Mistrust Mars Zhengzhou Ride-share Effort

More than 300 private car owners from a central Chinese city volunteered to offer free rides to citizens to ease crowded public transportation, but many local people didn't accept the offer for fear of being cheated.

The ride-share program was begun in October in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province, when Ye Zhantong, a private car driver, started to gather volunteers to offer the free service. The drivers tied a green silk ribbon (丝带) on the car to differentiate themselves from unlicensed taxi drivers. But the free rides haven't been popular among the public as increasing reports of dishonesty have dried up many local citizens' trust towards strangers.

Ye said some of the volunteers have dropped out after they felt their kind intention was being questioned. Passersby walking in heavy rainfall or passengers who missed a bus would remain silent and walk away when the volunteers would stop and offer a ride.

“It's so common that people give us the cold shoulder, and sometimes, take our kindness as ill will,” said one of Ye's volunteers, identified as Binge. “Many would even say: 'Let's get out of here quickly to avoid being cheated by him.'” Some commenters on Weibo explained why they hesitated to participate in a ride-share program. “Trusting a stranger might bring huge risks. I can't take the risk,” one Internet user wrote.

Some said Ye's group wasn't authorized, and cheaters pretending to be kind drivers might volunteer. They suggested traffic authorities issue rules to regulate, protect and promote ride-share programs.

61. The ride-share cars were driven by _____ drivers.

A. licensed taxi         B. unlicensed taxi          C. private car               D. specially-trained

62. Some of the ride-share car drivers _____ .

A. were forced to join Ye’s group                   B. once behaved dishonestly

C. offered free rides only to acquaintances             D. have left Ye’s group

63. The free rides haven't been popular among the public because _____.

A. people often have enough time to wait         B. some think the drivers are cheaters

C. there are many taxies available                    D. many people choose to save money

64. Which correctly explains the expression “give sb. the cold shoulder”?

A. To be unfriendly to sb. .                                   B. To help sb. unwillingly.

C. To sit silently beside sb. .                          D. To try hard to support sb. .

65. The underlined word “mar” in the title possibly means “ _____”.

A. make sth. work the way it should                     B. make sth. less attractive or enjoyable

C.       help sth. to develop or increase                  D. damage sth. so badly that it no longer exists

First Lady Michelle Obama is a big fan of volunteering. Volunteering means working for free to help someone else. Mrs. Obama says volunteering is very important. “It should be part of everyone’s life, ” she says.
Many teens agree. They say that helping others feels great and makes a difference. These days, more teens volunteer than work for pay. Teens clean up parks, walk dogs at animal shelters , visit the elderly and more.
Some cities ---- including Seatle, Chicago, and Washingtong,D.C. ----require high school students to volunteer. Students must volunteer in order to graduate. The student volunteers learn new skills and help their communities (社区).
Many parents are in favor of the idea ---- they say volunteering helps teens build job skills. But most teens don’t want to be forced to volunteer. They say they are busy. And they say volunteering is only fun if it’s a choice.
Read both sides of the debate (辩论) and decide.
YES
● Volunteering can help teens get into college or get a job.
● Many cities and towns need help. Volunteers can help keep important programs going.
● Not all teens will volunteer if it isn’t required. Schools should repuire students to do all they can to get ready for adult life.
NO
● Most teens are already very busy with classes, homework, jobs and sports. Forcing them to do more isn’t fair.
● It should be up to each person. Helping out doesn’t feel as good if you have to do it.
● Finding a volunteer job isn’t always easy. Students shouldn’t be kept from graduating because of something they can’t control.
【小题1】The writer mentions Michelle Obama in order to        ,

More than 20,000 drivers and front seat passengers are killed or seriously injured each year. At a speed of only 30 miles per hour it is the same as falling from a third floor window. Wearing a seat belt saves lives; it reduces your chance of death or serious injury by more than half.
Therefore drivers or front seat passengers over 14 most vehicles must wear a seat belt. If you do not, you could be fined up to $50. It will not be up to the drivers to make sure you wear your belt. But it will be the driver’s responsibility to make sure that children under 14 do not ride in the front unless they are wearing a seat belt of some kind.
However, you do not have to wear a seat belt if you are reversing(倒退) your vehicle; or you are making a local delivery or collection using a special vehicle; or if you have a valid（正当的） medical certificate（证书）which excuses you from wearing it. Make sure these cases supply to you before you decide not to wear your seat belt. Remember you may be taken to court for not doing so, and you may be fined if you cannot prove to the court you have been excused from wearing.
60. This passage is probably taken from ______.
A. medical magazine    B. a legal document
C. a textbook    D. a government information booklet
61. Wearing a seat belt in a vehicle ______.
A. reduces road accidents by more than half
B. reduces the death rate in traffic accidents
C. saves lives while driving at a speed up to 30 miles per hour  
D. saves more than 16,000 lives each year
62. It is the driver’s responsibility to ______.
A. make the front seat passenger wear a seat belt
B. make the front seat children under 14 wear a seat belt
C. stop children from riding in the front seat
D. wear a seat belt each time he drives
63. For some people, it may be better to ______.
A. pay a fine rather than wear a seat belt   
B. wear a seat belt for health reasons
C. (not to) wear seat belt for health reasons  
D. get a valid medical certificate before wearing a seat belt

第三部分：阅读理解（共20小题；每小题2分，满分40分）

阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。

A

Bargaining is an art at Xiu Shui Market in Beijing. The following tips can help you get good offers for most things you buy, especially for clothing.

Be aware that the starting price offered by the seller is at least 40% over the general price acceptable. It’s usually 80% over. It can be up to 150% over. So, always try to drop the seller’s offering price as much as possible before opening your mouth with a price.

Have an idea of the value of what you want. You can consult your Chinese friends or the hotel staff about the price. You may not be able to get the lowest prices stated at Xiu Shui Market, especially on weekends or festival seasons when there are lots of tourists around.

Do walk away once you’ve offered your final price while the seller is not ready to accept. If you get called back, you know you are close. If you do not get called back, go to a similar stall(摊位) and try again with a slightly higher price. Note that if you’ve made a deal, you am then expected to buy the item.

You will help your chances at getting a good price by being confident, patient, and friendly. Treat it as a kind of game to get the most out of it—getting angry or rode will never help to bring the price down.

56. When can you get the lowest price at Xiu Shui Market according to the passage?

A. When the sellers are busy.                       B. On crowded weekends.

C. When there’re few buyers.                       D. On festival seasons.

57. The underlined part “a deal” (in Paragraph 4) most probably means      .

A. an appointment with someone                    B. an agreement in business

C. a choice in shopping                            D. a delivery of goods

58. ff the seller accepts your final price, you should       .

A. walk away and wait for the seller to call you back

B. go on bargaining for a lower price

C. go to a similar stall for a better price

D. pay the seller for what you want

59. From the tips we can learn that the seller’s offer may be affected by       .

A. the buyer’s manners    B. the seller’s position   C. Chinese friends     D. hotel staff