It's a lesson that most of us learn years before were old enough to drive: Red means stop, green means go. Simple enough. But what happens when you live in a culture where green also means blue?
Drive around Japan long enough and you'll find “go” signals in different kinds of blue. “Is this signal broken?” you might ponder. “Did some careless workers install the wrong bulbs?” The answer, as Atlas Obscura points out, is not in the wiring, but in the Japanese language.
Hundreds of years ago, the Japanese language included words for only four basic colours: black, white, red, and blue. If you wanted to describe something green, you'd use the word for blue-ao. That system worked well until the word midori began showing up to describe green. Even then, midori was considered a shade of ao. This sudden switch-over had lasting effects in Japan.
Today you'll still see green things doubtfully labelled blue. A fruit seller might sell you an ao-ringo (blue apple) only to disappoint you that it's actually green. Likewise, green bamboos are called aodake (“blue bamboos”) and an inexperienced employee may be called aonisai, meaning a “blue two-year-old”. And that brings us to traffic lights.
Initially, Japan's traffic lights were green as green can be. Despite this, the country's official traffic documents still referred to them as ao. International traffic law commands all “go” signals must be represented by green lights, and Japanese linguists objected to their government's decision to continue using the word ao to describe what was clearly midori. The government decided to compromise. In 1973, the government passed through an order that traffic lights use the bluest shade of green possible-still technically green, but noticeably blue enough to justifiably continue using ao nomenclature (命名法).
So, while it may appear that Japan uses blue traffic lights, the government assures us it's actually just a very blue shade of green-green enough to satisfy international regulations blue enough to still be called ao. Don't ever say the government never solved anything.
1. What does the underlined word “ponder” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．Remark. | B．Wonder. | C．Explore. | D．Hesitate. |
| A．The public preferred blue to green. |
| B．Green must be used with caution in Japan. |
| C．The word ao developed later than the word midori. |
| D．There were limited words to describe colours in Japan's history. |
| A．The colour of “go” lights is a mix of blue and green in Japan. |
| B．Japan's traffic lights still disobey the international traffic law. |
| C．Japanese linguists opposed changing the color of traffic lights. |
| D．Japan's traffic lights were first addressed as green in official papers. |
| A．Traditional colours in Japan | B．Interesting driving rules in japan |
| C．Why Japan has blue traffic lights | D．Why green can cheat people in Japan |
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【推荐1】Nowadays women appear to have a positive image of themselves as safer drivers than men. In a survey done for insurer MetLife, 51% of women said they drive more safely.
The evidence is on their side: Men are 3.4 times more likely than women to get a ticket for careless driving and 3.1 times as likely to be punished for drunk driving. “Women are on average less aggressive and more law abiding drivers, which leads to fewer accidents,” the report says. However, not all male driver share the same opinion. Of the men surveyed by MetLife, 39% claimed male drivers were safer. The findings did back them up on one point: automotive knowledge. The report showed that more men are familiar with current safety equipment such as electronic stability control, which helps prevent rollover accidents.
Auto safety unavoidably matters to money. Insurance companies focus on what classes of drivers have the lowest dollar amounts of claims,and for now, that mainly includes women. In general, women pay about 9% less for auto insurance than men. A study by the website Insweb also showed that auto insurance rates are lower for women in most states. Among individual states, women get the greatest advantage in Wyoming (where they pay 20% less), South Dakota and Washington D.C, where their insurance costs are 16% lower.
“More than 11,900 male drivers died in US traffic accidents in 2009, compared with just under 4,900 women drivers” according to the study. “Based on miles traveled, men died at a rate of 2.5 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, VS 1.7 deaths for women.”
1. According to the study, female drivers ________.| A．are more likely to obey traffic laws |
| B．are more aggressive while driving |
| C．are more interested in auto knowledge |
| D．are more familiar with safety equipment |
| A．cause more accidents on the road |
| B．take the most part of the insurance clients |
| C．pay more money to the insurance companies |
| D．have the lowest amount of money on insurance claims |
| A．more female drivers die every year than male drivers |
| B．men are 3.1 times more likely to get tickets than women |
| C．women are generally safer drivers than the opposite gender（性别） |
| D．all women in the USA pay the same for their auto insurance |
| A．giving examples | B．making comparisons |
| C．drawing a conclusion | D．presenting an argument |
Operation Always ride your bike in a safe, controlled manner on campus(校园). Obey rules and regulations. Watch out for walkers and other bicyclists, and always use your lights in dark conditions.
Theft Prevention Always securely lock your bicycle to a bicycle rack — even if you are only away for a minute. Register your bike with the University Department of Public Safety. It's fast, easy, and free. Registration permanently records your serial number, which is useful in the possible recovery of the bike stolen.
Equipment
Brakes Make sure that they are in good working order and adjusted properly.
Helmet A necessity, make sure your helmet meets current safety standards and fits properly.
Lights Always have a front headlight — visible at least 500 feet in front of the bike. A taillight is a good idea.
