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英语听力—环球英语 1406 Traffic Problems

时间:2013-04-08 05:43来源:互联网 提供网友:jpstudy   字体: [ ]
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   Voice 1

 
  Welcome to Spotlight1. I'm Liz Waid.
 
  Voice 2
 
  And I'm Mike Procter. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
 
  Voice 1
 
  The sounds of traffic! You can hear it in any city. Cars, buses and trucks fight for space. Everyone wants to hurry – children need to get to school, people need to get to work, or to do the shopping. More and more people are driving their own cars. But the high number of vehicles3 causes problems – delays4, long lines, and even fights! In busy cities everywhere, governments ask, "How can we solve the traffic problem?" Today's Spotlight is on the cities of London and Quito, and their answers to this question.
 
  Voice 2
 
  First, we travel to London, England. London is one of the world's major cities. It is a center of government and business. People come to London from many countries – it is one of the most visited cities in the world. More than 12 million people live in the greater London area.  That is a lot of people to move around the city!
 
  There has been a settlement in London for more than two thousand years. Although it is a modern city, it still shows signs of this long history. Parts of central London date back hundreds of years. Many streets are narrow, and they were not designed for cars. But many major business and government buildings are in this area – as well as many historic5 places and museums. Many people need to travel through this area every day. This was causing a lot of traffic problems.
 
  Voice 1
 
  In 2003 the authorities6 in London introduced a new idea – a congestion7 charge. The city now charges a toll8, an amount of money, to take a vehicle2 into Central London. Cameras record the license9 plate numbers – the registration10 numbers of the cars. City authorities then use this information to catch and punish people who have not paid the toll. Other European cities have used a similar idea.
 
  The goal of a congestion charge is simple. The city hoped that the charge would stop some people from using their cars. They hoped that people would use other kinds of transport.
 
  For example, in London buses and underground trains can take people most places. The government hoped that if there was a charge for driving, many more people would use this public transport - or they would walk, or use a bicycle. These two wheeled vehicles are small, and do not cause the same traffic problems.
 
  Voice 2
 
  So – did the congestion charge solve London's transport problems? The city authorities say that the charge has helped. There are fewer cars on the road in Central London. Before the charge, traffic travelled at less than three miles per hour on average. After the charge, the average speed increased to ten miles per hour. The reduced traffic has also helped to improve air quality.
 
  However, not everyone agrees that the congestion charge is a success. Some people who live in the city complain about the charge. It makes life more difficult for them. And some people argue that it has not really improved the traffic. But the city is not likely to change the policy11. Some officials would even like to introduce similar charges in other British cities!
 
  Voice 1
 
  Charging a toll is one way to reduce traffic. Now, we travel to the city of Quito in Ecuador. Quito is trying a different method. Quito is located12 in the Andes. The city is surrounded by these high mountains - and this limits the city development. The main streets are heavily travelled. Traffic can be very slow, especially during peak13 times – the busiest times as people travel to work and school.
 
  Voice 2
 
  In 2010, the government began a new method of traffic control. They call this method "Pico Y Placa". Pico means14 peak – and it refers to those peak travel times. Placa means license plate. Pico Y Placa controls the traffic by banning some cars from the road. They are banned only during peak times – between seven and nine-thirty in the morning, and between four and seven-thirty in the afternoon. This ban is based on the car's license plate number – in particular, the last number on the license plate.
 
  For example, on Monday, license plates ending in the numbers 1 and 2 are banned. These cars can be on the road early in the morning, in the middle of the day, or later in the evening. However, if police see the cars at peak times, the driver receives a fine.
 
  Voice 1
 
  Pico Y Placa started in the year two thousand in Bogota, Colombia. The idea was to improve quality of life in the city by reducing traffic. So the city leaders developed the system of Pico Y Placa. Later, they extended15 the system all day – from six in the morning to eight at night. This was not very popular! Some people complained that this did not solve the problem. They said that the traffic was busier early in the morning and late at night!
 
