1 . The time that cars could go completely driverless is coming “very soon”, according to Jianxiong Xiao, CEO and founder of AutoX, a Shenzhen-based start-up developing autonomous driving technology.
Now, most regulations across various cities in China still require the presence of a safety driver in vehicles, but the company foresees that as more data gets captured over time, that requirement would be reduced, Xiao told CNBC's “Street Signs Asia" on Wednesday.
The autonomous driving tech firm chose to partner with Alibaba's AMAP — a Chinese mapping service provider --- to roll out its RoboTaxi ride hailing service in Shanghai on Monday. AMAP is a "super mobility app" with almost 500 million active monthly users, according to Xiao.
AutoX had received support from Shanghai authorities to roll out a fleet of 100 autonomous ride-hailing cars in Shanghai's Jiading district in September last year.
Earlier this month, AutoX announced that it had set up an 80,000 square feet RoboTaxi operations center in Shanghai to help facilitate (使容易)operations of its driverless fleet, as well as act as a center to collect data from daily operations.
Backed by investors such as Alibaba, Shanghai Motor and Dongfeng Motor, AutoX is one of the players in the trillion U.S. dollar Chinese autonomous driving vehicles market alongside others like DiDi Chuxing.
Xiao said they were working with the technology to ensure the vehicles were "very, very safe" and are carrying out a lot of testing.
Over a hundred vehicles have been arranged on roads daily to obtain enough data needed to validate the software and system, according to Xiao.
He added that the company was also running a hundred times more simulations (模拟)in the car every day, and the “huge amount of data" would help to prove that the vehicles could be used in "full safety".
“Our goal is not to just make (it) as safe as human beings, but going one step forward to really make...a superhuman safety standard; (cars) that (can) drive much safer than any human being ever,“ Xiao said.
1. What will be most required to go driverless according to CEO of AutoX?| A．Traffic regulations. | B．Driving technology. |
| C．Enough data. | D．Mapping service. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Optimistic. | C．Disappointed. | D．Uncertain. |
| A．test | B．invent | C．develop. | D．design |
| A．Driving Technology |
| B．Science Achievement |
| C．No Driver in the Future |
| D．The Development of Driverless |
2 . Welcome to the Sydney Opera House
Ticket Info and Guided Tours
Visitors can enjoy the Sydney Opera House foyer for free, but for a more insightful visit, you'll need to book a tour.
There are several different ways to experience the Sydney Opera House, and multiple tours are available including back-stage passes and walking tours.
Tour Type Adult （AUD $ ） Child
Guided Walking Tour $ 42 $ 22
Guided Walking Tour + Dinner $ 73 $ 52
Guided Walking Tour + Tasting Plate $ 82.20 $ 64. 80
Backstage Tour $ 175 $ 175
Opening Hours and the Best Time to Visit
The Sydney Opera House is open year-round with the following opening hours：
● Monday—Saturday ： 9am—8 ： 30pm
●Sunday： 9am—5pm
As for the best time of day, it's recommended to book the earliest Sydney Opera House tour of the day to beat the crowds. To enjoy sunny weather with fewer crowds, try visiting in the shoulder season (October, November, February, or March )
Points of Interest
●The Steps
Before entering the Opera House, take a picture of the building from the steps outside.
●The Sails
Step beneath the sails on a guided tour and enjoy harbor front views.
●The Concert Hall
The Concert Hall is the largest venue with seats for more than 2000 people. It features contemporary live music shows and highly -regarded orchestral (管弦乐的)performances. It is also here that you will find the world's largest mechanical tracker-action pipe organ.
● Opera Bar
After your tour, head to the Opera Bar for a bite to eat or drink in the sun.
● Badu Gili
Badu Gili, which is ‘water light’ in the language of the Gadigal people-takes place most evenings after sunset at 9pm, 9：30pm, and 10pm. The seven-minute display is free to view.
