Question

    For many of us, summertime means road trips to the beach or mountains, or at the very least some additional dust and bird poop on the exterior of our vehicles. The extra dirt leads us to do one of two things: wash our car in the driveway or head to the car wash. But which choice is better for the environment?

The main concerns with either choice are the amount of fresh water being used and the types of chemicals used to remove the dirt. Both of these concerns can be closely monitored when washing the car at home, says Katy Gresh, spokeswoman for the Southwest Region of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. She advises car owners to put aside a set amount of water for the entire wash. “It’s just like brushing your teeth,” she says, “You don’t want to leave the water running of more than you need for the job.” But even following this advice comes with an environmental risk: Washing your car in the driveway or street flushes the dirty water into storm drains.

John Schombert, executive director of 3 Rivers Wet Weather, his organization works to educate the public about storm sewers (下水道) and water runoff, keeping this untreated water from entering the Allegheny region’s waterways. “We ask people to, consider washing their cars on lawns or other permeable (透水的) surfaces where the water gets absorbed,” Schombert says. “Soil can break down and help filter (过滤) those things,” Schombert says. “Storm sewers are not made for waste disposal.” Even when car owners use natural soaps to wash their cars, which Schombert says are probably ineffective at breaking down grease anyway.

The commercial car wash down the street knows full well the rules regarding wastewater in storm sewers. According to the International Carwash Association (ICA), professional car washes must use water reclamation systems. These mandated processes not only keep the dirty water out of storm sewers and regular water treatment systems, but they also work to reduce water usage at commercial facilities.

1.What worries people when they have their cars washed?

A.The dirt cannot be removed easily.

B.Larger quantities of water are wasted.

C.The washing ways do no good to their cars.

D.The used chemicals are harmless to the environment.

2.What’s the disadvantage of washing cars at home?

A.It is not easy to deal with.

B.It cannot clean the dirt completely.

C.It consumes a larger amount of water.

D.It does much damage to the environment.

3.What is John’s company mainly about?

A.Purifying untreated water.

B.Helping the public protect waterways.

C.Advocating controlling soil and water loss.

D.Raising the public’s awareness of air protection.

4.What can be the best title of the text?

A.Do you put car washing at risk?

B.Which is better: Car wash or DIY?

C.Why dish washers are better than hand washing?

D.Do Americans use less water than they did years ago?

Answer

1.B

2.D

3.B

4.B

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。主要说明了在家洗车会对环境有害，而商业洗车店对雨水下水道的污水处理规则了如指掌，以及专业洗车必须使用水回收系统。这些强制的过程不仅使污水不进入雨水下水道和常规的水处理系统，而且还有助于减少商业设施的用水。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段中“It’s just like brushing your teeth,” she says, “You don’t want to leave the water running of more than you need for the job.”（ “这就像刷牙一样，”她说，“你不想让水流得比所需的更多。”）可知人们在外边洗车时，担心会浪费掉更多的水。故选B。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段中的“But even following this advice comes with an environmental risk： Washing your car in the driveway or street flushes the dirty water into storm drains.”（但即使遵循这一建议，也会带来环境风险在车道或街道上洗车会将脏水冲进雨水沟。）可知，在家自己洗车对环境有害处。故选D。

3.细节理解题。根据第三段中的“his organization works to educate the public about storm sewers and water runoff, keeping this untreated water from entering the Allegheny region’s waterways.（他的公司致力于教育公众有关雨水水道和水径流的知识，防止未经处理的水进入阿勒格尼地区的水道）”可知约翰的公司主要帮助公众保护水道。故选B。

4.主旨大意题。根据文章第一段最后一句“The extra dirt leads us to do one of two things: wash our car in the driveway or head to the car wash. But which choice is better for the environment?（这些额外的脏东西会让我们做以下两件事之一：在私人车道上洗车，还是去洗车处洗车。但是哪种选择对环境更好呢？）”以及结合文章主要内容可知，本文主要介绍了在专业洗车店里洗车和自己动手洗车，到底哪个对环境更有益处，故B选项“洗车处和自己动手洗车哪个更好?”符合文章标题。故选B。