Question

For environmental reasons, Britain will ban all new petro-and diesel-powered vehicles from its roads beginning in 23 years, a government report says.

The plan, expected Wednesday, aims to start removing petrol and diesel engines in 2040. It follows a similar official statement in France and comes after the British government was ordered by the High Court to develop new plans to reduce NO2 in the air. Judges ruled that previous clean-air plans were not enough to meet European Union pollution limits in the coming years.

Britain’s government has said the poor air quality has an unnecessary and avoidable negative effect on citizens’ health, and costs up to $ 3.5 billion in annual lost productivity.

Part of the new plan involves an offer of $ 260 million to local governments to change rules where vehicle emissions(排放) are over EU standards. Ideas so far include changing road layouts, reprogramming traffic lights and charging a fee for the oldest and most polluting cars on the road.

The plan also includes $1.3 billion for government purchase of extreme-low-emission vehicles, nearly $ 130 million to improve infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations and $ 378 million for remodeling existing vehicles.

Climate change is also a reason for the plan to get these vehicles off the road. “We can’t carry on with petrol and diesel cars,” Environment Secretary Michael Gove said. “It’s important we all prepare for a significant change which deals not just with the problems of health caused by emissions, but the broader problems caused in terms of accelerating climate change.”

Gove added that local communities are partly responsible for coming up with ways to limit emissions, including possible limitations on commuters(上下班往返者) and the addition of cleaner mass transportation options. Local leaders are called on to draw up “appropriate plans” to deal with climate challenges related to emission, he said.

1.Why does the British government decide on this ban?

A. To focus on its citizens’ health.    B. To follow in France’s footsteps.

C. To promote solar energy in transport.    D. To respond to the court’s request.

2.Which measure may the British government take to achieve its plan?

A. Changing the way roads are arranged.    B. Removing old and high-emission vehicles.

C. Spending some money on electric vehicles.    D. Limiting the number of traffic lights.

3.What can be inferred from Gove’s words?

A. Convenient public transportation is badly needed.

B. United efforts are required to achieve the plan.

C. Vehicle emissions are the key factor in climate change.

D. Petrol and diesel cars may hold back economic progress.

4.What is the suitable title for this passage?

A. Practical ways to reduce vehicle emissions

B. Britain plans to take petrol and diesel engines off roads

C. The EU forces Britain to improve the poor air quality

D. Relationship between vehicle emissions and climate change

Answer

1. D

2. A

3. B

4. D

【解析】

本文属于说明文，介绍英国计划取缔化石燃料汽车转而使用低排放量的汽车，目的是为了保护环境，提升空气质量。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段It follows a similar official statement in France and some after the British government was ordered by the High Court to develop new plans to reduce NO2 in the air.可知，英国政府提出这一计划是为了满足最高法院的要求，故选D。

2.细节理解题。根据第五段The plan also includes $1.3 billion for government purchase of extreme-low-emission vehicles, nearly $130 million to improve infrastructure for electric vehicle charging stations and $378 million for remodeling existing vehicles.可知，该计划包括13亿美元的极低排放的汽车的购买，故选A。

3.推理判断题。根据最后一段Gove added that local communities are partly responsible for coming up with ways to limit emissions, including possible limitations on commuters(上下班往返者) and the addition of cleaner mass transportation options. Local leaders are called on to draw up “appropriate plans” to deal with climate challenges related to emission, he said.可知，当地政府需要提出多种办法来确保计划的顺利实施，故选B。

4.主旨大意题。根据第一段For environmental reasons, Britain will ban all new petro-and diesel-powered vehicles from its roads beginning in 23 years, a government report says.可知，本文主要讲述英国禁止化石燃料汽车的运行，因而选D。