4 . Why are the speakers stuck here?

A．People are leaving the city.

B．No rooms are available.

C．A concert is going on.

5 . Clear winners are hard to pick in the race to develop self-driving vehicles, but autonomous trucks have built a convincing lead. Robotrucks have completed thousands of automated journeys and a new era of driverless delivery appears to lie in store for the world.

Big-name vehicle manufacturers like Daimler, alongside AV (autonomous vehicle) innovators like Aurorae have sunk billions of dollars into making self-driving trucks work, which is a solid investment in road freight (货运).

Fitted with complex LIDAR road scanning systems, computer vision, and AI predictive software, the vehicles serve the so-called “middle mile” between distribution centers, where loads are picked up and dropped off for human drivers to complete deliveries to homes and businesses.

Texas, with its spacious highways, prosperous road freight market, and relaxed regulations, provides ideal conditions to road test the trucks. Other states have their own regulations in place to allow AV testing on public roads.

There are six levels of vehicle automation (from 0 to 5) and level five — full autonomy, drive anywhere — is the end goal. Autonomous journeys often run at level four, which turns out safe, with a backup driver in the cab ready to take control in case an accident happens. In December 2021 a level 4 semi-truck drove 80 miles on public roads, between a railyard in Tucson, Arizona, and a distribution center in Phoenix.

Analysts say that up to 90 percent of long-distance trucking jobs could be lost to self-driving technology once it becomes widespread. Safety is another concern. Questions of whether authorities are ready to deal with the new technology followed a crash between a Waymo Via class 8 truck and another human-driven semi-truck near Ennis, Texas. The human driver was at fault, but the safety operator in the Waymo truck did not take control during the incident and a report exposed the weaknesses of the way the crash was dealt with.

AV industry representatives say their vehicles with self-driving technology are safer and more efficient than cars driven by people and will improve road safety. But doubts from road safety campaigners, transport workers, and city authorities exist about rapid change without stricter controls. All agree that new laws will be necessary.

1. What is paragraph 3 of the text mainly about?

A．The complex system of the vehicles.

B．The process of picking up and dropping off loads.

C．Ways of completing deliveries to homes and businesses.

D．The function of autonomous vehicles in road freight.

2. What does the example mentioned in paragraph 5 prove?

A．More often than not, trucks running at level 4 are secure.

B．Levels of vehicle automation serve different purposes.

C．“Full autonomy, drive anywhere” is the ultimate target.

D．A backup driver in the cab is crucial in avoiding an accident.

3. What is the author’s attitude toward the self-driving technology?

A．Unclear.

B．Approving.

C．Objective.

D．Dismissive.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．The Evolution and Implications of Self-Driving Vehicles

B．Robotrucks to Deliver a New Era of Driverless Technology

C．A Solid Investment from Big-Name Vehicle Manufacturers

D．The Testing of Autonomous Trucks on Public Roads with Level 4

6 . 阅读下面短文,在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

In today’s urban centers, traffic jam is a common sight, characterized by long lines of vehicles     1     (inch) along the roadways. Many commuters experience fatigue from spending hours behind the wheel, navigating through winding streets.

Due to the congestion, it’s easy to become disillusioned with the daily grind.(日常琐事) However, there’s hope in the form of nation-driven initiatives     2     (aim) at easing the pressure on both the roads. One such initiative is the promotion of alternative modes of transportation through campaigns that highlight the benefits of walking, cycling, and     3     (use) public transportation instead of private cars.stresses the fact that the exaggeration of the benefits of private vehicle usage should be examined critically.

These initiatives are not environmentally friendly     4     appealing to those seeking an escape from over-scheduled work     5     they are constantly chasing after the next deadline or appointment, feeling stressed out. By encouraging a shift in mindset,     6     one focused merely on speed and efficiency to one that values well-being, cities can create a more livable environment for their citizens. Governments     7     (explore) solutions that prioritize the well-being of all residents. This may include implementing carpooling schemes, establishing designated pedestrian zones, or establishing facilities around communicates that are within walking distance.

Implementing innovative approaches to traffic issues in urban centers helps promote a     8     (healthy) urban environment. It is necessary that initiatives calling for alternative transportation modes     9     (support) to keep company with these efforts, and     10     unsustainable practices, such as reliance solely on private vehicles, be disposed of in the near future.

7 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1. What is the man?

A．A train attendant.

B．A tour guide.

C．A passenger.

2. Which station has the train just left from?

A．Burton-on-Trent.

B．Tamworth.

C．Birmingham New Street.

3. What time was the train supposed to arrive in Edinburgh?

A．At 18:23.

B．At 19: 05.

C．At 19: 18.

4. Where can the train’s restaurant car be found?

A．At the front of the train.

B．In the middle of the train.

C．At the back of the train.