We are having a debate about this topic. Here are some letters from our readers.
Yes, many cyclists behave dangerously. Many drivers are disrespectful of cyclists But pedestrians are probably the worse offenders.
People of all ages happily walk along the pavement with eyes and hands glued to the mobile phone, quite unaware of what is going on around them. They may even do the same thing while crossing a road at a pedestrian crossing or elsewhere. The rest of us have to evade (避让) them or just stand still to wait for the unavoidable collision.
The real problem is that some pedestrians seem to be, at least for the moment, in worlds of their own that are, to them, much more important than the welfare of others.
——Michael Horan
I loved the letter from Bob Brooks about cyclists (Viewpoints, May 29). I am afraid they seem to think they own the roads.
I was walking across Altrincharn Road one morning when a cyclist went round me and on being asked what he was doing he shouted at me.
The government built a cycle lane on the road but it is hardly used.
The police do nothing. What a laugh they are!
The cyclists should all have to be made to use the cycle lanes and wear helmets, fluorescent (发荧光的)jacket and tights at night and in the morning. They should pay some sort of tax and be fined for not wearing them.
——Carol Harvey
Cyclists jump on and off pavements (which are meant for pedestrians), ride at speed along the pavements, and think they have a special right to go through traffic lights when they are on red.
I was almost knocked down recently by a cyclist riding on the pavement when there was a cycle lane right next to him.
Other road users, including horse riders, manage to obey the rules so why not cyclists?
It’s about time they had to be registered and insured, so when they do hit a pedestrian or a vehicle, or cause an accident, at least they can be traced and there might be an opportunity to claim.
——JML
Write to Viewpoints of the newspaper.
1. Michael Horan wrote the letter mainly to show that ________.
| A．drivers should be polite to cyclists |
| B．road accidents can actually be avoided |
| C．some pedestrians are a threat to road safety |
| D．walking while using phones hum one’s eyes |
| A．be provided with enough roads |
| B．be asked to ride on their own lanes |
| C．be made to pay less tax for cycling |
| D．be fined for laughing at policemen |
| A．accidents | B．vehicles |
| C．pedestrians | D．cyclists |
| A．real sources of road danger |
| B．ways to improve road facilities |
| C．measures to punish road offences |
| D．increased awareness of road rules |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】To someone stuck in a traffic jam, the ability to fly right over other cars seems like a dream.
Still, some companies are moving forward.
“In as little as 10 years, products could be on the market that revolutionize urban travel for millions of people,” said Zach Lovering. He is the leader of a project to develop a self-flying taxi for Airbus, a European company that makes airplanes.
| A．Some flying cars are designed for human pilots. |
| B．It’s still unclear how much flying cars will cost. |
| C．They see a need for “air taxis” and personally owned flying cars. |
| D．Companies will also have to get permission from the government. |
| E．The Uber ride-share company sees air taxis as the future of on-call transportation. |
| F．Inventors and business people tried to make flying cars, but have never been able to. |
| G．There are many challenges that could keep flying cars from becoming part of everyday life. |
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的四个选项 （A 、B 、C 和 D ）中，选出最佳选项。
Here are some of the world’s most impressive subways．
| The Tokyo Metro and Toei Lines | Features: The Tokyo Metro and Toei lines that compose Tokyo’s massive subway system carry almost 8 million people each day, making it the busiest system in the world. The system is famous for its oshiya--- literally, “pusher”--- who shove passengers into crowded subway cars so the doors can close. And you think your commute is hell． |
| The Moscow Metro | Features: The Moscow Metro has some of the most beautiful stations in the world. The best of them were built during the Stalinist era and feature chandeliers, marble moldings and elaborate murals. With more than 7 million riders a day, keeping all that marble clean has got to be a burden. |
| The Hong Kong Metro | Features: The Hong Kong MTR has the distinction of being one of the few subway systems in the world that actually turns a profit. It’s privately owned and uses real estate development along its tracks to increase income and ridership. It also introduced “Octopus cards” that allow people to not only pay their fares electronically, but buy stuff at convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants and even parking meters. It’s estimated that 95 % of all adults in Hong Kong own an Octopus card. |
| Shanghai Metro | Features: Shanghai is the third city in China to build a metro system, and it has become the country’s largest in the 12 years since it opened. Shanghai Metro has 142 miles of track and plans to add another 180 miles within five years. By that point, it would be three times larger than Chicago “L”. The system carries about 2.18 million people a day. |
| The London Metro | Features: Londoners call their subway the Underground, even though 55 percent of it lies above ground．No matter when you’ve got the oldest mass-transit system in the world, you can call it anything you like. Trains started in1863 and they’ve been running ever since. Some 3 million people ride each day, every one of them remembering to “Mind the gap”. |
