3 . The automobile (汽车) has many advantages. Above all, it offers people freedom to go where they want to go, when they want to go there. The basic purpose of a motor vehicle is to get from point A to point B as cheaply, quickly, and safely as possible.

In addition, much of the world’s economy is built on producing motor vehicles and supplying roads, services and repairs for those vehicles. Half of the world’s paychecks are auto related (相关的). In the United States, one of every six dollars spent and one of every six non-farm jobs are connected to the automobile or related industries, such as oil, steel, rubber, plastics, automobile services, and highway construction (建设).

Despite (尽管) their advantages, motor vehicles have many harmful effects on human lives and on air, water, land, and wild life resources. Since Karl Benz built the first automobile, almost 18 million people have been killed by motor vehicles. In addition to the tragic loss of life, these accidents cost American society about $60 billion annually in lost income and in insurance, administrative, and legal expenses.

Los Angeles is a global symbol of urban sprawl (城市扩张) built around a vast network of freeways. About one third of the city’s total metropolitan (大都市的) area and two thirds of its downtown area are devoted to roads, parking lots and other automobile related uses. Each day, its network of streets and freeways is crowded with more than five million vehicles, which are responsible for 85% of both the air pollution and the noise in this urban area.

If present trends continue, U.S. motorists will spend an average of two years of their lifetimes in traffic jams. Streets that used to be for people are now for cars. Pedestrians and people riding bicycles in the streets suffer from noise, pollution, stress, and danger.

7 . Cindy, my dog, was six years old when my son Tony was born. And she was immediately very protective over him. We lived near a busy road. As my son was too young, we were super vigilant for fear that he should go out of the front door.

Cindy knew that our son wasn’t allowed to go through the front door without us, so whenever Tony touched the front door handle, she would push him back. One morning, around 4 am, our son somehow managed to “escape” through his bedroom window, and Cindy had to follow.

At 5 am, the police woke us knocking on the door. They said, “Your son was nearly killed but the dog saved him.” They then repeated what the truck driver had said.

He told them that he was driving along in the dark and in the distance he could see something “light coloured” moving on the road. As he got closer, he could see a dog at the side of the road barking at it. At the last moment, he realized that it was a child and was about to change the direction. The dog was still barking, glancing (扫视) between the truck and the child. While the driver was braking (刹车), the dog ran out into the road, jumped at the child’s back and threw him out of the path of the truck. At the same time, the truck hit the dog and she was killed.

The driver said that he’d never believe what he saw unless it was with his own eyes. He thought that the dog definitely knew the danger, which was why she was barking so anxiously. He said “that dog just saved that kid’s life and it knew what it was doing.”

That was 39 years ago and I still miss Cindy every day.

9 . Where would you like to go for your New Year vacation? Here are the best ski resorts of comfort and joy during the holidays and the rest of the ski season.

Kitzbuhel, Austria

The most prized downhill on the ski racing calendar, Kitzbuhel also attracts a host of festive fans with its fairy lights, and performances of jazz bands. By day, you can enjoy 230 kilometers of runs over the Kitzbtihel Alps, and fill up on hearty Tyrolean classic foods.

Val Gardena, Italy

This attractive valley is a New Year present waiting to be unwrapped. The three towns that make up Val Gardena—busy Ortisei, peaceful Santa Cristina and the higher Selva—traditionally go big on the festive season, combining their Italian, Austrian and Ladin heritage. The 175-kilometer skiing takes place below the towering Sassolungo mountain.

Alpbach, Austria

Alpbach is often considered Austria’s prettiest village. Low at 1,00 meters, it may not always have snow on the ground. There are 91 kilometers of runs stretching up to 2,025 meters with a beautiful spread of mountain huts.

Stowe, Vermont

Stowe will celebrate its 85th winter of lift service this season and it’s a fine place to enjoy New Year. The skiing, up the road at Stowe Mountain Resort, offers options for all levels through forests from Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont.