SAN FRANCISCO—A phone app (应用程序) in San Francisco gives information about open parking spots. City officials in San Francisco introduced the app to try to reduce traffic jams in the city, but some say it raises safety concerns.
In this city, drivers searching for parking spots lead to 30 percent of all downtown jams, city officials think. Now San Francisco has found a solution—a phone app for spot-seekers that displays information about areas with available spaces. The system, introduced last month, relies on wireless sensors (感应器) fixed in streets and city garages that can tell within seconds if a spot has opened up.
Monique Soltani, a TV reporter, said she and her sister spent 25 minutes on Friday trying to park. “We were praying to the parking god that we’d find a spot,” she said. “If we had the app, we would not have to pray to the parking god.” But the system could come with serious consequences.
Some people say that drivers searching for parking could end up focusing on their phones, not the road. “It could be really distracting (使分心的),” said Daniel Simons, a professor of psychology at the University of Illinois.
City officials acknowledge the potential problem. They are urging drivers to pull over before they use the city’s iPhone app, or to do so before they leave home. Nathaniel Ford, executive director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, said safety could actually improve if drivers quickly found a spot instead of circling and getting frustrated.
San Francisco has put sensors into 7,000 parking spots and 12,250 spots in city garages. If spaces in an area open up, the sensors communicate wirelessly with computers that in turn make the information available to app users within a minute, said Mr. Ford, of the transportation agency. On the app, a map shows which blocks have lots of places (blue) and which are full (red).
More than 12,000 people have downloaded San Francisco’s app, which is available now only for the iPhone but which city officials say they hope to bring to all similar devices.
When it is started up, the city’s parking app warns drivers not to use the system while in motion. But safety advocates said that might not be sufficient. After all, they say, texting while driving is illegal in California and in many states, but a number of surveys, including one by the Pew Research Center, show that many Americans do it anyway.
Elizabeth Stampe, executive director of Walk San Francisco, a pedestrian advocacy group, said she hoped the new parking app would lead to fewer accidents.
“It’s an innovative idea,” she said. “The safe way for people to use the device is for them to pull over, which they know they should do. The question is whether they will.”
But Ms. Soltani, the TV reporter, said using the app would probably join the group of activities already performed by drivers.
“We’re already looking at Google Maps and Facebook on the phone while we drive,” she said. “Aren’t we always looking at something on our phone, or changing the radio, or drinking coffee? You’re always slightly distracted when you’re driving.”
1.What is the phone app mentioned in the text mainly aimed at?
A. Making full use of the parking spots.
B. Making the traffic flow smoothly.
C. Preventing traffic accidents.
D. Benefiting iPhone users.
2.According to the text, San Francisco city officials ______.
A. don’t consider the app distracting
B. advise drivers to park cars slowly
C. are aware of the app’s disadvantages
D. believe more parking spots are needed
3.How do drivers locate the parking spots?
A. Sensors"computers"app. B. App"computers"sensors.
C. Sensors"app"computers. D. Computers"app"sensors.
4.The phone app mentioned in the text ______.
A. is a bit slow in reacting
B. hasn’t been put into service
C. was introduced several years ago
D. can’t be downloaded to all phones
5.Which of the following is TRUE according to the text?
A. Daniel Simons thinks the app convenient.
B. San Francisco will put more sensors into use.
C. Most drivers open the app once they start their cars.
D. Nathaniel Ford doesn’t doubt the practical use of the app.
Homestay provides English language students with the opportunity to speak English outside the classroom and the experience of being part of a British home.
What to Expect
The host will provide accommodation and meals. Rooms will be cleaned and bedcovers changed at least once a week. You will be given the house key and the host is there to offer help and advice as well as to take an interest in your physical and mental health.
Homestays are located in London mainly in Zones 2, 3 and 4 of the transport system. Most hosts do not live in the town centre as much of central London is commercial and not residential (居住的). Zones 3 and 4 often offer larger accommodation in a less crowded area. It is very convenient to travel in London by underground.
Meal Plans Available
♢ Continental Breakfast
♢ Breakfast and Dinner
♢ Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
It’s important to note that few English families still provide a traditional cooked breakfast. Your accommodation includes Continental Breakfast which normally consists of fruit juice, cereal (谷物类食品), bread and tea or coffee. Cheese, fruit and cold meat are not normally part of a Continental Breakfast in England. Dinners usually consist of meat or fish with vegetables followed by desert, fruit and coffee.
Friends
If you wish to invite a friend over to visit, you must first ask your host’s permission. You have no right to entertain friends in a family home as some families feel it is an invasion of their privacy.
Self-Catering Accommodation in Private Homes
Accommodation on a room-only basis includes shared kitchen and bathroom facilities and often a main living room. This kind of accommodation offers an independent lifestyle and is more suitable for the long-stay student. However, it does not provide the same family atmosphere as an ordinary homestay and may not benefit those who need to practice English at home quite as much.
1.The passage is probably written for ______.
A. hosts willing to receive foreign students
B. foreigners hoping to know British culture
C. travelers planning to visit families in London
D. English learners applying to live in English homes
2.Which of the following will the host provide?
