Question

Let E-bikes Power New York's Transit Future

Providence, R. I., just became the 13th city to develop an electric-assisted bike-share system, which runs or is developing bike-share networks in cities across the United States. Ironically, the Brooklyn-based company cannot operate in its hometown of New York City,due to the wrongheaded ban on electric bicycles.

In many major cities in the U. S. and abroad, e-bikes are flourishing and helping to solve major urban challenges. Stockholm is adding 5, 000 e-bikes to its bike-share system. UPS is delivering packages in Hamburg using electrically-assisted cargo tricycles. And San  Francisco's DoorDash food delivery service has found e-bikes to be the best mode to navigate heavy traffic and limited parking.

In striking contrast, New York City insists e-bikes are banned under law. More than 900 e- bikes were seized and more than 1, 800 summonses（召回）were issued by the New York Police Department in 2017,following Mayor de Blasio's decision to limit e-bike usage, despite the fact that no data or records exist to show e-bike-related safety incidents.

Who does the e-bike restriction hurt? The e-bikes seized in 2017 primarily belonged to food delivery workers, who are immigrants from Asia and Latin America. New Yorkers love their delivery: A new study from the New York City Department of Transportation found that more than half of city residents receive food deliveries at least a few times per month."

In fact, the top three neighborhoods for e-bike summonses-the Upper East and West Sides and East Midtown-also consisted of more than 70% white residents. It's difficult to divorce the

penalty of workers of color from the predominantly white, rich neighborhoods to whom the meals are delivered.

It is true that the rush to maximize delivery numbers leads to higher speeds and potentially dangerous biking. To that end, the city should improve and enforce safe cycling and expand bicycling infrastructure to ensure safe passage for cyclists and pedestrians.

Outside New York, cities and companies are finding that e-bikes are convenient, have low carbon footprints and require less space than cars on city streets. As New York City seeks to improve traffic, better air quality and encourage active modes of transportation, it is confusing that a mode that checks all of those boxes would be outlawed.

The city must stop pedaling backwards on both workable transportation modes and the racially-charged policies surrounding them. It is time for New York City to embrace e-bikes as the very useful, worker-enabling, convenient and environmentally-forward mode that they are.

1.Why are e-bike usage situations in major cities in the U. S. and abroad mentioned?

A. To compare the differences of e-bike development in major cities.

B. To describe the advantages of e-bike systems around the world.

C. To arouse attention on the popularity of e-bikes from readers.

D. To question the policy on e-bike usage in New York City.

2.We can learn from the passage that＿・

A. e-bikes failed to solve major urban challenges

B. data and records showed e-bikes caused traffic accidents

C. only the immigrants needed the e-bikes for food delivery

D. there have been strict regulations banning the e-bikes on road

3.The underlined phrase "checks all of those boxes" in paragraph 7 means_.

A. meets the requirements    B. unlocks the boxes

C. includes the requirements    D. examines the boxes

4.What is the writer's attitude towards using e-bikes in New York City?

A. Skeptical.    B. Supportive.

C. Objective.    D. Negative.

Answer

1.D

2.D

3.A

4.B

【解析】电动自行车共享系统在美国各地的城市中如火如荼地运行或开发。具有讽刺意味的是，这家总部位于布鲁克林的公司由于当地对电动自行车的禁令却不能在其家乡纽约运营。作者列举了美国内外对共享单车的使用情况，共享系统带来的便捷，分析了纽约限制单车使用的原因，建议并积极呼吁，让电动自行车为纽约的交通运输提供动力。

1.写作意图题。作者通过第二自然段整段的描述，提及了在美国和国外的主要城市中电动自行车正在蓬勃发展，指出它是解决交通繁忙和停车受限的最佳模式，其目的是为下一自然段质疑纽约市的电动自行车禁令政策做出对比和铺垫。选D。

2.细节理解题。第二段第二句More than 900 e- bikes were seized and more than 1, 800 summonses（召回）were issued by the New York Police Department in 2017,following Mayor de Blasio's decision to limit e-bike usage… 说明在纽约，禁止在路上使用电动自行车的严格规定由来已久。选D。

3.词义猜测题。文章倒数第二段第一句Outside New York, cities and companies are finding that e-bikes are convenient, have low carbon footprints and require less space than cars on city streets.指出纽约之外的城市共享单车系统电动自行车很方便，碳足迹较低，在城市街道上需要的空间比汽车要少。第二句说到…New York City seeks to improve traffic, better air quality and encourage active modes of transportation…纽约也在积极寻求改善交通状况，改善空气质量，鼓励积极的交通方式，而共享单车这种模式恰好能满足这些需求，令人困惑的是它竟然是被禁止的。据此选A，指单车共享系统能满足纽约市对道路交通的需求。

4.作者态度题。根据文章标题Let E-bikes Power New York's Transit Future、作者在文中论述E-bikes在各地的使用情况和它的好处等等，都可以看出作者对于在纽约使用电动自行车的态度是积极的，支持的，选B。