1. Which one can provide the riders some wonderful decorations at the stations?
| A．The Tokyo Metro and Toei Lines. |
| B．The Moscow Metro. |
| C．The London Metro. |
| D．The Hong Kong MTR. |
| A．carries the most people each day |
| B．is the world’s largest |
| C．may be larger than the Chicago “L” in the future |
| D．is the busiest in the world |
| A．2. | B．3. | C．4. | D．5. |
【推荐3】Americans won’t live without cars! Each year there is an increasing number of cars on roads and streets, as millions of new cars are produced. One out of every six Americans work at putting together the parts of cars, driving trucks, building roads or filling cars with gas.
Most Americans find it hard to think what life would be without a car. However, some have realized the serious problem of air pollution by cars. The polluted air is poisonous and dangerous to health.
One way to get rid of the polluted air is to design a new car that does not pollute. That’s what several large car factories are trying to do. But to build the new car is easier said than done. Progress in this field has been slow.
Another way is to take place of the car engine by something else. Engineers are now working on some new cars. Many makers believe that it will take years to develop a practical model that pleases man.
To prevent the world from being polluted by cars, we’ll have to make some changes in the way many of us live. Americans, for example, have to cut down the number of their cars they are encouraged to travel and go to work by bike. Riding a bike is thought to help keep the air clean.
But this change does not come easily, a large number of workers may find themselves with no jobs if a car factory closes down. And the problem of air pollution would become less important than that of unemployment.
1. If the number of cars is cut down, the most serious problem in American workers is_______.| A．to keep the air clean | B．to have no work to do |
| C．to get a better life | D．to go to work by bike |
| A．which is clean itself | B．which does not pollute the air |
| C．which is used to clean streets | D．which is easier to make |
| A．Bicycling is the only way out. |
| B．The number of cars must be cut down. |
| C．Cars bring us nothing but serious problems. |
| D．Cars bring us not only a better life but serious problems. |
Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas, a Welshman, says he believes cyclists should be forced to wear helmets. Thomas told The Sunday Tunes Magazine that a helmet law would help keep cyclists safer.
“Wearing helmets should become a law,” Thomas said. “I always wear a helmet. I've put on a helmet more times than I've worn a seat belt. Wearing helmets is not too hot, and) you don't look stupid —no reason not to. ”
Thomas' suggestion is contrary to the belief of Cycling UK, the UK's national cycling charity, which have said there is no good reason for forcing people to wear helmets and that the law could lower levels of cycle use.
While riders like Thomas have to wear helmets in bike races since 2003, only two countries, Australia and New Zealand, require all cyclists to wear a helmet. Some other countries enforce helmets for children only. The highway laws in the UK don't require helmet use, only suggesting cyclists use one.
Chris Boardman, British Cycling policy advisor, said that a helmet law would mainly do damage through a drop in the number of cyclists. )
“All over. the world，countries with the highest use of safety gear（装置）are the most dangerous for cyclists,” Boardman wrote in 2017. “Wherever helmet use has been made a law, there has been no drop in head injury unless the number of cyclists also drops.
“About 110 people are killed each year while cycling on our roads, but almost all of these result from collisions（相撞） with cars or trucks, where the protection offered by a cycle helmet is negligible.
“In the UK 1 in 6 deaths — nearly 90, 000 per year — is as a result of physical inactivity related disease. Clearly, any measure proven beyond doubt to lower people's probability to travel by bike, will almost certainly kill more people than it saves. ”
1. What is Thomas' opinion on wearing helmets while cycling? (No more than 10 words)2. What is Cycling UK's attitude to a helmet law?(No more than 10 words)
3. What does Paragraph 4 mainly tell us? (No more than 10 words)
4. What does the underlined word in Paragraph 7 probably mean?(No more than 3 words)
5. Do you think it necessary to wear helmets? Please explain. (No more than 20 words)
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】The first traffic lights in the United States were installed (安装) because of an increase in traveller on the road in the 1920s. Worried about accidents, towns and cities built traffic towers to help the flow of cars. Officers manned the towers, using whistles and red, green and yellow lights to indicate to drivers when they should stop and go.
Due to the absence of effective traffic signal systems on some streets, it caused risks at corssroads. Then, William Potts created the first tricolour, four-directional traffic signal. The very first four-directional traffic light was installed at Woodward Avenue and Fort. But throughout the country, there were still a lot of systems for traffic lights and patterns in place. Since this could end up causing more problems for drivers, the Federal Highway Administration set uniform standards in 1935 for all road signs, pavement markings and traffic signals, requiring them to all use red, yellow and green light indicators.
