Question

    Just under a decade ago, faced with a declining economy and rising oil prices, drivers were turning away from gas-powered vehicles and toward hybrid-electric cars (油电混合动力汽车) that promised, over time, to save them millions.

That was then, In recent years, as the economy recovered and gas prices dropped, so has demand for more-fuel-efficient cars. Electric cars and hybrids now make up less than 3% of new-car purchases, down from years past. Roughly 75% of Americas who traded in a hybrid or an electric car this year took home an all-gas car, an 11-point increase from 2015

At the same time, it's unreasonable to expect drivers to change their habits purely because of a sense of duty to build a better world. Buying a Toyota Camry, for example, would save its owner about $400 yearly in gas spending (vs. a similar-size all-gas vehicle). But it would also cost an extra $3000 in advance. For Americans, that payoff isn't worth the investment.

Automakers face this stalemate (僵局)? The government. Thanks to a set of regulations, automakers are required to keep improving their average fuel efficiencies to a certain degree, no matter how oil prices might change.

But starting a true green-car revolution will require more than fuel-efficiency standards. One solution, favored by some economists and environmental activists, is an increase in the gas tax, Which hasn't been raised since 1993. Others have suggested taxing carbon emission(排放), so people will rethink how they drive. In Norway, where drivers pay both fees, the electric cars from Tesla Motors have enjoyed a brief period as the country's top-selling vehicle.

Indeed, the best approach may well be to create the impossible: an electric car that actually offers more value than its gas-powered competitor. Many are trying, from Tesla to GM, which is releasing an inexpensive all-electric car this year. The future of driving is “not going to be determined by gas prices," says economist Jeff Sachs. “It's going to be determined by technology."

1.What change has taken place in the US car market?

A.Car purchases have dropped sharply

B.People are beginning to favor all-gas cars

C.Electric cars have become the most popular

D.Hybrid-electric cars have become more expensive

2.What do Americans think of the Toyota Camry hybrid?

A.It is a good investment

B.It is perfectly comfortable.

C.It has a price disadvantage.

D.It will change bad driving habits.

3.What can we infer about green cars in Norway?

A.They will slow they country's economy.

B.They may be a big potential market.

C.They will cause an increase in the gas tax.

D.They require higher fuel-efficiency standards.

4.Which of the following will Jeff Sachs probably agree with?

A.There will be more electric cars.

B.All-gas cars will be the general trend.

C.Gas-powered cars will cost much more.

D.Technology will affect driving negatively.

Answer

1.B

2.C

3.B

4.A

【解析】

本文为一篇说明文。文章说明了电动汽车在推广时所带来的窘境以及摆脱窘境的措施。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段“Roughly 75% of Americas who traded in a hybrid or an electric car this year took home an all-gas car, an 11-point increase from 2015” 今年，约75%的美国人购买了混合动力汽车或电动汽车，其中全油汽车的比例较2015年上升了11个百分点。美国人们开始喜欢全油汽车。故选B项。

2.推理判断题。根据第三段“Buying a Toyota Camry, for example, would save its owner about $400 yearly in gas spending (vs. a similar-size all-gas vehicle). But it would also cost an extra $3000 in advance. For Americans, that payoff isn't worth the investment.” 购买一辆丰田凯美瑞每年可以为车主节省大约400美元的汽油开支，但这需要提前支付额外的3000美元。对美国人来说，这种回报不值得投资。推测混合动力汽车不划算。故选C项。

3.推理判断题。根据倒数第二段“In Norway, where drivers pay both fees, the electric cars from Tesla Motors have enjoyed a brief period as the country's top-selling vehicle.” 特斯拉生产的电动汽车已经短时间内成为了挪威最畅销的汽车。推测挪威的绿色汽车可能是一个巨大的潜在市场。故选B项。

4.推理判断题。根据最后一段“The future of driving is “not going to be determined by gas prices," says economist Jeff Sachs. “It's going to be determined by technology."” 经济学家杰夫•萨克斯表示，未来的驾驶“不会由油价决定，而是由技术决定。”由此判断出他认为会有更多的电动汽车。故选A项。