The Intelligent Transport team at Newcastle university has turned an electric car into a mobile laboratory named "DriveLAB" in order to understand the challenges faced by older driver. So that they can discover what the old really need while driving. Research shows that giving up driving is one of the key reasons for a tall in health and happiness among older people. It may make them become more lonely.
Led by Professor Phil Blythe, the Newcastle team is developing some new technologies that are used inside cars. They want to make it possible to help older drivers to continue driving into later life. These technologies include custom-made navigation (定制导航) tools, night vision (可视) systems and intelligent speed systems. Phil Blythe explains: For many older people, particularly those living alone or in the country, driving is important for keeping their independence, giving them the freedom to get out without having to depend on others. But we all have to accept that fact: as we get older, we do everything more and more slowly. As a result, it's difficult for older people to avoid any possible dangers while they are driving. And many of them will lose confidence in their driving skills. The result is that people stop driving before they really need to."
Dr Amy Guo, the leading researcher on the older driver study, explains, "The DriveLAB is helping us to understand what the key points and difficulties are for older drivers and how we might use technology to solve these problems." For example, most of us would expect older drivers to go slower than everyone else. but surprisingly, we found that in 30mph zones (区域), they try to keep at a constant speed. Some of them even break the speed limit (限制) and face to be punished. We're going out of our way to set up systems which can control their speed as a way of preventing that.
"We hope that our work will help with technological solutions to make sure that older drivers stay safer behind the wheel."
1. What is the purpose of the DriveLAB?| A．To repair some old cars | B．To design new types of cars. |
| C．To find out older driver's problems. | D．To teach people traffic rules. |
| A．It keeps them independent. | B．It helps them save time. | C．It builds up their creativity. | D．It is good for their health. |
| A．Improve their driving skills. | B．Help them continue to drive cars. |
| C．Recycle iron from their old cars. | D．Organize a driving club for the old. |
| A．超速 | B．限速 | C．匀速 | D．极速 |
| A．A New Model Electric Car | B．A Solution To Traffic Problem |
| C．Service From DriveLAB | D．Keeping Older Drivers On The Road |
2 . Do you often run outdoors to keep healthy? Have you ever thought about how running helps to clean up the earth? Sometimes a creative mind can bring us a win-win(双赢) situation.
Plogging, a new way to exercise, began in Sweden(h), The name "plogging" comes from two words—the Swedish(瑞典的) word "plocka", which means "to pick up(捡起), and the word Jouging"", which means" to run slowly". A Swedish man called Erik started the movement, He saw rubbish here and there when riding to work each day. He became worried about the dirty environment and decided not to go to work by bike anymore. Instead, he began to run to work and pick up the rubbish at the same time. To his joy, more and more people followed him and soon plogging became popular.
Many people choose plogging instead of just jogging because they think plogging is a good way to help clean up the earth. Sometimes rubbish is difficult to collect because it may scatter all around. But if the runners pick up the rubbish on the way, it is quite different. Because many hands make light work. Another reason is that plogging burns more calories(卡路里). According to a research, plogging for 10 minutes burns 48 calories, while usual jogging for 10 minutes burns about 39 calories.
Everyone on the earth should play a part in cleaning it up! It's time for us to take action together. So ready? Let's plog tomorrow!
1. After Erik saw much rubbish, ________.| A．he became worried | B．he kept riding to work every day |
| C．he didn't care and did nothing about it | D．he asked the government for help |
| A．爆炸 | B．集中 | C．散落 | D．职业 |
| A．there are too many bikes in the city | B．riding bikes is harmful to their health |
| C．it can help clean up the earth and burn more calories | D．they don't like driving anymore |
| A．Plogging started in Sweden. | B．Plogging for 10 minutes burns about 84 calories. |
| C．The name "plogging "comes from two English words. | D．Plogging is accepted by only a few people. |
| A．A Bad Habit—Riding bikes | B．The Best Sport—Jogging |
| C．A New Way to Exercise—Plogging | D．A Swedish man—Erik |
Millions of people in China are taking part in live-streaming(直播) quiz shows after they download apps like Chongdingdahui, Huajiao Zhibo and Xigua Shipin. Different from TV quiz shows, anybody with a smartphone can take part in the shows every day, interacting(互动) with other players at the same time.
