题目内容

5、The car has many advantages. Above all, it offers people freedom to go where they want to go, when they want to go there. The basic purpose of a car is to get from point A to point B as cheaply, quickly, and safely as possible. However, to most people, cars are also personal dream machines that serve as symbols of power, success, speed, excitement, and adventure. In addition, much of the world’s economy is built on producing cars and supplying roads, services, and repairs for those cars. Half of the world’s paychecks are cars related. In the United States, one of every six dollars spent and one of every six nonfarm jobs are connected to cars or related industries, such as oil, steel, rubber, plastics, car services , and highway construction.

In spite of their advantages, cars have many harmful effects on human lives and on air, water, land, and wildlife resources. The car may be the most destructive machine ever invented. Riding in cars is one of the most dangerous things we do in our daily lives. Since 1885, when Karl Benz built the first car, almost 18 million people have been killed by cars. Every year, cars and trucks worldwide kill an average of 250,000 people. Half of the world’s people will be involved in the tragic car accident--- at some time during their lives.

In 1907, the average speed of horse-drawn cars through New York City was 18.5 kilometers per hour. Today, cars and trucks with the power of 100 to 300 horses travel very slowly along New York City streets at an average speed of 8 kilometers per hour.

Streets that used to be for people are now for cars. Pedestrians and bicyclists in the streets suffer a lot from noise, pollution, stress, and danger.

Cars are the largest source of air pollution. In the United States, they produce at least 50% of the country’s air pollution. What do you think should be done?

1．Which question is NOT answered in the passage?             

       A．How many people work in jobs related to the car industry?

       B．When was the first car built?

       C．Why are there so many car accidents every year?

       D．What effect do the cars have on the environment?

2．We can know from the passage that cars        .      

       A．play an important part in the world’s economy

       B．are becoming less dangerous

       C．will produce less air pollution in the future

       D．are the most dangerous machines ever invented

3．Which of the following statements can be inferred from the passage?      

       A．Today, there are no horse-drawn vehicles in New York City.

       B．It takes longer to get around New York City today than in the past.

       C．In 1907, the streets in New York City were wider and in better condition.

       D．People will use horse-drawn cars in the near future.

4．What would be the best title for the passage?

     A．Cars---Number One Killer                  B．The Effect of Cars on the Air

     C．Advantages and Disadvantages of cars        D．Cars---Status Symbol