There are two methods by which hydrogen (氢) can be used to power cars. The first way is to use hydrogen to drive the engine, in much the same way as many cars use gas. The second method is to use the reaction of hydrogen with oxygen in a battery, making the car a kind of electric one.
The dream of producing hydrogen in the car while driving along by electrolyzing（电解）water is a long way off, so we are still at the period of batteries and filling the tank with hydrogen gas. This is the difficulty for potential car users and producers. There are only sixteen hydrogen filling stations in Los Angeles and none in 99% of other cities worldwide.
Indeed, some of the big name automobile producers have pulled out of the race to put the first practical hydrogen car on the streets. Ford and GM have announced that they are pulling out in America and so has Renault in France.
However, the Japanese companies are pressing on. In fact, Honda introduced its first hydrogen fuel cell car in 1999. They are now producing second generation hydrogen car known as the FCX Clarity. Guess where they are available for sale? In only one city because of its filling stations.
Honda thinks that they could go into full-scale production of the FCX Clarity by 2020 if the world is prepared for them by then.
Then there are hydrogen-powered buses in several European cities including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Hamburg, London, Luxembourg and Madrid. Lotus, the makers of London taxis, have announced that they propose to manufacture hydrogen-powered taxis in time for the London Olympics.
So, the hydrogen vehicle is out there and the numbers will be growing fairly soon. The buses go back to their bus station, where an electrolyzing machine changes water into fuel for them to fill up on and the same will be the case for many of London’s taxis.
Unfortunately, getting fuel is not the only difficulty for the average motorist, a number of these vehicles cost about $300,000 each.According to the text, hydrogen-powered buses ________.
| A．can easily be filled up with gas. |
| B．are likely to sell well in the future. |
| C．are mainly used in the United States |
| D．won’t be used in the London Olympics |
What does the underlined word “them” in paragraph 5 refer to?
| A．Japanese companies | B．Hydrogen buses |
| C．The FCX Clarity | D．Filling stations |
Where are hydrogen cars currently available for sale?
| A．In Barcelona | B．In Hamburg | C．In London | D．In Los Angeles |
We can learn from the text that ________.
| A．there are sixty hydrogen filling stations all over the world |
| B．hydrogen vehicles fueled by water will be very expensive |
| C．Honda will mass-produce the FCX Clarity by 2012 |
| D．Honda produced its first hydrogen car in 1989 |
I have never heard about a “Fashion Week” outside of New York, London or Milan. But then one just happens to turn up in Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. Actually, I’m ignorant of all those countries in Central Asia, whose names are always ending in “stan.” For decades, even centuries, Central Asia has been out of focus, a blank on the map of empires. Just as the introduction from Turusbek Mamashov, from the Tourism agency of the president of the Kyrgyz Republic, says, “Throughout this Fashion Week project, we need to create a revolution in the minds of our people, preparing the country for the international tourism market. It is an opportunity as well as an investment.” What he says is right. If you just give it a glimpse (一瞥), you’ll find out that the flavor (风情) of the Silk Road is still there.
As part of the route for Silk Road traders and migrating tribes through its epic(史诗的) history, Kyrgyzstan, like other Central Asian countries, is a vast place of desert, grassland and mountain ranges. It is not widely known that Kyrgyzstan is the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai’s birthplace.
Bishkek, the place holding Fashion Week, is the capital and industrial center of independent Kyrgyzstan. It is a relaxed, handsome place with wide streets and large amounts of greenery. Especially in the autumn of November, the yellow leaves falling everywhere make the whole city a legend in fall. The mountains are just at its rear, in that case a unique scene of picturesque beauty is composed by snow-white peaks, lakes and the urban Landscape.
Today, Ala-Too Square is the center of the poetic places worth seeing in Bishkek. The “White House,” the seat of the Kyrgyzstan Government, is just at the west of the square. Behind this is Panfilov Park, a great place to head for a national holiday. The State Museum of Fine Arts is opposite, which is also called the Gapar Aitiev Museum of Applied Arts, featuring Kyrgyz jewelry, rugs and works by local artists.
One of the joys besides the scenery is the openness of the people. Bishkek is a city without a big population but mainly good-natured people from many races, 47 percent are Russian and about a third are Kyrgyz. Most travelers vote Kyrgyzstan as the most appealing, accessible and welcoming of the former Soviet Central Asian republics. It is written by a tourist that Kyrgyzstan is the country Russians most desperately want to keep: hills always covered with grass and wild flowers. Kyrgyz men always ride a horse wearing a photogenic hat. According to the passage, Kyrgyzstan used to be ___________.
| A．an international fashion centre | B．an important part of Silk Road |
| C．the focus of the world | D．a vast desert land in Central Asia |
The Fashion Week in Bishkek is supposed to __________.
| A．start a revolution in Kyrgyzstan | B．attract foreign investment to Kyrgyzstan |
| C．promote tourism in Kyrgyzstan | D．celebrate the independence of Kyrgyzstan |
Which of the statements is NOT ture according to the passage?