Red is the colour with the longest wavelength, which means that as it travels through air molecules, it gets diffused (扩散) less than other colour, so it can be seen from a greater distance. Yellow has a shorter wavelength than red but a longer wavelength than green. This means that red is visible the furthest away, yellow in the middle and green the least distance away — a helpful advanced warning for needing to slow or stop. But this could be a coincidence. Red meaning stop originated with train warning lights, and it’s not clear whether that was chosen based on wavelength, contrast against green nature or natural association of red with things like blood. It could be a combination of all three!
Back in the 1900s, some stop signs were yellow because it was too hard to see a red sign in a poorly lit area. Eventually, highly reflective materials were developed, and red stop signs were born. Since yellow can be seen well at all times of the day, school zones, some traffic signs and school buses continue to be painted the colour.
1. What’s the purpose of installing traffic lights in the 1920s?| A．To increase the speed of cars. |
| B．To improve the flow of the traffic. |
| C．To reduce traffic jams in towns and cities. |
| D．To obey the standards of the government. |
| A．The absence of traffic signal systems. |
| B．The installation of the first traffic signal. |
| C．The first tricolour, four-directional traffic signal. |
| D．The existence of different traffic lights and patterns. |
| A．The wavelength of the three colour. |
| B．The differences among the three colour. |
| C．The reasons for choosing red as the stop signal. |
| D．The relationship between red colour and its wavelength. |
| A．It can’t be seen in the distance. |
| B．It is a kind of highly reflective colour. |
| C．It is not suitable to be used in school zones. |
| D．It can not be clearly seen in certain surroundings. |
【推荐1】Britain's brilliant bridges have aided trade and brought communities together and are always the most exciting part of the journey. These must-see bridges are now tourist attractions in their own right.
Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol
Described by its legendary engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel as “my first love, my darling”, in was originally designed for horse-drawn traffic. Now, more than four million vehicles a year cross the 1,352ft-Jong toll (收费) bridge over the Avon Gorge. The £ l toll for every journey pays for its repair. The history of the bridge, dating back to 1864, is kept alive through a programme of tours, events and exhibitions.
Infinity Bridge, Stockton-On-Tees
A pedestrian and cycle footbridge across the River Tees, its working title was the North Shore Footbridge, before it was given its grander name when opened in 2009. It is particularly spectacular (壮观) at night. The arches of the bridge are also lit white and, on calm nights, their reflection in the water appears as an infinity symbol, thereby inspiring the name which was chosen by the public.
Tower Bridge, London
An engineering wonder built from thousands of tons of Cornish granite, Portland stone and steel, it took construction workers eight years to complete. More than 120 years old, it's a popular tourist attraction, as well as a functional bridge. Visitors can take in the views over the capital and experience seeing London life through the Glass Floor.
Iron Bridge, Shropshire
Opened in 1781, this is the first arch bridge in the world to be made out of cast iron. Recognised as one of the great symbols of the industrial revolution, it transformed the cart of bridge building and was a crucial factor in the development of the iron trade in Shropshire.
1. Which bridge has the longest history?| A．Clifton Suspension Bridge. | B．Infinity Bridge. |
| C．Tower Bridge. | D．Iron Bridge. |
| A．People can just walk on it. | B．The public give it two names. |
| C．It's well worth visiting at night. | D．It's arch is the biggest on the earth. |
| A．They are both over 120 years old. | B．Visitors should pay for passing them. |
| C．They have the same original design. | D．Visitors can have a good view of London on them. |
【推荐2】SUMMER PROGRAM
Program Title:
London: Creativity, Innovation and Leadership
The Academic Program:
| The first week | A mix of traditional academic lectures about British history and contemporary culture. |
| The second week | Creativity, innovation and leadership through interactive workshops and comparative student-led sessions. |
Program Dates:
•Teaching will take place daily finishing 4 pm every day from July 23 to August 3.
•Accommodation check-in on Sunday July 22 and check-out on Saturday August 4.
Number of Participants:
The cost is based on a minimum of 30 students(£2,450 per student). In addition there will be two group leaders who will accompany the group. Please note that we cannot accept a reduction in the number of students without adjusting the cost of the program.
Accommodation:
Participants will be accommodated in King's College London student dormitory. Each apartment has a single bedroom, laundry room and free Wi-Fi connection.
The program fee will include:
•Weekday breakfast and lunch on campus(Monday-Friday only).
