1 . I passed my test when I was 19, and I’ve been behind the wheel for most journeys since. After becoming a ________ eight years ago, I became more dependent on my car, thinking that it meant security for me and my child. I couldn’t ________ a world where I didn’t get around on four wheels, but that all ________ when I tried going car-free.

Earlier this year, I ________ to a challenge posed by the climate charity to see what it would be like without my car for three weeks. I ________ an electric family bike. Straight away, I enjoyed having a break from driving, especially on the ________ run. What was once an unpredictable trip to my daughter’s school often stuck in traffic was now a ________ ride along the canal. And my daughter loved every moment of it, which gave me the ________ to know that we were doing the right thing.

Giving up my car didn’t come without its ________. I work in a grocery, and although there are ________ car parking space, there isn’t enough bike parking space to ________ my bike securely. On balance, the benefits outweighed the disadvantages. I felt myself getting ________ because I was getting exercise during my commute (通勤). I saved a bit of money every week just like other participants in this ________.

I was surprised by how ________ it was to give up the car and get around on my bike. I ________ to think it was my duty as a parent to be a driver. Now it’s my duty to get on my bike whenever I can.

2 . The misery of my bike commute in Calgary, Alberta, is the river valley hill. It’s not particularly steep, but at about a mile long, I rarely climbed up without arriving with sweat. Studies have shown the prospect of arriving at work sweaty is one of the biggest _________ to getting would-be bike commuters out of their cars. That’s especially true in a city like Los Angeles, where _________ may face long routes , hills or hot streets with a lack of shade.

“Pedelec”, or pedal electric-assisted bikes like the one I rode, can end that worry. They look and act like traditional bicycles, but their motors make pedaling much easier when required. Sometimes called the most energy-efficient motorized mode of transportation ever built, they’re also incredibly green. The biggest barrier may be the outdated attitude that sees bikes only as a recreational athletic opportunity rather than a practical _________ option.

At a time when cities across North America are struggling to combat crippling traffic and reduce climate emissions, e-bikes have the _________ to ease the both problems. And yet ridership has yet to truly _______.About 152,000 e-bikes were sold last year in the U.S., a figure that would be more than 5 million if Americans used them at the same rate as western Europeans.   

Many of the barriers to e-bike _________in North America are legislative. Patchwork rules treat e-bikes more like mopeds than traditional pedal bikes in some jurisdictions,meaning they are _______from bike lanes and from boarding public transportation.

Few places on the continent, _________, are better poised to break through barriers than California. Legislation was approved last year to encourage e-bike use, by legally differentiating the cycles from mopeds. In an attempt to head off worries about turbocharged machines flying down sidewalks and bike lanes at unsafe speeds, the law classifies bikes into different tiers to _______ lower-speed e-bikes, which top out at 20 mph, from faster-moving “speed pedelecs”, which are restricted from protected bike paths.

Amid these legislative ________, e-bikes have become more accessible to consumer. Finding them in bike shops isn’t as __________ as it once was, and their cost has fallen as the price of lithium-ion batteries has dropped. Today, a decent e-bike, while still __________, is comparable in price to a high-end mountain bike. After years of ____________over mixing pedal and motor power, cycling advocacy organizations also are finally throwing their support behind e-bikes. Dave Snyder, the executive director of the California Bicycle Coalition, __________ the state’s new legislation based partly on the __________that e-bikes help out those who“just can’t ride as far or as fast as they need to”.

3 . Your pet might have four legs, but that doesn’t mean they don’t get tired just as quickly as we do. Uber (优步) must have taken _________ of this, anyway, and launched a brand new travel _________ for pets. _________ named Uber Pet, the service _________ owners to book journeys with their pets for an added surcharge of £3.20 in London, and £2 _________. Plus, for each fare booked on Uber Pet, the company will _________ £l to charity All Dogs Matter.

