雅思5.5基础阅读课程讲义 u11

UNIT 11  Transport

Cycling in the City

词汇讲解:

cycling: 一圈一圈骑车，骑车这项运动;

cycle：自行车 bicycle：自行车

A

How much time do you spend stuck in traffic, breathing in diesel fumes, as you commute to work or to college every day? Traffic congestion in the big cities is one of the key issues facing city planners these days. It has only continued to get worse, despite the attempts to solve these problems. Expensive solutions such as new flyovers, bus-only lanes and park-and-ride options are all under consideration in many big cities. But these are all car-friendly solutions. What about the humble bicycle?

词汇讲解:

stuck  adj. 拥挤，阻塞，卡住；

原型：stick  v. 刺，卡住;

diesel  n. 机油、汽油；

fume  v. 冒烟;  n. 烟；

commute：通勤;

commuter：上下班的人；

congestion：堵塞，拥堵，（感冒）鼻塞；

issue:

n. 热点，讨论话题，key issue；

v. 出版，发行。

despite：尽管；

attempt/ try to：(一般指很难成功得)尝试；

flyover：立交桥；

lane：车道；

bus only lane：公交专用车道。

under the consideration：考虑其中；

under the supervision：在监视/管控中。

humble  adj. 卑微的（自谦词）；

B

Cycling is a key way of reducing traffic congestion, and has other benefits as well. It saves fuel, is healthier for the cyclists (if they survive the trip unharmed) and reduces air pollution for all other commuters who walk or travel on other forms of transport. It provides a more cost-effective and efficient use of city space by reducing the need for enormous parking buildings and inner city motorways. Another point is that cycling is a cheaper alternative than car ownership with its registration fees, fuel costs, and regular mechanical expenses. At present, many people drive over relatively short distances that could equally be travelled by bike. However, often the fear of cycling in heavy commuter traffic keeps such people off their bikes.

词汇讲解:

benefit  n. 好处；

save  v. 保存，节省；

fuel  n. 燃料；

cyclists  n. 骑车的人；

survive  v. 幸存；

n. survival：幸存。

form:

n.  形式/表格，in a form of/ application form；

v.  形成，formed idea：形成观点。

effective  adj. 有效果的，cost- effective：高效；

efficient  adj. 有效率的；

alternative 

adj.  可替代的；e.g.: this is my alternative option, alternative method；

n.   可替代的方式，cheaper alternative。

registration  n. 注册；

C

Take a moment to think about those who risk the dangers of busy city roads on a bicycle. Cyclists are the most vulnerable people in heavy traffic. They move fast, they are balanced on two wheels, and they have no outer metal shell to protect them. If they are on their way to work, they may well be carrying work-related documents in a backpack or pannier, which increases the balance problem, As cyclists are much smaller than vehicles, drivers frequently do not even notice them and accidents are common. Often, especially in hot weather, cyclists only wear light clothing, which means the injuries they suffer are likely to be serious. Even helmets cannot always prevent fatal head injuries.

词汇讲解:

risk：风险

risk management：风险管理

venture capital：风险投资

vulnerable  adj. 易受伤害的；

wheel：轮子；

outer：外面的；

metal：金属的；

shell：壳子；

vehicle：汽车；

automobile/ auto：汽车；

helmet：头盔；

prevent：防止；

fatal：致命的。

D

What needs to happen for cyclists to feel comfortable cycling to work? The first major requirement is changing our ideas so that cycling becomes a sensible transport choice and cyclists are safe on the roads. Public education is an essential part of this, to ensure that other road users are more considerate to cyclists and learn how to drive safely when bicycles are sharing the roads. Employers also need to be aware of cyclists' needs. These usually range from secure cycle racks to prevent theft, to the provision of showers and lockers, so people can change from cycling to business clothes once they arrive at work. Larger companies might also find that providing ‘fleet cycles' to enable employees to go on errands during work hours is an effective policy.

