1 . Vehicles on our roads are now mostly petrol and diesel (柴油) cars, but their days cannot continue for much longer. A recent university study found that current electric cars could be used for 87 percent of daily car journeys in the US. That figure could rise to 98 percent by 2020.
One hurdle to the widespread adoption of electric cars has been “range anxiety” — drivers’ concerns about running out of electricity on a journey. While petrol stations are conveniently located across national road systems, the necessary network of electric charging stations is still being developed. That said, charging points are becoming increasingly common throughout the USA.
Attitudes towards electric vehicles have changed greatly over the last few years. Not that long ago, electric cars were met with distrust, and their high prices drove customers away. Thanks to improvements in battery capacity, recharging times, performance and price, the current generation of electric cars are starting to persuade picky consumers. Plug-in cars will soon give internal combustion engine (内燃机) models a run for their money.
As well as development on the road, electric vehicles are taking to the seas and skies. Electric boats are among the oldest methods of electric travel, having enjoyed several decades of popularity from the late 19th to the early 20th century before petrol-powered outboard motors took over. Now, the global drive for renewable energy sources is bringing electric boats back. Steps towards electric air travel are also being made, with Airbus and NASA among the organizations developing and testing battery-powered planes. The experiments could soon make commercial electric flight a reality.
Electric vehicles do not produce any emissions (排放). If the US could replace 87 percent of its cars with electric vehicles, it would reduce the national demand for petrol by 61 percent. However, because of the production processes and the generation of electricity required to charge these vehicles, they cannot claim to be completely emission-free. That said, as many countries continue to increase their use of renewable energy sources, electric vehicles will become even cleaner.
1. What does the underlined word “hurdle” probably mean in Paragraph 2?| A．Obstacle. | B．Intention. | C．Worry. | D．Stage. |
| A．They will suffer disbelief because of battery capacity. |
| B．The high price will put the future of electric cars at risk. |
| C．They will not be widely promoted because of picky customers. |
| D．They will compete with petrol and diesel cars fiercely for markets. |
| A．The history of electric travel. |
| B．Different ways electric vehicles can be used. |
| C．Reasons why the world needs more electric cars. |
| D．The trend that more people have interest in electric cars. |
| A．Potentials of Petrol and Diesel Cars | B．Challenges Facing Electric Cars |
| C．A Cleaner Future on the Road | D．Best Means of Transportation |
1. How is the woman probably feeling?
| A．Upset. | B．Confident. | C．Satisfied. |
| A．Its window. | B．Its engine. | C．Its door. |
| A．Do some research online. |
| B．Find cheaper service. |
| C．Buy a Ford car. |
| A．In 5 minutes. | B．In 10 minutes. | C．In 30 minutes. |
1. Where does the conversation probably take place?
| A．In a gas station. | B．Near a school. | C．On the highway. |
| A．She was caught speeding. |
| B．She drove into the wrong area. |
| C．She didn’t have a driver’s permit. |
| A．20 mph. | B．50 mph. | C．80 mph. |
1. Who is the man talking to?
| A．A passenger. | B．A friend. | C．A conductor. |
| A．Bristol. | B．Oxford. | C．Reading. |
| A．At 10:04. | B．At 9:55. | C．At 9:15. |
| A．Take the next train. | B．Get off in Bristol. | C．Change at Reading. |
1. How does the man book his ticket?
| A．On the Internet. | B．Through a friend. | C．On the phone. |
| A．Houston. | B．Chicago. | C．New York. |
| A．On May 5. | B．On May 2. | C．On May 6. |
1. What is the man doing?
| A．Cooking. | B．Exercising. | C．Preparing for a meeting. |
| A．Serious. | B．Surprised. | C．Happy. |
| A．By train. | B．By bus. | C．By bike. |
| A．Make salads for her. | B．Go jogging with her. | C．Lend a book to her. |
8 . The same area where the Wright brothers developed the first airplane will soon see electric planes that take off and land vertically (垂直地). The planes, called “flying taxis” will be produced under an agreement between the state of Ohio and Joby Aviation at Dayton International Airport.
Joby Aviation is a 14-year-old company that went public in 2021 and became the first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) firm to receive a special kind of permission from the US Air Force. Its production efforts are supported by partnerships with Toyota, Delta Air Lines, Intel and Uber.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine told The Associated Press, “When you’re talking about air taxis, that’s the future.”
Developers say the planes are nearing the day when they will provide a way to move individual people or small groups from the top of buildings and parking spaces to their destinations.
Around the world, eVTOL. aircrafts or flying taxis are becoming more common. Still, questions remain about noise levels and charging demands.
Engineers designed Joby’s production aircraft to transport a pilot and four passengers at the speed of up to 321.87 kilometers per hour. The aircraft can cover a distance of up to 160. 93 kilometers. It is a quiet machine that can barely be heard in most cities, the company said. The plan is to place them in aerial ride sharing networks beginning in 2025.
The $500 million project is supported by up to $325 million in payments from the state of Ohio. With the money, Joby plans to build an Ohio facility capable of delivering up to 500 aircrafts a year and creating 2,000 jobs. The US Department of Energy has invited Joby to apply for a loan to support the development of the facility as a clean energy project.
Joby CEO JocBen Bevirt told the AP that the company chose Ohio after a large and competitive search. Ohio’s financial deal was not the largest, but the chance to bring the operation to the birthplace of aviation — with a workforce experienced in the field — led to the deal, he said.
1. What does the author intend to do in paragraph 2?| A．Summarize the previous paragraph. | B．Provide some advice for the readers. |
| C．Add some background information. | D．Introduce a new topic for discussion. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Unconcerned. | C．Unclear. | D．Positive. |
| A．It hardly makes any noise. | B．It doesn’t need to be charged. |
| C．It carries at most 6 passengers. | D．It covers a distance of 321.87km. |
| A．The Life of the Wright Brothers | B．Flying Taxis to be Made in Ohio |
| C．A Competitive Future for Aircrafts | D．The Development of Joby Aviation |
1. How will the speakers leave the city?
| A．By train. | B．By plane. | C．By car. |
| A．A hat. | B．Car keys. | C．Suncream. |
| A．By foot. | B．By underground. | C．By bike. |