  Voice 2
 
  Today, in Quito, studies show that before Pico Y Placa, many cars were almost empty – the cars only carried the driver. Now, people must share cars with neighbours or friends. Some people report that the traffic is a little better. Quito resident16 Patricia Duchi told Spotlight that the method has helped traffic. But she also has some concerns.
 
  Voice 3
 
  "I have heard that next year Pico Y Placa will be all day. I collect my daughter from class, and it is very dangerous without a car. I agree with Pico Y Placa for some hours, but not all day."
 
  Voice 2
 
  Other people shared more concerns with Spotlight. They claimed that some people are avoiding the ban. They do this by getting false license plates. Or they buy a second vehicle – usually an older, less costly17 vehicle. This causes more air pollution, and does not solve the traffic problems. Jonathan Guerrero also lives in Quito. He shared this concern with Spotlight,
 
  Voice 4
 
  "Pico Y Placa should reduce pollution, when people stop driving.  They should not use another car, or borrow someone else's car. The solution is walking, or riding bicycles."
 
  Voice 1
 
  Like Jonathan, some people believe that leaders could solve the problem better by providing better public transportation18. And other people question the effect on particular kinds of drivers. Juan Carlos Sigchat told Spotlight,
 
  Voice 5
 
  "Pico Y Placa must be enforced19 on people who drive TO work, but not people who drive FOR work – like my father, who drives a truck."
 
  Voice 1
 
  So what do you think? If you live in a country that uses Pico Y Placa, or congestion fees20 – do they control traffic? Or are there other things that governments could do? Share your opinion on our website at http://www.radio.english.net Or yo.u can email us at [email protected].
 
  Voice 2
 
  The writer of this program was Christy VanArragon. The producer was Michio Ozaki. The voices you heard were from the United21 States. All quotes22 were adapted and voiced by Spotlight. You can find this, and other, Spotlight programs on our website http://www.radio.english.net This .program is called "Traffic Problems."
 
  Thank you for listening to Spotlight today. Goodbye.

