Question

Is there anything duller than being stuck in a long line of traffic when you still have miles to go? Wouldn’t it be great if you could relax and let somebody else do all the hard work? Well, if all goes well with a European research project, that possibility might just become a reality. The safe Road Trains for the Environment （SARTRE）

So how does it work? The lead vehicle will be driven by an experienced driver who knows the route. The lead driver will have full control over the vehicles within the road train. Vehicles will be fitted with a navigation （導(dǎo)航） system and a transmitter – receiver; thus, as a driver approaches the road train, they can signal to the lead vehicle that they wish to join in. once accepted, they will edge in behind the last vehicle. To leave the convoy （車隊）, a driver simply signals the lead driver, takes back control of the car and exits off to one side. The vehicles within the convoy （空缺位置） close the gap and continue traveling.

There are a number of advantages a road train like this has. Firstly, it allows drivers to relax, read the paper or work on a laptop. Secondly, there will be fuel savings because the cars in the train are close together so the air drag （空氣阻力） is lower than normal. Lastly, it should help to ease traffic jams.

However, this type of autonomous driving actually doesn’t require any complicated technology. Instead, the stress is on taking advantage of the technology already in existence. Also, testing should be carried out to prove its safety.

The project began in September this year and is expected to run for three years with the first test cars equipped with this technology on test tracks as early as 2011.

1．The transmitter – receiver is used to         .

      A．communicate with the lead driver

       B．show the condition of road traffic

       C．remind the drivers of the route

       D．communicate with the train

2．For the drivers who joined in a road train, they are likely to         .

       A．spend more time on their travel

       B．reduce the use of fuel

       C．control the lead car

       D．chat with other drivers

3．In the SARTRE project, researchers mainly focus on         .

       A．the choice of the lead driver

       B．how long the project can run

       C．using the existing technology

       D．the time the project will begin

4．What would be the best title for the passage?

       A．Hand free driving? Join in a road train!

       B．EU（歐盟） succeeds in making advanced vehicles

       C．Save drivers from long and tiring trips

       D．New findings in modem transportation

Answer 1

ABCA