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  3. Writing Based on Reading and Listening Directions: For this task, you will read a passage about an academic topic and yo

Writing Based on Reading and Listening Directions: For this task, you will read a passage about an academic topic and yo

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问题     Writing Based on Reading and Listening
    Directions:
    For this task, you will read a passage about an academic topic and you will listen to a lecture about the same topic. You may take notes while you read and listen.
    Then you will write a response to a question that asks you about the relationship between the lecture you heard and the reading passage. Try to answer the question as completely as possible using information from the reading passage and the lecture. The question does not ask you to express your personal opinion. You may refer to the reading passage again when you write. You may use your notes to help you answer the question.
    Typically, an effective response will be 150 to 225 words. Your response will be judged on the quality of your writing and on the completeness and accuracy of the content.
    You should allow 3 minutes to read the passage. Then listen to the lecture. Then allow 20 minutes to plan and write your response.
    Write your response in the space provided.
    Reading
    You will have 3 minutes to read the passage.
    Speed limits are used in most countries to regulate the speed of on-road motor vehicles. There are several reasons for governments doing this, such as keeping travel safe, protecting the environment and reducing the cost of fuel.
    Enacting speed limits is often done with the intention of improving road safety and reducing the number of traffic casualties from collisions. Data in 1974 showed that speed limits could reduce traffic accidents. In an international report on road traffic injury prevention, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified speed control as one of the various interventions most likely to reduce road casualties.
    Speed limits may also be set in an attempt to reduce the environmental impact of road traffic, such as vehicle noise, vibration, and carbon emissions, as well as to adhere to local community demands. Speed limits are often in response to environmental concerns. They can be used to improve local air quality or tackle other factors affecting the environment. The European Union is also increasingly using speed limits in response to environmental concerns.
    In addition, lower speed limits are effective at saving fuel. Some cities have reduced limits in certain areas to as little as 30 km/h (19 mph) for fuel efficiency reasons. Significant fuel savings can be achieved by encouraging drivers to maintain a consistent low speed, commonly referred to as "eco-driving." For instance, some European countries have already succeeded in "eco-driving" practices. This works due to effective enforcement of speed limits. Sometimes, however, drivers ignore this easy way to conserve fuel.
    Then you will hear:
    Now listen to part of a lecture on the topic you just read about.
    Lecture
   
    Question
    Summarize the points made in the lecture you just heard, explaining how they cast doubt on points made in the reading passage.
Well, I hope you enjoyed today’s reading. But in my opinion, speed limits cause many other problems, and are not the only way to handle safety concerns.
    The first thing I want to say is that the speed of vehicles isn’t at the core of traffic accidents. To elaborate, separate studies found that only 1.6% of crashes were "caused" by drivers that exceeded the posted speed limit. A US study showed that about 34% of serious crashes had contributing factors related to the roadway itself, or the surrounding environment. Furthermore, weather causes visibility impairments, slick roads, high winds, and temperature extremes that can affect driving.
    Next, besides speed limits, there are other ways to reduce carbon emissions. For example, turn your ignition off when waiting in a drive-thru or in congested traffic. Take the shortest route possible, and plan your drive. Keep your vehicle in good operating condition, and maintain it according to manufacturer standards. Have your vehicle inspected on a regular basis, and fix any mechanical problems that arise. Choose a clean-burning fuel, which reduces ozone-forming pollutants—better yet, buy a more energy-efficient car.
    Reducing speed sounds pretty clever, right? It is a good way of saving money on gas. However, lorry drivers will have to spend more time traveling because of lower speed limits. These regulations increase labor costs because of the longer time spent on the road. You see, speed limits have damaging effects on the economy, too.
选项
答案 The passage gives several reasons for government to support limiting the speed of motor vehicles on roads. For instance, the speed limits can keep travel safe, protect the environment and cut the cost of fuel. On the other end of the debate, the professor says imposing speed limits is not the only way to improve road safety, and in fact it can cause many other issues. To begin, the passage describes a World Health Organization report from 1974 that found speed limits could greatly reduce the number of accidents on the road. However, the professor cites other data in the lecture to support his position that excessive speed is not the major cause of traffic accidents, but that collisions are more likely to result from the surroundings and other environmental factors such as road conditions, visibility, high wind, or extreme temperature. Next, the passage posits that lower speed limits can help to reduce vehicle noise, vibration, and carbon emissions. Also, it can help improve air quality and the environment of the areas surrounding roads. The professor is unconvinced, and suggests several other ways to reduce pollution and noise, such as turning cars off in heavy traffic, choosing better fuel, and even buying a more fuel-efficient car. The last argument is that reducing speeds helps drivers out by saving them money on the cost of fuel. The passage mentions several European countries which have seen great success with "eco-driving" practices. But what about the lorry drivers, the professor asks. The lorry drivers will inevitably spend more time traveling on the road because of the lower speed limits. In turn, labor costs will be increased. In this way, speed limits can have a negative impact on the economy.
解析     针对高速公路是否应该限速的问题，阅读文章持肯定意见，并从三个方面支持这一论点：限速可以减少交通事故；降低环境污染；节省燃油开支。然而听力却认为限速反而在这些方面作用不大，甚至增加货运成本。
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