1. How much will a guided walking tour for two adults cost?| A．$ 64. | B．$ 84. | C．$ 128, | D．$ 168. |
| A．9：30 am, a Monday in February. | B．10：00 am, a Sunday in December. |
| C．5：00 pm, a Friday in September. | D．6：00 pm, a Saturday in March. |
| A．A local language. | B．A pipe organ. | C．A light show. | D．A dinning area. |
3 . Most sea turtles, whales and fish may have plastic in their bodies. To determine the various forms and colors of this material in marine animals, Marga Rivas at the University of Almeria in Spain and her team analyzed data from 112 studies published in the past decade. These looked for microplastics and larger macro plastics in marine species globally.
Of the studies, 80 examined the gastrointestinal tracts (胃肠道)of animals to see what they had taken in. The others also looked at wider animal tissues to identify plastics that end up in other parts of the body. After examining all of the data, Rivas and her team concluded that 66 per cent of sea turtles have white-colored macro and microplastics in their systems, while 55 percent have a distinct class of plastic called microfibers, which are shed by some fabrics (织物). The high amount of white plastic in turtles was unsurprising, says Rivas, given that plastic of this color, particularly larger pieces, may resemble jellyfish, a large part of the animals' diets.
Microfibers were also present in 80 percent of whales and dolphins - and white macro and microplastics in 38 percent of them. The researchers also concluded that clear fiber microplastics are probably the most common form of this waste that is taken in by large marine animals globally. Rivas and her colleagues also discovered that the animals with the highest rates of plastic were those in the Mediterranean and the northeast Indian Ocean.
“The Mediterranean is the most contaminated sea in the world, so we expected to find these results,” says Rivas. Marine plastic pollution has increased roughly 10-fbld since 1980, and Rivas says the problem is worsened by inadequate water treatment systems. In parts of India and the southeast Mediterranean, waste water isn’t adequately treated or recycled, she says. This means that microfibers shed by fabrics in washing machines, and larger pieces of rubbish, enter the sea. “It’s possible to introduce management strategies to control these huge threats,” says Rivas.
1. How did Rivas and her team conduct the study?| A．By doing comparative experiments. |
| B．By analyzing data from previous studies. |
| C．By determining the forms and colors of plastics. |
| D．By looking for plastics in global marine animals. |
| A．White plastic looks like the food sea turtles consume. |
| B．More while plastic was in the sea than that of other colors. |
| C．White plastic is the most common form of the plastic waste. |
| D．White microfibers from fabrics were abundant in the oceans. |
| A．Researched | B．Conserved | C．Examined | D．Polluted |
| A．Health. | B．Lifestyle. | C．Science. | D．Education. |
4 . The popularity of niche（小众的）sports has increased, thanks in large part to pop culture interest. From the traditional Japanese martial arts to ancient Greek combat sports. Here are some trendy options you won't want to miss.
Kendo
This Japanese martial art is gaining popularity in China, partly because of Japanese sports manga（日本漫画）series such as One Piece（海贼王）. In many major cities, it's not uncommon to see young athletes carrying the bamboo swords used for Kendo.
Kendo is a form of swordsmanship（剑术）that requires concentration, discipline and constant repetition, but the benefit goes beyond physical fitness. According to the South China Morning Post, practicing kendo can effectively relieve stress and relax one's mind.
Boxing
Some of the greatest English-language writers, like Ernest Hemingway, Jack London and TS Eliot, were hardcore boxers. After reading their portrayals of tough boxers, some readers have been inspired to pick up their own pair of boxing gloves and enter the ring.
Boxing is more than just a workout. Sure, it can give you a lean and strong body. But according to boxing expert Hollywood Hino, it's a kind of addiction as well. Boxing gives you "the challenge of learning technique, as well as the general empowering feeling of hitting something", he told Yahoo Sports.