| A．Bishkek is a crowded modern city surrounded by mountain ranges. |
| B．Panfilov Park is a popular destination for local people during holidays. |
| C．The majority of the population in Bishkek are Russian and Kyrgyz. |
| D．The famous poet Li Bai is thought to have been born in Kyrgyzstan. |
What is the most important message the author wants to convey in the passage?
| A．Reflections and thoughts on the glorious history of the Silk Road. |
B．Feelings about the ongoin g Fashion Week project in Bishkek. |
| C．The geographic features and imposing history of Kyrgyzstan. |
| D．The natural and cultural characteristics and attractions in Kyrgyzstan. |
With Captain Cash’s help, we’ve put together the BIGGEST and BEST money-saving guide EVER - so what are you waiting for? Start saving NOW! The first step is to sign up to Captain Cash’s fantastic new website.
▲ Captain’s saving tip on car insurance
MAKE sure you give an accurate figure for your annual mileage when you get a quote - if you overestimate, your premium（保费）will rise.
▲ Captain’s saving tip on home insurance
Don’t overinsure your home - by sticking to the rebuild cost (the amount that really matters), you're covered if there’s a disaster. When in doubt see
k independent advice.
Plus, pay your insurance policy in one hit, if you can. Many insurance companies charge higher interest rates when you pay in monthly installments.
▲ Captain’s saving tip on entertainment
BUY the latest CDs online from HMV via Captain Cash for great price deals. For instance, The Friends 15th Anniversary Complete Collection: 40 DVD box set is just £69.99 with free UK delivery - saving £30 on the RRP (Recommended Retail Price).
▲ Captain’s saving tip on utility bills
DON’T be loyal to expensive suppliers - always check out the best deals. Getting gas and electricity from the same company and paying by direct debit instead of cash or cheque also lowers the annual cost of your bills. You can also shave money from bills by turning appliances off, rather than leaving them on standby, and by turning the heating down by a degree or two. What is Captain Cash?
| A．A bookstore | B．An online shop | C．An expert | D．A website |
What’s the RRP of 40 DVD box set of The Friend?
| A．£39.99 | B．£99.99 | C．£59.99 | D．£109.99 |
Which of the following is NOT TRUE concerning Captain’s saving tips?
| A．Paying utility bills in cash is a more economical way. |
| B．Paying the full price when buying a home insurance is a wise choice. |
| C．Accurate estimate of your yearly mileage is key to a car insurance. |
| D．Power off the electrical appliances while they are not being used. |
Japan will hand out its first “Nobel Prize of Manga (国际漫画奖)” for artists in the comic book field abroad. This i
s another step in Japan’s efforts to show the power of pop culture diplomacy.
The International Manga Award, which was compared by manga lover Foreign Minister Taro Aso to a “Nobel Prize” when he first proposed it, will be given to an artist working abroad whose work best contributes to the spread of the manga form worldwide.
Manga, a name used for Japanese style comic books, often combines stories with drawing styles that differ from the overseas superhero comics and cartoon, particularly in their frequent emphasis on cuteness.
The winner will receive a certificate and a cup at an award ceremony, and will spend 10 days in Japan meeting with local comic book artists and publishers.
“Manga has been spreading overseas and are selling quite well,” Aso said when announcing the award to the public. “I want to further improve the communicative power of these so-called ‘pieces of pop culture’.”
Aso has argued that warm feelings for Japanese comics and cartoon can translate into warm feelings for Japanese foreign policy.
He has proposed sending cartoon artists overseas as cultural ambassadors and the government has named some officials to advise ways to promote Japanese cartoon and culture to foreign audiences.
The award committee, consisting of manga artists and publishers, is expected to make its selections quite soon.
According to a ministry official Nobuyuki Watanabe, the prize carries no money reward. The cup’s design has yet to be finished, but it will be something “appropriate”. The International Manga Award will be presented to ____________.
| A．a Japanese who has achieved a lot in creating new methods of drawing |
| B．an artist who makes contributions to introducing manga to the other foreign countries |
| C．the person who is expert at comics and cartoon |
| D．a foreign artist who has contributed to the development of manga |
Which statement is NOT true about manga?
| A．Manga is different from the overseas comic books. |
| B．Manga is popular not only in Japan but also overseas. |
| C．Manga refers to international comics and cartoon. |
| D．There are stories and pictures in manga. |
What has the Japanese government done to show its support?
| A．To propose “Nobel Prize of Manga”. |
| B．To name officials to advise ways of spreading manga overseas. |
| C．To hand out its first “Nobel Prize of Manga”. |
| D．To send cartoon artists overseas as cultural ambassadors. |
The passage is mainly about ____________.
