After years of research and testing, the hybrid car was developed and put on the market. It’ san interesting and exciting new improvement in today's world as we look for better ways to protect the quality of the air we breathe and conserve (保持)our natural resources.

The quality of our air is affected by many different things. But one of the largest sources of air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gasoline which is used to power a car's engine. The EPA has set national standards to help control the level of harmful pollutants sent off into the air ，and the automobile industry has acted by producing a hybrid car that uses less gas and therefore causes less pollution.

A hybrid car is a combination of a regular car that runs on gasoline and an electric car that is battery powered. Some people tend to think that since the hybrid car is partially electric, you have to plug (接通电源）it in to charge it. But that's not how it works. The 144-volt battery pack is actually recharged through the energy that is produced when the car's brakes are used. This is referred to as "regenerative braking", because it generates electricity.

Although the hybrid car still runs on gasoline most of the time, this helps it use less gas than a regular car. When the driver stops at a traffic light, the engine automatically shuts off to save fuel .Then, as soon as the driver puts the car in gear and touches the gas pedal, the engine starts backup.

Have you ever ridden in a car with someone who ran out of gas? That probably wouldn't happen if you were riding in a hybrid car. It flashes a warning on its computer screen that says, "I am low on gas". When it completely runs out, the warning reads，"YOU ARE NOW OUT OFGAS ！ ” Then the electric power supply kicks in to let the driver travel a few more miles to a gas station.

45.  Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The hybrid car will be put on the market in the near future.

B. The hybrid cars run faster and are much safer than regular cars.

C. When the hybrid car stops at a traffic light, the driver will get a warning.

D. The burning of fossil fuels is one of the largest sources of air pollution.

46. According to the passage, the word "hybrid" refers to ______.

A. a high-tech discovery     B. energy saving

C. a new invention           D. a combination of two things

47.  "Regenerative breaking" is an important process of the hybrid car because ______.

A. it allows the car to come to a quick stop

B. it gives the driver a smoother ride

C. it produces energy to charge the battery

D. it can control the speed of the car

48.  Which of the following is right about the EPA?

A. They have designed hybrid cars to reduce air pollution.

B. They have declared the burning of fossil fuels to be illegal.

C. They set important guidelines that help control pollution.

D. Their main purpose is to protect endangered plants and animals.

China is a land of bicycles. At least it was back in 1992 when I traveled the country. Back then everyone seemed to be riding a bicycle. Millions of them, all black. Cars were rare. Yet since my arrival in Beijing last year, I’ve found the opposite is true. There are millions of cars. However, people still use their bicycles to get around. For many, it’s the easiest and cheapest way to travel today. Bicycles also come in different colors—silver, green, red, blue, yellow, whatever you want.

It’s fun watching people biking. They rush quickly through crossroads, move skillfully through traffic, and ride even on sidewalks (人行道). Bicycles allow people the freedom to move about that cars just can’t provide.

Eager to be part of this aspect of Chinese culture, I decided to buy a bicycle. Great weather accompanied my great buy. I immediately jumped up on my bicycle seat and started home.

My first ride home was orderly (守秩序的).To be safe, I stayed with a “pack” of bikers while cars on the streets came running swiftly out of nowhere at times. I didn’t want to get hit. So I took the ride carefully.

Crossing the streets was the biggest problem. It was a lot like crossing a major highway back in the United States. The streets here were wide, so crossing took time, skill and a little bit of luck.

I finally made it home. The feeling on the bicycle was amazing. The air hitting my face and going through my hair was wonderful. I was sitting on top of the world as I passed by places and people. Biking made me feel alive.

56. According to the author, why are bicycles still popular in China today?

A. Because they are traditional and safe.

B. Because they are convenient and inexpensive.

C. Because they are colorful and available.

D. Because they are fast and environment friendly.

57. The author decided to buy a bicycle because he intended _______.

A. to ride it for fun

B. to use it for transport

C. to experience local culture

D. to improve his riding skills

58. How did the author feel about his street crossing?

A. It was boring.

B. It was difficult.

C. It was lively.

D. It was wonderful.

59. Which of the following best describes the author’s biking experience?

A. The author enjoyed showing off his biking skills.

B. The author was annoyed by the air while riding.

C. The author was praised by the other bikers.

D. The author took great pleasure in biking.

FAT TIRE

BIKE TOURS

(FORMERLY MIKE’S TOURS—PARIS)

DAY BIKE TOUR

(Reservations(预订) not needed for this tour to visit Paris—you will love this tour!)

