Question

In Europe, small cars have always been more popular than large cars. In the United States, large cars and midsize cars are more popular than smaller cars. As a result, European automakers used to make different kinds of small cars while American automakers used to build bigger, heavier cars. However, these days, automakers in both America and Europe produce cars of different sizes. This is because most automakers sell their cars all over the world.

The price of gasoline (汽油) is one reason for differences in car choices. Since gasoline is more expensive in Europe, many Europeans want smaller, lighter cars that will travel a long way on a gallon (加仑) of gasoline.

Other reasons also enter into the big or little car decision. Many European cities have narrow, winding (弯曲的) streets. In these cities a small car is easier to control than a large one.

For a long time, few Americans bought small cars. Instead they chose large cars, because these roomy cars were more comfortable for large families and long trips. Some people also liked the powerful engines (发动机) that large cars had. Since gasoline was cheap, drivers did not mind that the large cars used a lot of gasoline.

But in the 1970s, there were gasoline shortages in the United States. The price of gasoline went up. Though large cars were still more popular than smaller cars, sales of small cars  increased. Some people also bought small cars because these cars caused less air pollution than larger cars.

Today, Americans’ car choices are still changing. Though Americans are still buying many small cars, the fastest growing sales are for certain kinds of large cars. These types of cars are called minivans and sport utility vehicles (SUV). They are very popular today. But of course, that could change tomorrow.

1.Which of the following does the article lead you to believe?

A. Sport utility vehicles are small cars.

B. Minivans are becoming less popular.

C. European car companies sell many cars in America.

D. Cars with powerful engines caused less air pollution.

2.What does the word “roomy” in Paragraph 4 mean?

A. having much space    B. having little space

C. having a large room    D. having a small room

3.What can we infer (推断) from the article?

A. Small cars are better than large cars.

B. The price of gasoline is always rising.

C. Large cars will always be popular in the United States.

D. People like to have different kinds of cars to choose from.

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.D

【解析】本文介绍了人们选择不同的汽车，以及他们选择汽车的原因。

1.C

推理判断题。根据However, these days, automakers in both America and Europe produce cars of different sizes. This is because most automakers sell their cars all over the world.可知欧洲在世界各地卖他们的汽车，故推断欧洲汽车公司在美国买了很多汽车，故选C。

2.A

词义猜测题。根据Instead they chose large cars, because these roomy cars were more comfortable for large families and long trips.可知此处汽车是大空间的，故选A。

3.D

推理判断题。根据Today, Americans’ car choices are still changing. Though Americans are still buying many small cars, the fastest growing sales are for certain kinds of large cars.可知人们对汽车的选择不同，因此他们喜欢有不同类型的汽车可以选择，故选D。

点睛：根据题干要求，在文中寻找答案所在读语句或段落，进行分析理解，词义猜测，概括归纳和推理判断，选出正确的选项。例如小题2，根据Instead they chose large cars, because these roomy cars were more comfortable for large families and long trips.可知此处汽车是大空间的，故选A。