First, car makers wanted to take the human out of driving. Now, motorcycle manufacturers (制造商)want to do the same. But just as the driverless car movement has faced skepticism, it's not entirely clear that the world needs autonomous motorcycles.
What would a self-driving motorcycle do? It would be designed to let the rider sit back and relax while the machine drives by itself. Manufacturers have actually been creating and improving prototypes (原型)of self-driving motorcycles for years, and they're only just now beginning to share them with the public. For instance, AB Dynamics and AutoRD released the Autonomous BMW Cl. It comes with autonomous software, GPS, and re-balancing technology.
Yamaha's Motoroid is a model that uses artificial intelligence and self-balancing technology. The Motoroid sounds very futuristic, but it can't drive on its own. It needs a rider to make turns. Another example of an autonomous-light motorcycle is Honda's Riding Assist-e, which can change the center of gravity autonomously. However, like the Motoroid, it's not completely self-riding and isn't ready for a highway on its own.
Safety concerns for autonomous motorcycles are similar to those that trouble self-driving cars Firstly, the autonomous system may make a mistake and endanger the rider. Self-driving cars have an unfortunate record of running red lights and causing accidents. Professor Adam says, "So one can be forgiven for worrying about the safety of a two-wheeled speed machine with no one behind the handlebars. '' Secondly, there's the question of responsibility: Who is at fault if a self-driving bike crashes into another car? More importantly, it's not easy to satisfy the official regulations before autonomous motorcycles ride on the road. And to develop the industry will cost billions of dollars.
But there's the biggest problem with all of these motorcycles. One of the joys of driving motorcycles is the driving. It seems unlikely that a rider, like a high-speed motorcycle collector who loves the thrill of turning around corners, will give up the experience of the ride.
The prototypes for self-riding motorcycles are here, and manufacturers are busy putting them to the test, but it might be a while before we see them on the open road.
1.What can we learn from Paragraph 2?
A.Manufacturers' competition with each other is quite fierce.
B.Manufacturers are quite creative when making driverless cars.
C.Manufacturers are very optimistic about self-driving motorcycles.
D.Manufacturers have made some progress in promoting self-driving motorcycles.
2.The examples of Yamaha's Motoroid and Honda's Riding Assist-e show that .
A.autonomous motorcycles still have a long way to go
B.Yamaha and Honda compete with each other fiercely
C.autonomous motorcycles have a big improvement in safety
D.Yamaha and Honda have defeated other autonomous motorcycle makers
3.What Professor Adam said in the 4th paragraph probably means _______.
A.autonomous motorcycle should obey traffic regulations
B.it's convenient and safe to ride an autonomous motorcycle
C.mistakes made by autonomous motorcycles can be forgiven
D.it's normal that autonomous motorcycles' safety is doubted
4.What is the biggest challenge of self-driving motorcycles?
A.They are unable to appeal to many riders.
B.They can't guarantee the riders, safety.
C.They can't suit the official regulations.
D.They are too costly to produce.
5.Which of the following statements would the author agree with?
A.Self-riding motorcycles will be very popular one day.
B.Self-riding motorcycles are necessary to social development.
C.Users are likely to lose fun when riding self-riding motorcycles.
D.People will be fond of self-riding motorcycles for its convenience.
I was enjoying this afternoon more than I had expected. Often, the tryouts for the spring musical tested the limits of my patience and nerves, with one hopeful girl after another taking turns walking onto the wooden stage, delivering an adequate but uninspired version of some Rodgers & Hammerstein number, and then being politely excused by Mrs. Dominguez as the next name on the list was called.
However, this was to be my third straight year in the musical, and the confidence that my seniority afforded me around the more nervous newcomers allowed me to take pleasure in radiance (光辉)of my own balance.
I had already sung my audition (试唱)song an hour ago, starting the day's ceremonies. This year, I used "God Bless the Child", a choice I found to be quite sophisticated since Billie Holiday's version of it was familiar mostly to adults, and even then, mostly to adults of the previous generation. More importantly, it required a reserved performance, which I felt showcased my maturity, especially because most of the other auditioners chose songs that would show their enthusiasm, even if it meant their technical mastery would not be on full display.