Parkour
The James Bond blockbuster Casino Royale (2006) introduced parkour to the mainstream, with an intense action scene that shows Bond using skills to go through an urban landscape. That's parkour in a nutshell: the art of moving quickly and creatively through unconventional obstacle courses. Parkour gives young people a way to improve themselves, both physically and psychologically.
1. Which of the following is the benefit of practicing kendo?| A．Popularity. | B．Concentration |
| C．Easiness. | D．Constant repetition. |
| A．Hemingway was a hardcore boxer. |
| B．boxing could give them a lean and strong body. |
| C．boxing gave them the challenge of learning technique. |
| D．they were encouraged by the spirits of tough boxers created by Hemingway |
| A．ancient Greek combat sports | B．parkour |
| C．boxing | D．kendo |
5 . The Tibet autonomous region has placed nearly half its land area under the strictest ecological supervision (监督).It was announced at an annual meeting of the regional People's Congress, which kicked off on Wednesday.
The ecological protection area, which covers more than 539,000 square kilometers, makes up 45 percent of the region's area, and 22 ecological reserves have been built and are operational.
According to the government work report, the rate of days with good air quality in Tibet's cities has reached 99.4 percent, and all the region's drinking water sources have met applicable standards.
The report also said that the number of Tibetan antelope (羚)in the region has risen to more than 200,000, wildlife species to 1,072 and black-necked cranes to more than 8,000. Five rare new species have been discovered in recent years. The region has spent 12.2 billion yuan ($1.9 billion) on ecological protection projects in recent years. Five cities and three counties have been named as national-level ecologically civilized model cities and counties, and more rural residents have benefited financially by undertaking part-time ecological protection work.
More advanced monitoring facilities have been in place in the reserve, with more ecological protection inspectors employed to undertake protection work. The professional ecological inspectors are provided with basic tools such as motorcycles, telescopes and paging receivers, and they provide feedback regularly. Professional inspectors also receive one week of training every year from professors at Tibet University.
Kunsang Darje, a railway maintenance worker in Nagchu, said that apart from maintaining the railway and highway, he also collects trash along the section with his colleagues. “The place I work is in a no-man's land, and I think it's very important to protect the animals there without affecting them with human activities, and we are also bound to take responsibility there," he said.
1. What is the main idea of the text?| A．The ecological situation in Tibet has been totally improved. |
| B．Almost half Tibetan land has been ecologically supervised. |
| C．Many more operational ecological reserves have been built. |
| D．More Tibetan protection inspectors have been employed. |
| A．Larger protection areas. | B．Numerous rare new species. |
| C．More days with quality air. | D．Global capital investments. |
| A．protection inspectors can employ other people |
| B．protection inspectors are supplied with cars |
| C．Tibet's rural residents can get annual training |
| D．Tibet's rural residents can earn extra money |
| A．He asks his colleagues not to litter everywhere. |
| B．He attaches importance to raise animals there. |
| C．He keeps railway and highway in good condition. |
| D．He has a sense of duty to protect animals there. |
6 . Chicago Botanic Garden Events
• Midwest Fruit Explorers
March 31-April 10, 1-4 pm
The Midwest Fruit Explorers presents this hands-on workshop with step-by-step instructions on how to grow fruit trees.
• Midwest Daffodil Society Show
April 22-28, 10 am-4:30 pm
The Midwest Daffodil Society Show features hundreds of daffodils on display that will be judged by the society. The show includes floral(花卉的) design and photography competitions.
• Ikebana International Show
May 11-19, 9 am-3: 30 pm (Saturday & Sunday only)
The Ikebana International Society presents an exhibition of traditional Japanese flower arranging.
• Gardeners of the North Shore Show & Sale
The Gardeners of the North Shore host this annual show.
June 27-30, 9 am-4:30 pm
This show includes a judged exhibition with more than 500 entries of anything a home gardener can grow, including flowers, vegetables, herbs, and houseplants.
Service animals
Service animals are welcome. No pets please.