Rules of the Road
Riding on Campus As a bicycle rider, you have a responsibility to ride only on streets and posted bicycle paths. Riding on sidewalks or other walkways can lead to a fine. The speed limit for bicycles on campus is 15 mph, unless otherwise posted. Always give the right of way to walkers. If you are involved in an accident, you are required to offer appropriate aid, call the Department of Public Safety and remain at the scene until the officer lets you go.
Bicycle Parking Only park in areas reserved for bikes. Trees, handrails, hallways, and sign posts are not for bicycle parking, and parking in such spots can result in a fine.
If Things Go Wrong
If you break the rules, you will be fined. Besides violating rules while riding bicycles on campus, you could be fined for:
No bicycle registration ………………..……………….…… $25
Bicycle parking banned …………..…………………….……$30
Blocking path with bicycle …………………………….……$40
Violation of bicycle equipment requirement ……………....…$35
1. Registration of your bicycle may help you ______.
| A．get your serial number |
| B．receive free repair services |
| C．settle conflicts with walkers |
| D．find your stolen bicycle |
| A．A helmet. | B．A headlight. |
| C．A taillight. | D．Brakes. |
| A．$30 | B．$35 | C．$40 | D．$25 |
| A．Directions for bicycle tour on campus. |
| B．Regulations of bicycle race on campus. |
| C．Rules for riding motor vehicles on campus. |
| D．A guide for safe bicycling on campus. |
【推荐3】While drunken driving may be on the decline, traffic safety experts remain puzzled over how to deal with another alcohol related danger:drunken pedestrians(行人).
Pedestrians struck and killed by cars often are extremely drunk. In fact, they are drunken more frequently and with higher blood alcohol levels than drunken drivers who are killed in accidents. Various studies have shown forty percent of adult pedestrians involved in deadly crashes have a blood alcohol level of at least 0.10 which by law in most states signifies intoxication (醉酒) compared to only 25 percent of drivers in deadly accidents according to recent federal data.
Some types of pedestrian accidents have been declining nationally especially those involving children, but the number of adult pedestrians who are drunk when killed in traffic has remained relatively steady at 2500 a year. The total number of pedestrians killed annually in US traffic accidents is at least 7 000 or one of every seven highway accidents resulting in death.
"We're dealing here, we think, with a very severe drinking problem that leads to a severe highway safety problem", said Richard Blomberg, president of Dunlap and Associates Inc. , in Norwalk Coon.
Blomberg, whose consulting company found a very high rate of alcohol involvement in a controlled study of pedestrian accidents in New Orleans, was among several researchers who spoke on the topic at the annual meeting of the Research Council's Transportation Research Board (TRE) in Washington in January.
Pedestrian accidents have not received enough attention in the past according to Kay Colpitts who chairs the board's committee on pedestrians. Few methods exist to monitor walking habits she said and researchers have been puzzled about how to prevent disasters.
1. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage？| A．Traffic Safety. | B．Drunken Drivers. |
| C．Drunken Pedestrian Accidents. | D．A Severe Highway Safety Problem. |
| A．are relatively steady at 2 500 a year |
| B．are 15 percent less than drunken adult walkers |
| C．are at least 7 000 in US traffic accidents |
| D．make up one seventh of highway accidents |
| A．long delays in traffic signals causing pedestrians to lose patience |
| B．former drunken drivers whose licenses are not allowed to use for a time |
| C．a lack of adult keeping eyes on many children involved in accidents |
| D．taking too much alcohol and then hanging along the roads |
| A．a researcher | B．a specialist in traffic safety |
| C．a clerk of a consulting company | D．a government official |
【推荐1】Geothermal(地热的) power generation is one of our most stable renewable energy resources. Heat generated below the Earth’s surface can provide an almost unlimited supply to power and heat homes. And while geothermal electricity only accounts for around one percent of global generation, that is set to at least triple by 2050.
The Geysers in California is the world’s largest geothermal electricity complex. It produces enough electricity from its 18 power plants for 725,000 homes, totaling 20 percent of the state’s renewable energy. Superheated “dry steam” is channeled from a large sandstone reservoir heated by a large magma chamber(岩浆房) more than four miles beneath the surface.
Heat is captured from its passage through the rock and the heated water converts into electricity. Cooled water is then recycled and pumped back to gather more heat. EGS (enhanced geothermal systems) technologies will open up many more sites for geothermal energy. “You can effectively put a power plant anywhere,” said Will Pettit, director of the Geothermal Resources Council. “All you have to do is drill(钻孔) deep enough and you will find hot rock.”
Most geothermal plants actually use a flash steam technique, where hot water (at 360F or 180C) is drawn up, passed into lower pressure tanks and ‘flashed’ into steam to power a turbine(涡轮机). Binary cycle(双元循环) plants are the growth technology because they can operate at lower water temperatures and more diverse geographical locations. They use moderately hot water to heat a secondary fluid with a lower boiling point — as low as 135F — to drive turbines.
