B
Have you ever seen drones(无人机) in the sky? What can they be used for? Can they only be used for taking fantastic photos? Can a small group of drones make railways safe, and
at the same time, help railway companies save money? That is the very likely future of applying today’s “eyes in the sky” technology to make sure that railways are safe for trains.
Drones have already been used to check power lines. They could do the same thing to check railway lines and other important things, such as the correct position of the railway and turning points. The more regularly they can be checked, the more railway safety, reliability(可靠性) and on-time performance will be improved. Costs would be cut and operations would be more efficient(有效的) across the board.
That includes huge savings in maintenance costs and better protection of railway workers' safety. It is said that European railways alone spend around 20 billion euros a year on maintenance for sending maintenance workers, often at night, to check and repair the railway. That can be dangerous work which could be avoided with the help of drones.
By using the latest technologies, drones could also start providing higher-value services for railways, exploring mistakes in the railway before they cause any safety problems. To perform these tasks, drones don't need to be flying overhead. Engineers are now working on a new idea. Very small drones with AI will travel ahead of the train and guide it without drivers. With their ability to see ahead, they could find any problem so that fast-moving trains would be able to react(作出反应) in time.
()56. How does the writer start the passage?
A. By asking questions. B. By listing numbers.
C. By comparing facts. D. By telling a story.
()57. Why does the writer think drones can be used in railways?
A. Because it's safer to use drones.
B. Because it's cheaper to use drones.
C. Because drones can perform operations.
D. Because drones can check power lines.
()58. The underlined word "maintenance" means "".
A. workers' safety B. railway safety
C. buying drones D. checking and repairing
()59. According to the passage, what can drones do on railways in the future?
A. Help make more money. B. Let trains run faster.
C. Make trains run by themselves. D. Plan railway routes.
()60. What's the best title for the passage?
A. The Super Drones B. Drones' Influence on Railways
C. Railways in the Future D. Drones in the Future

56.A 57.D 58.D 59.C 60.B

【分析】
本题为英语阅读理解题，解题思路是先通读全文把握文章主旨，再针对每个小题回到原文定位关键信息，逐一分析选项，排除错误选项后选出正确答案。
【解析】
56题：原文开头连续使用四个问句（Have you ever seen drones...? What can they be used for?...），可知作者通过提问的方式开篇，对应选项A。
57题：原文第二段提到“Drones have already been used to check power lines. They could do the same thing to check railway lines...”，说明无人机可用于检查电力线，也能应用于铁路，对应选项D。
58题：根据第三段“spend around 20 billion euros a year on maintenance for sending maintenance workers... to check and repair the railway”，可知maintenance指“检查和维修”，对应选项D。
59题：原文第四段提到“Very small drones with AI will travel ahead of the train and guide it without drivers”，说明未来无人机可引导火车自动驾驶，对应选项C。
60题：全文围绕无人机在铁路领域的应用展开，讲述其保障安全、节省成本等作用，核心是无人机对铁路的影响，对应选项B。
【答案】
56.A 57.D 58.D 59.C 60.B
【知识点】
英语阅读理解、细节理解、词义猜测、主旨大意
【点评】
本题考查学生英语阅读理解的综合能力，涵盖细节定位、词义推测、主旨概括等考点，需学生结合原文信息逐一分析选项，难度适中。
【难度系数】
0.5