词汇讲解:

sensible：合理的，有道理的;

adj.  sensitive:敏感的.

essential：

adj. 不可或缺的，重要的，可替代important；

n.  不可或缺的东西，重要的东西

cardinal：至关重要的，cardi- 代表心脏；n.指代宗教的红衣主教；

vital indispensable：非常重要的，不可或缺的；

be aware of：意识到，知道，知晓

n：awareness知名度，be awareness of：意识到；

secure：安全的；

n.: security 安全；

social security system：国家保障体系；

once：一… 就…  

firstly /secondly /thirdly；

first of all in the first place /first of all /in addition；

what’s more/next/last but not least

errand：使命；

E

The second major necessity is the development of a safe, convenient network of cycling pathways that link different parts of the city, but ideally are separate from the regular road system. These cycle paths should also allow for some separation of cyclists and pedestrians, as people walking can be badly injured or even killed if a cyclist collides with them. In areas where this is not possible, city streets should have clearly marked cycle lanes with restrictions to prevent drivers from using them.

词汇讲解:

necessity  n. 必须性，necessary的名词形式；

pedestrian：行人，步行者；

collide：碰撞，撞车。

F

Some cities, for example, Copenhagen and Amsterdam, have made a particular effort to achieve this. They have developed areas that are either car-free (only for pedestrians and cyclists) or ‘pedestrian priority', where pedestrians and cyclists have the right-of-way and cars are only permitted to move at low speeds. Planners believe that the presence of cyclists at all hours of the day and evening keeps the city safer. Since 1995, there has been a city bike system in Copenhagen which allows anyone to borrow a bike from one of 110 bike stands around the city for a small deposit. Once the bike is returned to the same or another stand, this money is refunded. There has also been an active policy of establishing bike lanes, adding bike crossings to intersections and reducing the number of car parks to discourage cars in the central city. Currently, about 34% of commuters in Copenhagen cycle to work.

词汇讲解:

priority：优先权，优先性；

prior  to/ before：在…前面；

deposit  n. 押金，存款；

active：主动地；

be activated by：被…激活。

G

Cycling is clearly a healthy and effective alternative to the private car in our congested cities. The greater the proportion of cyclists to other vehicles, the safer cycling becomes. As some forward-thinking cities have demonstrated, there are many ways in which local city governments can actively encourage and subsidise cycling as a positive option for commuters. The most important of these require some brave decisions to curb the dominance of the private car, and the gridlock experienced in all major cities shows that such action has become essential.

词汇讲解:

private：adj. 私人的，私家的，n.: privacy隐私；

demonstrate：

v. 说明，展示；

n. 游行，示威；

illustrate/ indicate/ show reveal:说明，展示.

subside：补贴；

brave：勇敢的；

curb：阻值；

dominance  n. 占据主导地位；

dominated：占据主导地位的。

 

段落标题配对题

这类题通常放在整个文章的前面。先出现题目，后出现文章，答案会出现在题目的后面

解题步骤：

1.        去掉例子中的heading；

2.        浏览Headings，找出关键词Key Words (KW)；

§   双胞胎型的headings中必有正确答案；

§   人名、地名尽量不选；

§   用词一样的不选；

Example：

List of headings：

i.          the results of the research into blood-variants

ii.         Dental evidence

iii.       Greenberg’s analysis of the dental and linguistic evidence

iv.       Developments in the methods used to study early population movements

v.         Indian migration from Canada to U.S.A

vi.       Further genetic evidence relating to the three-wave theory

vii.     Long-standing questions about prehistoric migration to America

viii.   Conflicting views of the three wave theory, based on non-genetic evidence

ix.       Questions about the causes of the prehistoric migration to America

x.         How analysis of blood-variants measures the closeness of the relationship between different populations

3.        通读段落，寻找段落主题句（TOPIC SENTENCE）。

§   注意文中的转折词：But/ yet/ However…；

§   注意特殊符号：引号、问号；

§   注意长句；

§   定义句型必是主题句：

This is…That is… it is

A is called

A is known as

A is defined as…

例子：如for example/ instance后面跟细枝末节部分，不选。

4.        回到heading 中,对比主题句与heading中的关键字，寻找同义词或者概括词；

e.g.：university/college；

university/education institution。

5.        如果没有，再次返回浏览段落；

§   如果段落比较短,一般需要浏览全段,推测段意 ;

