1 . School buses are familiar to most people. However, Sam Balto, an elementary school teacher, creates a brand-new
Though popular in some areas, bike buses are still
Right now, Balto feels it’s
A.signal | B.approach | C.version | D.function |
A.As for | B.Rather than | C.Regardless of | D.Apart from |
A.operates | B.moves | C.appears | D.matches |
A.agree | B.gather | C.return | D.begin |
A.complex | B.necessary | C.practical | D.rare |
A.hit | B.reminder | C.task | D.routine |
A.upgrade | B.manage | C.continue | D.examine |
A.indicates | B.witnesses | C.reflects | D.changes |
A.understand | B.join | C.share | D.enjoy |
A.consciously | B.freely | C.actively | D.naturally |
A.aims | B.benefits | C.features | D.challenges |
A.build up | B.draw on | C.get back | D.let out |
A.uncertain | B.unsafe | C.inexpensive | D.inadequate |
A.guidance | B.announcement | C.investment | D.permission |
A.recommend | B.accompany | C.assist | D.follow |
2 . Electric cars are already greener than petrol cars in almost every part of the world today, according to researchers. They say electric vehicles are “a no-regret choice” even in places where power nets haven’t gone fully green.
Some previous comparisons suggested petrol cars produce lower net carbon emissions (净碳排放量) over their lifetime than battery- powered cars. Yet these analyses have often compared only two fixed models of cars.
Instead, the researchers from Radboud University looked at the average emissions across many classes of car to get a clearer global picture. It includes during its production, while it is being driven and when it is broken, for all the petrol and electric cars sold in 59 areas across the world in 2015. They connected with information of those areas in the following years and found that the electric vehicles are greener than the new petrol cars. Electric vehicles already have lower net carbon emissions in 53 of those 59 areas. Only in some countries that use coal heavily, such as India and Poland, are electric car emissions worse than those of petrol cars.
The researchers say that the differences between petrol and electric cars on the carbon emissions will grow bigger as power stations get greener. By 2030, they expect the carbon emissions of electric cars to be 20 percent lower than that in 2015, and 30 percent lower by 2050. The suggestions for governments are clear, says Knobloch.“There is no need to wait. Don’t be confused by all those different results out there. It’s a no-regret choice already.”
1. Why did the former comparison show petrol cars more greener?A.It was too simple. |
B.It had no scientific basis. |
C.It lacked experimental evidence. |
D.It lacked enough reference objects. |
A.6. | B.53. | C.59. | D.112. |
A.Petrol cars will be fully replaced. |
B.The carbon emissions of electric cars will be zero. |
C.Power stations will get huge advance technologically. |
D.Petrol cars’ pollution will force people to buy electric cars. |
A.To state the development of electric cars. |
B.To tell readers how to choose an electric car. |
C.To show electric cars are greener than petrol cars. |
D.To state the differences between petrol and electric cars. |
Monorails (单轨列车) have been around for more than a century and examples can be found all over the world,
Chongqing, a megacity which
Back in the 1990s, the city’s unique geography, with extreme differences in altitude between its densely populated mountain plateaus and the Yangtze and Jialing river valleys,
4 . In Spain, children and their families are riding bikes to school together in large groups. The program is called “bicibús” or bike bus. In Barcelona, the program started recently with only five children and grew quickly to hundreds of riders.
This fall, children in the Eixample area of Barcelona have a new way to get to school on Fridays—they ride their bikes. In September, a group of five children began biking to school with their parents on Fridays. Soon the group grew to 150 or more. The bike bus begins around 8:25 every Friday morning. The path it will follow is always posted ahead of time, so everyone knows where to join.
Instead of riding in bike lanes (道) or on sidewalks, the bicibús takes over the entire street. The commute (通勤) of these bikers takes about 25 minutes. And with the ever-growing cycling and skating kids taking part in this bike bus culture, the local police are helping stop traffic by riding in front of the bicibús and behind it. This further makes the parents happy that the additional security means their children will travel safely to school.
With music playing and bike bells ringing, the bicibús feels like a party. “The best part of the bicibús is that we ride along and pick up my friends and we ride together,” nine-year-old Maria Pitarch says.
Some parents have made the bicibús the way they get to work on Friday. Parents are hoping that the bicibús will help change ideas about how people can get around in the city. They want the city to create wider, kid-friendly bike lanes that are separate from car traffic. They point out that the bicibús also helps cut down on pollution.
Recently, pictures and videos of the Eixample bicibús got a lot of attention on the social media site. Many people pointed out what a simple idea it is, and how easy it is to get started. Already some other areas in Barcelona are also organizing bike buses.
