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What might driving on an automated highway be like? The answer depends on what kind of system is ultimately adopted. Two distinct types are on the drawing board. The first is a special purpose lane system, in which certain lanes are reserved for automated vehicles. The second is a mixed traffic system: fully automated vehicles would share the road with partially automated or manually driven cars. A special-purpose lane system would require more extensive physical modifications to existing highways, but it promises the greatest gains in freeway（高速公路）capacity.

Under either scheme, the driver would specify the desired destination, furnishing this information to a computer in the car at the beginning of the trip or perhaps just before reaching the automated highway. If a mixed traffic system was in place, automated driving could begin whenever the driver was on suitably equipped roads. If special-purpose lanes were available, the car could enter them and join existing traffic in two different ways. One method would use a special on-ramp（入口引道）. As the driver approached the point of entry for the highway, devices installed on the roadside would electronically check the vehicle to determine its destination and to ascertain that it had the proper automation equipment in good working order. Assuming it passed such tests, the driver would then be guided through a gate and toward an automated lane. In this case, the transition from manual to automated control would take place on the entrance ramp. An alternative technique could employ conventional lanes, which would be shared by automated and regular vehicles. The driver would steer onto the highway and move in normal fashion to a"transition" lane. The vehicle would then shift under computer control onto a lane reserved for automated traffic. (The limitation of these lanes to automated traffic would, presumably, be well respected, because all trespassers（非法进入者）could be swiftly identified by authorities.)

Either approach to joining a lane of automated traffic would harmonize the movement of newly entering vehicles with those already traveling. Automatic control here should allow for smooth merging, without the usual uncertainties and potential for accidents. And once a vehicle had settled into automated travel, the driver would be free to release the wheel, open the morning paper or just relax.

1.We learn from the first paragraph that two systems of automated highways______.

A.are being planned　C.are now in wide use

B.are being modified　D.are under construction

2.A special-purpose lane system is probably advantageous in that______.

A.it would require only minor changes to existing highways

B.it would achieve the greatest highway traffic efficiency

C.it has a lane for both automated and partially automated vehicles

D.it offers more lanes for automated vehicles

3.Which of the following is true about driving on an automated highway?

A.Vehicles traveling on it are assigned different lanes according to their destinations.

B.A car can join existing traffic any time in a mixed lane system.

C.The driver should inform his car computer of his destination before driving onto it.

D.The driver should share the automated lane with those of regular vehicles.

4.We know from the passage that a car can enter a special-purpose lane______.

A.by smoothly merging with cars on the conventional lane

B.by way of a ramp with electronic control devices

C.through a specially guarded gate

D.after all trespassers are identified and removed

5.When driving in an automated lane, the driver______.

A.should harmonize with newly entering cars　B.doesn't have to rely on his computer system

C.should watch out for potential accidents　　D.doesn't have to hold on to the steering wheel

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1.【答案】A。

【解析】本题考查对文章第一段第三句话中drawing board一词的理解。drawing board原义为“制图板”，引申为“蓝图，计划”。

2.【答案】B。

【解析】选择依据为文章第一段最后一句话“...but it promises the greatest gains in freeway capacity.”（但它可以最大限度地发挥高速公路的能力。）

3.【答案】C。

【解析】从第二段第一句话可知C正确。选项A文中未提及。选项B较具迷惑性。从第二段第二句话可知B不对，注意该句中的on suitably equipped roads。选项D仅在混合式的车道时是正确的。

4.【答案】B。

【解析】从第二段第四、第五、第六句可知应选B。选项C易被误选，从文中知当通过电子检测后，车辆才被引到通向自动车道的门前。故应排除C。

5.【答案】D。

【解析】从文中最后一句话可知D正确。