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Even as Google plans to test its fleet(车队) of self-driving cars on public roads this summer, its business model remains a bit of a mystery. By 2025, as many as 250,000 self-driving vehicles could be sold each year globally, according to a study by an industry research firm.
"Vehicles that can take anyone from A to B at the push of a button could transform mobility for millions of people," said Chris Urmson, director of Google's self-driving car project. For now, Google has no plans to sell any of its self-driving cars. They are strictly for research. But they will hit public roads this summer near Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California. Previous testing has taken place only on closed courses.
The cars are built to operate without a steering wheel, accelerator(油门) or brake pedal. "Our software and sensors do all the work," Urmson said. "The vehicles will be very basic—we want to learn from them and adapt them as quickly as possible—but they will take you where you want to go at the push of a button." The prototypes(雏形) are the first of a 100-car fleet the tech giant is building.
In the long run, Urmson sees a future of safer roads — the majority of auto accidents are caused by human error — and fewer traffic jams. Robotic cars could also shuttle people who can't drive because of age or illness.
Google has said that self-driving cars could launch new business models in which people buy the use of vehicles they don't own. The company has already tested other types of self-driving cars on public streets, including modified Lexus sport-utility vehicles, under a special permit program by the California Department of Motor Vehicles that requires a human driver at the controls.
The state has issued six other companies permits to operate such cars, including Delphi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Tesla, Bosch and Nissan. The vehicles that will be tested on open roads this summer will have removable steering wheels, accelerator and brake pedals to allow "safety drivers" to take control if needed.
Google says the cars are safe. The vehicles have sensors that "can detect objects out to a distance of more than two football fields in all directions, which is especially helpful on busy streets with lots of intersections," Urmson said. "We're looking forward to learning how the community understands and interacts with the vehicles, and to uncovering challenges that are unique to a fully self-driving vehicle," Urmson said.
1.The passage informs us that self-driving cars ________.
A. will probably decrease traffic jams
B. have already passed necessary tests
C. have been purchased by some companies
D. will be able to communicate with drivers
2.According to Chris Urmson, ________.
A. software and sensors are vital for self-driving cars
B. self-driving cars can give driving orders to humans
C. self-driving cars are specially designed for the elderly
D. ordinary vehicles will be replaced by self-driving cars
3.The underlined word "intersections" in the last paragraph probably means ________.
A. accidents B. buildings
C. crossings D. vehicles
4.What is the best title for this passage?
A. Self-driving Car Avoids Human Errors
B. Self-driving Car Meets New Challenges
C. Google's Self-driving Car Enjoys Global Popularity
D. Google's Self-driving Car Graduates to City Streets
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Even as Google plans to test its fleet (车队) of self-driving cars on public roads this summer, its business model remains a bit of a mystery. By 2025, as many as 250,000 self-driving vehicles could be sold each year globally, according to a study by an industry research firm.
"Vehicles that can take anyone from A to B at the push of a button could transform mobility for millions of people," said Chris Urmson, director of Google's self-driving car project. For now, Google has no plans to sell any of its self-driving cars. They are strictly for research. But they will hit public roads this summer near Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California. Previous testing has taken place only on closed courses.
The cars are built to operate without a steering wheel, accelerator (油门) or brake pedal. "Our software and sensors do all the work," Urmson said. "The vehicles will be very basic — we want to learn from them and adapt them as quickly as possible — but they will take you where you want to go at the push of a button." The prototype (雏形) are the first of a 100-car fleet the tech giant is building.
In the long run, Urmson sees a future of safer roads — the majority of auto accidents are caused by human error — and fewer traffic jams. Robotic cars could also shuttle people who can't drive because of age or illness.
Google has said that self-driving cars could launch new business models in which people buy the use of vehicles they don't own. The company has already tested other types of self-driving cars on public streets, including modified Lexus sport-utility vehicles, under a special permit program by the California Department of Motor Vehicles that requires a human driver at the controls.
The state has issued six other companies permits to operate such cars, including Delphi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Tesla, Bosch and Nissan. The vehicles that will be tested on open roads this summer will have removable steering wheels, accelerators and brake pedals to allow "safety drivers" to take control if needed.
Google says the cars are safe. The vehicles have sensors that "can detect objects out to a distance of more than two football fields in all directions, which is especially helpful on busy streets with lots of intersections," Urmson said. "We're looking forward to learning how the community understands and interacts with the vehicles, and to uncovering challenges that are unique to a fully self-driving vehicle," Urmson said.
