What is red but green, open but closed and old but new?
The answer is: London’s new double-decker(双层)buses.
Red double-deckers are a symbol of the city. Their status was sealed (确定) in 2008 when one bus made the longer-than-usual trip to Beijing to collect a special passenger: the Olympic Flame.
On November 11, a life-size model of the new bus was shown to the media. The Guardian reported that the new design shares some of the features of the much-missed double-decker Routemaster bus. The original Routemaster was introduced in 1956 but December 2005 saw the end of the old bus’s general service. It was because the bus was difficult for some passengers to use and not environmentally friendly. But it can still be seen on two heritage routes in the city.
Its replacements —boxy, modern double—deckers—have failed to win Londoners’ affection.
London mayor Boris Johnson told the BBC that the new buses were “a combination of nostalgia(怀旧)and the latest technology”. “Standing on the back platform of this bus brings a sense of nostalgia but also shows the best part of the latest technology and design, making this bus fit for the 21st Century,” he said.
The new bus also returns to the driver—and—conductor model—a key feature of the original version. It will be quieter than the old type and have a platform offering passengers the traditional hop—on hop—off service.
The first five new buses will be seen on the roads by early 2012.
1.Which of the following shows that red double—deckers are a symbol of London?
A.They have a long history and are seen everywhere in London.
B.They have nothing in common with the traditional Routemaster bus.
C.One such bus went from London to Beijing to collect the Olympic Flame.
D.They carried British athletes from London to attend the Beijing Olympics.
2.Which of the following is true of the original Routemaster?
A.The bus came into use in the 1960s.
B.The bus was banned because it was harmful to the environment.
C.Passengers didn’t like the bus because it was slow.
D.Visitors to London cannot see such buses on the roads any more.
3.According to London mayor Boris Johnson, the new Routemaster .
A.has not been as well received as was expected
B.will be widely used in London in 2012
C.is the most environmentally friendly bus in the UK
D.combines the latest technology with key traditional features
4.What is the characteristic of the new red double – deckers?
A.The buses will make no noises.
B.The buses will have no conductors.
C.They will be equipped with air – conditioning.
D.The bus platform will offer passengers a traditional service.
完型填空(共20小题;每小题1.5分,满分30分)
阅读下面短文,掌握其大意,然后从36—55各题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中,选出最佳选项,并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
LAST weekend, I helped my friend Alex get money for poor children at Crossroads Mall He 36 needed volunteers, especially of the female. I decided that this was a pretty good 37 , so the next day I got ready to go.
I arrived at Crossroads about five minutes 38 , and helped Alex and 39 of the volunteers. There were only three 40 at first, and we figured we might as well get started 41 just waiting for more to arrive. I held the 42 , and suddenly felt extremely shy. I did not 43 asking people for donations. In fact, I’m usually one of those people who try to 44 those boring stands and ask you for a little contribution. For heaven’s sake, I can contribute to a few, 45 I cannot alone 46 every single cause in the world!
I really didn’t like the idea of asking anyone for donations to our cause. 47 , I watched my friends speak to the strangers, and noticed that they were extra polite to everyone—no matter whether they 48 . I realized that 49 I wasn’t pushy(强求的), it would be okay, and my conscience could be 50 .
I pasted on a large smile, and started asking people passing by. My mouth tripped over words, and I continually said “um” while I thought of the correct terms. 51 I talked to more and more people. Not only improved, but also started noticing small 52 . Instead of saying “donate”, which made most people walk away 53 .I started suing the word “contribute”. I added the phrase “every little bit counts”, and people started to donate small amounts in larger quantities. As the day went on, I learned how to pull on the hearts of the 54 , and I became a successful fundraiser.
At the end of the day, we all gathered at Alex’s house and 55 how much money we raised. I was so surprised; We raised over $300! We celebrated, and went home tired, but satisfied that we helped a great cause.
1.A.every B.much C.desperately D.too
2.A.cause B.business C.affair D.career
3.A.earlier B.early C.later D.late
4.A.the other B.others C.another D.the rest
5.A.passers—by B.teachers C.volunteers D.people
6.A.instead of B.but C.in spite of D.in place of
7.A.signal B.signature C.sing D.symbol
8.A.appreciate B.like C.want D.need
9.A.annoy B.flee C.meet D.avoid
10.A.and B.but C.or D.so
11.A.do B.support C.make D.create
12.A.What’s more B.Besides C.Whatever D.However
13.A.donated B.gave C.came D.passed
14.A.as soon as B.as far as C.as long as D.as short as
15.A.at ease B.with happiness C.in silence D.in surprise
16.A.As B.Before C.Since D.During
17.A.actions B.hoopes C.wishes D.trends
18.A.slow B.fast C.slower D.faster
19.A.goers B.passers-by C.students D.strangers
20.A.thought B.looked at C.counted D.decided
—Let me help you cross the street.
— ! I’m not that old.
A.Take your time B.No way C.Come on D.Of course
—Did you enjoy reading that novel?
—Yes. such an interesting one.
A.Never I have read B.Never have I read
C.Ever I have read D.Ever have I read
It was just at the time the bell rang he finished the last word in his composition.
A.when; which B.that; when C.when; that D.that; which
The argument remains extremely heated it is necessary to frequently update teaching material.
A.that B.which C.if D.whether