(2025届吉林省长春市高三下学期模拟预测(四)英语试题(含听力))Mike Pavlik, a 51-year-old part-timer at Trader Joe’s, leads a double life. When he’s not at his day job, he serves as an amateur “detective”, working tirelessly for Twin Cities Stolen Bikes. This volunteer group, with its 11,000-member Facebook page, has become a beacon (灯塔) of hope for bike owners in Minneapolis.
One day, Pavlik received a tip about a stolen bike being sold online. He decided to take matters into his own hands. Dressing up in a sport coat, he posed as a potential buyer. Meeting the seller, he carefully noted the bike’s make, model, and markings, quickly confirming it was the stolen property he was after. When the seller asked for collateral (抵押品) for a test-ride, Pavlik managed to convince him otherwise and pedaled away with the bike, much to the seller’s later annoyance.
Pavlik’s actions are not just about recovering bikes; they’re about bringing joy to victims and justice to the wronged. “I love making someone who’s been victimized happy,” he says, “and I enjoy giving thieves a taste of their own medicine.”
Stolen Bikes NOLA, a similar organization in New Orleans with nearly 6,000 Facebook followers, also plays a crucial role. Clark Thompson, their spokesman, tells a story of a man who lost his $50 Walmart bike. For this man, the bike was his only means of getting to work. Thanks to the efforts of Stolen Bikes NOLA, the bike was recovered, and the man’s livelihood was saved.
These volunteer-run groups operate in a challenging environment. Bike theft has skyrocketed, especially with the rise of expensive e-bikes. In North America, close to 2 million bikes are stolen annually, causing huge losses to cyclists. Police, burdened with manpower shortages, often struggle to keep up. But these volunteers, driven by passion and a sense of justice, continue their mission. They search online platforms like Facebook. Their work is not without danger, but the rewards, seeing the smiles on the faces of reunited owners, make it all worthwhile.
42.Why did Mike Pavlik ride away with the bike during the test-ride?
A.To test its performance.
B.To return it to the owner.
C.To avoid leaving collateral.
D.To gather evidence for the police.
43.What motivates Pavlik to recover stolen bikes according to the text?
A.Seeking public approval.
B.Gaining material rewards.
C.Restoring a moral balance.
D.Chasing thrilling experiences.
44.What can be inferred about the work of these volunteer groups?
A.It is risky and rewarding.
B.It is easy and trouble-free.
C.It is unfulfilling and fruitless.
D.It is uneventful and thankless.
45.What is a suitable title for the text?
A.Bike Theft: A Serious Problem
B.Theft Prevention: New Strategies
C.Police Shortage: An Urgent Issue
D.Volunteers: Bike Recovery Heroes
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