The Intelligent Transport team at Newcastle University have turned an electric car into a mobile laboratory named “DriveLAB” in order to understand the challenges faced by older drivers and to discover where the key stress points are.

　　Research shows that giving up driving is one of the key reasons for a fall in health and well-being among older people,leading to them becoming more isolated(隔绝) and inactive.

　　Led by Professor Phil Blythe,the Newcastle team are developing in-vehicle technologies for older drivers which they hope could help them to continue driving into later life.

　　These include custom-made navigation(导航) tools,night vision systems and intelligent speed adaptations.Phil Blythe explains:“For many older people,particularly those living alone or in the country,driving is important for preserving their independence,giving them the freedom to get out and about without having to rely on others.

　　“But we all have to accept that as we get older our reactions slow down and this often results in people avoiding any potentially challenging driving conditions and losing confidence in their driving skills.The result is that people stop driving before they really need to.”

　　Dr Amy Guo,the leading researcher on the older driver study,explains:“The DriveLAB is helping us to understand what the key stress points and difficulties are for older drivers and how we might use technology to address these problems.

　　“For example,most of us would expect older drivers always go slower than everyone else but surprisingly,we found that in 30mph zones they struggled to keep at a constant speed and so were more likely to break the speed limit and be at risk of getting fined.We’re looking at the benefits of systems which control their speed as a way of preventing that.

　　“We hope that our work will help with technological solutions(解决方案) to ensure that older drivers stay safer behind the wheel.”

　　【语篇导读】文章主要介绍纽卡斯尔大学智能交通研发团队对一款电动汽车进行实验,以发现老年司机驾驶汽车的难题并加以解决,以便他们在路上更安全行驶。

　　1.What is the purpose of the DriveLAB?

　　A.To explore new means of transport.

　　B.To design new types of cars.

　　C.To find out older drivers’ problems.

　　D.To teach people traffic rules.

　　答案　C

　　解析　细节理解题。从第一段“...a mobile laboratory named ‘DriveLAB’ in order to understand the challenges faced by older drivers and to discover where the key stress points are.”可知,DriveLAB的目的在于发现老年司机驾驶汽车所面临的问题。

　　2.Why is driving important for older people according to Phil Blythe?

　　A.It keeps them independent.

　　B.It helps them save time.

　　C.It builds up their strength.

　　D.It cures their mental illnesses.

　　答案　A

　　解析　细节理解题。从第四段第二句“...driving is important for preserving their independence,giving them the freedom to get out and about without having to rely on others.”可知,在Phil Blythe看来,驾驶汽车对于老年人之所以重要,是因为驾驶能让他们保持独立。

　　3.What do researchers hope to do for older drivers?

　　A.Improve their driving skills.

　　B.Develop driver-assist technologies.

　　C.Provide tips on repairing their cars.

　　D.Organize regular physical checkups.

　　答案　B

　　解析　细节理解题。从第六段“The DriveLAB is helping us to understand what the key stress points and difficulties are for older drivers and how we might use technology to address these problems.”可知,研究者们想为老年司机研制一种辅助驾驶的技术。

　　4.What is the best title for the text?

　　A.A New Model Electric Car

　　B.A Solution to Traffic Problems

　　C.Driving Services for Elders

　　D.Keeping Older Drivers on the Road

　　答案　D

　　解析　主旨大意题。通读全文,尤其是首尾两段可知,本文主要介绍纽卡斯尔大学智能交通研发团队对一款电动汽车进行实验,以发现老年司机驾驶汽车的难题并加以解决,以便他们在路上更安全行驶。故选D项。

　　【长难句分析】Led by Professor Phil Blythe,the Newcastle team are developing in-vehicle technologies for older drivers which they hope could help them to continue driving into later life.

　　由Phil Blythe教授领衔的纽卡斯尔团队在为老年司机开发车载技术,他们希望能帮助老年人晚年能继续开车。

　　本句是一个复合句。led by...是动词-ed形式构成的短语作状语,which引导的是定语从句,they hope是插入语。

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