The airlines collect the items and, for 90 days, attempt to find their owners. They don’t keep them, since they’re not in the warehouse business. And by law, they cannot sell the bags, because the airlines might be tempted to deliberately misplace luggage.
So once insurance companies have paid for lost bags and their contents, and they no longer belong to passengers, a unique store in the little town of Scottsboro, Alabama, buys them. The “Unclaimed Baggage Center,” is so popular that the building, which is set up like a department store, is the number-one tourist attraction in all of Alabama. More than one million visitors stop in each year and take one of the store’s shopping carts on a hunt for treasures.
Each day, clerks bring out 7,000 new items, and veteran(老练的)shoppers rush to paw over them. You can find everything from precious jewels to hockey sticks, best-selling novels, leather jackets, tape recorders, surfboards, even half -used tubes of toothpaste.
The store’s own laundry washes or cleans all the clothes found in luggage, then sells them. The Unclaimed Baggage Center has found guns, illegal drugs and even a live rattlesnake.
The store has a little museum where some of its most unusual acquisitions(获得物) have been preserved. They include highland bagpipes, a burial mask from an Egyptian pharaoh's tomb, and a medieval suit of armor.
Statistics indicate that less than one-half of one percent of luggage checked on U.S. carriers is permanently lost and available to the store.
1. Paragraph1 shows that many passengers lose their luggage because______.
A.they are forgetful |
B.the owners of some luggage can’t be identified |
C.they are in a hurry |
D.there is no lost and foundoffice in many airports |
A.they have to find the owners |
B.they have to keep the bags as long as possible |
C.some bags are expensive |
D.they are likely to make a profit on the bags on purpose |
A.visitors may purchase something undervalued. |
B.all thethings there are very cheap. |
C.there's a large variety of goods. |
D.visitors will enjoy some amusing activities there. |
A.A little museum will keep all the precious unclaimed baggage. |
B.The things in the Unclaimed Baggage Center are articles for daily use. |
C.The percentage of passengers who lose their baggage for ever is small. |
D.People are not allowed to buy the illegal things in the store. |
A.To introduce an attractive place to tourists. |
B.To remind passengers of taking care of their baggage. |
C.To advise the airlines to find the owners of the unclaimed baggage. |
D.To introduce how the unclaimed baggage in the airports is handled in America. |
Text messages have exploded in popularity in recent years, particularly among young people. The wireless industry’s trade association, CTIA, estimates(估计) more than 48 billion text messages are sent each month.
The plan comes from the Warning Alert and Response Network Act, a 2006 federal law that requires improvements to the nation’s emergency alert system. The act tasked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with coming up with new ways to alert the public about emergencies.
"The ability to deliver accurate and timely warnings and alerts through cell phones and other mobile services is an important next step in our efforts to help ensure that the American public has the information they need to take action to protect themselves and their families before, and during, disasters and other emergencies," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said following approval of the plan.
Participation in the alert system by carriers –telecommunications companies is voluntary, but it has received solid support from the wireless industry.
The program would be optional for cell phone users. They also may not be charged for receiving alerts.
There would be three different types of messages, according to the rules.
The first would be a national alert from the president, likely involving a terrorist attack or natural disaster. The second would involve "approaching threats," which could include natural disasters like hurricanes or storms or even university shootings. The third would be reserved for child abduction (绑架) emergencies, or so-called Amber Alerts.
The service could be in place by 2010.
1. What is the purpose of the approved plan?
A.To warn people of emergencies via messages. |
B.To popularize the use of cell phones. |
C.To estimate the monthly number of messages. |
D.To promote the wireless industry. |
A.CTIA | B.the Warning Alert and Response Network |
C.FCC | D.federal regulators |
A.the US federal government | B.mobile phone users |
C.the carriers themselves | D.the law of the United States |
A.Cell Phone Alerts Protecting Students | B.Cell Phone Alerts by Wireless Industry |
C.Cell Phone Alerts of National Disasters | D.Cell Phone Alerts Coming Soon |
3 . “Wanted by the FBI.” To the murderer, or the bank robber, these are the most frightening words in the world. When the criminal hears them,he knows that six thousand trained persons are after him.
Why should he be so afraid? There are thousands of cities and villages where he can hide,and forests and deserts, as well. Besides, he’s usually rich with stolen money.