1. According to Chris Urmson, __________.
A. self-driving cars can give driving orders to humans
B. software and sensors are vital for self-driving cars
C. self-driving cars are specially designed for the elderly
D. ordinary vehicles will be replaced by self-driving cars
2.The passage informs us that self-driving cars __________.
A. have already passed necessary tests
B. have been purchased by some companies
C. will be able to communicate with drivers
D. will probably decrease traffic jams
3.The underlined word "intersections" in the last paragraph can probably be replaced __________.
A. crossings B. buildings
C. vehicles D. accidents
4.What is the best title for this passage?
A. Google's Self-driving Car Graduates to City Streets
B. Google's Self-driving Car Enjoys Global Popularity
C. Self-driving Car Meets New Challenges
D. Self-driving Car Avoids Human Errors
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Even as Google plans to test its fleet (车队) of self-driving cars on public roads this summer, its business model remains a bit of a mystery. By 2025, as many as 250,000 self-driving vehicles could be sold each year globally, according to a study by an industry research firm.
“Vehicles that can take anyone from A to B at the push of a button could transform mobility for millions of people,” said Chris Urmson, director of Google’s self-driving car project. For now, Google has no plans to sell any of its self-driving cars. They are strictly for research. But they will hit public roads this summer near Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California. Previous testing has taken place only on closed courses.
The cars are built to operate without a steering wheel, accelerator (油门) or brake pedal. “Our software and sensors do all the work,” Urmson said. “The vehicles will be very basic — we want to learn from them and adapt them as quickly as possible — but they will take you where you want to go at the push of a button.” The prototype (雏形) is the first of a 100-car fleet the tech giant is building.
In the long run, Urmson sees a future of safer roads — the majority of auto accidents are caused by human error — and fewer traffic jams. Robotic cars could also shuttle people who can’t drive because of age or illness.
Google has said that self-driving cars could launch new business models in which people buy the use of vehicles they don’t own. The company has already tested other types of self-driving cars on public streets, including modified Lexus sport-utility vehicles, under a special permit program by the California Department of Motor Vehicles that requires a human driver at the controls.
The state has issued six other companies permits to operate such cars, including Delphi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Tesla, Bosch and Nissan. The vehicles that will be tested on open roads this summer will have removable steering wheels, accelerators and brake pedals to allow “safety drivers” to take control if needed.
1.According to Chris Urmson, __________.
A. self-driving cars can give driving orders to humans
B. self-driving cars are specially designed for the elderly
C. software and sensors are vital for self-driving cars
D. ordinary vehicles will be replaced by self-driving cars
2.Paragraph 4 is meant to tell us that __________.
A. many traffic accidents are caused by human error
B. some people can’t drive because of illness or age
C. Urmson has promised to create safer roads in the future
D. self-driving cars will probably help to make safer roads and decrease traffic jams
3.The underlined word “issued” in the last paragraph can probably be replaced by__________.
A. given B. claimed
C. awarded D. prohibited
4.What’s the author’s attitude towards self-driving cars?
A. Objective. B. Indifferent.
C. Subjective. D. Favorable.
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Even as Google plans to test its fleet（车队）of self-driving cars on public roads this summer, its business model remains a bit of a mystery. By 2025, as many as 250,000 self-driving vehicles could be sold each year globally, according to a study by an industry research firm.
"Vehicles that can take anyone from A to B at the push of a button could transform mobility for millions of people," said Chris Urmson, director of Google's self-driving car project. For now, Google has no plans to sell any of its self-driving cars. They are strictly for research. But they will hit public roads this summer near Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California. Previous testing has taken place only on closed courses.
The cars are built to operate without a steering wheel, accelerator（油门）or brake pedal. "Our software and sensors do all the work," Urmson said. "The vehicles will be very basic—we want to learn from them and adapt them as quickly as possible—but they will take you where you want to go at the push of a button." The prototype（雏形）are the first of a 100-car fleet the tech giant is building.
In the long run, Urmson sees a future of safer roads—the majority of auto accidents are caused by human error—and fewer traffic jams. Robotic cars could also shuttle people who can't drive because of age or illness.
Google has said that self-driving cars could launch new business models in which people buy the use of vehicles they don't own. The company has already tested other types of self-driving cars on public streets, including modified Lexus sport-utility vehicles, under a special permit program by the California Department of Motor Vehicles that requires a human driver at the controls.
