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 The biggest barrier may be the outdated attitude that sees bikes only as a recreational athletic opportunity rather than a practical _________ option.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 . Colorado traffic police department has come up with a unique effort to ensure the driving safety of motorbike riders in Denver. Through a(n) _________ partnership with “Advance Auto Parts”, Denver police is _________ the motorists, who might not be _________ to spend money in repairing their damaged vehicle parts.

Advanced Auto Parts store has _________ the Denver Police Department with 100 cards each worth $25 for handing out to the pulled-over motor drivers. Driving with a broken or damaged vehicle part is _________ a traffic rule violation and motorists are often pulled over by cops due to this very _________. Then they are either given a warning or a _________ to pay a fine. But from now on, the Denver police will have the option to give a $25 gift card _________, if they pull over any motorist for a defective headlight, bad taillight, or any other broken _________. This money will help them in fixing the damaged part and back on the road with further __________.

According to Paul Pazen, the Denver Police Chief, this Advanced Auto Parts’ __________ has helped the police department in getting __________ submission with the motorists and also __________ social relationships with the community. The officers have already __________ a few cards and have enjoyed the sigh of __________ and smiles on the pulled-over drivers’ faces.