Money can make it easier to hide. With money, the criminal can even pay a doctor to operate on his face and make him hard to recognize. But the criminals know that as public enemies, they can be found by the FBI no matter where they hide.
They know every trick the criminal knows and many more. If he makes just one mistake,they’ll get him. That’s why the man who is wanted can’t sleep. That’s why he becomes nervous, why he jumps at every sound.
The FBI began on May 10th, 1924. General Harlan Stone chose Edgar Hoover, a young lawyer, to head the new agency . “What we need is a wholly new kind of police force,” he said. “Criminals today are smart.They use stolen cars and even planes to make their gateways. They have learned to open any lock,using advanced technology. We can’t beat them with old methods. We have to train officers to work scientifically.”
Edgar Hoover quietly went ahead with his plans. He picked his men carefully. They had to be between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-five. He wanted only men with good manners and good character. When working as his officers, they would have to meet all kinds of people. Hoover wanted men who could handle a teacup as well as a gun. But the FBI cannot help in every police problem. It can look into only certain crimes against the government. Solving all other crimes is the duty of local police forces.
1. A man wanted by the FBI will find that money is ________.A.not at all useful | B.very helpful for a while |
C.necessary for his crime | D.everything for him |
A.policeman | B.lawyer | C.teacher | D.general |
A.reduce crimes | B.bring younger men into police work |
C.fight crimes scientifically | D.offer jobs |
A.courage and manners | B.strength and kindness |
C.wisdom and energy | D.ability and humor |
1958:The company’s first foray into the American market was the Toyopet in 1958. It was a flop.
1964:Toyota introduced their Corona line of automobiles and sales hit 6,400 in 1965, marking an increase in popularity.
1969:Toyota began importing the Corolla and in 1985 it would become the first Toyota built in the U.S.
1975:Toyota surpassed the popular German brand Volkswagen to become the top import sold in the U.S.
1986:The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ordered its first recall of Toyota cars due to “speed control” problems.
1988:The First North American Toyota plant opened in Georgetown, Ky.
1989:Toyota introduced the Lexus LS 400, the company’s first U.S. luxury car. It was a major hit.
1997:Toyota debuted their Prius gas-electric hybrid car.
2002:The first consumer complaints emerged of the Camry’s engine surging under braking.
2004:The NHTSA opened a defect investigation into 2002-2003 Camry, Camry Solara and Lexus ES models.
2006:Toyota “Americanizes” and opened a new plant in Texas to build full-size pickups
2007:Toyota surpassed General Motors to become the world’s largest automaker.
2007:The NHTSA investigated pedal entrapment in some Toyota vehicles, which led recalls of floor mats on Camry and Lexus models.
2007:The NHTSA investigated pedal entrapment in some Toyota vehicles, which led recalls of floor mats on Camry and Lexus models.
Aug. 2009:An off-duty California Highway Patrol officer and three family members were killed when their rental 2009 Lexus ES speeds out of control.
Nov. 2009:Toyota recalled 3.8 million Lexus and Toyota models to remove floor mats that can trap pedals.
Jan. 2010:Toyota recalled approximately 2.3 million more vehicles with potential sticking pedal problems. On Jan. 26, Toyota stopped selling eight models involved in the recall.
Feb. 2010:Prius and Lexus hybrids are now being recalled for brake problems in 2010 models.
1. Which of the following brands belong to Toyota family?
A.Toyopet, Volkswagen, Lexus, Prius |
B.Camry, Prius, Lexus, Georgetown |
C.Corona, Prius, Lexus, Corolla |
D.General Motors, Lexus, Camry, Corolla |
A.appreciation | B.sorrow | C.withdrawal | D.resolve |
A.Lexus LS 400 is a cheaper car |
B.Prius may be a kind of environmentally friendly car |
C.Corona became popular as soon as introduced to the US |
D.Toyota’s plant opened in Georgetown symbolized its “Americanize” tactics |
A.advertise for Toyota |
B.introduce Toyota’ s struggle in the US |
C.uncover Toyota’s braking problems |
D.display Toyota’s glory |
A.The world’s largest automaker | B.The rise of Toyota |
C.Toyota meeting problems in the US | D.Toyota’s failure in the US |