The possibility of self-driving robot cars has often seemed like a futurist’s dream, years away from coming into reality in the real world. Well, the future is apparently now. The California Department of Motor Vehicles began giving permits in April for companies to test truly self-driving cars on public roads. The state also cleared the way for companies to sell or rent out self-driving cars, and for companies to operate driverless taxi services. California, it should be noted, isn't leading the way here. Companies have been testing their cars in cities across the country. It's hard to predict when driverless cars will be everywhere on our roads. But however long it takes, the technology may change our transportation systems and our cities, for better or for worse, depending on how the transformation is managed.
While much of the debate so far has been focused on the safety of driverless cars, policymakers should be talking more about how self-driving cars can help reduce traffic jams, cut emissions(排放)and offer more convenient and affordable choices to move around. The arrival of driverless cars is a chance to make sure that those cars are environmentally friendly and more shared.
Do we want to copy or even worsen the traffic of today with driverless cars? Imagine a future where most adults own their self-driving cars. They accept long, slow journeys to and from work on crowded highways because they can work, entertain themselves or sleep on the ride. They take their driverless car to a date and set the empty car to circle the building to avoid paying for parking. Instead of walking a few blocks to pick up a child or the dry cleaning, they send the self-driving minibus. The convenience even leads fewer people to take public transport — an unwelcome side effect researchers have already found in ride-hailing(网约车)services. Policymakers should start thinking now about how to make sure the appearance of driverless cars doesn't worsen the transportation system we have today. The coming technological development presents a chance for cities and states to develop transportation systems designed to move more people, and more affordably. The car of the future is coming. We just have to plan for it.
1.What can we learn from the first paragraph?
A. Self-driving cars are not allowed in the real world.
B. Driverless taxies will be seen everywhere on the road in a short term.
C. California is not alone in testing driverless cars.
D. Self-driving technology will definitely benefit transportation system.
2.According to the author, policymakers should pay more attention to __________.
A. how driverless cars can help deal with transportation-related problems
B. how driverless cars can travel safely
C. how driverless cars can travel faster
D. how driverless cars can move more people
3.What is a possible side effect of self-driving cars?
A. Journeys to and from work become longer.
B. More and more people abandon public transportation.
C. There is no place to park them.
D. They may result in traffic jams.
4.What can be a suitable title for the text?
A. Preparing Cities for Robot Cars B. Future Technology Underway
C. Transportation System in the Future D. Robot Cars on the Road
That China will not play in the Football World Cup has not prevented Chinese soccer fans from taking part in the exhilaration of the sports gala in Russia. Reports say Chinese fans have bought over 40,000 tickets, more than Spanish and English fans. They have also booked 16 percent of the hotel rooms in the host cities in Russia. Except for actually playing, China will take part in almost every other aspect of the World Cup. Chinese companies have made the balls to be used in the World Cup and the official mascot Zabivaka. And the air-conditioning system in the newly built Mordovia Stadium in Saransk has been provided by Chinese companies as well. Fans can also get World Cup special coins that are made in Nanjing.
“It is no secret that China has a key role in our plan to develop football around the globe. It must play.” said FIFA secretary-general Fatma Samoura during her visit to Beijing last year. FIFA has set a target of making 60 percent of the world’s population take part in soccer by 2026. And China, thanks to its huge population, will play an important role in realizing that goal. Although China is ranked between 80 to 90 in the world soccer standing, it has more than 200 million soccer fans. Moreover, ten Chinese super league players are making Chinese fans proud by shouldering national duty for their countries in the World Cup.
China has almost all the conditions needed for the healthy development of soccer. Hopefully, the World Cup will encourage the decision-makers to focus on ordinary people to develop the sport. In the 1950s, the government at various levels built a large number of ping-pong tables in urban residential communities, which attracted a large number of people to play ping-pong. The result is that China remains the best in the sport. But even in Beijing, where public sports facilities are the most developed in the country, children find it hard to get a chance to play in the limited number of soccer fields. If the government wants to raise the level of soccer in China, they should first improve the soccer facilities in the country.
1.Which of the following can best explain the underlined word ?
A. Disappointment. B. Thrill.
C. Embarrassment. D. Regret.
2.What can we infer from the second paragraph?
A. China will contribute a lot to the development of football.
B. Chinese football fans are the most influential in the world.
C. China’s football teams will improve greatly by 2026.
D. China’s Super League will attract the best football players in the world.
3.Why is ping-pong mentioned in the last paragraph?
A. To show how well the Chinese can play ping-pong.
B. To set an example of how to develop a sport among ordinary people.
C. To attract more people to play ping-pong.
D. To indicate that soccer is less popular than ping-pong.
4.From which is the text probably taken?
