Question

    Like all big cities, Paris has a traffic problem: lots of traffic jams and lots of pollution from exhaust fumes. So in 2007, the city began a scheme(计划) to improve the situation.

Under the Velib scheme(bicycle freedom), people can take a bicycle, use it for as long as they want, and then leave it at the same or another bicycle station. The first half-hour on the bike is free, but if you don’t return it after 30 minutes, you have to pay. But it’s only 1 euro a day or 29 euros a year! The bicycles are heavy (25 kilograms). They are all grey and have baskets. There are about 20,000 of them in the city, and around 1,450 bicycle stations. So there are a lot more Velib stations than the 298 metro stations!

Paris is not the first city to have a scheme like this — not even in France. Many years ago, Lyon started a free bicycle scheme. However, not everybody in Paris thinks it’s a great idea. One Parisian said, “These bicycles are only for short journeys. If people want to travel across the city, they won’t use a bicycle; they’ll still use their cars.”

A city spokesman said, “The bicycle scheme won’t solve all of our traffic problems, of course. But it might reduce pollution levels in the atmosphere. Traffic, together with factory fumes, is a big problem. Everyone knows about global warming. We know this is partly because rainforests are disappearing, but it’s also because there’s so much pollution in the world. We can help improve the situation right here. The Velib bikes might help people to lead a healthier life, too.”

“There aren’t any simple answers to traffic problems and pollution in cities,” the spokesman added. “But unless we do something now, there will be more traffic jams and temperatures will continue to rise. The problems in our environment will only get worse.”

1.How did Paris improve the situation of its traffic problem?

A.It built many bicycle stations. B.It is renting heavy bicycles to visitors.

C.It sold more bicycles to people. D.It is providing shared bikes for people.

2.How much will you have to pay if you use the bike for 45 minutes?

A.29 euros. B.1.5 euros. C.1 euro. D.Nothing.

3.According to the city spokesman, which of the following statements is true?

A.Traffic is not the only cause of global warming.

B.There aren’t any solutions to the city’s traffic problems.

C.Riding bikes is a perfect way to solve pollution problems.

D.It’s better to drive a car than to ride a bike to travel across the city.

4.What of the following is NOT a way to deal with global warming?

A.Using bicycles often. B.Protecting the rainforests.

C.Reducing factory fumes. D.Traveling across a city by car.

5.Which of the following may be a suitable title for the passage?

A.Traffic Jams in Paris B.Taking Action for the Environment

C.Bicycles and the Future D.The Advantages of the Velib Scheme

Answer

1.D

2.C

3.A

4.D

5.B

【解析】

这是一篇说明文，主要讲述免费共享自行车的实施，共享单车虽然不能解决所有交通问题，但是可以减少空气污染水平；对于交通问题和城市污染问题虽没有简单的解决办法，但是不采取措施，环境问题只会更严重。

1.

细节理解题。根据第二段“Under the Velib scheme(bicycle freedom), people can take a bicycle, use it for as long as they want, and then leave it at the same or another bicycle station”可知巴黎通过共享单车的方式改进交通问题。故选D。

2.

细节理解题。根据第二段“The first half-hour on the bike is free, but if you don’t return it after 30 minutes, you have to pay. But it’s only 1 euro a day”可知最开始半小时是免费的，一天只要1欧元。使用45分钟只需要1欧元。故选C。

3.

推理判断题。根据第四段“The bicycle scheme won’t solve all of our traffic problems, of course. But it might reduce pollution levels in the atmosphere. Traffic, together with factory fumes, is a big problem. Everyone knows about global warming. We know this is partly because rainforests are disappearing, but it’s also because there’s so much pollution in the world”可知共享单车不能解决所有的交通问题，，但是可以减少大气的污染水平。交通和工厂的废气都是大问题。交通不是全球变暖的唯一原因，雨林消失是部分原因但是主要是因为世界有如此多的污染；可推断A选项表述正确。故选A。

4.

推理判断题。根据第四段“Traffic, together with factory fumes, is a big problem. Everyone knows about global warming. We know this is partly because rainforests are disappearing, but it’s also because there’s so much pollution in the world”可知交通、工厂废气、雨林消失都是全球变暖的原因，推断出经常使用自行车、保护雨林、减少工厂废气都是解决全球变暖的方法，D选项使用轿车穿过城市则不是，故选D。

5.

标题概括题。文章前三段讲述了免费共享自行车的实施，第四段和第五段讲述了共享单车虽然不能解决所有交通问题，但是可以减少空气污染水平；对于交通问题和城市污染问题虽没有简单的解决办法，但是不采取措施，环境问题只会更严重。由此可见概括文章的标题Taking Action for the Environment。故选B。