•Academic lectures, seminars and workshops.
•Guided excursions and site visits.
•Cultural and social activities as outlined.
•Accommodation inside campus.
•Course certification.
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure
English culture, King's College London, academic study …If you are interested, come and sign up!
1. What can students do in the first week of the program?| A．Go for excursions | B．Learn about British history |
| C．Do some interactive workshops | D．Take part in student-led sessions |
| A．Every day from July 23 to Aug 3. | B．Weekdays from July 23 to Aug 3. |
| C．Every day from July 22 to Aug 4. | D．Weekdays from July 22 to Aug 4. |
| A．pay£ 1,450 at most | B．have a single bedroom be |
| C．pay for Wi-Fi by himself | D．accompanied by a volunteer |
| A．visa application fee | B．three meals every day |
| C．accommodation outside campus | D．guided excursions and site visits |
【推荐3】Planning on watching a Premier League match, an FA Cup or a fierce England clash(比赛)? Head to one of these football friendly pubs and bars, where you can score wonderful surrounding with a cold beer and some delicious food.
The Belushi’s Sports Bar, London Bridge
Student-styled bar with lots of large screens, plus filling burgers and bar snacks. They’re strict with IDs, so bring one. Other Belushi’s can be found around London (Camden, Shepherd’s Bush, Hammersmith, Greenwich).
The Belushi’s Sports Bar, 161-165, Borough High Street, SEl 1HR
Pub on the Park, Hackney
True to its name, you can pretty much watch the match in the park-the gardens here are furnished with TVs and heaters. Admirable range of beers for a sports establishment.
Pub on the Park, 19 Martello Street, E8 3PE
Three Compasses, Dalston
Spacious gastro(美食的)pub with a few screens. You can enjoy home-made beer and award-winning burgers here (made with Angus beef we’re told).
Three Compasses, 99 Dalston Lane, E8 1NH
Famous Three Kings, Hammersmith
Winner of various sports pub awards. Screens everywhere you look. One of the gardens shows football when it’s warm enough. This is a Liverpool pub, but all comers are welcome.
Famous Three Kings, 171 North End Road, W14 9NL
Sports Bar & Grill, Old Street, Canary Wharf
Book a table for individual screens. A bit anti-social maybe, but one way to guarantee you’re not stretching your neck for 90 minutes. The food isn’t cheap. There are other Sports Bar & Grills across London (Marylebone, Canary Wharf, Clapham Junction, Farringdon, Victoria), not all with the private TV option—which is why we recommend this one.
Sports Bar & Grill, 174-180 Old Street
1. Which bar has strict requirements on IDs?| A．Sports Bar & Grill. | B．Famous Three Kings. |
| C．The Belushi’s Sports Bar. | D．Clissold Park Tavern. |
| A．99 Dalston Lane. | B．19 Martello Street. |
| C．171 North End Road. | D．174-180 Old Street. |
| A．They offer large private screen. |
| B．They have other chain bars across London. |
| C．They are winners of various sports pub awards. |
| D．They have gardens furnished with TVs and heaters. |
【推荐1】Have you ever wondered what wild animals do when no one is watching?
Low cost, dependable and small modern cameras offered a big help. Cameras placed in hard-to-reach places have shot everything from small desert cats to larger snow-lowing cats in the northern Rocky Mountains. Scientists have been able to document the “private” moments of wildlife with leading technology.
Grant Harris is a government biologist with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In his words, “there’s no doubt that these wild cameras are important tools to learn new information on wildlife.” Harris said some images help scientists see the influences of climate (气候) change.
Researchers with the Wyoming Migration Initiative, or WMI, are among those using wild cameras along with global positioning systems, or GPS. But WMI director Matthew Kauffman says as those devices (设备) are limited (有限的), so is the amount of information they can gather. However, cameras can be left in very wild areas for days, weeks or even months. They can provide information on how many animals are moving over a given period of time.
Putting those cameras in place requires careful planning. Wild video can show details about animal behavior. However, wild cameras have their problems too. Animals such as wolverines and bears sometimes attack (袭击) them. Scientists do not know if the attacks are the result of anger or interest. Also, the devices have become popular tools to help hunters look for animals. Some people argue that it is unfair to use the cameras that way.
Even with such problems, wild cameras are clearly an important scientific tool in researching wild animals.
