Hybrid cars, also called hybrid electric vehicles （HEVs）, are cars that use more than one source of energy to run. They differ from the majority of cars on the road today in several ways. The main difference is that HEVs run on gasoline and electricity. An HEV car has a battery-powered motor as well as an engine that runs on gasoline.
A hybrid car is a bit more expensive to produce than a regular car even though its engine is smaller. The reason for the greater expense is that the engine is more complex. It has specialized mechanisms that allow it to operate using gasoline and electric power. It also contains a computer that works differently from those of regular cars. Even though it is more expensive to purchase, it costs less to own than gas-powered cars. When an HEV car is at a stoplight or going at a speed below 15 miles per hour, its special computer tells it to run just on electric power. When the computer senses that the car needs more power, it puts the gasoline engine back to work. The computer is constantly deciding whether the car will use electricity, gas, or a combination of the two.
Because the HEV has electric power to help it run, it uses much less fuel than most cars. In fact hybrid cars are the most fuel-efficient cars that exist today. They can get from 50 to 60 miles per gallon on average. The high mileage saves money for the car owner and conserves precious supplies of petroleum. Hybrid cars help the environment in other ways too. For example, when
the HEV is using electric power, it does not send out poisonous smoke that pollute the air.
Despite the differences between hybrid cars and regular cars, HEVs offer the same feel as regular cars. They handle the same way and speed up and stop in the same way too. HEVs, though, are generally smaller than gasoline-powered cars. Their rounded, aerodynamic frame helps add to their fuel efficiency but unfortunately does not add to the amount of space inside the vehicle.
1.Which statement best explains the characteristics of an HEV?
A.Safe and reliable. B.Expensive but long-lasting.
C.Smaller engine, greater power. D.High price, low carbon.
2.The transformation between the gasoline and electricity in an HEV is operated by ________.
A.the engine B.the battery
C.the computer D.the driver
3.For what purpose was the HEV invented?
A.To save energy. B.To provide better service.
C.To lower the expense of purchase. D.To give the drivers a different feeling.
4.Where does the passage probably come from?
A.A health report. B.A science magazine.
C.A vehicle advertisement. D.A travel journal.
Rescue workers and thousands of volunteers are not the only ones who have won hearts and minds for their heroic efforts in the search for survivors after Tuesday's powerful earthquake in
Mexico. Fifteen dogs from the navy's canine（军犬）unit have assisted this week in the rescue efforts at the sites of collapsed buildings across Mexico City, where more than 50 people have been pulled alive from the ruins.
Of the canine heroes none is more famous or loved than Frida, a six-year-old white Labrador who in her distinguished service has won praise for her ability to detect people who have been trapped by various natural disasters. Over her admirable career she has found 52 people including 12 survivors in Mexico and other Latin American countries.
This week, Frida and Evil and Echo—two Belgian Shepherds that have also been specially trained for rescue efforts一were sent to the site of the collapsed Enrique Rebsamen School in southern Mexico City.
Equipped with goggles that protect her eyes from dust and smoke, boots to prevent damage to her paws while she climbs over rough ruins, Frida took to her work looking every bit the part of the ruins.
If Frida detects the presence of a survivor, she is trained to bark to alert rescue workers but if she detects a corpse she stops suddenly before proceeding, her handler explained.
Eleven children were rescued from ruins at the school but this time human rescue workers rather than the dogs were the ones who located them.
However, that hasn't stopped Frida from becoming a social media star and reaching a new level of fame this week. Videos and other social media posts that highlight the work of Frida and her impressive record of detecting people trapped by natural disasters spread quickly online.
While she has yet to detect anyone trapped in the ruins this week, she and other rescue dogs are continuing to work tirelessly, searching through spaces that humans cannot reach. With the possibility that there are still people trapped alive, time will tell whether she adds to her rescue record.
1.Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
A.Severe earthquakes in Mexico B.Undertaking rescue work.
C.People waiting for rescue D.Special rescuers in Mexico.
2.What makes Frida a social media star?
A.Her rescue records and tireless work.
B.Her cooperation with the rescue team.
C.Her cool appearance with some special devices.
D.Her ability to search spaces beyond humans' reach.
3.What does the underlined word "corpse" in paragraph 5 probably mean?
A.An article of clothing. B.An unconscious animal.
C.A dead person. D.A special signal.
4.It can be inferred from the last paragraph that_______ .
A.Frida will achieve nothing
B.Frida will probably work miracles
C.more dogs will be sent to the area
D.the rest of the rescue will be done by dogs
Parker Stewart, a 16-year-old from Sayre School, a college preparatory school in the United States, knew last year that he wanted his independent study on the environment to have a broad impact on the community. In order to "reduce the carbon footprint," Stewart planned to produce enough solar energy to power the school's science labs. Now his plan is set to happen. The installation of 30 solar panels is scheduled for late January.
As he began his research on solar energy, he discovered a useful phone app. By entering an address, he could find out how much sunlight the location receives each day. Based on how much sunlight it receives, Stewart found that his school building was the desired position.
At the suggestion of his science teacher, Debbie Wheeler, Parker first performed an energy audit（测算）of the science lab to see how much energy a typical lab uses per day. Then, he started his research, contacting a local installer of solar panels, Synergy Home, to do the job.
Parker lacked money for launching the project, so he convinced Sayre's head of school to fund him after explaining the benefits of solar power for the school and community. Since Sayre provided the initial seed money to provide supplies and the purchase of one panel, the project has grown to include a total of 30 panels. They are expected to generate enough energy to run all four of the science labs on campus.