A. An advertisement. B. A daily newspaper.
C. A research paper. D. A travel guidebook.
For the brave in the armed forces, being sent away from home for months at a time is just part of the duty. However, it’s never an easy one to perform especially for those with children. So, when I found out I was going to stay in South Korea for a year, I was nervous about how my five children, particularly my eldest daughter Abigail, would take the news since it meant I wouldn’t be home to see her graduate from high school.
To my surprise, Abigail told me not to worry and even suggested we make the news known among family members. “We’ve been lucky you haven’t had to be sent abroad yet. Anyway, we can get connected through the Internet. See me on your phone on my spot.” Abigail said. She stepped into many of my roles when I was gone. I wanted to find a way to thank her and show her how proud I was of her. I started planning the special surprise when my request to return home a few weeks earlier to attend Abigail’s graduation ceremony was approved.
When my time in South Korea finally came to an end, I flew home, rented a car, and stayed in a hotel. And on Abigail’s graduation day, I hid in an office behind the stage waiting until I heard my daughter’s name called. I just kept thinking “Don’t cry. Don’t trip in your heels. Don’t fall over.” At last! Abigail was up on stage. I slipped up behind her, whispered in her ear, and around she turned! “I was just thinking, like, ‘You aren’t supposed to be here. What? What? How?’ It was the biggest shock... I’m pretty sure my dad made people he didn’t even know cry. Emotional for everyone.” Abigail cried.
You know what followed: embraces, kisses, tears, laughs, flowers, wishes...; aren’t they what a family have in store?
1.What worried the author most?
A. His duty in South Korea. B. His Five children’s safety.
C. His eldest daughter’s study. D. His absence from a big event.
2.What can we learn about Abigail from the story?
A. She reacted angrily to her father leaving home.
B. She took good care of the other four kids when her father was away from home.
C. She was the smartest kid in her family.
D. She gave a speech to express her gratitude to her father on graduation day.
3.How did Abigail feel when meeting her father?
A. Embarrassed. B. Overjoyed.
C. Nervous. D. Satisfied.
4.What does the author mainly intend to express by telling the story?
A. A soldier’s personal sacrifice. B. A father’s contribution to a family.
C. The meaning of family tie. D. The way to plan a big surprise.
No trip to Windsor could possibly be complete without a visit to amazing Windsor Castle, the family home to British kings and queens for over 1,000 years. The size of the Castle is breath-taking. In fact, it is the largest and oldest occupied Castle in the world and it’s where Her Majesty The Queen chooses to spend most of her private weekends. You might even time your visit when she is in residence! The marriage of Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle took place in Windsor on Saturday, 19 May , 2018.They became the sixteenth royal couple to celebrate their marriage at Windsor Castle since 1863. Windsor Castle offers something for everyone with so many areas to explore.
Visit the magnificent State Apartments, furnished with some of the finest works of art from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto.
Take in the splendor of St George's Chapel, location of the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle, the burial place of 10 Kings including Henry VIII and Charles I, and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England.
Be amazed at Queen Mary's Dolls’ House, the largest, most beautiful and most famous dolls’ house in the world, created in the 1920s and filled with thousands of objects made by leading craftsmen, artists and designers of the time.
Imagine being entertained by royalty in the Semi-State Rooms, the spectacular private apartments open to visitors from September to March each year. Richly decorated, they are used by The Queen for hosting her guests.
1.What do we know about Windsor Castle?
A. The Queen seldom lives in Windsor Castle.
B. Tourists are not allowed to visit the Castle if The Queen is there.
C. Windsor Castle has witnessed many royal weddings.
D. Windsor Castle is the oldest castle in the world.
2.What can we see in Windsor Castle every day?
A. Famous paintings by great artists.
B. Beautiful dolls created in the 19th century.
C. The wedding place of 10 Kings.
D. The place where The Queen entertains her guests.
3.An architect is most likely to visit ______.
A. State Apartments B. St George's Chapel
C. Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House D. Semi-State Room.
假如你是学生会主席李华，学生会将举办迎新年晚会，你希望外籍教师Tom能参加，于是你给他写了一封邀请信。要点如下：
1.晚会开始、结束时间以及举办地点；
2.晚会内容包括：唱歌，跳舞，玩游戏等；
3.真诚希望对方参加并且询问对方的意向。
注意：
1.词数100左右；2.可以适当增加细节，以使行为连贯；3.开头语和结束语已为你写好。
Dear Tom,
How are you doing ? Recently, in order to welcome the new year , an evening party will be held in our school.______________________________________________________________________________________
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I am looking forward to your reply.
Yours
Li Hua
根据所给的提示，翻译下列句子。
1.毫无疑问的是，这本书是有价值的。( doubt )
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2.如果你能帮助我我将会很感激。( I will....if.... )
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