1. What can we learn about the bicibús?A.It has a flexible schedule. | B.Its route is made known in advance. |
C.It takes over the whole sidewalks. | D.Its safety is a concern for parents. |
A.To introduce more about the bike bus. |
B.To encourage readers to join the bike bus. |
C.To acknowledge the performance of the kids. |
D.To show the enjoyment kids get from the program. |
A.Cut down on pollution. | B.Focus on traffic problems. |
C.Build safer bike lanes for kids. | D.Promote the bicibús program. |
A.Skeptical. | B.Tolerant. | C.Cautious. | D.Favorable. |
5 . E-bike, powered by an electric motor in addition to your pedaling, is growing faster than any other kind of bikes these days. Before you go on your next two-wheeled adventure, make sure you’re familiar with the ins and outs of bicycle safety.
Many of the safety recommendations are the same for both types of bikes.
•
•
•Know the rules of the road. “When you’ re riding in the street, even in a protected bike lane, read the signals, pay attention to the lane markings, and check the signage to see where e-bikes are allowed,” Lovell says.
A.Be aware of your speed. |
B.Be sure your bike is ready to ride. |
C.Guarantee your bike is empowered to go further. |
D.Ride with the flow of traffic rather than against it. |
E.This will provide you with more practicality and more fun. |
F.Thirty-six states have adopted a classification system for e-bikes. |
G.This holds true whether you’re riding a traditional bike or an e-bike. |
6 . “Bike buses”—adult-led group bike rides to school — are taking over neighborhoods. Many families are abandoning cars and starting a sweatier morning ride with friends, biking in organized groups led by grown-up volunteers. The effort is a call to fight against climate change, encourage exercise and reduce school drop-off traffic. And both parents and kids say it just makes the children happier.
Minneapolis dad devil Olson organized a bike bus for his local school zone. Olson says cycling create connectivity between all walks of life.
Six years ago, Olson partnered with Minneapolis Public Schools to run a 2- mile bike bus that dropped off students at two elementary schools. So far, Olson has led 11 semi-annual bike buses that have grown from about 60 participants to nearly 150. “We meet at 8 am. To play soccer and football, and eat do nuts,” said Olson. “Then we review safety measures and start our ride. It’s nothing but laughing, shouting and pure joy.”
The group makes about eight stops along the way to pick up children, many of whom are accompanied by parents. “We want kids to celebrate going to school,” explained Olson, adding that the kids who participate enjoy opportunities to communicate with students in different graded.
In San Francisco, lake Bornheimer co-runs SF Bike Bus, which organized city-wide school routes, with the goal of inspiring people around the country to start bike buses. “Our first 3- mile ride included more than 100 kids, families, and adults in one trip to school,” said Bornheimer. The bike bus experience has reassured parents who were otherwise nervous about their children biking around traffic. “Our hope is to create a bike bus for every school in San Francisco,” he said.
1. Which aspect of bike buses is covered in the first paragraph?A.Their origin. | B.Their purpose. |
C.Their appearance. | D.Their development. |
A.It contributes a lot to their bravery. | B.It believes them of their learning stress. |
C.It increased their communication chances. | D.It improved their academic performances. |
A.Organize more bike buses. | B.Remove parents ‘ worries. |
C.Convince parents to join them. | D.Design the best school routed. |
A.A great source of happiness. | B.A safe means of transportation. |
C.Arising trend of living in the US. | D.A unique way of getting kids to class. |
Cycling is kind to the environment so it is an excellent way to take in the city. Here are 4bike-friendly cities having adopted this green mode of transport to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Montréal, Canada
Montréal has already established protected bike paths since the 1980s. BIXI is the city’s bike-sharing system with 9, 600 bikes and almost 800 stations. Cyclists can make their visit to the Tour de L’lle Montreal, a yearly bike ride where cyclists take to the streets for a day without any other vehicles being allowed on the roads.
Malmö, Sweden
Cycling in Malmö is enjoyable due to the relaxed and easy-going manner of most cyclists. The calming atmosphere makes it a great experience, even for nervous riders. A highly recommended bike route is from Ribersborg park to Limhamn Harbour, where riders can take a few good photos of the famous Oresund Bridge.
Beijing, China
In the 1970s, bicycles were the main mode of transportation for people in Beijing. However, dedicated (专用的) cycle paths for cyclists were limited. Only in May 2019, did the city launch its first specific cycle path. This achievement in cycling facility is worth a shout-out for a city with over 21 million people.
Bogota, Colombia
Bogota first introduced the concept of cycle path in 1974. The idea sees cars being banned from city roads every Sunday from 7 a.m.to 2 p.m., helping cyclists, runners and walkers exercise safely. Since then, the city has slowly but steadily expanded the program, including setting up dedicated cycle paths. As a result, Bogota now has 550km of bike paths and is the most bike-friendly city in Latin America.