1. What does the underlined word “document” in paragraph 2 mean?| A．Remind. | B．Enrich. | C．Produce. | D．Record. |
| A．They cannot be left in the wild over a long period. |
| B．They cannot be placed in hard-to-reach areas. |
| C．They provide limited information. |
| D．They might be stolen by people. |
| A．It is difficult to fix the cameras. |
| B．It helps hunters find animals easily. |
| C．It is hard to achieve careful planning. |
| D．It makes animals interested in the cameras. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Supporting. | C．Uncertain. | D．Uninterested. |
【推荐2】Scientists have long known a reliable way to lose weight in lab animals; Cut the amount of calories(卡路里) by 10 percent to 40 percent. A new study suggests that in young and middle-aged adults, taking in 300 caloric less every day can also have a big influence on their body weight and health.
In the new study published this month in the Lancet, researchers looked at a group of 143 healthy men and women aging from 21 to 50. They could eat the foods they wanted as long as they cut about 12 percent of their total calories, or roughly 300 calories a day.
The group saw their health improve. For example, their blood pressure fell, and they had better blood sugar control.
“The benefits came from the fact that they lost about 16 pounds over the two years of the study,” said William Kraus, the lead author of the study and a professor of medicine at Duke University.
“We were surprised by these changes,” he added. “In a disease population, there aren't five drugs in combination(组合) that would get such a big improvement.”
Calories cut may be useful for better health and weight loss, said Frank Hu, the chairman of the nutrition department at the Harvard School of Public Health. But he questioned whether caloric cut would be possible for most people since we are living in an environment with so many energy-rich, nutrient-poor foods that are cheap, and heavily advertised.
He suggested, however, that some people might find calorie cut possible if they combined it with other popular diets like the Mediterranean diet.
Dr. Kraus said, “It’s not that hard to cut as little as 300 calories a day from their diets. It just takes an after-dinner snack.”
1. How much calories does a middle-aged adult usually take in each day?| A．About 300. | B．About 750. | C．About 2,500. | D．About3,000. |
| A．The combination of five drugs. | B．The weight loss. |
| C．The energy-rich snacks. | D．The delicious foods. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Favorable. | C．Uncaring. | D．Curious. |
| A．Hot Debate on Different Weight-losing Diets |
| B．New Health Guidelines Published for the Adults |
| C．The Easiest Way to Stay Fit and Healthy Ever Found |
| D．Cutting 300 Calories a Day to Stay Healthy Every Day |
【推荐3】Whether you’re eating at a fancy restaurant or dining in someone’s home, proper table manners are likely to help you make a good impression. According to a US expert, Emily Post, “All rules of table manners are made to avoid ugliness.”
While Henry Hitchings of the Los Angeles Times admits that good manners can reduce social conflict, he points out that mostly their purpose is protective — they turn our natural warrior_ like selves into more elegant ones.
So where did table manners come from?
In medieval England, a writer named Petrus Alfonsi took the lead to urge people not to speak with their mouths full. And King David I of Scotland also proposed that any of his people who learned to eat more neatly be given a tax deduction (减除).
Disappointingly, that idea never caught on. It was during the Renaissance, when there were real technical developments, opinions of correct behavior changed for good. “None of these was more significant than the introduction of the table fork,” wrote Hitchings. “Gradually, as forks became popular, they brought the new way of eating, making it possible, for instance, to consume berries without making one’s fingers dirty.”
Forks were introduced to Britain in 1608 and 25 years later, the first table fork reached America. Yet while most of the essentials (基本要素) are the same on both sides of the Atlantic, there are a few clear differences between what’s normal in the US and what holds true in the UK. For example, in the US, when food needs cutting with a knife, people generally cut a bite, then lay aside the knife and switch the fork to their right hand. Then they pick up one bite at a time. By contrast, Britons keep the fork in the left hand and don’t lay the knife down.
Though globalization has developed a new, simpler international standard of table manners, some people still stick with the American cut-and-switch method. The Los Angeles Times noted, “They are hanging on to a form of behavior that favors manners above efficiency.”
1. What does the story mainly talk about?| A．The importance of proper table manners. |
| B．The development of table manners in Western countries. |
| C．Some unwritten rules of table manners in the US and UK. |
| D．Differences between American and British table manners. |
| A．worked in practice |
| B．became popular |
| C．drew attention |
| D．had a positive effect |
| A．The introduction of forks. |
| B．The tax deduction policy. |
| C．The rise of the Renaissance. |
| D．Petrus Alfonsi’s efforts in promoting table manners. |
| A．British and American table manners are completely different from each other. |
| B．American people pay more attention to their table manners than British people do. |
| C．With globalization, the American cut-and-switch method has been abandoned in the US. |
| D．British people’s way of using a knife and fork may be more efficient than American people’s. |