A. Room cleaning. B. Medical care.
C. Free transport. D. Physical training.
3.According to the passage, what does Continental Breakfast include?
A. Dessert and coffee. B. Fruit and vegetables.
C. Bread and fruit juice. D. Cereal and cold meat.
4.Why do some people choose self-catering accommodation?
A. To experience a warmer family atmosphere.
B. To enrich their knowledge of English.
C. To entertain friends as they like.
D. To enjoy much more freedom.
Think about the last time you felt a negative emotion—like stress, anger, or frustration. What was going through your mind as you were going through that negativity? Was your mind cluttered with (充斥) different kinds of thoughts? Or was it paralyzed, unable to think?
The next time you find yourself in the middle of a very stressful time, or you feel angry or frustrated, stop. Yes, that’s right, stop. Whatever you’re doing, stop and sit for one minute. While you’re sitting there, completely immerse yourself in the negative emotion. Allow that emotion to consume you. Allow yourself one minute to truly feel that emotion. Don’t cheat yourself here. Take the entire minute—but only one minute—to do nothing else but feel that emotion.
When the minute is over, ask yourself, “Am I willing to keep holding on to this negative emotion as I go through the rest of the day?” Once you’ve allowed yourself to be totally immersed in the emotion and really feel it, you will be surprised to find that the emotion clears rather quickly.
If you feel you need to hold on to the emotion for a little longer, that is OK. Allow yourself another minute to feel the emotion. When you feel you’ve had enough of the emotion, ask yourself if you’re willing to carry that negativity with you for the rest of the day. If not, take a deep breath. As you exhale, release all that negativity with your breath.
This exercise seems simple—almost too simple. But, it is very effective. By allowing that negative emotion the space to be truly felt, you are dealing with the emotion rather than stuffing it down and trying not to feel it. You are actually taking away the power of the emotion by giving it the space and attention it needs. When you immerse yourself in the emotion, and realize that it is only emotion, it loses its control. You can clear your head and proceed with your task.
1.Which one does not belong to the negative emotion?
A. anxiety B. confusion C. depression D. sorrow
2.What should you do when you are into negativity according to the article?
A. Listen to some music.
B. Ignore it and do something else.
C. Just do nothing and truly feel that emotion.
D. Think about it and try to deal with it immediately.
3.The underlined word “immerse” (Paragraph 2) most probably means ______.
A. break down B. get rid of C. cut off D. throw into
4.What’s the best title of this text?
A. Clear Your Mental Space.
B. Deep Breath, Trouble Away.
C. Try to Avoid the Negative Emotion.
D. Hold on to Negative Emotion as Long as Possible.
5.The author’s opinion towards negative emotion is ______.
A. doubtful B. optimistic C. frightened D. confused
I have always wanted to share this story because it is one of the things that I will remember for my entire life. And I’m sure person feels the same.
We had a new teacher in my high school World History class. She was very nice and excited to see us. She told a story about her fighting in a war and brought a picture of him. After about fifteen of her talking, the class started talking softly to each other they were getting bored. Looking , she asked “So, you guys don’t really want to hear any more?” No one dared to actually say “no” to her out loud one kid. He said, “No, not really!” in a disrespectful way. Some kids were a little and thought that it was rather rude.
I felt extremely bad for this teacher. No one deserves to be in such a disrespectful manner. , a little before class let out, I went up to her and for the guy’s rude behavior. I told her I had been , and even though I may not entirely like , I did appreciate her sharing her story. I asked her about her father and asked to see the picture of him. We had a very nice, genuine conversation about her father.
The teacher was . She really appreciated me coming up and actually treating her with the that she deserved. I felt at full peace with myself knowing that I did the right thing and I was super happy that I actually . Even though I didn’t really care for history, I listened, and I hope that others in different situations will do the same. Listening means a lot to the people sharing; it really . If I had just left the class without saying a word, I would have felt extremely and would have a constant reminder, probably to this day, that was not served and I had left a person in their time of need.
1.A. neither B. no C. a certain D. the other
2.A. father B. nephew C. uncle D. brother
3.A. hours B. minutes C. seconds D. days
4.A. even if B. as if C. because D. so
5.A. hurt B. funny C. proud D. amused
6.A. besides B. except C. as well as D. along with
7.A. interested B. excited C. disappointed D. shocked
8.A. treated B. considered C. scolded D. taught
9.A. Therefore B. However C. Personally D. Naturally
10.A. thanked B. prepared C. apologized D. argued
11.A. talking B. listening C. laughing D. wondering
12.A. geography B. literature C. architecture D. history
13.A. nothing B. little C. less D. more
14.A. amazed B. touched C. embarrassed D. bored
15.A. gift B. reward C. respect D. praise
16.A. made her day B. made my day C. made her way D. made my way
17.A. ever B. even C. still D. seldom
18.A. means B. makes C. is D. does
19.A. happy B. guilty C. lucky D. empty
20.A. justice B. right C. purpose D. interest
— I’m sorry I didn’t make it to your party last night.
—______, I know you’re busy these days.
A. Of course B. No kidding C. That’s all right D. You are welcome
After he retired from the office, Tom ______ painting for a while, but soon lost interest.
A. took up B. saved up C. kept up D. drew up