1. What make(s)Montréal different from other cities?A.A well-developed bike-sharing system. |
B.The oldest protected bike paths. |
C.An annual bicycle event. |
D.The most calming effect on cyclists. |
A.Beijing. | B.Malmö. | C.Montréal. | D.Bogota. |
A.Improvement in cycling facility. |
B.Shift in primary means of transportation. |
C.Regular investment in building bicycle paths. |
D.Multiple specific cycle paths connecting districts. |
8 . Slow down and take some time to explore the world and nourish your soul and brain by traveling.
Little Trains of the Pyrenees
Eight days from £1,049 per person—from May to September 2022
Enjoy the slow journey on the incredible Roses Express. Step aboard the Yellow Train in the Pyrenees. Travel in style on the Núria Valley Rack Railway. Relax on board the Red Train in the Pyrenees.
Includes
● Return by Eurostar from London to Paris
● Seven nights’ half board accommodation in Roses
Please note
The deposit (订金) of the room: £275
Scottish Highland Railways
Five days from £576 per person—from April to October 2022
Experience some of the world’s most spectacular scenery as you enjoy journeys on three of Scotland’s most celebrated railways.
Includes
● Four nights’ dinner and bed, and Scottish breakfast accommodation at the Carrbridge Hotel
● Return flights to Scotland
Lake Como, St. Moritz & the Bernina Express
Eight days from £959 per person—from May to October 2022
Take one of the world’s great railway journeys to Switzerland’s most celebrated holiday hideaway. Spend a week on the shores of Lake Como and enjoy its elegant villas and glorious gardens—which have inspired artists and writers for generations.
Includes
● Seven nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at your chosen hotel
● A ride on the Bernina Express
● Return flights to Milan
● Comfortable coach travel and transfers throughout
1. How much does a couple pay at most for a journey to the Pyrenees?A.£2,648. | B.£1,918. | C.£1,427. | D.£2,373. |
A.The Carrbridge Hotel. | B.The Núria Valley Rack Railway. |
C.The Bernina Express to St. Moritz. | D.Villas and gardens near Lake Como. |
A.They are all available in October. | B.They all design train-riding trips. |
C.They all provide free accommodation. | D.They all include air tickets to the destination. |
1. What’s the talk mainly about?
A.The development of the bicycle. |
B.The materials of making the bicycle. |
C.The process of the bicycle’s becoming popular. |
A.The bicycle couldn’t change directions. |
B.The wheels of the bicycle weren’t well fixed. |
C.The rider’s feet couldn’t leave the ground. |
A.In 1817. | B.In 1839. | C.In 1869. |
A.Bicycles first had rubber tires. |
B.The “safety bicycle” appeared. |
C.Bicycles could run faster. |
10 . Traveling by train can be a romantic way to see the world. Here are some fantastic train trips to add to your travel bucket list.
Qinghai-Tibet Railway
Where it goes: Xining to Lhasa
How long it takes: 20 hours and 55 minutes
Why not start with the world’s highest train ride? The gorgeous 1,215-mile journey only makes seven stops as it passes through four different biological community. Booking between April and November bodes for better weather, though the stunning views of grasslands, wetlands, mountains and deserts are always breathtaking.
Eurostar
Where it goes: London to/ from Paris
How long it takes: Two hours and 15 minutes
Eurostar is a popular way for folks to get from London to Paris, but it has another draw that makes it a great bucket-list train trip. For 20 minutes, you’ll actually be riding 150 feet underwater through the famed English Channel. Trains leave from St. Pancras/King’s Cross in London and arrive in Gare du Nord [ in Paris].
Orient Express
Where it goes: Paris to Istanbul ( original route)
The Orient Express is one of the most famous train journeys in history, with movies and murder- mystery novels undoubtedly adding to its mystery and fascination. You can still ride its original route — all of which is included in a Eurail Global Pass.
Trans-Siberian Railway
Where it goes: Moscow to Vladivostok
How long it takes: Seven days
The Trans-Siberian Railway is another historically famous railroad that should be on your bucket list. It’s also the world’s longest continuous railway, clocking in at 5,772 miles from Moscow to Vladivostok, Russia. Along the way, you’ll pass through eight times zones and have plenty of time to see the beautiful Russian countryside.
1. What features Qinghai-Tibet Railway?A.The height of the train ride. | B.The top-speed travel time. |
C.The overall length of the railway. | D.The varied zones along the route. |
A.The original ride route to Paris. |
B.Passing underwater through the English Channel. |
C.Running from English Channel to Gare du Nord. |
D.Diverse entertainments of murder-mystery movies. |
A.Eurostar. | B.Orient Express. |
C.Trans- Siberian Railway. | D.Qinghai-Tibet Railway. |