70, walks into a lawyer's office. Apparently, they are there to file a divorce. Lawyer was very puzzled, after having a chat with them, he got their story.
This couple had been quarreling all their 40 years of marriage nothing ever seems to go right.
They hang on because of their children, afraid that it might affect their up-bringing. Now, all their children have already grown up, have their own family, there's nothing else the old couple have to worry about, all they wanted is to lead their own life free from all these years of unhappiness from their marriage, so both agree on a divorce.
While they were signing the papers, the wife told the husband. “I really love you, but I really can't carry on anymore, I'm sorry.”
"It's OK, I understand." said the husband.
Little did she know that, over the years, the husband has been trying all ways to please her, little did she know that drumsticks were the husband's favorite.
Little did he know that she never thought he understands her at all, little did he know that she hates drumsticks even though all he wants is the best for her.
That night, both of them couldn't sleep, toss and turn, toss and turn. After hours, the old man couldn't take it anymore, he knows that he still loves her, and he can't carry on life without her, he wants her back, he wants to tell her, he is sorry, he wants to tell her, "I love you."
He picked up the phone, started dialing her number. Ringing never stops. He never stops dialing.
On the other side, she was sad, she couldn't understand how come after all these years, he still doesn't understand her at all, she loves him a lot, but she just can't take it any more. Phone's ringing, she refuses to answer knowing that it's him. "I want to keep it this way, if not I will lose face. "She thought. Phone is still ringing. She has decided to pull out the cord.
Little did she remember, he had heart problems.
The next day, she received news that he had passed away. She rushed down to his apartment, saw his body, lying on the couch still holding on to the phone. He had a heart attack when he was still trying to get through (接通) her phone line.
1.The old couple wanted to file a divorce because __________.
A. they had no child. B. their children didn’t like them.
C. they didn’t understand each other actually. D. the old man didn’t love the old woman.
2.Why didn’t they file a divorce before they were at the age of 70?
A. Because they were loving each other then.
B. Because they had no time to lawyer’s office.
C. Because they wanted to make their divorce open.
D. Because they didn’t wish to affect their children’s up-bringing.
3.According to the passage we can know that ______.
A. the old man still loved his wife really. B. the wife didn’t love her husband at all.
C. their children still lived with old couple. D. they were in harmony over 40 years.
4.After the last paragraph the old woman would be _______.
A. wild with joy B. wild with grief(悲伤) C. unconcern about it D. angry at that
Seven loyal（忠实的）readers came to the Teens Office two weeks ago. They had a wonderful day learning how to make a newspaper. But what 36 made them excited was that they had their say.
“What most _37_ me was when I was saying something, I found all eyes were on me,” said Tang Shining, one of the students. Her friend, Li Chunbei _38_, and felt very glad that when she was talking, the editors（编辑） nodded and _39_ took notes.
Students are happy to see the editors listen to their _40_. You may often _41_about being neglected（忽视） by teachers and parents. _42__ before complaining, please make sure that you have already spoken about your _43_.
Traditionally in China, teachers at school and parents were_44_ the ones to tell teenagers what they should and shouldn’t do. The young are _45_ to doing what they are told, rather than thinking by themselves. But then their ideas would be locked in their brain and not be _46_.
A girl wrote to Teens about her family story. She _47__ to be very sad because her father seldom talked and played with her. After years of consideration, she _48_ decided to write her father a letter, telling him about her sadness. To her _49__, the father _50_, saying that he didn’t realize his mistake. From then on, he really _51_.
Sometimes, we need to let our _52__ be heard, so others can understand our thoughts and feelings.
Don’t be afraid of being _53_ for what you have done. You know it is your _54_ to speak your mind. Even if your suggestions are denied, at least you have tried your best. You will not be left with any _55_.
1.A. directly B. really C. completely D. immediately
2. A. disappointed B. frightened C. impressed D. horrified （恐惧）
3. A. refused B. disagreed C. disliked D. agreed
4. A. even B. yet C. already D. still
5. A. speeches B. opinions C. songs D. articles
6. A. talk B. complain C. write D. speak
7. A. And B. So C. But D. Instead
8. A. pleasure B. love C. hatred （憎恨） D. worry
9. A. seldom B. never C. always D. sometimes
10. A. used B. reduced C. devoted D. told
11. A. remembered B. used C. touched D. heard
12. A. used B. pretended C. seemed D. had
13. A. sadly B. suddenly C. angrily D. finally
14. A. sorrow（悲伤） B. disappointment C. surprise D. satisfaction
15.A. apologized B. smiled C. laughed D. sighed
16.A. exchanged B. changed C. left D. played
17. A. voices B. decisions C. suggestions D. secrets
18.A. praised B. blamed C. beaten D. fined
19. A. duty B. task C. right D. pleasure
20. A. regret B. sadness C. trouble D. difficulty
—I didn’t know this was a one-way street, officer.
—________.
A. That’s all right. B. I don’t believe you.
C. How can you say that? D. Sorry, but that’s no excuse.
