A new algorithm(演算法)raises parking rates in busy neighborhoods and lowers them elsewhere，guaranteeing free parking spots regardless of location，Christopher Intagliata reports.
If you drive in a city，you’ve no doubt experienced the headache of circling block after block，cruising for parking.But scientists who study that phenomenon have a solution to free up more spots:“You make them more expensive，so people have to decide whether to park farther away and Pay less，or closer and pay more.”Itzhak Benenson，a system scientist at Tel Aviv University.
San Francisco has piloted a program that raises parking rates based on demand—and it's been shown to reduce cruising.But the sensors required for those systems can cost millions of dollars to install and operate，Benenson says.So instead，writing in IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Magazine，he and his colleague Nir Fulman describe an algorithm that can determine smart pricing，without the use of sensors.
They tested it on the Israeli city of Bat Yam，near Tel Aviv.First，they divide the city into zones.They estimate the parking demand in each zone，by calculating the number of apartments and offices there.Then they take account of parking supply in the area，along with how wealthy potential parkers might be.Using that data，the algorithm suggested pricing for each zone that would guarantee a 90-percent occupancy rate of parking spots city-wide.Meaning 10 percent of spots were always available to drivers willing to pay the price，regardless of neighborhood.
Of course，not everyone will agree that raising parking prices will reduce the press of parking.Last time Benenson proposed hiking rates for city residents?“I got about 100 reactions on the web and 99 of them that said they have never heard such a stupid statement from the professors，and I should be punished and fired.”
Eventually，he says，it'll be up to cities themselves to estimate their residents’political appetites for an easier parking spot.
1.What does the underlined word“them”in paragraph 1 refer to?
A. Parking spots. B. Parking rates.
C. Busy neighborhoods. D. New algorithms.
2.How does the new algorithm work?
A. Adopting different parking rates.
B. Counting the apartments and offices.
C. Making farther parking spots more expensive.
D. Setting the price of parking spots with sensors.
3.Which is the process of carrying out the smart pricing?
①Choosing a target city.
②Counting the parking demand.
③Dividing the city into zones.
④Suggesting pricing for each zone.
⑤Considering the parking supply.
A. ②⑤④③① B. ①③②⑤④
C. ②⑤①③④ D. ①③④②⑤
4.What will the public think of Benenson’s smart pricing?
A. Supporting. B. Disapproving. C. Optimistic. D. Controversial.
Experts say there are about 6，500 languages spoken throughout the world.But the United Nations estimates that about half of these languages are in danger of disappearing.
One non-profit organization seeking to save world languages is a New York-based group called Wikitongues.Officials from Wikitongues say the organization has a simple goal:to provide the tools and support that people need to save their languages.
Udell is the co-founder of Wikitongues.He said when a language disappears，many other things can go away as well.For example，parts of a community’s culture，knowledge and identity can also be lost.Because of this.Udell believes the process of bringing languages back must be done by community members themselves，“from the ground up，”he said.
“There is no way an outside organization can save someone’s language for them.”
Wikitongues was launched in 2016 as an open internet collection of world languages.The self-described“community”is operated by volunteers from around the world.The collection is in the form of language videos that people add to the Wikitongues website.
There are currently more than 400 languages and dialects represented on Wikitongues’YouTube channel.Udell says more than 1,500 people from 70 different countries have added videos to the system.
“We have people from India who record dozens of languages，which is beyond their own.”he said.
One of Wikitongues’volunteers is Kolokwe，who lives in Namibia.His native language is Subiya，however，he does not get the chance to speak his native language every day.Like many other educated people from his area，he speaks a lot of English and Afrikaans.
Kolokwe is hoping his involvement with Wikitongues call help keep Subiya and other African languages from going extinct.He wants the world to know about his language.But his goal goes beyond just sharing his language with others through video.He is also working to create a dictionary and language teaching materials that can be used in schools.
1.What is tile result of languages disappearing?
A. People are uncertain about who they are.
B. All the customs and beliefs are still existing.
C. People can not communicate with each other.
D. The community becomes more independent.
2.Which of the following is true of Wikitongues?
A. It was founded by the United Nations.
B. Officials from it want to make money.
C. It contributes to saving languages.
D. 1500 languages are uploaded on its website.
3.Why is Kolokwe involved in volunteering?