Before the days of Uber Pet, booking a taxi through the app proved _________ when your pet was along for the ride — it was up to each driver as to whether they could hop in with you. The _________ puppy eyes may have worked a charm on some drivers, but this was not always the _________.

Now, users of Uber Pet will be __________ with drivers that allow pets in their vehicles, meaning it’s easier than ever to __________ a trip with your four-legged pals.

General manager at Uber UK Andrew Brem said: “We’re really happy to be launching Uber Pet in the UK, __________ even more convenient travel options to our __________.”

“With Covid 19 restrictions lifted, it’s the __________ time for new pets to get out and about again with you, no matter what your plans are.”

Those driving with a service animal can __________ booking through the usual Uber option.

4 . China State Railway Group has recently implemented an updated timetable for freight trains traveling between China and Europe. This change _________ to enhance the stability of transport times, boost efficiency, and promote trade between Asia and Europe. The revised _________ comprises five regular weekly freight train services along designated routes, allowing for precise determination of travel _________ between cities.

For instance, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, a freight train embarks from Xi’an, China, destined for Duisburg, Germany, and returns to Xi’an on Tuesdays. Likewise, every Saturday, a freight train _________ from Chengdu, China, bound for Lodz, Poland, with the return journey commencing on Thursdays.

_________ typical China-Europe freight trains, this new offering introduces fixed carriages, routes, shifts, and consistent schedules across all route segments. This ensures greater control _________ operational timings and leads to improved efficiency. As a result, the updated schedule has decreased travel time by approximately 30% _________ to other China-Europe freight trains, providing customers with swifter delivery of their _________.

Furthermore, the fixed schedules and enhanced efficiency of this new service _________ the quality of service, guaranteeing more dependable and punctual transportation. The consistent transport times afforded by the revised schedule contribute to the ____________ of global industrial and supply chains, thereby facilitating smoother international ____________.

Looking ____________, China State Railway Group intends to expand its network of fixed-schedule ____________ to further enhance the quality of China-Europe freight train services. This will strengthen the role of freight trains as a dependable alternative to sea and ____________ freight, supporting the seamless operation of international industrial supply chains.

In summary, the revised schedule of China-Europe freight trains marks a substantial leap forward in enhancing efficiency and ____________ in international freight transportation. This development contributes significantly to the stability and prosperity of global trade.

5 . Every evening, my journey begins with a one-stop hop from Victoria Station to Clapham Junction, where I catch the main ___________ home. One evening, I was standing in the crowd when I noticed the rows of ___________ seats in First Class, and a ___________ thought occurred to me. In all my time commuting, I had never seen the ___________ come around. Why didn’t I just ___________ it? I slipped into First Class.

The atmosphere was nice and the seats were ___________. The doors opened and a woman entered the carriage on crutches (拐杖). She settled herself in one of the seats. I should have known what would happen next. “Tickets, please.”

There was ___________ to run. In my haste I had taken a seat by the door, and I was the _________ passenger the inspector turned to. I had no choice but to ___________ my rail pass.

“That’s not a first class ticket,” he said.

My ____________ went blank. Before I could answer, the woman with the bad leg cut in.

“I was told I could sit in First Class,” she said ____________.

The man ____________ and gazed at her.

“Then whoever the person was, he gave you the bad advice,” said the inspector.

While their ____________ went on, I grabbed my bag and slipped out of the carriage into the Standard Class. I pushed into the crowd, then, using a ____________ I had picked up from a spy film, removed my coat to disguise my appearance. When I ____________ at Clapham Junction, the poor woman with the bad leg was on the edge of tears.

6 . Suppose you find a bright yellow bike on a street corner in the city. You hop on (跨上) it and _______. But wait — isn’t this stealing? No, it isn’t._______ shouts, “Stop! Thief!” That is _______ this free ride is just fine with the city.

You _______ find hundreds of free yellow bikes in some US cities. The idea began in Portland, Oregon, in 1994. People saw a need for _______ transportation, and they wanted to help _______ pollution. So, to get citizens (市民)_______ their cars and onto pollution-free bikes, they _______ the Yellow Bike Project.