The shows have hosts to present the questions and make the show more lively by telling jokes or giving some background for the questions. Players can win prizes as small as 1 yuan and as high as more than 40,000 yuan, depending on the total amount(数量) of prize money and the number of winners.
To draw new users, the apps offer "redo cards(复活卡)" to new players, as well as to those who have invited new players to join. These cards allow players who give wrong answers an extra chance to compete on the show.
Players are enjoying turning their knowledge into a chance to win cash prizes. They have also found that they are learning a lot during the process. "I found them really attractive, as I can learn and play at the same time," said Cao Lei, a 25-year-old user player from Beijing." These are all free apps and I stand to win some money. Why not try them out?" It's not just the questions—and the joy of winning—that have drawn users. The players may have a proud feeling to continue the game when watching hundreds of thousands of others have to get out of the competition.
1. People have to ________ to take part in the live-streaming quiz shows.| A．have a smartphone | B．work together with a friend |
| C．download all the three quiz apps | D．pass an online test to enter the shows |
| A．The number of questions they have answered | B．The amount of prize money offered in all |
| C．The number of players playing at the same time | D．The time they need to give a correct answer |
| A．More prize money is offered to attract more players. | B．Answer cards are provided for new users. |
| C．New users are invited to set questions for the quiz. | D．New users and the losers are offered "redo cards". |
| A．the players | B．the prizes | C．the games | D．the users |
| A．The users are attracted by the interesting questions. |
| B．The games can make the users feel proud when they win and others lose. |
| C．The users have to pay some money when they download the apps. |
| D．When someone has to get out of the competition, he can't enter the game again. |
4 . Clothes are traditionally made of natural materials, such as cotton, leather and wool. They are all from plants or animals, but that doesn't mean they're friendly to the earth. For example, farmers have to use a lot of chemicals to grow cotton plants.
Scientists are now looking for new ways to make clothing materials. They hope the new materials are both comfortable and good for the earth. Scientists have worked out how to make materials out of corn husks(玉米皮), chicken feathers and rice straws.
"They used to be useless things. We always have a problem of how to deal with them," Yang, a scientist says, "Now, we can turn them into beautiful materials. Chicken feathers are better than other things. They have small air pockets like honeycombs. That means it will be very warm if you use them to make a jacket or sweater, and I think more and more people will like to buy these kinds of clothes."
1. Clothes are traditionally made of _________.| A．natural materials | B．chicken feather | C．rice straws | D．corn husks |
| A．Leather and corn husks. | B．Leather and rice straws. |
| C．Corn husks and rice straws. | D．Rice and chicken feathers. |
| A．鸟巢 | B．蜂窝 | C．渔网 | D．梳子 |
| A．light | B．cheap | C．clean | D．warm |
| A．New Clothing Materials | B．New Clothes | C．Natural Materials | D．Clothes |
5 . “I hate school, and I’m not going back!” Many kids have that thought sometimes. Usually this feeling doesn’t stay long, but it does harm to your healthy life. You might be stressed out, thus you have no ideas about what to do. In the morning, you might not know what to eat or what to wear. Having bad sleeping is another sign of stress. If one doesn’t have enough sleep, he may be tired and unhappy. However, where does the stress come from? Sometimes it’s a problem with your classes and schoolwork. Maybe the homework is too easy and you get bored. Or maybe the homework is too difficult and you don’t feel as clever as the other kids. Reading may be difficult for you, but you have to do a lot of it. You may be getting behind, and it may seem that you will never catch up with others.
When you know why you don’t like school, you can find ways to make things better. It’s a good idea to talk to someone about your problems at school. Your mom, dad, friends, teachers, or even classmates will be able to help you. Another good idea is to write down your feeling about school. For example, keep a diary or just write in a notebook. It’s a great way to relax yourself and you don’t have to share what you have written with others. Making a “don’t like” list is also a great idea. The next time you find yourself disliking school, try to find out everything you dislike or enjoy — even there is only one thing. See what you can change on the list. You may ask yourself, “Could I find a way to show my special interests and talents on what I like? Which activities could I try that would help to solve these ‘don’t like’ problems? What should I do to take up a new hobby and make myself relaxed?” Think more about what you can change and you might be able to put the good feeling back in school.