A. He has no chance to speak his native language.
B. He dislikes speaking English and Afrikaans.
C. He wants to stop his native language dying out.
D. He hopes to teach his language in school himself.
4.What can we infer from the opinion of Udell?
A. The majority of languages have been saved.
B. Wikitongues can save languages disappearing.
C. Internet plays a more important part than volunteers.
D. Only community members can save their own languages.
When I was about 4 years old，I decided to go to Disney World.For most young kids，it's a normal request，but I had cerebral palsy(脑瘫).Walking into anywhere，let alone a crowded place like Disney World was，to put it lightly，a tall order.Luckily，I had people in my corner to help me.Over the next three years，I worked with physical doctors，acquired a walker，and practiced walking，standing，and balance—all skills that I would need to turn my goal into a reality.
I remember the feeling when my legs would protest doing any more work.Despite this，everyone else told me I could do it，so I kept it up.It was all because of people like my parents，brothers，teachers，and doctors that I was able to grow so much，both physically and mentally.Constantly pushing me to“walk on，”yet encouraging me whenever I needed it.
On June 9，2008，as I stood in the tunnel leading into Main Street，My dad asked me if I wanted any help.I instantly replied，“No!”and situated myself facing the end of the tunnel，feet planted firmly，heart most likely beating out of my chest.Then I went，walking ever so slowly at first，then gradually speeding up.Step，step，step，step，bump.Holding fast onto the handlebars，I gathered up all my strength，picked up my walker and straightened out，picking up my pace once again.It wasn’t too long before the cheering increased because I had made it to the end，where my mom was waiting with tears in her eyes and arms open wide ready to hug her son and tell him how proud she was.
Looking back on that experience，I realize something pretty thoughtful.Every once in a while，life will throw a few bumps in the road.Though it may set you back for a bit，don’t let it stop you.Pick yourself back up and finish.It’s worth it.Besides，there just might be someone there cheering you on along the way.
1.Which of the following best explains“a tall order”underlined in paragraph 1 ?
A. An easy decision. B. An available action.
C. A reasonable order. D. A challenging task.
2.Why does the author say he’s lucky?
A. He eventually has his brain disease well cured.
B. He constantly gets courage and support from others.
C. He is likely to do any kind of work in his later life.
D. He is naturally gifted in keeping balance on his own.
3.The author gives a vivid picture of himself in paragraph 3 to______.
A. explain he was terrified to take the first step
B. describe he took pride in his mother and friends
C. show how he managed to walk by himself
D. prove how he understood to respect others
4.What can be the best title of the text?
A. Where Dreams Come True B. When Bad Fortune Falls
C. How I Value Friendship D. Why I Look Back My Life
Visa Medical Appointment
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·A phone interpreter will be made available upon request.
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Bupa Medical Visa Services Customer Service
1.What should applicants take for the appointment?
A. Driving license. B. Passport copy.
C. Medical Referral Letter. D. Sun glasses.
2.What is required to do during the x-ray?
A. To take off all jewellery.
B. To have long hair cut.
C. To have on formal clothing.
D. To take a mobile phone along.
3.Which is the special information for women?
A. Eating and drinking as normal.
B. Keeping secret about the pregnancy.
C. Allowing at least two hours for the test.
D. Delaying the appointment due to menstruation.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.How long did Donna work for the Peace Corps?
A. Three months. B. Two years. C. Three years.
2.What was Donna assigned to do in Brazil?
A. Work on an agricultural project.
B. Carry out a cultural program.
C. Teach Portuguese.
3.What did Donna do first after she went back to Brazil?
A. A farmer. B. A journalist. C. An English teacher.
4.How does Donna make extra money to support herself?
A. By renting her apartment to someone.
B. By writing stories for newspapers.
C. By planting crops.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the man doing?
A. Offering help.
B. Making an introduction.
C. Asking for advice.
2.What does the woman think of collecting umbrellas?
A. Unusual. B. Expensive. C. Interesting.
3.What does the woman say about stamp collections?
A. It helps get her mind off her work.
B. A rare set of stamps is worth a fortune.
C. Building a good stamp collection is not difficult.
4.What will the man probably take up as a hobby?
A. Playing golf.
B. Playing the violin.
C. Collecting electronics.