Whether you’re new or experienced, our goal is not to provide you with mind-bending dates and boring stories. Instead, we offer you the famous sites, all the education information, lots of unique and fascinating stories, fantastic photo options, a comfortable bike and excellent personal service from your guide. In fact, we want you to love Paris like we do and have a great time doing it! (4 hours)

*no tours July 25

NIGHT BIKE TOUR

(Reservations not needed for this tour to visit Paris—you will love this tour!)

Our Night Tour is the way to experience the “City of Light” at its best!

Ride through the Latin Quarter and witness the best nightlife in town. Pedal down the lle de la Cité, along the river and enjoy ice cream at Berthillon (Paris’s most famous ice cream shop). See the Louvre as never before (free concert often included) and relax onboard a boat trip on the Seine. Did we mention free wine is provided on the boat?

Make no mistake — this tour is 100% different form our Day Tour in both route and information. Over 65% of our customers take both tours and we hope you will too. Also, be sure to eat something before coming or the wine may give you an unexpected hit! (4.5 hours)

? 26 students, ? 28 adult (Day & Night combo; ? 44 student, ? 48 adult)

*no tours June 21 & July 14

OUR HEADQUARTERS

0156581054 / www.FatTireBikeToursParis.com / info@ FatTireBikeToursParis.com

1. According to the schedule, which day might be appropriate for a Day & Night Combo?

      A. A Saturday in November.  B. Any day in June.

      C. A Friday in March.           D. A Monday in May.

2. If a teacher and his five students plan to visit Paris during daytime, they must pay __________.

       A. ?268   B. ?158   C. ?134   D. ?142

3. One may taste the best ice cream and enjoy free wine in __________.

      A. the Day Bike Tour            B. the Night Bike Tour

      C. the Tour on the Seine D. the Tour to the Louvre

4. The following statements are true EXCEPT __________.

       A. For further information, one can call 0156581054.

       B. One can attend free concert on the boat trip on the Seine.

       C. The route of the Day Bike Tour is totally different from that of the Night Bike Tour.

       D. No reservations are needed for attending both the Bike Tours.

Some mammals migrate（迁徒）. One of these is the caribou（驯鹿）. They travel to the tundra（苔原）every summer to eat the rich grasses that grow there. When the weather becomes cooler, they migrate to the warmer forests and spend the winter there. Another mammal that migrates is the humpback whale. They spend the winter in Hawaii, and the summer in the Arctic（北极的）waters. They travel to the Arctic to eat millions of small shrimp（虾）.

Anther habit that some animals have to survive the cold winter is called hibernation. Animals that hibernate, rest or sleep during the winter. While they are hibernating, their bodies use up the fat layer that they have put on by eating large amounts of food during the summer. Some animals that hibernate in the Arctic are small animals called lemmings（旅鼠）, squirrels（松鼠）and bears.

There are two habit adaptations that animals in the Arctic have all year round. These are called herding and pack life. Caribou are example of animals that live in herds. A herd is a group of animals that lives together for most, or all of their lives. A herd of caribou can have a thousand or more animals in it. They live in herds for protection. It is easier for caribou to protect themselves when they are together than it is when they are alone. This is because the meat-eaters hunt in packs.

A pack is a small group of animals that lives together. It is usually controlled by a head male and a female. All the members of the pack must obey them. Packs have a very definite social structure. Each animal in a pack has a different position, or importance. Animals in a pack are usually meat-eaters. They live together for protection and hunting purposes.

According to the first paragraph, the humpback whale         .

A. travels to the Arctic for shrimp in summer

B. spends the winter in the Arctic

C. lives in Hawaii in summer

D. has the same living habits as the caribou

What kind of animal doesn’t hibernate in the Arctic?

A. The caribou.                    B. The bear.           C. The squirrel.             D. The lemming.

Caribou live in herds in order to         .

A. use up their fat layer        B. find food        C. protect themselves     D. hunt in packs

What do we know about pack life according to the last paragraph?

A. Animals in pack are usually grain-eaters.

B. All animals are in an equal position in a pack.

C. It is either controlled by a head mate or by a female.

D. Each animal has its own different role in a pack.