节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2014-04-22
难易度:High
关键字:phase, congestion, split second, intervene
Welcome back.
Driverless cars may not be on the market tomorrow, or next month, or even within
the next several years.
However, the technology behind them is already starting to appear in little
steps.
So far we've learned about how a couple of carmakers are creating systems that
will help in traffic.
But I want to know when we can expect to drive or just sit back and relax in
driverless cars.
Let's learn about that in the next part of our lesson.
(Music).
Who's in the Driver's Seat?
When to expect the driverless car.
Several carmakers claim that they'll produce driverless cars within the next
decade.
But critics aren't so sure, warning that a completely driverless car must be
able to make split-second decisions in even the most complex traffic situations.
In addition, the car's computer must become smart enough to know when to ask the
driver to intervene to prevent an accident.
Full government approval won't happen until driverless cars are proven safe.
In the meantime, expect to see carmakers offer ever-smarter features on their
new models.
(Music).
(Chinese).
And now let's go to our teachers.
Thank you, Michelle.
So when can we expect to be driving driverless cars?
Well, as you just heard, probably not for a while.
Still, many companies are hopeful it will become a reality soon.
We read: Several carmakers claim that they'll produce driverless cars within the
next decade.
That's a bold promise.
They are doing all they can to produce cars that drive themselves in the next
ten years.
Now let's look at that word "within."
You should be able to use this in many ways.
For example, within the next few minutes, we will be visiting Liz in the Grammar
Gym.
OK, so not right now, but certainly within the next few minutes.
Or when you order something online, they always tell you you should receive your
purchase within a certain amount of time, like "You should get it within ten
days."
Well, carmakers are saying that they should have driverless cars produced within
the next ten years.
But critics aren't so sure.
What's a critic, Gabe?
Hmm, there are different kinds of critics.
Some are professional, their job is to express the faults and value that
something has.
So for example, many people are movie critics or book critics.
And you can find out what the critics are saying about certain books or movies.
Right.
Often a critic's review will let you know what you can expect a movie to be
like.
Now the critics mentioned in our lesson also form opinions about the faults and
value of driverless cars.
And if you're a critic, you need to give specific examples of why you have your
opinions.
In the example we see here is that a completely driverless car must be able to
make split-second decisions in even the most complex traffic situations.
What's a split-second decision?
Well, I'm glad you asked.
Carolyn has an answer.
A second, of course, is very short.
It goes by very quickly.
Yep, there goes another second.
So a split second is even shorter or faster.
It's almost no time at all.
And it's true, when you're driving, you may need to make split-second decisions.
And there are many complex traffic situations.
But that's not all a driverless car must be able to do.
We read: In addition, the car's computer must become smart enough to know when
to ask the driver to intervene to prevent an accident.
"In addition," that means "also."
You use that phrase when you want to add something to a list of other things.
For example, "in addition to teaching, Studio Classroom also has fun features
like review skits."
And we'll enjoy a review skit within the next few minutes.
First, let's join Liz in the Grammar Gym.
Then enjoy a review skit.
And then join Linda for the Editor's Summary.
Hi, friends.
Welcome to the Grammar Gym.
My name is Liz.
In our lesson today we see this sentence:
In the meantime, expect to see carmakers offer ever-smarter features on their
new models.
That's our Grammar Tip sentence.
And today we're looking at the word "ever."
In the sentence we see that "ever" is connected to "smarter."
Ever-smarter.
Here it means "continuously."
So the writer is saying that carmakers continue to offer smarter and smarter
features on their new models.
But to be more direct and to save space and time, we don't need to say "smarter
and smarter."
We just need to say "ever-smarter."
So if you want to describe how a certain quality continues to grow or become
more, just add "ever" and then a hyphen.
For example, if someone's business continues to grow, we can say:
His business is ever-growing.
Or if the population continues to increase, we can say:
The population is ever-increasing.
And if you'd like to see some more other examples, they're available in today's
Grammar Tip section in your magazine.
That's it for today.
This is Liz from the Grammar Gym.
See you next time.
Hey, Mom, will you buy me a new car?
A new car?
Don't be silly, Junior.
You're only 11 years old, and you're too young to drive.
I know! That's why I want this car.
Look, it's a driverless car.
A driverless car?
Yeah. If I had a driverless car, I could go places all by myself.
Oh, Junior, how can that be safe?
These cars have sensors that detect safety threats that real drivers might miss.
Oh, really!
Yeah. They're customarily called "Foward Collision Warning Systems."
So safety in these cars is improved?
Without question.
And driverless cars have increased efficiency.
So they don't waste as much gas?
Uh-huh, exactly.
Imagine, I can have my own chauffeur.
Are these cars on the market?
They're coming out in phases.
There's a car out now that warns drivers when the car crosses lane markings.
Well, that sounds helpful.
Another car keeps pace with other cars.
It helps relieve congestion on busy roads.
Well, Junior, that's nice.
But can a driverless car make really split-second decisions?
Maybe.
And is the car smart enough to know when the driver should intervene?
Uh... maybe.
I don't know, Junior.
Please, Mom! I really, really want a driverless car.
Oh, Junior, when driverless cars are finally on the market, you'll be old enough
to drive yourself.
Oh, yeah. OK. Never mind.
It is true that totally driverless cars won't be around for a few years, but
some of the technology is appearing already.
One warns drivers whenever their cars cross over lane markings by vibrating the
steering wheel.
And another system helps the car keep up with all the other cars in its lane.
So if you are on a busy street, the congestion won't be so bad.
And then the critics say it is going to be hard to develop a totally safe
driverless car as there are split-second decisions to be made.
And is there a computer smart enough to tell the driver to intervene when it
can't handle a situation?
It seems we won't have to worry about these cars' safety as the government won't
approve them until they are perfectly safe.
But an advantage for us now is that some of these features are appearing in new
model cars.
All right.
So what do you think?
Will driverless cars be available within the next decade?
I don't know, but this lesson has inspired me to invent something similar -- the
riderless bicycle.
Gabe, a riderless bicycle?
That looks like a regular bicycle to me.
Ah, yes, but it has no rider.
I'm only charging US$3,000 for this one.
Good luck selling it.
Well, thank you for joining us today.
And we'll see you next time right here at Studio Classroom.
See you then.
Any takers? Anybody wants to buy this riderless bicycle?
(Music).