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2014-08-26 16:59
时代英语·高三 2014年5期

A new plan for getting children to and from school is being started by a local government in Eastern England. This could end the worries of many parents fearful for their childrens safety on the roads.

Until now the local government has only been prepared to provide bus services for children living more than three miles from their school, or sometimes less if special reasons existed. Now it has been decided that if a group of parents ask for help in organizing transport they will be prepared to go ahead, as long as the arrangement will not lose money and children taking part will be attending their nearest school.

The new plan is to be tried out this term for children living at Milton who attend Impington School. The children live just within the three-mile limit and the local government has said in the past that they will not undertake to provide free transport to the school. But now they have agreed to offer a sum of money for a bus service from Milton to Impington and back, a plan which has the support of the schools headmaster.

Between 50 and 60 parents have said they would like their children to take part. Final calculations have still to be carried out, but a government official has said the cost to parents should be less than £20 a term.

They have been able to arrange the service at a low cost because there is already an agreement with the bus company for a bus to take children who live further away to Impington. The same bus would now just make one more journey to pick up the Milton children. The official said they would get in touch with other groups of parents who in the past had asked if transport could be provided for their children, to see if they would like to take part in the new plan.

1. What is the aim of the plan?

A. To reduce the students road accidents. B. To relieve the traffic pressure.

C. To save time for the parents and students. D. To help the parents save money.

2. The new bus service will be paid for by ___ .

A. the parents B. the local government

C. the bus company D. the local government and the parents

3. How can the local government arrange the new bus service at a low cost?

A. By letting the bus run in the morning only. B. By limiting the number of the students.

C. By obtaining the support from the headmaster. D. By linking the new bus service with the present one.

4. Which of the following is possible if the plan is carried out?

A. The parents can get rid of their present worries.

B. The bus company will make much more money.

C. The children can choose whatever school they like.

D. The students in Impington School can have free bus rides.