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四级干货》》 作文 |阅读 |翻译 |听力
Some pessimistic experts feel that the automobile is bound to fall into
disuse. They see a day in the not-too-distant future when all autos will be
abandoned and allowed to rust. Other authorities, however, thinkthe auto is here
to stay. They hold that the car will remain a leading means of urban travel in
the foreseeable future.
The motorcar will undoubtedly change significantly over the next 30 years.
It should become smaller, safer,and more economical, and should not be powered
by the gasoline engine. The car of the future should be far more pollution-free
than present types.
Regardless of its power source, the auto in the future will still be the
main problem in urban traffic congestion (拥挤). One proposed solution to this
problem is the automated highway system.
When the auto enters the highway system, a retractable (可伸缩的) arm will drop
from the auto and make contact with a rail, which is similar to those powering
subway trains electrically. Once attached to the rail,the car will become
electrically powered from the system, and control of the vehicle will pass to a
central computer. The computer will then monitor all of the car’s movements.
The driver will use a telephone to dial instructions about his destination
into the system. The computer will calculate the best route, and reserve space
for the car all the way to the correct exit from the highway. The driver will
then be free to relax and wait for the buzzer (蜂鸣器) that will warn him of his
coming exit. It is estimated that an automated highway will be able to handle
10,000 vehicles per hour, compared with the 1,500 to 2,000 vehicles that can be
carried by a present-day highway.
练习题:
Choose correct answers to the question:
1. One significant improvement in the future car will probably be
________.
A. its power source
B. its driving system
C. its monitoring system
D. its seating capacity
2. What is the author’s main concern?
A. How to render automobiles pollution-free.
B. How to make smaller and safer automobiles.
C. How to solve the problem of traffic jams.
D. How to develop an automated subway system.
3. What provides autos with electric power in an automated highway
system?
A. A rail.
B. An engine.
C. A retractable arm.
D. A computer controller.
4. In an automated highway system, all the driver needs to do is
________.
A. keep in the right lane
B. wait to arrive at his destination
C. keep in constant touch with the computer center
D. inform the system of his destination by phone
5. What is the author’s attitude toward the future of autos?
A. Enthusiastic.
B. Pessimistic.
C. Optimistic.
D. Cautious.
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