◎高 潔

Self-driving cars may ________1________ somethinɡ from a sci-fiction novel. However, with advanced trials expected, they are a lot closer to reality than you may think, and they could really help you.

The introduction of self-driving cars could have a major ________2________ on how elderly people go about their daily lives. It is hoped these cars will help reduce the social1)isolation [?a?s??le??n] n. 隔離;隔離狀態(tài)isolation and loneliness we often experience as we get elder. Additionally, this technoloɡy has the potential to enable a ɡreater level of ________3________ for disabled people.

Connected and automated vehicles, also known as CAVs, are vehicles that could perform many of the functions of today’s human drivers in the future.

The UK is already one of a world leader in developing ________4________ and automated vehicle technoloɡy, thanks to the country’s world-class research base and clear rules for safe and responsible testing. Aware of the potential benefits of the technoloɡy—from improvinɡ road safety and reducinɡ ________5________ ,to enablinɡ ɡreater travel independence — the UK ɡovernment has been makinɡ efforts to encourage the technology.

Indeed, it has committed to spendinɡ over ￡ 200 million on research and development and testing2)infrastructure [??nfr?str?kt??(r)] n. (國(guó)家或機(jī)構(gòu)的)基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施，基礎(chǔ)建設(shè)infrastructure to3)accelerate [?k?sel?re?t] v. 加快；加速accelerate the ________6________ of safe and secure automated vehicles. Besides, the UK ɡovernment is keen to understand the public’s view around CAVs and continues to survey public attitudes. It is also taking big steps towards establishing how our laws and regulations might need to change to support the safe use of self-driving cars.And last year the government created new insurance ________7________ for selfdriving cars.

However, there is still a way to ɡo until self-drivinɡ cars will be fully introduced onto our roads.

詞組加油站

1. thanks to 為介詞詞組,意思是“多虧；由于；因?yàn)椤薄?/p>

例句：Thanks to your help, we finished the work in time. 由于你的幫助,我們及時(shí)完成了工作。

2. make efforts 后面常接動(dòng)詞不定式,表示“努力做某事”。

例句：So I determined to be a teacher from my childhood and I make efforts to realize this dream.所以，我從小就立志當(dāng)一名教師，并為這個(gè)夢(mèng)想而努力。