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 spotlight 6hBzmk     
n.公众注意的中心,聚光灯,探照灯,视听,注意,醒目
参考例句:
  • This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
  • The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。
2 vehicle zivw0     
n.车辆,交通工具,运载工具;媒介,表现手段
参考例句:
  • Air is the vehicle of sound.空气是声音传播的媒介。
  • The power plant burns used vehicle tyres as fuel.这家电厂用废弃轮胎作燃料。
3 vehicles NfEzUN     
n.运载工具;传播媒介;(为展露演员才华而)特意编写的一出戏(或电影等);[画]展色剂;交通工具( vehicle的名词复数 );车辆;传播媒介;手段
参考例句:
  • There is not much clearance for vehicles passing under this bridge. 车辆在这座桥下通过时没有多少余隙。
  • to carry out random spot checks on vehicles 对车辆进行抽检
4 delays 77fdbb0717320d37c96a542b56f07b69     
(使)耽搁,延误( delay的第三人称单数 ); 推迟; 使延期; 使延迟
参考例句:
  • Commuters will face long delays on the roads today. 路远乘车上下班的人今天要在路上耽误很多时间了。
  • Things were working well when we were brought up against unexpected delays. 事情本来进行得很顺利,不料我们遇到了耽搁。
5 historic AcNxw     
adj.历史上著名的,具有历史意义的
参考例句:
  • This is a historic occasion.这是具有重大历史意义的时刻。
  • We are living in a great historic era.我们正处在一个伟大的历史时代。
6 authorities kyqzgw     
n.当局,权力,权威;权威( authority的名词复数 );权力;学术权威;[复数]当权者
参考例句:
  • They interceded with the authorities on behalf of the detainees. 他们为被拘留者向当局求情。
  • At his instigation we conceal the fact from the authorities. 我们受他的怂恿向当局隐瞒了事实。 来自《简明英汉词典》
7 congestion pYmy3     
n.阻塞,消化不良
参考例句:
  • The congestion in the city gets even worse during the summer.夏天城市交通阻塞尤为严重。
  • Parking near the school causes severe traffic congestion.在学校附近泊车会引起严重的交通堵塞。
8 toll LJpzo     
n.过路(桥)费;损失,伤亡人数;v.敲(钟)
参考例句:
  • The hailstone took a heavy toll of the crops in our village last night.昨晚那场冰雹损坏了我们村的庄稼。
  • The war took a heavy toll of human life.这次战争夺去了许多人的生命。
9 license B9TzU     
n.执照,许可证,特许;v.许可,特许
参考例句:
  • The foreign guest has a license on the person.这个外国客人随身携带执照。
  • The driver was arrested for having false license plates on his car.司机由于使用假车牌而被捕。
10 registration ASKzO     
n.登记,注册,挂号
参考例句:
  • Marriage without registration is not recognized by law.法律不承认未登记的婚姻。
  • What's your registration number?你挂的是几号?
11 policy vOgxE     
n.政策,方针,保险单
参考例句:
  • This policy is very tough.这个政策是很强硬的。
  • The country has always pursued a policy of peace.该国一直奉行和平政策。
12 located ppgzYY     
adj.处于,位于
参考例句:
  • The mechanic located the fault immediately. 机修工立即找到了出故障的地方。
  • a small town located 30 miles south of Chicago 位于芝加哥以南30英里的一个小镇
13 peak dLgxN     
n.山峰,巅,山顶,顶点,尖峰,帽舌;adj.最高的,最大值的;vi.到达最高点,消瘦,变憔悴,逐渐缩小;vt.使竖起,使达到最高点
参考例句:
  • Traffic reaches a peak between 8 and 9 in the morning.早晨八九点钟是交通的高峰时刻。
  • He was the first to top the mountain peak.他是第一个登上这座山峰的人。
14 means 9oXzBX     
n.方法,手段,折中点,物质财富
参考例句:
  • That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
  • We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。
15 extended Utcz1H     
adj.延伸的;伸展的;延长的;扩大的v.延伸(extend的过去式和过去分词);伸展;延长
参考例句:
  • an extended lunch hour 延长了的午餐时间
  • France has greatly extended its influence in world affairs. 在世界事务中,法国的影响已大大地扩大了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
16 resident 8Wixl     
a.居住的,居留的;住校的,住院的
参考例句:
  • I've been resident in this place for five years. 我已经在这个地方住了五年。
  • They engaged a resident tutor. 他们聘用了一名住家的家庭教师。
17 costly 7zXxh     
adj.昂贵的,价值高的,豪华的
参考例句:
  • It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
  • This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用,左不过贵了些。
18 transportation 9mKwv     
n.运输,运输系统,运输工具
参考例句:
  • The transportation of goods by air costs a lot.航空运输货物花费很高。
  • He finally solved the difficulty of transportation.他终于解决了运输的困难。
19 enforced a70a003448c0c2d2a6d4974f60914d40     
n.强迫的v.实施( enforce的过去式和过去分词 );执行;强迫;强制执行
参考例句:
  • a period of enforced absence 不得不离开的一段时间
  • This reform must be enforced. 此项改革势在必行。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
20 fees a1ff09453cc85d1a8cc7fb1f4911f8e4     
费用; (加入组织或做某事付的)费( fee的名词复数 ); 专业服务费; 咨询费; 报酬
参考例句:
  • Employees are reimbursed for any legal fees incurred when they relocate. 员工调往异地工作时,他们可以报销由此产生的所有法律服务费用。
  • As a scholar you will not have to pay college fees. 作为接受奖学金的学生,你不必付大学的费用。
21 united Yfmz2c     
adj.和谐的;团结的;联合的,统一的
参考例句:
  • The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
  • The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。
22 quotes 2150fd65034a9bcdb357943b3900a918     
v.引用,援引( quote的第三人称单数 );报价;引述;为(股票、黄金或外汇)报价
参考例句:
  • He quotes a few verses from Tennyson in his paper. 他在论文中引用了英国诗人丁尼生的几行诗句。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He quotes (from) the Bible to support his beliefs. 他引用圣经来支持自己的信念。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
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