Question

What causes traffic jams? Too many cars, right? No! Some Brits are now saying that traffic lights are to blame for much of the congestion (拥塞). They suggest that traffic lights be removed at busy crossroads.

      The Conservatives suggest that white lines, signs and traffic lights be removed from Britain's high streets. They believe people are a better judge of when it's safe to go, not a traffic light programmed by an absent regulator(调整器).

      A report from the Institute of Economic Affairs argues that abolishing traffic signals would decrease congestion, reduce exhaust emissions (尾气排放) and improve safety.

      The report said that removing lights should also prevent other bad behavior caused by signals, such as speeding up to catch a green light or rushing to avoid red lights. It would also avoid the wasted time when drivers have to sit at a red light even if no one is using the green.

     The idea may sound strange, but it's not new. Seven cities in Europe are experimenting with no-lights roads.

     Drachten in the Netherlands has got rid of 16 of its traffic light crossings and changed the other two to roundabouts under a "shared space" project. At crossings, cyclists dutifully raise their arm when they want to make a turn, and drivers follow a first-arrival, first-through approach and communicate by hand signs, nods and waving.

     The result? Typical journey time has been cut in half, and accidents and congestion have mostly disappeared. It works well because it's dangerous. The driver has to be responsible for his or her own risk.

     "I am used to it now," said Speanstra, a citizen of Drachtan, "You drive more slowly and carefully, but somehow you seem to get around town quicker. "

     Owen Paterson, UK's Shadow Transport Minister, visited Drachten. He said Britain should learn from the model. "The idea is to create space where there is mild anxiety among everyone so they all behave cautiously. No one thunders along at 30mph on a high street thinking that they have priority(优先权)."

     The model is being tested in London's Kensington neighborhood.

1. Why do some people suggest removing traffic lights from Britain's high streets?

   A. There are too many cars in the street waiting for the green light.

   B. Traffic lights are programmed by absent regulators, not by human beings.

   C. Exhaust emissions go beyond the normal limit, which leads to safety problem.

   D. People are a better judge of when it's safe to go than a programmed signal

2. What effect is not mentioned in this passage by abolishing traffic signals?

   A. Congestion to be decreased.                 B. Less traffic to be seen on the street.

   C. Traffic Safety to be improved                       D. Exhaust emissions to be reduced.

3. "First-arrival, first-through" in this passage means that ________.

    A. the first to cross the crossroad is to be in charge of the traffic

    B. the first to come to a crossroad should let the cyclists go first

    C. the first to come to a crossroad has the priority to go through first

    D. cyclists would dutifully take turns to direct the drivers to pass when necessary

4. From what Helena Speanstra said, we can see ________.

    A. the "shared space" project in Draehten works quite well

    B. driving in the streets of Draehten is very dangerous

    C. if you want to get around town quicker, you must drive more slowly

    D. getting used to the traffic without traffic lights seems a little bit difficult

5. According to Owen, what works efficiently to make drivers drive carefully?

   A. Learning from the model of Drachten.

   B. Persuading all drivers to worry about traffic accidents.

   C. Everyone having the idea of being cautious when driving.

   D. Limiting the speed of driving under 30mph on a high street.

Answer 1

DBCAC