1. What may be the reason for why you don’t like school?
| A．Reading may not be difficult. | B．The homework is too much. |
| C．Having a lot of pressure. | D．Being as clever as others. |
| A．Two. | B．Three. | C．Four. | D．Five. |
| A．most students hate school in one way | B．all the students have the same problem |
| C．making a list can solve all your problems | D．a diary is something kept to oneself |
| A．find more ways to change things better | B．just wait and think all the time |
| C．have a good feeling in homework | D．write more on the “don’t like” list |
| A．how to face difficulties in studies | B．what to do if you don’t like school |
| C．how to have good sleeping | D．what to write in your diary |
6 . Today we find that school students hardly spend much time on sports. Is it because they aren't interested in sports? No, they often say they have other more important things to do.
What are these important things? Exams! They have to spend much time on all kinds of exams at school. So many of them almost become bookworms（书呆子）. Books stop them from going out for sports. Because of the pressure from their parents and teachers, the students have to work harder and spend most of their time on books. As for the students, they want to get good results so that they can improve their studies. So it is necessary for them to give all of their free time to their studies and stop their school sports.
In fact, education can't go without enough exercise, because a quick mind hardly goes along with a weak body. If you don't have a strong body you can never get anything or any great success in your life.
1. Because of ___________ the school students can't spend much time on sports.| A．no interest | B．exams | C．education | D．exercise |
| A．幸福 | B．压力 | C．好办法 | D．深深的爱 |
| A．good father | B．strong body | C．weak body | D．good face |
| A．work all day and all night | B．not play sports |
| C．have enough sports after studying | D．spend the free time on the studies and give up the sports |
| A．The students don't go out for sports because of the weather. |
| B．They stop their school sports because they are busy with their studies and exams. |
| C．Without a strong body one can't get any great success in his or her life. |
| D．Good grades also depend on physical exercise. |
7 . It's common for school kids to act worse at home than at school. For one thing, most school children are under a lot of pressure (压力) at school. They are wanted to do well in class at school. They're also trying their best to do well in their homework after school, and perform well for teachers.
When a school day is over, they need to relax themselves at home. They would like to lie in bed listening to music or doing nothing! Also, home should be a "safe place" for them. They can be themselves and do their favorite things freely.
How can parents help them to relax? Here are lots of good ways to help them.
•Talking to children more about their pressure during the day can help. Talking about some street news can also help them to relax.
•Doing physical activities together with them is always a good way.
•Watching a ball game with them can be the best way for children.
•Asking them to help with something they are good at can help.
There are other ways to help children if parents want to be there for them.
1. School children are wanted to do well in ______.| A．schoolwork | B．street news | C．sports | D．music |
| A．do lessons | B．play sports | C．be themselves | D．do nothing |
| A．they perform well for teachers at school | B．they are under much pressure at school |
| C．they need to relax themselves at home | D．they want to surprise their parents |
| A．doing exercise can't help the children relax |
| B．school children can do what they like best freely at home |
| C．children don't like to do something that they are good at |
| D．It's impossible to help children if parents talk with them about their pressure |
| A．school teachers are also under much pressure |
| B．it's normal for kids to do better at home than at school |
| C．parents can be there to help their children |
| D．parents can hardly help their kids at home |
8 . Green is an important color in nature. It is the color of grass and the leaves on trees. It is also the color of most growing plants. Sometimes, the word “green” means young, fresh and growing. Sometimes, it means something that is not yet finished. For example, a greenhorn is someone who has little experience as he is new to a situation. In the 15th century, a greenhorn was a young cow whose horns(角) had not yet developed. A century later, a greenhorn was a soldier who had no experience in war. By the 18th century, a greenhorn had the meaning it has today — a person who is new in a job.
About one hundred years ago, greenhorn was a popular expression in the west of America. People used it to describe a man if he came from one of the big cities in the east. The greenhorn didn’t have the skills to live in the hard country. Someone who is good at growing plants is said to have a green thumb(大拇指). This comes from the early 20th century. A person with a green thumb can make plants grow quickly and well. The Green Revolution is the name given to the development of new kinds of rice and other grains some years ago. It was the result of hard work by scientists who had green thumbs. Green is also the color used to describe the feeling — Jealousy(嫉妒). The green-eyed monster(怪兽) is not a dangerous animal from outer space. It is an expression used about 400 years ago by the British writer William Shakespeare in his play Othello. It means the unpleasant feeling when someone has something he wants to get. In most places in the world, the color green is one of the traffic lights. Green has so many different meanings that we should know more to understand it better.
