A device that stops drivers from falling asleep at the wheel is about to undergo testing at Department of Transport laboratories and could go on sale within 12 months.
The system, called Driver Alert, aims to reduce deadly road accidents by 20% - 40% that are caused by tiredness. Airline pilots can also use it to reduce the 30% of all pilot-error accidents that are related to fatigue.
Driver Alert is based on a computerized wristband. The device, worn by drivers or pilots, gives out a sound about every four minutes during a car journey. After each sound the driver must respond by squeezing the steering wheel. A sensor in the wristband detects this pressing action and measures the time between the sound the driver’s response.
Tiredness is directly related to a driver’s response time. Usually, a watchful driver would take about 400 milliseconds to respond, but once that falls to more than 500 milliseconds, it suggests that the driver is getting sleepy.
In such cases the device gives out more regular and louder sounds, showing that the driver should open a window or stop for a rest. If the driver’s response continues to slow down, the sounds become more frequent until a nonstop alarm warns that the driver must stop as soon as possible.
The device has been delivered to the department’s laboratories for testing. If these tests, scheduled for six months’ time, are successful, the makers will bring the product to market within about a year.
1.According to the text, Driver Alert ______.
A．aims to reduce tiredness-related accidents
B．has gone through testing at laboratories
C．aims to prevent drivers from sleeping
D．has been on sale for 12 months
2.How should a driver respond to the sounds from Driver Alert?
A．By sounding a warning. B．By touching the wristband.
C．By checking the driving time. D．By pressing the steering wheel.
3.We can learn form the text that the driver needs to stop for a break when his response time is ______.
A．about 400 milliseconds B．below 500 milliseconds
C．over 500 milliseconds D．about 4 minutes
4.When the driver gets sleepy while driving, Driver Alert ______.
A．moves more regularly B．stops working properly
C．opens the window for the driver D．sounds more frequently and loudly
I hadn’t even got a chance to enter the store before an African American woman approached me and asked if I would help her return an item. The item she had 36 was intended for her daughter, but she had already received a 37 one. The lady 38 to exchange the item for something else in the store but she was told she needed an ID 39 the deal could not take place.
I went to the 40 with the woman so we could use my ID. The sales associate immediately started 41 her of asking the first 42 person she saw to help her. Although that was 43 , I didn’t understand why it 44 . After all, not everyone is given the opportunity to 45 an ID in this country.
Then, we asked to speak with a manager, who explained that there was no 46 to return the item without a receipt and then went on to say the woman could not 47 she purchased the item.
“ 48 I, a young white female, were to enter the store and request you to make an exchange without a receipt, I would not be 49 the privilege — as I have proof from the past.” I said. He must have realized at that moment what he had done, because he 50 to exchange the item.
There are many valuable lessons in the story. The first is to help a stranger in need. I 51 when the woman asked for my help, but 52 in my head I asked myself, “Why not? What valid 53 do I actually have?” I had none, so I helped her.
The second lesson is not to judge a book by its 54 . The woman looked poor, but she 55 _ the same treatment as anyone else does.
1. A．purchased B．shown C．lost D．mended
2. A．same B．popular C．similar D．different
3. A．managed B．wanted C．refused D．promised
4. A．for B．or C．and D．so
5. A．counter B．department C．market D．window
6. A．warning B．informing C．reminding D．accusing
7. A．fair B．familiar C．impossible D．random
8. A．wrong B．true C．reasonable D．meaningful
9. A．mattered B．happened C．passed D．worked
10. A．leave B．pay C．find D．obtain
11. A．request B．place C．way D．need
12. A．answer B．prove C．support D．admit
13. A．Unless B．And C．Instead D．If
14. A．ordered B．asked C．denied D．given
15. A．agreed B．prepared C．failed D．remembered
16. A．struggled B．wondered C．hesitated D．nodded
17. A．totally B．gradually C．hardly D．quickly
18. A．feelings B．goals C．reasons D．ideas
19. A．design B．cover C．content D．price
20. A．deserved B．required C．received D．appreciated
Don’t be angry with us. We ____ with you together, but we were busy with our final reports when you called in.
A．would eat out B．must have eaten out
C．should eat out D．could have eaten out
______ in the woods, the cottage was a good shelter from the enemies.
A．Being hidden B．Having hidden C．Hidden D．Hiding
— If you like I can do some shopping for you.
— That’s very kind of you for your ______.
A．service B．offer C．point D．suggestion
After _____ seemed an endless wait, it was his turn to enter the director’s office.
A．that B．it C．what D．which