Normally, the first audition was feared by most. Mrs. Dominguez would ask if anyone wanted to volunteer to "get it over with,” but no one would make a sound. Then, she would call the first name off her list and the room would drop into an uncomfortably serious silence as the first student walked nervously up to the stage. I often imagined during those moments that I was witness to a death-house resident taking his march toward a quick curtain.
But not this year. I had decided to make a show of my own self-confidence by volunteering to go first. Such a fearless act, I had figured, would probably instill (灌输)even more fear into my competition because they would realize that I had something they clearly lacked. Mrs. Dominguez had seemed neither surprised nor charmed by my decision to go first. Although she was annoyed by my escalating (增加)pride, I also acknowledged that I was one of the more talented actors and was probably correct in assuming myself a winner.
At this late stage of the afternoon, I felt like a queen, sitting in the back of the auditorium with my royal court of friends and admirers. They took care to sit far enough away from Mrs. Dominguez that they would not be caught in the act of belittling (贬低)the other students’ auditions.
To me, the endless parade of the ambitious who sang their hearts out for three minutes each was like clowns performing for my amusement. As Mrs. Dominguez read another name off her list, I prepared myself for a special treat.
1.What did the writer do one afternoon?
A.She enjoyed her time watching the audition.
B.She performed in the school spring musical.
C.She attended the selective trial of the school musical.
D.She helped Mrs. Dominguez to select musical talent.
2.The writer believed the song she chose for her audition .
A.was the most sophisticated song by Billie Holiday's version
B.would allow her to more effectively showcase her enthusiasm
C.would be the most inspiring Rodgers and Hammerstein number
D.would likely be more recognizable to her parents than to her friends
3.The main purpose of the underlined statement in paragraph 5 is .
A.offer a contrast created by the writer's decision to go first
B.present reasons why this year's audition was the strangest
C.suggest that the writer's imagination no longer involved the same imagery
D.inform the reader that students' fears of going first were something of the past
4.Why did the writer volunteer to perform the first audition of that day?
A.To guarantee her role in the play.
B.To break the uncomfortable silence.
C.To show the competitors her advantages.
D.To leave a good impression on the audience.
5.The passage portrays the writer as .
A.concerned and nervous
B.proud and indifferent (漠不关心的)
C.friendly and generous
D.confused and surprised
It is most important that you read this carefully before first using the wok. Until you become familiar with the product, we advise that you can keep this handy and refer to it when required.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS:
* In order to prevent the risk of electric shock, DO NOT IMMERSE （浸泡）the cord or the probe in water or any other liquid.
* Whenever the wok is used near children, it is essential that close supervision takes place.
Never leave the appliance unattended while in use. Before disassembling the wok for cleaning, SWITCH OFF AND REMOVE THE PLUG from the power source.
* DO NOT USE THE Quik-Fry™ WOK OUTDOORS.
* Avoid touching hot surfaces; instead use the heat-resistant handles on the wok or the heat-resistant plastic knob on top of the glass lid. DO NOT OPERATE NEAR HOT SURFACES such as electric hotplates, gas burners or in a heated oven.
* DO NOT COVER the Quik-FryTM wok with the lid while using it to deep fry foods.
Failure to obey will cause condensation （水珠）to drip onto the oil and cause splattering.
* DO NOT ATTEMPT REPAIR of the Quik-FryTM wok. If the cord becomes damaged, or if the appliance doesn't work, do not operate. Return the appliance to the nearest authorized service centre for repair. DO NOT OPEN THE BASE OR TOUCH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS INSIDE. Tampering with the base will void the warranty.
Manufactured for operation only from a standard domestic power source.
How to Use the Qulk-Fry™ Electronic Wok:
Be sure to season the wok before using it for the first time. Assemble the wok and heat to the highest setting. Rub the non-stick inner Surface of the wok with I tablespoon of oil. Use thick paper toweling, and be very careful to avoid touching the hot surface.
Cooking Methods:
Cooking Method | Heat Required | Food Preparation | Action Required | Time |
Stir Frying | very high | cut into uniform cubes or small shreds | use tossing motion in a small amount of oil | 2-3 minutes |
Braising | very high | as for stir frying | add liquid after stir frying, then simmer until cooked | 5-10 minutes |
Deep Frying | high | wipe moisture from food | cook only a few pieces at a time | <5 minutes |
Shallow Frying | high | pre-cook food | as for deep frying, but only 2 tbsp of oil | <5 minutes |
1.This passage is most probably from _______,
A.a customer review of the wok
B.an instruction booklet for the wok
C.an advertisement for the electronic wok
D.a cooking book designed for customers
2.One of the advantages of the wok is that _______.
