People want action on noise, a recent public meeting in Brisbane showed. Some want technical improvements such as quieter air conditioners or better sound barriers around major roads. Others want tougher laws to restrict noise from building sites or to require owners to take responsibility for barking dogs. But the highest priority was a noise complaints system that works.

Brisbane City Council receives more complaints about noise than all other problems put together. So it conducted a survey and found that about half its residents are upset by noise in one form or another –traffic, mowers, pool pumps, air conditioners or loud parties. This inspired the Council to bring together more than 100 citizens one evening to talk through a range of options.

    The meeting found the present regulatory system bizarre. Depending on the problem, responsibility for noise can lie with the Council, the Environment Protection Authority, one of three government departments or even the police. So complainants often feel they are getting the run-round. When the people at the forum were asked to vote for changes, the strongest response was for a 24-hour noise hotline to be the first port of call for all complaints.

    The forum also favored regulatory measures, such as tougher minimum standards for noise in appliances like air conditioners. This even makes economic sense, as noise is a waste of energy and money. Other measures the meeting supported were wider buffer (缓冲) zones around noisy activities and controls to keep heavy traffic away from residential areas.

    But there are obvious conflicts. Many people like to have a bar within walking distance if they feel like a drink, but they don’t want a noisy pub keeping them awake when they want an early night. Most people want to live near a major road providing good access to other parts of the city, but they don't’ want the problem of road noise.

    I was most interested by the proposals aimed at behavioral change. There was strong support for measures to reduce traffic: better public transport, cycle ways and footpaths, even charges for road use. Many people optimistically thought industry awards for better equipment would stimulate the production of quieter appliances. It was even suggested that noise from building sites could be alleviated (减轻) if Brisbane adopted daylight saving, thus shifting the working day and providing longer, quieter evenings.

According to the recent public meeting in Brisbane, what was the first step to take in order to reduce noise pollution?

       A.Produce quieter air conditioners.

       B.Provide better sound barriers around major roads.

       C.Establish a noise complaints system.

       D.Make stricter laws to require owners to take responsibility for barking dogs.

It can be inferred from the passage that _______.

       A.the Brisbane residents were satisfied with the present noise regulatory system

       B.many people in Brisbane preferred to live near a pub to which they have easy access

       C.nearly all the inhabitants in Brisbane were bothered by noise in one form or another

       D.noise pollution is the most serious among pollution complaints in Brisbane

Brisbane City Council brought together citizens to talk through solutions to the noise problem mainly due to        .

       A.the result of the survey carried out by itself

       B.a noise complaints system that works

       C.people asking for tougher laws on noise

       D.requirements of an effective noise complaints system

What does the word “run-round” (Para. 3) mean?

       A.Unfair treatment.                                        

       B.Quick response.

       C.Delaying action in response to a request.        

       D.Full attention.

How could noise from building sites be alleviated if Brisbane adopted daylight saving?

       A.If daylight saving was adopted, the daytime would be prolonged and the night would become quieter.

       B.If daylight saving was adopted, the working hours during the daytime would be shortened

while the night would be extended and thus quieter.

       C.If daylight saving was adopted, the night would be shortened and thus quieter.

D.If daylight saving was adopted, both the daytime and the night would be shortened and the

noise would be reduced.

       People want action on noise, a recent public meeting in Brisbane showed.Some want technical improvements such as quieter air conditioners or better sound barriers around major roads.Others want tougher laws to restrict noise from building sites or to require owners to take responsibility for barking dogs.But the highest priority was a noise complaints system that works.

       Brisbane City Council receives more complaints about noise than all other problems put together.So it conducted a survey and found that about half its residents are upset by noise in one form or another –traffic, mowers, pool pumps, air conditioners or loud parties.This inspired the Council to bring together more than 100 citizens one evening to talk through a range of options.

       The meeting found the present regulatory system bizarre.Depending on the problem, responsibility for noise can lie with the Council, the Environment Protection Authority, one of three government departments or even the police.So complainants often feel they are getting the run-round.When the people at the forum were asked to vote for changes, the strongest response was for a 24-hour noise hotline to be the first part of call for all complaints.

       The forum also favored regulatory measures, such as tougher minimum standards for noise in appliances like air conditioners.This even makes economic sense, as noise is a waste of energy and money.Other measures the meeting supported were wider buffer (缓冲) zones around noisy activities and controls to keep heavy traffic away from residential areas.