"It feels like a dream to think that an idea I had resulted from my AP Environmental class would have this kind of impact," said Stewart, expressing gratitude for Wheeler's help.
Wheeler said the success of the project was due to Parker's efforts and willingness to follow through on the project from start to finish.
“I've had other students talk about environmental initiatives on campus, but Parker had the persistence to make it happen," she said.
1.How did the app help Stewart start his project?
A.To find an ideal location. B.To conduct an energy audit.
C.To look up specific information. D.To introduce financial aids.
2.Who invested in Stewart's project at the beginning?
A.Sayre School. B.His parents.
C.Synergy Home. D.His community.
3.What inspired Stewart to do his solar power project?
A.The phone app he discovered.
B.The air pollution in his community.
C.A suggestion from his science teacher.
D.An idea from his Environmental class.
4.What contributed to Stewart's success according to Wheeler?
A.His wisdom. B.His bravery.
C.His willpower. D.His independence.
Barbican Art Gallery
A world-class arts and learning center, the Barbican pushes the boundaries of all major art forms including dance, film, music, theater and many visual arts from Egypt.
Tickets:
Adult: £10 online/£12 at the door
13-17 years old: £6 online/£8 at the door
Children aged 12 and under: Free
Opening Times:
Sat.—Wed.: 10 a.m.—6 p.m.; Thu.一Fri.: 10 a.m.一9 p.m.
Review by Laura Miller: I have just watched To Kill a Mockingbird here. The play and actors were fantastic. Nice and clean ladies' toilets with hot water. During the interval, they were selling the usual ice cream and drinks. Not all staff were friendly, but most were. I would come again to watch another show or even the same one.
The British Museum
A museum of the world, for the world. Discover over two million years of human history and culture. Some of the world-famous objects include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and Egyptian mummies.
Admission and opening times:
Free, open daily 10 a.m.—17:30 p.m.
The Museum is closed on Jan. 1, Good Friday (April 10, 2020) and Dec. 24, 25 & 26, but open every other day of the year.
Review by Robert James: I arrived at the main entrance line at 10:45 a.m., waited patiently as it rolled forward for a few minutes. Now 11:30 a.m. with two thirds of the line to go, another 30 minutes to wait and with knowledge that I had to go downtown shopping by 1 p.m., I turned on my heels and left.
1.How much will a couple with kids of 11 and 14 pay for online tickets of the Art Gallery?
A.£20. B.£26.
C.£32. D.£36.
2.What did Miller like best about Barbican Art Gallery?
A.Dance. B.Film.
C.Music. D.Theater.
3.What do the gallery and the museum have in common?
A.Both offer free admission. B.Egyptian exhibits are on display.
C.They're open all year round. D.They're located downtown.
阅读下面短文, 根据其内容写一篇60词左右的内容概要。
These days our society develops rapidly and forces people to rush. It appears that people have got used to being in a hurry. However, it’s better for people to take their time and live their life at a slower pace than to hurry to get things done.
The main reason that convinces us to be against doing work in a hurry is the possibility of doing wrong in a rush. When people do their jobs or take action in a hurry, they can’t make a sound decision and probably regret later. As the saying goes, “Haste makes waste.” We should think carefully before making a decision and do our work less quickly. We should not make mistakes by doing work hurriedly.
Slowing down the pace of life helps people enjoy their life better. For example, taking a train to some place certainly will take more time than taking a plane. However, taking a train makes people have enough time to get to know a lot of new friends. Besides, it allows people to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. On the contrary, being in a hurry will make us lose chances of enjoying our lives.
Finally, slower life pace provides better health conditions for us. As is known to all, taking action in a hurry bothers people and raises their stress. People think if they are not in a hurry, they will become a loser and that annoys them. But being in a hurry can hurt people both physically and mentally (精神上). According to some studies, people who have a slower pace suffer fewer diseases, tend to be happier and live much longer than those whose life is tense, even if the former finish jobs more slowly than the latter.
In short, working quickly will bring about more material benefits to make our society more advanced. Yet, much stress can’t bring enjoyment, friends and health, which are much more important than money and other material advantages. Therefore, take your time and live your life at a slower pace.
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语法填空
The information I 1. (collect) in the last few years leads me to believe that speed reading may be less 2. (use) than most people think. The claim that you can read and comprehend (理解) over 30,000 words per minute is overstated. One researcher proved this in a study 3. irrelevant and illogical sentences were added to the text. The “speed readers” tested didn’t notice the irrelevant lines – the readers who read slowly spotted them immediately.
I’ve interviewed people who have attended the introductory sessions (课程) 4. (offer) by some speed reading courses. 5. (them) stories indicate that improper methods are sometimes used to sell the courses. Here is how: First, you’re asked to read a passage from a book 6. which most persons know little. Your reading speed and comprehension are tested during this exercise. Then, after about half 7. hour of instruction, another reading test is given. But this time the reading is the one most Americans know well – such as Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Not 8. (surprising), persons attending these introductory sessions find that their “exit” speed and comprehension are better than their “entry” 9. (perform).
I’m one of the fiction readers who appreciate the beauty in good writing. Occasionally I’ll read a passage or sentence over and over again just 10. (let) the beauty of its construction soak in (渗透). Good writing must be read carefully and thoughtfully to be appreciated.