Electronic Convenience Vehicles(ECVs)
They are available for rent in the Visitor Center on an unreserved, first-come-first-served basis. The following fees apply: members: $15, 1 nonmembers $20. ECVs will not be rented for indoor use.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are available free at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center.
Daily Hours: 8 am-7 pm
Garden View Cafe: 8 am-4 pm
Garden Shop: 10 am-4 pm
1. What can you do at Midwest Fruit Explorers?| A．Design flower patterns. |
| B．Learn about fruit tree planting. |
| C．Take part in its photography competition. |
| D．Buy some fruit at a good price. |
| A．Midwest Fruit Explorers. |
| B．Midwest Daffodil Society Show. |
| C．Ikebana International Show. |
| D．Gardeners of the North Shore Show Sale. |
| A．They can rent ECVs for indoor use. |
| B．They can visit the garden with their pets. |
| C．They can have free coffee from 8 am to 4 pm. |
| D．They can use free wheelchairs if they need to. |
7 . If you are looking for something fun and educational to do in Maryland, why not visit the Maryland Science Center? It is located at 601 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 2. The ticket prices vary depending on ages, groups and the exhibits you choose.
IntroductionThe Maryland Science Center is basically a museum, but it gives everyone a chance to learn through experience and play, rather than just glance at an exhibit.
ActivitiesYou can learn about various topics, including outer space, the human body, dinosaurs, electricity, marine(海洋的) biology, energy, and much more. You can also take part in the interactive activities, such as racing bubbles, digging for dinosaur fossils, using puzzle pieces to construct cars, and so much more.
The Davis Planetarium(天文馆)At the Davis Planetarium, you can lie back in a chair and look at the stars while still inside the Science Center. The stars will appear on the ceiling of the theatre as you watch them.
There are different shows to catch at the Davis Planetarium. You can learn about the galaxy and astronomy during the Dark Matters show. Learn about the stars and planets during the Sky Live show. The One World One Sky show allows children to explore the stars. The Live from the Sun show will teach you all about the hot sun.
The Kids RoomFor children, they can’t miss the Kids Room. They will be able to play in a water area, construct dams and water towers, push buttons, ring doorbells, build with blocks, and more, and definitely they will learn a lot. In addition, there is also an area for kids of two years old and under, where they can crawl, walk and explore safely with soft toys.
1. What do we know about the Maryland Science Center?| A．It charges different prices for parents and Children. |
| B．It is regarded as the most popular museum in Maryland. |
| C．It is a museum where there are many famous exhibitions. |
| D．It is mainly designed for children and their families to play together. |
| A．Dark Matters. | B．Live from the Sun. |
| C．One World One Sky. | D．Sky Live. |
| A．It is designed for parents who have children. |
| B．It provides a good opportunity for parents to relax. |
| C．Children there need to be accompanied by their parents. |
| D．It is a good place for children to learn and play at the same time. |
8 . If you want to explore European towns, here is a look at the most beautiful small towns in Europe.
Manarola
Manarola, Italy, is filled with rainbow-colored homes along the Mediterranean (地中海) coast. This attractive fishing town is famous for its wine and paintings. There are no cars here, no traffic lights, and no traffic noise. You can drive to it, but you have to park outside the town and then take a shuttle bus or walk in on foot.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, is a fascinating mountain town. Once two separated towns, Roman and Teutonic, were forced to become one because of the 1936 Winter Olympics, though the two sides still have different features. The town dates back to 15 AD, filled with narrow, cobble- stoned streets lined with historic buildings painted with religious scenes.
Marsaxlokk
The energetic trading port of Marsaxlokk, Malta, was built in 900 BC. Today, this picture-like town is the main supplier of fish to the island nation that sits in the Mediterranean Sea. It has no modern buildings to ruin its attractiveness. With such quiet surroundings, including the traditional fishing boats, it’s a particularly charming place to visit.