§   如果段落很长,则直接再次浏览首二末句

§   要注意频繁在段落中出现的名词。

Notice ：

1.        如果需要阅读整个段落，应重点阅读该段落中的重点词句；
A． 反复出现的词；
B． 问号里的词；
C． 引号里的词；
D． 黑体字。

2.        起始选项：

文章标题 

3.        结尾选项：

名词+of+文章主题
总结：Summary，conclusion；

影响：Effect，impact，influence；

未来：long-term, Future。

例题：

List of Headings

 i

Effects of irrigation on sedimentation

 ii

The danger of flooding the Cairo area

 iii

Causing pollution in the Mediterranean

 iv

Interrupting a natural process

 v

The threat to food production

 vi

Less valuable sediment than before

 vii

Egypt's disappearing coastline

 viii

Looking at the long-term impact

4.        选项对应数字重复出现段落；

数据：Data, figure, calculation, statistic demography。

5.        选项对应百分比较多段落；

百分比：percentage, proportion, rate。

6.        对应金钱较多段落；

金钱：Revenue，budget，cost。

 

Multiple Choice

练习1：Traffic planners are thinking about new solutions to traffic congestion. Which TWO of the following are NOT described in the reading? 

Choose TWO letters, a-e.

a)  overbridges for vehicles

b)  expansion of road networks

c)  making streets wider

d)  special lanes for buses

e)  parking areas for motorists to change to public transport

练习2：The text describes some reasons for encouraging cycling.

Which ONE of the following is NOT listed?

Choose the correct letter, a, b, c, d, or e.

a)  to lower the number of cars on the streets

b)  to move quickly through heavy traffic

c)  to lessen pollution of city air

d)  to provide an option that costs less than using a car

e)  to lessen need for car parks and roads

练习3：The reading passage discusses requirements for cycling to work.

　  Which THREE of the following are NOT listed?

　  Choose THREE letters, a-f.

　　a)  laws preventing cyclists from carrying documents in backpacks

　　b)  education of drivers

　　c)  action taken by employers to support employees who cycle

　　d)  laws requiring cyclists to wear helmets

　　e)  system of cycling pathways or special lanes for cyclists

　　f)  policies requiring cyclists to wear bright-coloured clothing

练习4：In the examples given, a number of cycling-friendly developments are described. Which TWO of the following are NOT included?

Choose TWO letters, a-f.

　a)  areas without vehicle access

　b)  areas where people walking or on bikes have priority

　 c)  free, covered bike parks

　d)  bikes that anyone can borrow and return later

　e)  additional taxes on petrol and diesel

f)  fewer car parks

 

Locating Information

练习5：The passage has seven paragraphs, A-G. Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the correct letter, A-G, beside the statements below. Note: You may use any letter more than once. You may not need to use all the letters.

　1) ______ Statistics to show that cycle-friendly policies are effective.

　2) ______ A description of company facilities for employees who cycle to work.

　3) ______ The fact that cyclists are often not noticed by drivers.

　4) ______ Solutions from city planners that favour private cars.

　5) ______ Reasons why cyclists should not use the same paths as people who are walking.

6) ______ A comparison of the cost of owning a bike and a car.

 

Matching Headings to Paragraphs

练习6：The reading passage has seven paragraphs, A-G. Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below. There are more headings than paragraphs.

List of Headings

i.                 Cyclists at Risk

ii.                Necessity for Action

iii.              Educating Drivers and Employers

iv.              Reasons for Cycling

v.                Planning to Reduce Traffic Congestion

vi.              Problems of Traffic Congestion

vii.            Examples of Effective Cycle-friendly Developments

viii.          Safe Cycling Networks

　1)  ________ Paragraph A

　2)  ________ Paragraph B

　3)  ________ Paragraph C

　4)  ________ Paragraph D

　5)  ________ Paragraph E

　6)  ________ Paragraph F

7)  ________ Paragraph G

 

Vocabulary-Adjectives

　humble               efficient             enormous

　mechanical            vulnerable            frequent

　fatal                  essential            considerate

　ideal                  separate             particular

　forward-thinking        congested

练习7： Match the words above to the meanings below.

a.        To be at risk of harm    ________

b.        Necessary            ________

c.         Modern, progressive    ________

d.        Happening very often    ________

e.        Special, focused        ________

f.          Perfect               ________

g.        Causing death        ________

h.        Crowded           ________

i.          Simple, modest         ________

j.          Not joined or linked        ________

k.         Related to machines      ________

l.          Effective, without wasted time or effort        ________

m.      Huge            ________

n.        Thinking about the needs of others           ________