1. A new soldier was called a greenhorn in the _________ century.| A．15th | B．16th | C．18th | D．20th |
| A．is good at growing plants | B．really has a green thumb |
| C．has no experience in war | D．is new in a job |
| A．he sees a dangerous animal | B．he can’t buy something |
| C．he reads a sad story | D．his friend gets a gift that he wants |
| A．a green job | B．a greenhorn | C．a green thumb | D．a green-eyed monster |
| A．Green, the Color of Grass and Trees | B．Green, Making Plants Grow Quickly |
| C．Green, One of Traffic Lights | D．Green, with Different Meanings |
9 . Choosing a good job is almost as good as choosing a good life. So, choosing a job is one of the most important decisions to make in life.
For my job, there are three important things that I will think about.
The first one — that I must work in an area（领域）I Like — is most important to me. Someone once said if you find a job you enjoy, then you won’t have to work another day. I would like to work in an area where I can be more creative. I would like to be the most important person there. All this is possible only if I like what I do.
The second one is that my work must lead（引导，带领）me to solve some new and difficult problems. I would like to stay in the same area for a long time. In order for this to happen, the work must provide（提供）enough problems. More than just working to live, I enjoy making a difference and trying my best to help to improve. I would also like to make lots of money through my hard work, so I can lead a comfortable with this hard—won money. Then I can provide the best for my family.
The third important thing is that I would like to work in an area that would help other people. I hope to help make others better persons and bring out the best in them. It would be a most satisfying job to help young people to become the best. When I become old, I would like to look back with satisfaction that thousands of people have become better persons through my work.
I accept the idea that no one should choose a job suddenly and quickly. He should decide what he wants to be in a long run（从长远来看）. Then, he should decide how he works for it. He should study the right courses, read the right books and speak to persons who know a lot in that area before choosing a job. Choosing well will most possibly lead to a better life.
1. According to the passage, choosing a good job might help people ___________.| A．solve fewer problems | B．choose a good life |
| C．make right decisions | D．keep in better health |
| A．令人满意的 | B．令人沮丧的 | C．令人厌倦的 | D．令人意外的 |
| A．To do simple things over and over again. |
| B．To make much money without thinking about anything else. |
| C．To help young people become the best that they can be. |
| D．To play a part in making enough problems in his work. |
| A．he has to bring out his best | B．he stays in the same place for long |
| C．it makes him more creative | D．he will have to work another day |
| A．become a smart and successful person | B．make preparations to find a good job |
| C．work to live to be a better mom or dad | D．help young people to choose a fun job |
10 . In 1826, a Frenchman named Niepce needed pictures for his business. But he was not a good artist. So he invented a very simple camera, He put it in a window of his house and took a picture of his garden. That was the first photo.
The next important date in the history of photography(摄影术) was in 1837. That year, Daguerre, another Frenchman, took a picture of his reading-room. He used a new kind of camera in a different way. In his picture you could see everything very clearly, even the smallest thing. The kind of photo was called a Daguerreotype.
Soon, other people began to use Daguerre's way. Travelers brought back wonderful photos from all round the world. People took pictures of famous buildings, cities and mountains.
In about 1840, photography was developed. Then photographers could take pictures of people and moving things. That was not simple. The photographers had to carry a lot of film and other machines. But this did not stop them, for example, some in the United States worked so hard.
Mathew Brady was a famous American photographer. He took many pictures of great people. The pictures were unusual because they were very lifelike(栩栩如生).
Photographers also became one kind of art by the end of the 19th century. Some photos were not just taken of the real world; they showed ideas and feelings, like other kinds of art.
1. The first photo taken by Niepce was a picture of ________.| A．his business | B．his house | C．his garden | D．his window |
| A．a Frenchman | B．a kind of picture | C．a kind of camera | D．a photographer |
| A．watch lots of films | B．buy an expensive camera |
| C．stop in most cities | D．take a lot of film and something else with him |
| A．was very lifelike | B．was famous for his unusual pictures |
| C．was quite strong | D．took many pictures of moving people |
| A．how photography was developed | B．how to show your ideas and feelings in pictures |
| C．how to take pictures in the world | D．how to use different cameras |