A．Nobel Prize of Mang a |
B．the characteristics of manga |
| C．a brief introduction of manga | D．the development of manga |
I have never heard about a “Fashion Week” outside of New York, London or Milan. But then one just happens to turn up in Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. Actually, I’m ignorant of all those countries in Central Asia, whose names are always ending in “stan.” For decades, even centuries, Central Asia has been out of focus, a blank on the map of empires. Just as the introduction from Turusbek Mamashov, from the Tourism agency of the president of the Kyrgyz Republic, says, “Throughout this Fashion Week project, we need to create a revolution in the minds of our people, preparing the country for the international tourism market. It is an opportunity as well as an investment.” What he says is right. If you just give it a glimpse (一瞥), you’ll find out that the flavor (风情) of the Silk Road is still there.
As part of the route for Silk Road traders and migrating tribes through its epic(史诗的) history, Kyrgyzstan, like other Central Asian countries, is a vast place of desert, grassland and mountain ranges. It is not widely known that Kyrgyzstan is the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai’s birthplace.
Bishkek, the place holding Fashion Week, is the capital and industrial center of independent Kyrgyzstan. It is a relaxed, handsome place with wide streets and large amounts of greenery. Especially in the autumn of November, the yellow leaves falling everywhere make the whole city a legend in fall. The mountains are just at its rear, in that case a unique scene of picturesque beauty is composed by snow-white peaks, lakes and the urban Landscape.
Today, Ala-Too Square is the center of the poetic places worth seeing in Bishkek. The “White House,” the seat of the Kyrgyzstan Government, is just at the west of the square. Behind this is Panfilov Park, a great place to head for a national holiday. The State Museum of Fine Arts is opposite, which is also called the Gapar Aitiev Museum of Applied Arts, featuring Kyrgyz jewelry, rugs and works by local artists.
One of the joys besides the scenery is the openness of the people. Bishkek is a city without a big population but mainly good-natured people from many races, 47 percent are Russian and about a third are Kyrgyz. Most travelers vote Kyrgyzstan as the most appealing, accessible and welcoming of the former Soviet Central Asian republics. It is written by a tourist that Kyrgyzstan is the country Russians most desperately want to keep: hills always covered with grass and wild flowers. Kyrgyz men always ride a horse wearing a photogenic hat. According to the passage, Kyrgyzstan used to be ___________.
| A．an international fashion centre | B．an important part of Silk Road |
| C．the focus of the world | D．a vast desert land in Central Asia |
The Fashion Week in Bishkek is supposed to __________.
| A．start a revolution in Kyrgyzstan | B．attract foreign investment to Kyrgyzstan |
| C．promote tourism in Kyrgyzstan | D．celebrate the independence of Kyrgyzstan |
Which of the statements is NOT ture according to the passage?
| A．Bishkek is a crowded modern city surrounded by mountain ranges. |
| B．Panfilov Park is a popular destination for local people during holidays. |
| C．The majority of the population in Bishkek are Russian and Kyrgyz. |
| D．The famous poet Li Bai is thought to have been born in Kyrgyzstan. |
What is the most important message the author wants to convey in the passage?
| A．Reflections and thoughts on the glorious history of the Silk Road. |
B．Feelings about the ongoin g Fashion Week project in Bishkek. |
| C．The geographic features and imposing history of Kyrgyzstan. |
| D．The natural and cultural characteristics and attractions in Kyrgyzstan. |
With Captain Cash’s help, we’ve put together the BIGGEST and BEST money-saving guide EVER - so what are you waiting for? Start saving NOW! The first step is to sign up to Captain Cash’s fantastic new website.
▲ Captain’s saving tip on car insurance
MAKE sure you give an accurate figure for your annual mileage when you get a quote - if you overestimate, your premium（保费）will rise.
▲ Captain’s saving tip on home insurance
Don’t overinsure your home - by sticking to the rebuild cost (the amount that really matters), you're covered if there’s a disaster. When in doubt see
k independent advice.
Plus, pay your insurance policy in one hit, if you can. Many insurance companies charge higher interest rates when you pay in monthly installments.
▲ Captain’s saving tip on entertainment
BUY the latest CDs online from HMV via Captain Cash for great price deals. For instance, The Friends 15th Anniversary Complete Collection: 40 DVD box set is just £69.99 with free UK delivery - saving £30 on the RRP (Recommended Retail Price).
▲ Captain’s saving tip on utility bills
DON’T be loyal to expensive suppliers - always check out the best deals. Getting gas and electricity from the same company and paying by direct debit instead of cash or cheque also lowers the annual cost of your bills. You can also shave money from bills by turning appliances off, rather than leaving them on standby, and by turning the heating down by a degree or two. What is Captain Cash?
| A．A bookstore | B．An online shop | C．An expert | D．A website |
What’s the RRP of 40 DVD box set of The Friend?
| A．£39.99 | B．£99.99 | C．£59.99 | D．£109.99 |
Which of the following is NOT TRUE concerning Captain’s saving tips?
| A．Paying utility bills in cash is a more economical way. |
| B．Paying the full price when buying a home insurance is a wise choice. |
| C．Accurate estimate of your yearly mileage is key to a car insurance. |
| D．Power off the electrical appliances while they are not being used. |