20

Speed up or slow down? That was the question Wang Xueliang thought about as he approached the traffic lights. The 45-year-old driver hesitated for a few seconds before stepping on the brakes and stopping his car at a crossing on Beijings Changan Avenue, even though the traffic light was still green. The light turned yellow a second later. For many drivers, passing through traffic crossings has become a guessing game since New Years Day.

From Jan 1, new traffic laws mean all drivers in China that run a yellow light will have 6 points deducted (扣除) from the 12 given to their license. Drivers who run yellow lights will receive the same six-point punishment as those who run red lights. Those who forfeit 12 points over a calendar year will have to attend training courses and take exams organized by the local traffic management bureau. The rule was named “Chinas harshest traffic rule” by many online observers. The new rule also gives strict punishments for speeding, covering up the license plate, making phone calls while driving, and drunken driving. The punishment for covering up a license plate is 12 points.

“On the day the new rules came into force, drivers followed the rules and commonly seen violations, such as ignoring traffic lights and deliberately covering up license plates, were seen less frequently,” according to a report by Xinhua News Agency. The report said the number of accidents decreased sharply on Tuesday in five major cities — Beijing, Tianjin, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Jinan — from the previous day. Moreover, no severe accidents were reported.

Although the ministry said on Wednesday that some major cities reported a sharp decrease in urban traffic violations, the new law remains controversial (有争议的) because drivers find it difficult to predict yellow lights and stop their cars in good time.

1. It can be concluded from Paragraph 1 that drivers ＿＿＿ .

A. find it hard to decide whether to speed up or slow down while driving

B. should make a guess about the light when passing a crossing

C. find it hard to predict when the light turns yellow

D. should stop their cars before the light turns red

2. The underlined word “forfeit” in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to “＿＿＿ ”.

A. increase B. decline C. lose D. get

3. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. You will be given a warning if you run yellow lights.

B. You will lose six points if you cover up the license plate.

C. Accidents have greatly decreased owning to the new rules.

D. Drivers making phone calls while driving will have to attend training courses.

4. What can we infer from the text?

A. Its controversial whether to carry out the new laws. B. The new laws caused more severe problems.

C. The goverment benefits from the laws. D. Drivers may find it difficut to obey the laws.