Geothermal plants already emit 11 times less carbon dioxide per unit of electricity than the average US coal power plant. They can also operate 24 hours a day to provide a solid base load for homes and businesses.
There are drawbacks too. Seismic activity around drilling wells is a factor. High investment costs are another. But the US government is backing the sector with multi-million dollar funds to push forward advanced EGS research. Geothermal energy is set to play a big part in the low-carbon electricity future.
1. What do Will Pettit’s words suggest in paragraph 3?| A．It takes great effort to develop geothermal power. |
| B．Geothermal power development is money-consuming. |
| C．Geothermal power plants can be set up in certain places. |
| D．More geothermal energy can be found with advanced technology. |
| A．Power plants are not affected by water. |
| B．Hot water is used to power a turbine directly. |
| C．Binary cycle plants are less restricted to locations. |
| D．A flash steam technique is a must in geothermal plants. |
| A．Traditional power has been replaced by geothermal power in America. |
| B．Businesses are competing to gain an advantage in geothermal power. |
| C．Geothermal power is likely to be the best chance to sustainable power. |
| D．EGS technologies have come into widespread application around the world. |
| A．Optimistic. | B．Pessimistic. | C．Indifferent. | D．Concerned. |
【推荐2】Of tons of plastic trash in the oceans, the plastic straw is not a top contributor. Yet this small tube is at the center of an environmental campaign aimed at convincing people to stop using straws to save the oceans.
Although straws are only a tiny part of ocean plastic, their size makes them dangerous polluters because they entangle(使缠绕) ocean animals and are eaten by fish.
Straws are the latest on an expanding list of plastic products being banned or taxed to control plastic trash before it outweighs fish, which may come true by 2050.
Keith Christman, managing director for plastic markets for the American Chemistry Council, says the plastic industry will oppose any efforts to ban plastic straws.
Bans of individual products often come with “unintended consequences, ” Christman argues. Replacement products can cause more environmental harm than expected. Sometimes, products advertised as biodegradable(可生物降解的) turn out not to be. Worse, consumer behavior changes. When San Francisco banned Styrofoam(泡沫塑料) products, paper cup litter increased while Styrofoam cup litter dropped.
“What we really need is good waste management structure, ” he says. “Rapidly developing countries in Asia don’t have that structure.”
Straws have become one of the most universal unnecessary products. No global usage figures exist, but Americans alone use 500 million straws daily. “Ten years ago, straws weren’t everywhere. You used to get one at a bar. Now you order a glass of ice water and they put a straw in it, ” says Douglas Woodring, founder of the Ocean Recovery Alliance, a group working to reduce ocean trash. “Part of it, I suspect, came from people’s fear of bacteria.”
If fear of bacteria drove the straw use into billions, the eight-minute video of a four-inch straw being removed from a sea turtle’s nose may have turned the tide. The video is painful to watch, and has been viewed more than 11 million times on YouTube.
1. What do you know about plastic straws according to the text?| A．Plastic straws make up the biggest part of the ocean trash. |
| B．More attention has been paid to plastic straw waste nowadays. |
| C．Small and light, straws are not as harmful as other plastic waste. |
| D．Plastic straws are the first plastic products to be banned or taxed. |
| A．More environmental problems may be caused by substitute products. |
| B．Plastic industry will be badly damaged as lower profits are made. |
| C．Paper products can do more harm to human health than plastic ones. |
| D．Only developing countries need to deal with the straw issue. |
| A．By giving examples. | B．By listing figures. |
| C．By raising questions. | D．By making a comparison. |
【推荐3】Sometimes we start a day with the previous day still in mind. We think about the mistakes we made in the previous day, how things went wrong, and how we felt bad about it. No wonder it becomes difficult to focus on the current day.
Here are some steps on how to start your new day fresh:
1. Take time to evaluate your day
At the end of a day, take some time to think about it. The purpose of this thinking time is not to regret how bad your day was, how things went wrong, or how people treated you badly. This won’t do you any good. Instead, the purpose of this thinking time is to extract（吸取）lessons which you can bring to the following day.
2. Make a commitment to apply the lessons
After you extract the lessons, you should make a commitment to apply them. To do so, find some actionable things you can do to apply the lessons. Next, remind yourself to do them. You may write them down if you want to.
3. “Close” your day
After you have spent the time to think about the day and extract the lessons, make a decision to “close” the day. You are done with it; don’t think about it anymore.
4. Bring only the lessons to the next day and nothing else
After you “close” a day, you should not bring anything out of it to the next day except for the lessons you extract. Focus on applying the lessons to the present. This way you will be able to start your day fresh without the burden of yesterday.
1. What will happen if we think too much about the past?| A．There will be a disaster. | B．There will be good results. |
| C．We will be distracted on the present day. | D．We surely won’t finish today’s task. |
| A．At the end of a day. | B．When we make mistakes. |
| C．At the beginning of a day. | D．When we regret making the mistakes. |
| A．To set them down. | B．To consider them again. |
| C．To make a better decision. | D．To apply them for future use. |
