Portland, Oregon, just got another reason to call itself “Bike City USA”.
UPS has started a trial program to deliver packages there using an electric-powered bicycle. The environmentally friendly Cargo Cruiser is a tricycle with a large brown box on the back. Like any electronic bike, the Cargo Cruiser can be powered by foot, motor, or a combination of both.
UPS began testing e-Bikes in Hamburg, Germany, in 2012, but this is the first time the technology has been used for package deliveries in the United States.
The e-Bikes support UPS’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions, ease urban noise levels, and improve air quality. The amount of energy to be saved by using e-Bikes hasn’t been quantified, but the test vehicle in Portland “will probably displace about two gallons of fuel every day”, said Scott Phillippi, UPS’s engineering manager.
Phillippi says that one e-Bike alone won't create a huge difference in UPS’s carbon emissions, but he describes it as “a piece of our overall strategy” as far as environmental impacts and efficiencies.
It also ties into the company’s broader strategy to settle a problem that troubles Portland and other cities around the world: traffic jam. According to UPS, traffic jam costs it hundreds of millions of dollars a year in additional operating costs. The time when the average UPS delivery truck is stuck in traffic is about 16 minutes a day, slowing its deliveries and increasing the company's carbon emissions.
The pilot program is in its early stages and already has hit its first stage: ice storms pulled trees and branches down all over the city, blocking bike lanes and making travel dangerous. How do e-Bikes deal with it?
If the trial proves successful, you may be able to see UPS delivery people wearing bike shorts in other places around the country, “Other cities have expressed some interest,” Phillippi said.
1.What is typical of the e-Bikes in Portland?
A.Making less noise. B.Delivering packages.
C.Carrying a box on the back. D.Producing power by foot.
2.What might be the disadvantage of the e-Bikes?
A.It is powered by foot or motor.
B.It's easily stuck in the traffic jam.
C.Obstacles on the lane may hold back the e-Bikes.
D.The amount of energy to be saved hasn’t been quantified.
3.What is the main idea of the passage?
A.A solution to traffic jam.
B.A pilot program in the USA.
C.The e-Bikes springing around the world.
D.The e-Bikes test for deliveries in Portland.
4.What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?
A.To entertain. B.To advertise.
C.To inform. D.To persuade.
Painkillers (止痛药) are turning out to be a real pain: according to a new study in the British Medical Journal. Taking them for just a week can increase your risk of heart attack by 50%. The research suggested that the risk related to the use of certain drugs was greatest with higher doses (服用量) and during the first month of use. The potential risk may increase by 75% for medicines like ibuprofen (布洛芬) and naproxen, and more than 100% for rofecoxib.
It all sounds bad but, your risk is very low, — say, one in a million — a 100% increase means you still only have a two in a million chance. Of course, all painkilling medication that works can have side effects — nothing is safe and effective. Paracetamol (扑热息痛) has very few unless taken too much, in which case it can cause serious liver danger, but it isn’t very effective. Drugs like opiates are strong painkillers but easy to be addicted and often have other bad effects. Maybe you find that you are in a dilemma now. But don’t despair; you can refer to a pain clinic for some professional guidance. For ongoing pain, music and exercise may be the best choices to help you reduce the feeling of it.
Scientist at Harvard have recently done a quite horrible study on mice. They made the mice experience extremes of hot and cold, applied pressure to their back legs and injected the capsaicin (辣椒素) into their feet. And then they timed how long it took them to respond to the pain. Lack of sleep increased the discomfort, while stimulants (兴奋剂) such as caffeine made them less responsive to pain. This has been widely reported that a good night’s sleep and a cup of coffee in the morning may help reduce pain.
But anyway, don’t throw the pills away because the study also shows taking small doses of drugs, such as for short periods of time can be effective and safe as long as your heart is in good condition.
1.Which of the following painkillers has fewest side-effects?
A.Ibuprofen. B.Naproxen.
C.Rofecoxib. D.Paracetamol.
2.What does the underlined word “despair” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A.Take it seriously. B.Take any risks.
C.Lose hope. D.Feel doubtful.
3.The example of mice is used to show that ____
A.mice can stand extreme pressure
B.good sleep and coffee may decrease pain
C.legs and feet are more sensitive to pain
D.capsaicin and stimulants can help reduce pain
4.What is the text mainly about?
A.How to stop taking painkillers. B.A new way of reducing pain.
C.The risk of taking painkillers. D.How to avoid painkillers’ side effects.
I have a story about raising free-range (自由放养) kids. This past Columbus Day, my husband and I went fishing with some friends on their boat while our10 and 8-year-old kids were in school. We left the house all at the same time, about 7 a. m. My children walked to and from school every day and we knew they would be OK for a couple hours by themselves anyway. We told them to go home after school and we would be home around 4 p. m.