The _______ bikes are painted bright yellow and placed throughout the city. People can hop on the yellow bike and ride to run errands (短程差事), to work ________ to school. Then, they leave the bike for the ________ rider. There have been times when bikes have been stolen, but most people ________ the rules, because they think it is not wise to ________ the bike that’s already free.

Portland’s ________ was quickly loved by a lot of people. Within two years of its starts, similar programs were ________ in cities in six other states.

7 . Are you traveling to an English-speaking country? If you are, one of the most important things you need to know is________to ask for directions. Here are some useful phrases.

Remember to be________when asking for directions, and don’t forget to say “Thank you!”

“How do I get to ...” — This is the simplest________to ask someone for directions. When you use this phrase, the other person will either tell you which mode of transport to take or will________your route.

“Where exactly am I?” — Sometimes in order to understand the directions well, you have to________where exactly you are, for example, which street you are on.

“What is the quickest way to get to ...” — Let us say that you have to go somewhere________train, and the train comes at certain times, then you need to get to the train station quickly. If you need to go somewhere________, ask this question.

“Where is ...” — This phrase is also useful________you ask for directions. If you know you are very close to your destination and you just need a little guidance in finding the place, you can________this phrase.

Now you are ready to travel to an English-speaking country and to ask for directions. Enjoy your________and have fun!

8 . The first cable car originated from San Francisco. They were invented before the automobile in the days when horse-drawn streetcars were the popular public transportation.

One day, Andrew Hallidie, whose father was the inventor of the wire rope, witnessed a terrible _________ involving a streetcar for which it was that _________ the idea of the cable railway. He was wandering around the street when he noticed a horse struggling to _________ the streetcar up Jackson Street. It’s ___________ and was dragged back down a hill, passengers and goods ___________ out of the carriage. This scene triggered Hallidie to find a _________ way to transport people and things.

Back home, Hallidie _________ strands of wire ropes to make wire cables, believing the cables would be _________ enough to pull the cable cars. Then he found someone to help him _________ the cars, with difficulty but successfully. He also managed to get the help of William E. Eppelsheimer, a German engineer, who __________ the first cable car line. Finally, Hallidie obtained a formal __________ from a lawyer named Benjamin Brooks to build a valid system.

August 2, 1873 saw the first trial of the cable car. Originally, Hallidie hired a grip man to operate the car. But after looking down the __________ hill, the man refused firmly. Hallidie decided to __________ it by himself from Jones Street to Kearney Street by way of Clay Street, known as the Clay Street Hill line today. About one month after the test run, the Line opened for __________ use. From then on, other lines opened in San Francisco as well as in other U.S cities and cities overseas. Till now, San Francisco is the only city where the cable car still __________.

9 . School buses are familiar to most people. However, Sam Balto, an elementary school teacher, creates a brand-new ______ of school buses in Portland, Oreg. ______ loading kids into the yellow vehicles, he involves them in a school “bike bus”. The bike bus ______ differently from the way school buses do. There’re two meetup locations for kids. After the two groups ______, the children cycle to school together.

Though popular in some areas, bike buses are still ______ in the U. S. Balto’s idea for that began as an initiative for Earth Day, which surprisingly became a ______, with most students in Balto’s school participating. Then he decided to ______ . Now ______ the bike bus in action. “Kids ______ the ride. Parents notice on bike bus mornings, kids get up and out of home ______. They’ re eager to be with friends,” said Balto. Actually, its ______    go beyond promoting socializing. The physical activity helps ______ kids’ strength and it’s also climate action.

Right now, Balto feels it’s ______ to offer the bike bus once a week and he’s relying on volunteers and seeking official ______. “It can be a daily way to transport kids if cities or schools pay adults to lead it,” Balto explained. If possible, he encourages other Portland schools to ______ them. “More kids across the city should have such pleasant experiences.”