Thousands of farmers have called for daylight saving time to be shortened. Northern Tablelands Nationals MP Adam Marshall said regional farm kids were waiting in darkness for their school buses to arrive, particularly between October and April. "Those of us who are early risers - as most people are in the bush - know only too well the need to keep our body clock in check," he said. "Many rural people walk around bleary-eyed, forced to stay awake during a full day of light to get the job done after having to get up very early and in darkness because they are in a business environment that deals with countries all around the world."

Mr Marshall said a recent petition containing more than 3000 signatures from his neighborhood called for daylight savings to be shaved back by a month at each end. "It is the last four weeks in particular that go past the autumn equinox that cause a number of problems," he said. He noted the difficulty communities near Queensland faced in business and everyday life, with many people working or attending school interstate.

"The last month drags on for far too long and it is harm to the lives of rural people," Mr Marshall said. Again I call on the government and this parliament to change the original daylight saving arrangement. "The four months works well, it makes sense and I commend that view to the government."

Liberal Member for Kiama Gareth Ward ruled out any changes after putting it on the record that and "cows cannot tell the time". I make it clear that the government has no intention at this point of making changes to daylight saving," he said. "I even say to the Queensland Government that perhaps it should get on board with the first state and look at introducing daylight saving to agree with New South Wales so that Queensland businesses can do business more effectively with the number one economy in the nation."

1.The phrase “in the bush” may mean _____.

A having the trouble

B running all the way

C falling in love

D making friends

解析：选A。词意猜测题。从前面的were waiting in darkness for their school buses to arrive, particularly between October and April可以得知孩子和其他对着新的作息时间，很多人感觉到有麻烦应对，所以in the bush的意思为having the trouble。

2.When using daylight saving time, rural people have to ______.

A wait for the bus in line

B walk around with their eyes closed

C get up before the sunrise

D stay awake all night long

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第一段第四句的after having to get up very early and in darkness可以得知当使用夏令时的时候，人们需要在天亮之前就要起床。

3.What is Mr Marshall suggestion to the daylight saving time?

A It should be stopped.

B It should begin on the autumn equinox.

C It should be cut short.

D It should be stopped at the spring equinox.

解析：选C。推理判断题。根据第二段第一句的containing more than 3000 signatures from his neighborhood called for daylight savings to be shaved back by a month at each end可知他建议使用夏令时的时间要缩短。

4.Mr Marshall thinks the proper daylight saving time should be _____.

A Four weeks.

B Six weeks.

C Four months.

D Six months.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句的The four months works well, it makes sense and I commend that view to the government可知得知他认为夏令时四个月就是正好合适的。

5.Why did Kiama Gareth Ward think it’s necessary for Queensland to introduce daylight saving?

A Because they want to do business better.

B Because the government hate making money.

C Because the cows can’t sense the time.

D Because Queensland is the number one economy

解析：选A。推理判断题。根据第四段最后一句的Queensland businesses can do business more effectively with the number one economy in the nation可以得知他建议使用和南威尔士州一样的夏时制的原因是想和这个英国最大的经济体更好地做生意。