We live on the Gulf Coast, and since it was a beautiful day, all of the adults decided to go fishing off-shore. At around 2 p. m. after a good harvest from the sea, we started back to the shore and unfortunately after some time, we ran out of gas. We were out of cellphone service, and what was even worse was that 911 wasn’t working. We didn’t have a radio either. Therefore, we were stuck waiting for someone to pass by. We were out there until 10 p. m. All the while my children were at home, expecting us to return shortly after they got home. At about 7 p. m. , when it was getting dark, my 10-year-old daughter thought something might be wrong so she walked to each house on the street until someone answered the door and asked the person what they should do. This was how we were finally found by the game warden (管理员) on the coast and “rescued”.
Talking with that neighbor the next day, I was never so proud of my children. This neighbour explained to me, “What calmness both of your children showed when explaining the situation and how impressed I was with your children seeking help, even though they didn’t know me.” I never doubted him for a minute, though next time we go fishing we’ll monitor the gas more carefully.
1.What did the author probably feel at the very start of returning to the shore?
A.Anxious. B.Frightened.
C.Pleased. D.Disappointed.
2.Why couldn’t the parents call their children when going back to the shore?
A.They didn’t carry a radio. B.Their boat was out of gas.
C.They believed in their children. D.There was no phone signal there.
3.What was the author’s reaction to his neighbor’s words?
A.He thanked his neighbor. B.He was not surprised.
C.He didn’t agree with his neighbor. D.He needed to think for himself.
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.Stuck on the Sea B.A Brave Girl
C.A Thrilling Experience D.Lost at Sea
Great places where you can travel for the coming 2020 New Year’s Eve you'll never forget:
Sydney
Sydney, Australia, is the first major international city to greet the New Year at midnight. The major fireworks display takes place at Sydney Harbour with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge providing a spectacular (壮观的) backdrop.
Taipei, Taiwan
New Year’s Eve in Taipei, the capital city of the island of Taiwan, is a visual spectacle. The city’s tallest building, Taipei 101, is the launching pad for an unforgettable fireworks show. Prime spots to take in the event include National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and the Xinyi Commercial District, which gets quite crowded.
Cape Town
Cape Town is one of the most beautifully situated cities in Africa and the world. New Year’s Eve fireworks make it all the more spectacular. If you’re looking for a place with delicious food and a view of the festivities, Baia Seafood Restaurant is a good choice. If you’re in the mood for a party, Cape Point Vineyards is one of many places to consider.
Las Vegas
Vegas is lit up year-round, but it goes all out for New Year’s Eve. The street is closed off to vehicles, and pedestrians take over for an unforgettable festival. At midnight, various casinos (赌场) launch an impressive fireworks off the roofs of their buildings.
For further information, you can click on here, the website https: //edition. cnn. com/travel/
1.Where do the major fireworks display take place in Sydney?
A.Sydney Harbour. B.The Opera House.
C.Harbour Bridge. D.Taipei 101.
2.Which of the following places is almost lighted throughout the year?
A.Sydney. B.Taipei.
C.Cape Town. D.Las Vegas.
3.Where would you be most likely to find the text?
A.On a website. B.On a notice board.
C.In a company brochure. D.In a college newspaper.
阅读下面短文，根据其内容写一篇 60 词左右的内容概要。
With the development of the computer, virtual reality ( 虚 拟 现 实 ) steps in our life. If something is virtual, then it is created by computer technology and appears as if it were real.VR is a computer system with a special headset(耳机). When you put on the headset, you will look at two tiny television screens. They are so close to your eyes as if you see just one picture and you will believe that you have entered a different world. In many systems, you also wear special gloves. With the gloves you can reach out and touch things in the unreal world.
The first VR games, which have already been sold around the world,enable you to drive a sports car,fly a plane, or fight an enemy.In the future, it may be difficult to tell the virtual world of the games from the real world outside. However, VR is not just for entertainment. One day, delighted children will be able to learn history by visiting the pyramids of Egypt. In addition,businesses will be able to use VR for many tasks. Pilot will be able to practise flying virtual planes before they go into the air. VR can help us improve the world in hundreds of ways.
However, some people have warned that there could be dangers. It might be dangerous if we do something wrong, or if people do not want to return to reality because it is safer than real life. Besides, we will forget how to live and work with real people.
There will be some problems with VR, as it is new for us. However,one thing is for sure: VR is here to stay.Get ready to step into another world!
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假定你是某校高一学生李华，下面的通知引起了你的注意。请根据通知内容和要求向学校写一封申请信。
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
The 7th CISM Military World Games ( 第 七 届 世 界 军 人 运 动 会 ) will be held in Wuhan. Volunteers are wanted to offer service to visitors from all over the world.
Requirements:
1.Fluency in English(英语流利)
2.Excellence in personality(性格随和)
3.A good knowledge of Wuhan(熟悉武汉)
If interested, please send your application in English to the office before Friday.
注意:
1.词数 80 左右:
2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯:
3.开头和结尾已给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Sir or Madam,
I'm glad that the 2019 CISM Military World Games will be held in Wuhan.
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