Ⅴ.阅读理解

　　A

　　The Dial­a­Bus, which is a mixture of an ordinary bus and a taxi, can pick up passengers at their doors or at a nearby bus stop shortly after they have telephoned for service. The computer will know the location of its vehicles (车辆), how many passengers are on them, and where they are heading. It will choose the right vehicle and send it to the caller according to the programming of the system.

　　The cost of taxi rides can be reduced by sharing rides, and the Dial­a­Bus system is designed to do this as well. Information from the study for the new system suggests that depending on passengers' need, door­to­door transportation can serve its passengers almost as fast as a private taxi but at one­quarter to one­half the price.

　　The key point is that the Dial­a­Bus may do what other transportation systems don't do now. The system will attract more off­peak (非高峰期的) business than other normal transportation does. And if it does attract enough passengers, the off­peak income (收入) would keep Dial­a­Bus away from the economic problems faced by other transportation services, which are used only 3 or 4 hours a day. It could also help reduce dependence upon cars.

　　There is little question that the idea for the Dial­a­Bus system will come true. Most of the existing vehicles can comfortably carry 12 to 24 passengers. Some can also offer services to airports. Computers, radio communications and telephone links are enough for the needs of the Dial­a­Bus system.

　　A limited demonstration (演示) of the Dial­a­Bus idea can almost certainly be finished within 3 years at a cost of less than 1 million using existing equipment. A full­scale (全面的) demonstration of the Dial­a­Bus service, using vehicles and equipment specially designed to test all the possible advantages, probably can be completed within 7 years at a cost of less than 20 million.

　　1．One important character of the Dial­a­Bus system is that ________.

　　A．it serves special persons　B．it has no drivers

　　C．it needs no electricity D．it is fast and cheap

　　2．What can we know about the Dial­a­Bus according to the passage?

　　A．It can pick up passengers just at a nearby bus stop.

　　B．It can offer services to any place except airports.

　　C．It has many advantages over other transportation.

　　D．It will be put to use after the limited demonstration.

　　3．According to the passage，the use of the Dial­a­Bus system in the future is ________.

　　A．doubtful B．certain

　　C．unknown D．limited

　　4．Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

　　A．A Future Transportation System

　　B．The Transportation Problems

　　C．A New Phone Call System

　　D．The Newly­invented Buses

　　B

　　Last Friday a storm swept through two villages in the New Territories, destroying fourteen homes. Seven others were so badly damaged that their owners had to leave them, and fifteen others had broken windows or broken roofs. One person was killed, several were badly hurt and taken to hospital, and a number of other people received smaller hurt. Altogether over two hundred people were homeless after the storm.

　　A farmer, Mr. Tan, said that the storm began early in the morning and lasted for over an hour.

"I was eating with my wife and children, "he said, "When we heard a loud noise. A few