Portmagee, Ireland
In a country filled with beautiful towns, Portmagee sits on the southwest coast of Ireland. This postcard-perfect seaside fishing town has brightly colored buildings with a rich and colorful history. At the Bridge Bar, you’ll find live music along with nice food and a fine glass of beer.
1. In which town are tourists not allowed to go sightseeing by car?| A．Manarola. | B．Garmisch-Partenkirchen. |
| C．Marsaxlokk. | D．Portmagee. |
| A．wine and paintings | B．religious scenes |
| C．fish and old buildings | D．rich history and live music |
| A．have special interest in traditional fishing boats |
| B．prefer enjoyment in an old coastal fishing town |
| C．want to stay on a Mediterranean island |
| D．need to be refreshed in a mountain town |
9 . Calling all book lovers! Support your reading habit without paying a cent or even taking a trip to the library.
The Library of Congress
If you’re looking for classics online, the Library of Congress has got you covered. With more than 60 classic books available, this is the perfect website if you have a specific classic you’re looking to read. It also includes children’s classics like Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella.
Project Gutenberg
Founded in 1971, Project Gutenberg is the oldest eBook collection online. While the website asks for donations (捐赠), no fees are required for reading the free online books they offer. There are more than 56,000 eBooks to choose from, and they are Kindle-compatible and easy to download.
BookBub
If you’re a book lover who's always looking for something new to read, BookBub is a site you need in your life. To access this site and its thousands of available eBooks you need to create an account (账户), but it’s totally free. Once you’ve created an account, the site asks you to pick your favorite genres so that it can provide the best reading recommendations (推荐). If you want to learn more about BookBub, click here.
BookRix
BookRix allows readers to download free ebooks onto their iPads? tablets? eReaders, and smartphones. The site offers books from self-published authors as well as books that are part of the public domain. The homepage group books into different types including fiction, fantasy, romance, thrillers, so you can easily find a new book to read.
1. Which should one choose if they want to read classical fairy tale books?| A．The Library of Congress. | B．Project Gutenberg. |
| C．BookBub. | D．BookRix. |
| A．All the eBooks are totally free. |
| B．Some of the ebooks are classics. |
| C．It recommends books for readers. |
| D．Thousands of eBooks are available. |
| A．A newspaper. | B．The Internet. |
| C．A magazine. | D．A notice board. |
10 . A Couch Potato
Forty-three-year-old Bob Black from Birmingham is sitting on his sofa and telling me about his perfect day.
When I wake up I don't get up immediately.
I turn on the television and watch the children's programmes and old movies until about half-past ten. Then I get up, go downstairs and switch on the TV in the living room. For lunch, I have biscuits and a glass of milk, and I watch the news. In the afternoon, I often watch another old film – they're showing some good ones at the moment. In the evenings, I often watch TV series or sport and the news again. I like the main news at six o'clock. At half past nine, if there is a good play on BBC 2, I switch over and watch it. Then at night, I watch more films and I usually switch off the TV at about two o'clock. I never watch TV all night.
I watch TV for sixteen or seventeen hours a day. I also do some exercise every day. I take Tina, the dog, for a walk every afternoon. I don't go far, of course. I walk to the wall outside my house. I always take my portable TV and I sit on the stone wall while the dog walks round in a circle.
Of course, I couldn't live this lifestyle without a good wife. She's not here now because she's working, but she always makes my meals. We haven't got much money, you know, but we're happy. Sit down and watch TV. Here's the remote control. You've got the world at your feet. And in your hand. Great!
1. Which of the following statements can best explain the title “a couchpotato” ?
| A．Having a biscuit and a glass of milk for lunch. |
| B．Doing some exercise everyday. |
| C．Taking the dog for a walk every afternoon. |
| D．Watching TV for sixteen or seventeen hours a day. |
| A．A cellphone. | B．His portable TV. |
| C．Some books. | D．Plastic bags. |
| A．He loves his wife pretty much. | B．He often quarrels with his wife. |
| C．He likes his lifestyle. | D．He is a pet lover. |
