There is no question that fewer teenagers are on the roads in the US.
In 1978, 50% of 16-year-olds had got their first driving licence. In 2008, according to the US Transportation Department, it was just 30%. The number of those aged 19 and under with driving licences has also been declining since 1978, when 11, 989, 000 had licence. In 2010, it was 9, 932, 441, or 4.1% of American drivers.
In the UK, 683, 273 teenagers have driving licences- just 1.85% of total licence holders, according to Department of Transport figures from September 2010.
But the decline in the US may have more to do with tougher tests and the introduction of the new rule in many states, which force drivers aged under 16 to be with licensed drivers of 21 years and older when driving.
In recent years, the annual number of journeys being made by American drivers of all ages has declined clearly for the first time ever. Car use began falling in 2007, when average petrol prices almost doubled to $4.12 a gallon, and the economy became worse.
But there are signs that it is getting back to normal and American remains a country on wheels. It has a higher number of cars per head of population than any other country in the world.
“Cars will always be a popular means of transportation in America. You have to take into consideration some places don’t have access to public transportation. Cars are the only way some people can get around,” says Kristin Nevels. This makes driving necessary in some rural states, where about twice as many teenagers are on the road than in big cities.
1.The underlined word “declining” in the second paragraph most probably means “__________”.
A. rising B. dropping C. improving D. holding
2.In recent years cars are used less than before mainly because of __________.
A. traffic jams B. harder tests C. expensive petrol D. worst economy
3.We can learn from the last paragraph that Kristin Nevels __________.
A. doubts the popularity of the car use in the future.
B. thinks American people can not live without cars.
C. holds confident attitude to the cars’ future in America.
D. believes America should build up its public transportation.
4.What can be inferred from the text?
A. The UK has more teenager drivers than the US.
B. A 15-year-old boy cannot drive alone in the US.
C. The US has very developed bus transportation system.
D. Big cities have more teenager drivers than rural areas in the US.
Siri. The intelligent assistant that helps you get things done. All you have to do is ask.
Now you can use your voice to use your iPhone 4S. Just talk to Siri as you would to a person: “Do I need an umbrella?” or “Where’s the closest ATM?” Siri not only understands what you say, it knows what you mean. It figures out the right apps to use to find the right answer. Then, just like a personal assistant, it answers you. Siri makes phone calls, sends messages, schedules meetings, sets reminders, and more. How much more? Just ask, and Siri tells you that, too.
Dual-core A5 chip: the most powerful iPhone ever.
Two cores in the A5 chip provide up to two times more power and up to seven times faster graphics. And you’ll feel the effects. iPhone 4S is quick and responsive, which makes all the difference when you’re launching apps, surfing the web, gaming, an doing just about everything. And no matter what you’re doing, you can keep on doing it. Because the A5 chip is so power-efficient, iPhone 4S has outstanding battery life.
FaceTime. It’s even better face-to-face.
FaceTime of iPhone 4S lets you hear a voice and see the face that goes with it—iPhone to iPhone, iPad 2, iPod touch, or Mac over Wi-Fi. So no matter where they are, no matter where you are, you’ll always be there. Making a FaceTime call is just as easy as making a phone call. And it’s even easier with Siri. Just tell Siri “FaceTime with Mom” and you show up, smile and wave hello. You’ll never miss a big event, an important meeting or a good laugh. And who wouldn’t be happy to see your face?
1.The passage is mainly about __________.
A. how to use iPhone 4S B. some models of iPhone 4S
C. some special uses of iPhone 4S D. how to understand some pictures
2.What is special about Siri?
A. It can take photos. B. It can make videos.
C. It can write messages. D. It can answer questions.
3.Which of the following helps iPhone 4S to perform fast?
A. B. C. D.
4.Which of the following is NOT TRUE about FaceTime?
