B Increasing Noise Annoys People want action on noise, a recent public meeting in Brisbane showed. Some want technical improvements such as quieter air conditioners or better sound barriers around major roads. Others want tougher laws to restrict noise from building sites or to require owners to take responsibility for barking dogs. But the highest priority (优先) was a noise complaints system that works. Brisbane City Council receives more complaints about noise than all other problems put together. So it conducted survey and found that about half its citizens are upset by noise in one form or another—traffic, mowers, pool pumps, air conditioners or loud parties. This inspired the Council to bring together more than 100 citizens one evening to talk through solutions to the problem. The meeting found the present noise complaints system bizarre. Depending on the problem, responsibility for noise can lie with the Council, the Environment Protection Authority, one of three government departments or even the police. So complaints often feel they are getting the run-round. When the people at the meeting were asked to vote for changes, the strongest response was for a 24-hour noise hotline to be the first port of call for all complaints. The meeting also favored regulatory measures, such as tougher minimum standards for noise in appliances like air conditioners. This even makes economic sense, as noise is a waste of energy—and money. Other measures the meeting supported were wider buffer zones around noisy activities and controls to keep heavy traffic away from residential areas（居民区）. 59. According to the passage, what do people want most? A. Tougher laws. B. Technical improvements. C. An effective noise complaints system D. Tougher minimum standards for noise 60. What does the underlined word bizarre in the second paragraph mean? A. reasonable B. wonderful C. strange D. responsible 61. How many regulatory measures against noise are mentioned in the last paragraph? A. 3. B. 4. C. 2. D. 5. 62. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage? A. Tougher minimum standards for noise in appliances are necessary. B. Traffic, mowers, pool pumps, and air conditioners are all the sources of noise. C. 90% of the residents are annoyed by noise. D. Heavy traffic should be kept away from residential areas according to the meeting. 63. Brisbane City Council brought together citizens to talk through solutions to the noise problem mainly due to . A. the result of the survey carried out by itself B. a noise complaints system that works C. people asking for tougher laws on noise D. requirements of an effective noise complaints system |