A.you don't need to attend it when cooking
B.its solid base makes it very easy to clean
C.its inner surface prevents food from sticking to it
D.you can follow the instruments to repair it by yourself
3.Which of the uses of the wok below can cause electric shock?
A.Using it to deep dry food.
B.Touching the plastic knob on the top.
C.Keeping the cord and probe always dry.
D.Leaving the electrical parts covered in liquid.
4.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Food doesn't have to be cut into pieces in "Braising" method.
B.No preparation needs to be done the first time the wok is used.
C.The tall sides make the wok ideal cookware for "Deep Frying".
D.The "Shallow Frying" method requires food to be dry and cooked.
5.To ensure safety, you are advised to _______.
A.use the wok outside your house
B.cover the wok to prevent splattering
C.remove the lid when repairing the wok
D.keep close eyes on the wok when it is in use
The phrase “take a penny, leave a penny” may not have been created by 14-year-old Nomaan “Nomi” Bilal, but he’s taken it to a whole new level.
Bilal collected quite a few pennies and _______ them with organizations helping people in need. With mostly pocket change, Bilal _______ a total of $4,150 from neighbors, family and friends. He donated it all to a district-run program for _______ disadvantaged families. The organizations used the donations to purchase and _______ gift cards for about 20 families.
While finishing up his first year of high school online, Bilal started collecting _______change he found. Through Facebook, Bilal and his mother, Nadia Pervez, got the _______ out, and soon enough plenty of people were stopping by to _______ bags upon bags of change. Every day, Bilal devoted most of his spare time to _______ and hand-rolling coins. Eventually, a stranger heard about his _______ and contacted Pervez to donate a coin sorter, which has made the __________ quicker and easier.
Roseann Miceli, director of a charity organization, called Bilal's efforts __________ and unprecedented (前所未有的). Miceli will buy more gift cards with the rest of Bilal’s fundraising, which continues to __________. She said the families were so appreciative — they would be __________ out their windows: “Thank you so much”. Miceli wanted Bilal to know that he’s made a big difference with small change. The idea came to her while she was __________the donations from his house. “I think a ‘thank-you’ and a wave __________ the door 6 feet away with a face mask is not enough for this kid who has been __________ pennies for the past 20 days,” Miceli said. She organized a “thank-you parade” to drive past Bilal’s house. Cars lined the street, with the drivers all waving, holding signs and shouting “thank you” from a social __________.
“I was just __________ at the scene that so many people should come out of their way just to see me,” he said. One of the parade participants gave Bilal a handmade sign that __________: “Nomi is our hero.”
“It shows that one person can make a difference and how such a small effort can turn into such a big thing,” he said. “And that my community is very helpful and thoughtful throughout these __________ times.”
1.A.saved B.left C.gathered D.provided
2.A.raised B.made C.expected D.created
3.A.mentally B.physically C.financially D.socially
4.A.receive B.deliver C.pick D.apply
5.A.slight B.simple C.certain D.loose
6.A.word B.promise C.truth D.news
7.A.drop off B.put away C.leave out D.pass out
8.A.counting B.balancing C.sorting D.marking
9.A.attitude B.efforts C.choice D.task
10.A.routine B.business C.process D.method
11.A.modest B.convenient C.available D.generous
12.A.grow B.move C.return D.expand
13.A.waving B.nodding C.coming D.screaming
14.A.giving out B.picking up C.taking out D.giving away
15.A.beyond B.across C.through D.by
16.A.earning B.managing C.studying D.rolling
17.A.distance B.movement C.order D.scene
18.A.shocked B.surprised C.curious D.relieved
19.A.carried B.offered C.said D.showed
20.A.pleasant B.essential C.inspiring D.tough
— _______ ?
—I got two tickets for the evening show, but they're not in the same row.
A.What can I do for you B.May I have your name
C.What's your point D.Any luck at the booking office
I was sitting in my room and my cat Smartie was on my lap when the roof of my room .
A.was blown away B.blew away
C.had blown away D.had been blown away