The state has issued six other companies permits to operate such cars, including Delphi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Tesla, Bosch and Nissan. The vehicles that will be tested on open roads this summer will have removable steering wheels, accelerators and brake pedals to allow "safety drivers" to take control if needed.
Google says the cars are safe. The vehicles have sensors that "can detect objects out to a distance of more than two football fields in all directions, which is especially helpful on busy streets with lots of intersections," Urmson said. "We're looking forward to learning how the community understands and interacts with the vehicles, and to uncovering challenges that are unique to a fully self-driving vehicle," Urmson said.
1.The passage informs us that self-driving cars __________.
A. will probably decrease traffic jams
B. have already passed necessary tests
C. have been purchased by some companies
D. will be able to communicate with drivers
2.According to Chris Urmson, ______________.
A. software and sensors are vital for self-driving cars
B. self-driving cars can give driving orders to humans
C. self-driving cars are specially designed for the elderly
D. ordinary vehicles will be replaced by self-driving cars
3.The underlined word "intersections" in the last paragraph probably means ______________.
A. accidents B. buildings
C. crossings D. vehicles
4.What is the best title for this passage?
A. Self-driving Car Avoids Human Errors
B. Self-driving Car Meets New Challenges
C. Google's Self-driving Car Enjoys Global Popularity
D. Google's Self-driving Car Graduates to City Streets
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Google Inc. introduced plans in June to offer 3-D maps of major cities and other new features for its popular Google Maps and Google Earth services.
New features include the ability to _____50_____ portions of Google Maps onto phones and other _____51_____ devices, with detailed data, so users can find their way around _____52_____ areas even if they don’t have an active Internet connection.
Perhaps the most _____53_____ new feature was the detailed three-dimensional images that Google plans to offer for major cities in coming months.
Google product manager Peter Birch explained that the company is using _____54_____ to obtain detailed images of every street and building in an area, from different _____55_____, which are then compiled into images that appear to show height, depth and even architectural details of buildings and streets, _____56_____ landscape features such as trees.
“We are trying to create the effect that you are flying _____57_____ the city, almost as if you were in your own personal helicopter,” said Birch.
Compiling those images _____58_____ extensive photographing and processing of images, however. _____59_____ Birch promised to have images _____60_____ for several major cities in coming months, he and other Google officials did not offer a detailed timetable.
Industry blogs have reported that Apple is preparing to _____61_____ its own maps and navigation service, including 3-D images. Analysts say the _____62_____ is part of a larger race between the two tech giants to offer services that keep users _____63_____ and allow each company to deliver advertising or other products targeted to specific locations and other data on ____64______ interests.
1. A．buy B．download C．use D．apply
2. A．expensive B．useful C．portable D．cheap
3. A．familiar B．unfamiliar C．quiet D．busy
4. A．interesting B．impressive C．ridiculous D．surprising
5. A．computers B．cameras C．phones D．planes
6. A．angles B．parts C．sides D．areas
7. A．except B．except for C．including D．as well as
8. A．over B．below C．through D．in
9. A．spends B．costs C．obtains D．requires
10. A．When B．As C．While D．As long as
11. A．sold B．available C．accessible D．vivid
12. A．introduce B．make C．draw D．sell
13. A．image B．competition C．service D．map
14. A．busy B．convenient C．attractive D．engaged
15. A．children’s B．users’ C．managers’ D．students’
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Google is testing its newest high-tech device, Google Glass. Most of the technologies for Google Glass are already available on smart phones. Google has taken those same technologies and added them to eyeglass frames（眼镜架）. The company describes the glasses as wearable computers that would change the way people view others and the world.
"Google Glass is a tiny computer that sits in a lightweight frame, and rests neatly above your eye and it makes exploring and sharing the world around you a lot easier,” said Chris Dale, the Senior Manager of Communications for Google Glass.
The glasses have a tiny video screen and a camera that connect wirelessly to the Internet through WIFI, a smartphone, or a tablet computer. You can make and receive calls, send and receive texts, take pictures, record video or search the web. You control Google Glass using your voice, and a touchpad on the right arm of the frame.
Professor Marcia Dawkins is among a select group of people who have been given a chance to test out Google Glass. "I thought this is something I definitely need for my classroom and hopefully for my personal life too."