       But there are obvious conflicts.Many people like to have a bar within walking distance if they feel like a drink, but they don’t want a noisy pub keeping them awake when they want an early night.Most people want to live near a major road providing good access to other parts of the city, but they don't’ want the problem of road noise.

       I was most interested by the proposals aimed at behavioral change.There was strong support for measures to reduce traffic: better public transport, cycle ways and footpaths, even charges for road use.Many people optimistically thought industry awards for better equipment would stimulate the production of quieter appliances.It was even suggested that noise from building sites could be alleviated (减轻) if Brisbane adopted daylight saving, thus shifting the working day and providing longer, quieter evenings.

According to the recent public meeting in Brisbane, what was the first step to take in order to reduce noise pollution?

       A.Produce quieter air conditioners.

       B.Provide better sound barriers around major roads.

       C.Establish a noise complaints system.

       D.Make stricter laws to require owners to take responsibility for barking dogs.

It can be inferred from the passage that _______.

       A.the Brisbane residents were satisfied with the present noise regulatory system

       B.many people in Brisbane preferred to live near a pub to which they have easy access

       C.nearly all the inhabitants in Brisbane were bothered by noise in one form or another

       D.noise pollution is the most serious among pollution complaints in Brisbane

What does the word “run-round” (Para.3) mean?

       A.Unfair treatment. 

       B.Quick response.

       C.Delaying action in response to a request.           

       D.Full attention.

How could noise from building sites be alleviated if Brisbane adopted daylight saving?

       A.If daylight saving was adopted, the daytime would be prolonged and the night would become quieter.

       B.If daylight saving was adopted, the working hours during the daytime would be shortened while the night would be extended and thus quieter.

       C.If daylight saving was adopted, the night would be shortened and thus quieter.

       D.If daylight saving was adopted, both the daytime and the night would be shortened and the noise would be reduced.

What was the author’s attitude towards the industry awards for quieter equipment?

       A.Suspicious.           B.Positive.       

       C.Enthusiastic.         D.Indifferent.

Medalists of the 1948 London Olympic Games look back on their summer of victory.

SAMMY Lee, 91, U.S.

GOLD AND BRONZE, DIVING

I first had my Olympic dream at 12, when they held the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. My father and I were at a grocery store, and I asked, “What are all the flags doing here?” He said, “We are having the Olympic Games. That’s where they honor the greatest athletes in the world.” I said, “Papa, someday I’m going to be an Olympic champ.”

Walking up the 10-meter platform, I thought to myself, “I’ve waited 16 years for this moment. Am I going to win?” So I prayed to God that I was most deserving of winning the Games.

DAVID BOND, 90, BRITAIN

GOLD, SAILING

During the war, I spent six years in Royal Air Force. I think in general, the 1948 Olympics meant very little to most people. We were too busy after the war to be worried about sport very much anyway.

Our team had about six weeks before the Olympics down at Torquay and we went out sailing every day.

Winning gold was quite something. It was nice to stand on the platform with lots of people cheering. We celebrated by going to a big dance.

MICHAEL LAPAGE, 88, BRITAIN

SILVER, ROWING

I started rowing when I was 14. I joined the navy in 1942. In 1945 the war came to an end and I started rowing again.

In 1948 we were still on rations (配给供应): 4 oz. of red meat a week. But the United States had all the meat they wanted. They were the favorites to win.

On the day of the final, we led the Americans at the start, but their stronger staying power took them through to win. There were no ribbons on the medals, so we just showed them round the family.

THOMAS GODWIN, 91, BRITAIN

BRONZE, CYCLING

At 14 I left school and got a job delivering groceries on a bicycle, which excited my interest in cycling. When the war broke out, I volunteered but was held back, so I continued riding.

After my team won our bronze medals, we went home just round the corner and had a sit-down and a chat and a laugh. It was a different world. Money was never, never thought about.

1. According to the passage, Sammy Lee ___________.

A.was 28 when he attended the 1948 Olympics

B.never thought he could win medals in diving

C.found that he has a talent for sports at age 12

D.prepared for the 1948 Olympics for 16 years

2. Michael Lapage blamed his team’s loss of the gold medal on their ___________.

A.weak will                              B.poor skill

C.poor nutrition                          D.hurried preparation

3. What did David Bond and Thomas Godwin have in common?

A.They both took part in a team event.

B.A lot of money was awarded to them.

C.The 1948 Olympics meant little to them.

D.They both served in the army during World War II.

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

A.Long-lived medalists                     B.The 1948 Olympics

C.Famous athletes                        D.Great in 1948

 

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