Tips for avoiding traffic jams:
The radio has more than just music. Check the local news station for the latest traffic report. Or go online and check traffic cameras before you set out. If there is a jam, you'll be prepared and can try another route.
Take the road less traveled. Although highways may be the most direct route, back (偏僻的) roads can be much less crowded, which can save you from the frustration of the stop-and-go traffic.
Rush hour isn't just a lovely nickname. It means the morning and afternoon traffic lasts for several hours, but they're still called "rush hour" for a reason - everyone's on the road and in a hurry to get somewhere. Treat rush hour like bad weather - if you don't have to go anywhere, stay off the roads.
Tips for those unavoidable traffic jams:
Don't break the law. You've gone 30 feet in 30 minutes and all of a sudden you see people using the shoulders（紧急停车道）． Don't behave like them. Not only is this illegal, but also there's a good  chance they'll get caught or cause even more problems.
Pay extra attention to zig-zaggers (Z字形行进者). When some people are anxious, they may start changing lanes（车道）every 5 seconds or cut you off, Keep checking your windows and mirrors. for these lane changers.
Look for an escape. If it is possible to exit the road safely, do it. Use a GPS unit, and you can change your route mid-trip if needed.
Be courteous. Good manners could help you avoid a possible accident. Allow people in from a lane that is ending. Speeding up to keep them out increases your chances of an accident.
【小题1】To avoid traffic jams,we are advised to do the following EXCEPT_______.

In the morning，Johnson set off from his home in California．It was the start of his vacation，and he was going to visit friends at Las Vegas．Then he hoped to go fishing in Lake Mead，40 kms from Las Vegas．

Johnson's troubles started while he was driving happily across the Mojave Desert．His car broke down and he tried to repair it．But be failed．He telephoned a workshop to ask it to send a tow truck（拖车）to pull the car away and repair it．

When waiting for the tow truck he fell asleep．while he was sleeping，a tow truck arrived from San Pedro（the nearest town） and pulled his car away．Later on，Johnson woke up and thought that somebody had stolen（偷） his car．Very reluctantly, he started to walk back towards San Pedro but a police car stopped him to find out why he was walking in the desert．

    Johnson looked like a man wanted（被通缉） in California for robbery（抢劫），so the police kept him at San Pedro for the night．The next day，Johnson’s friends came from California．They proved（证明） that Johnson was a harmless salesman，so they let him go．

1．Why was Johnson happy when he was driving across the desert?

A．his friends were going to visit him ．

B．he was going fishing at California

C．his holiday was just starting

D．he was usually an unlucky man

2．Where was Johnson going to stay first?

A．At Lake Mead          B．At San Pedro          C．At California            D．At Las Vegas

3．When did Johnson’s car break down?

A．After he had passed San Pedro

B．Before he left California

C．When he was near the Mojave Desert

D．Not far from Los Angeles

4．What does the underlined word “reluctantly” mean?

A．Happily                   B．Unwillingly              C．Seriously                D．Excitedly

5．Why did the police stop Johnson?

A．He had robbed（抢劫） somebody in California

B．He was breaking the law by walking on a highway．

C．They thought that he was a robber．

D．He said that he was not a robber．

At 18, many American young people go off on their own. They go away to college or find full-time jobs, and they often pay for their own apartments. Some get married and start families. This independence（独立) is learned from childhood.
From an early age, American children learn to do things by themselves. Children as young as 2 begin to put away their toys and dress themselves. At 3, many children do simple chores like setting the table.
Using money in the right way is also taught early. As soon as a child understands the value of money, he or she receives a weekly allowance. This is used for things the child wants, like toys or treats. The child can spend or save it, usually with little help or advice from parents. If the child wants more money, it must be earned by doing extra chores.
Children are taught early in life to think for themselves. They are allowed to make some decisions
and make mistakes. Failure often teaches more than success.
【小题1】. Many young American people begin to live on themselves ________ .