A. It can be used together with Siri.
B. It allows you to see the other person’s face.
C. It allows you to hear the other person’s voice.
D. It can only be used between iPhone and iPhone.
I arrived late one night on a business trip, so I decided to have dinner in the hotel I stayed in. As I was finishing my meal, an elderly couple came in. They were holding hands and had lovely smiles on their faces. They sat three tables from me. I was amazed at the love they showed for each other. It stuck me because it was shortly after ending a 20-year marriage and I still had pain in my heart.
My waiter was also their waiter. As I paid my bill, I asked what their bill was. He told me, and I gave him $40 to pay their bill. He asked if I knew them and I told him “No, I just wanted to repay them for the love that they were showing to each other,” and then I left.
The next day I entered the restaurant again. After I had been seated, the waiter who served me the night before told me that the strangest thing happened after I left the restaurant. When the elderly couple went to pay for their meal, they were told that it had been paid. The waiter just told them what I said. They were amazed. They looked around, asked for the bill of two young couples who were seated together, paid their bill and left.
I smiled and ordered my meal. About 45 minutes later, I finished my meal and was about to head out, but my waiter was nowhere to be found. I explained to the hostess that I needed to pay for my meal and hurry to the airport. She smiled and explained that I would not have to pay, because she felt she should pay for my bill because of the joy brought to the faces of the elderly couple and the amazement of the young couples.
When I told her that they didn’t have to do that, she said with a smile “Love creates Love.”
1.From the first paragraph we know the writer must feel __________.
A. pleased B. worried C. sad D. nervous
2.The elderly couple paid the bill of the two young couples because they __________.
A. knew the two young couples
B. were happy to pass the love they got
C. were always ready to help poor people
D. wanted to invite the young people to the meal
3.The writer’s purpose of writing the passage is to __________.
A. suggest true love never dies
B. share an interesting experience
C. encourage us to help people in need
D. prove a show of love really makes a difference
A strong wind was blowing hard, thunder could be heard, and lightning flashed the dark sky. Rain was pouring down;it looked heaven had been broken open.
Gleams of light(微弱的闪光) appeared from of faraway houses, shining like jewels in all the dark.
A woman dressed in rags(衣衫褴褛) and trembling with cold was on a lonely road, while the merciless rain was her without stop.
She knocked at a door, and a answered it. She begged him to let her stay a while . The boy let her into the sitting room and leave her sitting by the fire.
The woman appeared old and tired under the bright electric light, she was only in her early thirties. She sat for a moment, and then her eyes began to look about the . When her eyes rested on the picture of a young man, she up, looking thunderstruck.
Just then, the boy came with his . The man at once recognized the woman as his wife. They had touch with each other during the war, he thought he had lost her forever.
words needed to be spoken. They ran into each other’s arms the boy stared at them,puzzled.
The storm was over and the sky cleared. Feeling very , the couple stood face to face with their child between them, watching the rain as it gradually .
1.A. into B. below C. across D. through
2.A. only if B. as if C. what if D. even if
3.A. doors B. roofs C. walls D. windows
4.A. poor B. pretty C. ugly D. rich
5.A. crying B. wandering C. struggling D. wondering
6.A. striking B. beating C. hitting D. flowing
7.A. boy B. girl C. man D. woman
8.A. near B. out C. outside D. inside
9.A. first B. then C. now D. last
10.A. because B. so C. though D. However
11.A. still B. thirsty C. hungry D. straight
12.A. picture B. fire C. room D. house
13.A. looked B. came C. picked D. stood
14.A. brother B. father C. sister D. mother
15.A. made B. got C. kept D. lost
16.A. who B. which C. but D. and
17.A. Some B. Not C. No D. Many
18.A. while B. as C. when D. since
19.A. happy B. disappointed C. sorry D. calm
20.A. began B. stopped C. ended D. finished
–Thank you for picking me up from the supermarket!
– _________.
A. With pleasure B. None of your business
C. There’s nothing in it D. Think nothing of it
_______ is no doubt that the world is being smaller, due to the technological advances made by the computer.
A. It B. There C. That D. This