O-Net 2020

(Items61-70)

                        Councils' Furyat Rogue Truckers
COUNCILS are demanding the power to fine lorry drivers causing
mayhem in towns and villages.
Currently, only authorities in London have the power to impose
penalties on truckers who ignore road restrictions.
5    The Local Government Association (LGA) highlighted a spate of
recent incidents involving HGVs (heavy good svehicles), including
drivers crashing into bridges or blocking streets after driving on routes
unsuitable for their lorry's size or weight.
      Many incidents involve drivers being directed to unsuitable routes
10 by their satnavs (GPS).  A bridge under Middlesbrough railway station
was struck four times, while lorries blocked the same road in Goudhurst,
Kent, twice in two days.
      A survey found more than half of councils in England say using this
device is one of the most important traffic issues in their communities.
15   Now the LGA wants all local authorities to be able to fine 'rogue' lorry
drivers. A spokesman said fines would 'help councils unblock congestion
hotspots...and help cyclists ride more safely'.

This story is about all of the following EXCEPT _____.
1. bad behavior of truck drivers
2. fining truck drivers who break traffic laws
3. lorry drivers who follow traffic laws
4. accidents caused by truck drivers
5. traffic problems caused by careless truckers

Answer: 3. lorry drivers who follow traffic laws

The Councils are demanding the power to fine lorry drivers who _____.
1. drive at night without GPS
2. pay no attention to road regulations
3. do not follow directions
4. drive through heavy traffic in towns
5. drive very big and heavy trucks

Answer: 2. pay no attention to road regulations

The statement "driving on routes unsuitable for their lorry's size or
weight" (lines7-8) implies that _____.
1. some roads are too narrow and need to be expanded
2. other vehicles cannot pass big trucks on some roads
3. big and heavy trucks are not dangerous to other road users
4. many roads are in bad condition and need repair
5. big and heavy trucks should not run on small roads

Answer: 5. big and heavy trucks should not run on small roads

The word "may hem" (line 2) means _____.
1. confusion
2. occurrence
3.penalties
4. carelessness
5. pollution

Answer: 1. confusion

The phrase "a spate of" (line 5) means _____.
1. an account of
2. a large number of
3. an excess of
4. a few of
5. a volume of

Answer: 2. a large number of

The phrase "using this device" (lines13-14) refers to _____.
1. trucks driving on roads under construction
2. GPS misdirecting truckers to unsuitable roads
3. lorries blocking the road in Kent
4. the important role of GPS on truck driving
5. the bridge being struck four times

Answer: 2. GPS misdirecting truckers to unsuitable roads

"Rogue lorry drivers" (line 15) are drivers who _____.
1. often cause traffic congestion in town
2. always disobey traffic laws and are always fined
3. behave badly and cause problems for others
4. never listen too thers' troubles
5. care about other road users

Answer: 3. behave badly and cause problems for others

The Councils believe that if they can fine careless truck drivers,_____.
1. those drivers will follow traffic rules more carefully
2. other road users will not be safe in using the roads
3. there would be no traffic problems any longer
4. those drivers will no longer run on narrow roads
5. the road signs will not be damaged

Answer: 1. those drivers will follow traffic rules more carefully

"Congestion hotspots" (line 15) are the places where _____.
1. drivers are fighting to go on their ways
2. cars are trying to pass other cars to get ahead
3. trafficis too heavy for vehicles to move
4. all cars are going in the same direction
5. roads are damaged by serious accidents

Answer: 3. trafficis too heavy for vehicles to move

All of the following incidents were caused by lorry drivers EXCEPT: _____.
1. crashing into bridges and blocking streets
2. following GPS's to dangerous places
3. striking the bridge under Middlesbrough four times
4. blocking the road in Goudhurs ttwice in two days
5. driving on roads unsuitable for their lorry's size or weight

Answer: 2. following GPS's to dangerous places