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B
Back in 2003 an 86-year-old man drove his Buick through a crowded farmers’ market. Nine people were killed. More than fifty-four people were hurt, fourteen with serious injuries. When he finally stopped, the 86-year-old man got out his car and screamed at people to get out of the way. No alcohol or drugs were found in his system. Apparently, he was just old and confused.
This is a frightening accident, and it is not a rare one. There are many examples of elderly drivers driving into swimming pools, houses, storefronts, or worse.
In our teenage years, we all heard “driving is not a right; it’s a privilege.” That is still true, and there comes an age when driving is no longer a privilege that can be allowed. After a certain age, eyesight and dementia(痴呆) are very serious concerns. Undoubtedly, these age-related problems affect some older adults’ driving ability. By the time a person is between eighty-five and ninety years old, his or her driving privilege should be examined.
Licensing laws vary greatly from state to state, and it’s time for a national law on the maximum age limit for driving. The motivation for this law is safety. Another option is to start with laws that ban anyone over the age of eighty-five from driving after sundown, because driving conditions are not as safe as daylight hours. Still another option that may allow elderly drivers to continue driving could be new technology like a voice warning system that cautions drivers on busy streets or at traffic lights. Finally, since there are laws against driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, shouldn’t some prescription drugs also be included? The average age of 85-year-old is undoubtedly taking at least one prescription drug daily.
The thought of an 86-year-old driver with failing eyesight running down the road in a two-ton piece of metal is unsettling to us all. Driving at an advanced age is not only challenging for the elderly drivers, but also it’s dangerous for the rest of us.
25. The first paragraph is written in order to show_________.
A. the harm of driving at an old age B. the importance of traffic safety
C. traffic accidents are on the rise D. many elderly drivers are careless
26. The author suggests that there should be new laws against driving __________.
A. over eighty-five B. between sunset and dawn
C. with the help of voice warning systems D. under the influence of prescription drugs
27. The underlined word “unsettling” in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to “________”.
A. disappointing B. worrying C. touching D. interesting
28. Which of the following would be the best title for the text?
A. How to keep old people safe on the road?
B. Are drivers well protected by licensing laws?
C. Should there be an age limit for elderly drivers?
D. Is driving a right or a privilege for an old person?
C
I first came across the concept of pay-what-you-can cafes last summer in Boone, N.C., where I ate at F.A.R.M (Feed All Regardless of Means) Café. You can volunteer to earn your meal, pay the suggested price($$10) or less, or you can overpay—paying it forward for a future customer’s meal. My only regret after eating there was not having a chance to give my time. So as soon as Healthy World Café opened in York in April, I signed up for a volunteer shift(轮班).
F.A.R.M and Healthy World are part of a growing trend of community cafés. In 2003, Denise Cerreta opened the first in Salt Lake City. Cerreta now runs the One World Everybody Eats Foundation, helping others copy her pay-what-you can model.
“I think the community café is truly a hand up, not a handout,” Cerreta said. She acknowledged that soup kitchens(施粥所) have a place in society, but people typically don’t feel good about going there.
“One of the values of the community café is that we have another approach,” she said. “Everyone eats here, no one needs to know whether you volunteered, overpaid or underpaid.”
The successful cafés not only address hunger and food insecurity but also become necessary parts of their neighborhood – whether it’s a place to learn skills or hear live music. Some teach cooking to seniors; some offer free used books. Eating or working there is a reminder that we are all in this world together.
My 10 am---1pm shift at World-Healthy-Café began with the café manager – one of the two paid staff members. Our volunteer crew wasn’t the most orderly, but we managed to prepare and serve meals with a lot of laughs in between. At the end of my shift, I ordered my earned meal at the counter, together with other volunteers. After lunch, I walked out the door, with a handful of new friends, music in my head and a satisfied belly and heart.
29. What did the author do at F.A.R.M Café last summer?
A. She enjoyed a meal. B. She ate free of charge.
C. She overpaid for the food. D. She worked as a volunteer.
30. What is the advantage of community cafés compared with soup kitchens?
A. People can have free food. B. People can maintain their dignity.
C. People can stay as long as they like. D. People can find their places in society.
31. Why are community cafés becoming popular in the neighborhoods?
A. They bring people true friendships. B. They help to bring people together.
C. They create a lot of job opportunities. D. They support local economic development.
32. How did the author feel about working at Healthy World Café?
A. It paid well. B. It changed her. C. It was beneficial. D. It was easy for her.
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