The Professor's Google Glass looks like a pair bright orange glasses, without the actual glass. But there's a tiny rectangular（长方形的）glass at the top right-hand corner. Through that glass, she has been recording video while biking. She also has been able to talk to her sister in Thailand, and she plans to use the device to teach a public speaking class.
But not everyone is excited about Google Glass. Some are concerned about possible risks to privacy.
John Simpson is the director of the privacy project at Consumer Watchdog.
"It is going to allow people to come in and spy on you and record that, without you knowing what is going on."
Filmmaker Chris Barrett showed just how easy it is to record people without them knowing it. His glass captured（捕捉）a man getting arrested after a fight. He shared the video on You Tube.
Also some are concerned about the use of facial recognition（面部识别）technology on Google Glass. But Google says it will not approve the use of such applications. The Internet company says it is still testing its new device, and it hopes to make Google Glass available to the public by early next year.
1.The technologies Google has made use of for Google Glass are______.
A.completely new
B.mostly already in use for smartphones
C.high-tech but out-of-date
D. all old
2.Which of the following is not true about Google Glass?
A. It’s a very small computer.
B. It’s very light in weight.
C. Everyone can buy it now.
D. It can be used for teaching by school teachers.
3.While cycling, the Professor has used the Glass to ______.
A.record video and chat B. send emails
C. teach a class D. spy on others
4.What can be inferred from the passage？
A.Google has done what it can to protect people’s privacy.
B.Google Glass may be used for bad purposes.
C.Most people feel worried about the use of the Glass.
D.Google Glass is more useful than smartphones.
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It tests whether students are able to master a given body of knowledge, as well as their ability to work hard and _________.
A. apparently B. currently
C. actually D. consistently
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It’s the ending of 2016，but as USA Today says，“it’s never too late to plan your 2016 travels”．With so many hot destinations around the globe，“where should I go?” can be difficult to answer. According to Lonely Planet，though，Brazil is a fine choice－on Aug.29，the travel guide named that country the top one to visit in 2016.
“As if endless strands of coast and mountains，splashed with rainforest didn’t already add up to an unfair share of heaven (天堂)，Brazil will hold two of the greatest sporting events in the world，beginning with the 2014 FIFA World Cup and followed by the 2016 Summer Olympics，”explained Lonely Planet.
Brazil is the largest and most populous country in South America. It boasts(自豪拥有) the Amazon，the world’s largest jungle，which is home to a variety of plants and animals. But the great landscape is not the only thing Brazilians take pride in.
The colors green and yellow might make most people think of Brazil’s soccer team even more than its national flag. Soccer is more than a sport in Brazil；it’s a way of life. In fact，the World Cup brings Brazilians together. It is interesting to note，that the general elections(大选) in Brazil are usually held during the same year as the World Cup. Political parties try to take advantage of the patriotic enthusiasm created by soccer to inspire political energy.
Alongside soccer，samba is another symbol of Brazil. The country’s most traditional dance is highlighted every February at the Rio Carnival，which is one of the world’s biggest.
“Brazil has left its second-class nation status，” said former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in 2009 after Rio de Janeiro was awarded the 2016 Olympics.
Brazil’s growing economy，fueled (刺激) by oil and aircraft factories，has made it more than just a nation of samba，soccer and beaches. These days，it might just be the best tourist destination in the world.
1.Which is true about Brazil?
A. It will hold the FIFA World Cup and the Summer Olympics in 2016.
B. Soccer and samba are two symbols of the country.
C. It is the largest country with the longest history in South America.
D. Its Amazon is the world’s largest jungle, Brazilians take pride in only.
2.We can tell from the words of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that ________.
A. his country will be the first class nation status after the 2016 Olympics
B. his country has been left behind by other second-class nations
C. he is confident that his country has developed very fast
D. the 2016 Olympics, not samba or soccer, has made his country the first class
3.The author’s purpose in writing the article is to ________.
A. prove that Lonely Planet’s recommendation is right
B. give an introduction of Brazil as a tourist destination
C. give an objective review of Brazil as a nation
D. explain why Brazil will be holding the two sporting events
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It was foolish of him to _____ his notes during that important test, and as a result, he got punished.
A. stick to B. refer to C. keep to D. point to
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It was foolish of him to ____his notes during such an important test, and as a result, he got punished.
A．point to B．keep to C．stick to D．refer to