A
(2019·广州调研测试)Petrol and diesel cars may still dominate our roads，but their days are numbered. A recent university study found that current electric cars could be used for 87 per cent of daily car journeys in the U．S. That figure could rise to 98 per cent by 2020.
One hurdle to the widespread adoption of electric cars has been “range anxiety”—drivers’ concerns about running out of juice on a journey. While petrol stations are conveniently located across national road systems，the necessary network of electric charging stations is still being developed. That said，charging points are becoming increasingly common throughout the U．S.A.
Attitudes towards electric vehicles have changed quite considerably over the last few years. Not that long ago，electric cars were met with distrust，and their large price tags drove customers away. Thanks to improvements in battery capacity，recharging times，performance and price，the current generation of electric cars is starting to persuade critics. Plugin cars will soon give internal combustion engine models a run for their money.
As well as advancements on the road，electric vehicles are taking to the seas and skies. Electric boats are among the oldest methods of electric travel，having enjoyed several decades of popularity from the late 19th to the early 20th century before petrolpowered outboard motors took over. Now，the global drive for renewable energy sources is bringing electric boats back. Steps towards electric air travel are also being made，with Airbus and NASA among the organizations developing and testing battery powered planes. The experiments could soon make commercial electric flight a reality.
Electric vehicles do not produce any emissions. Were the U．S. to act on the study’s findings and replace 87 per cent of its cars with electric vehicles，it would reduce the national demand for petrol by 61 per cent. However，because of the production processes and the generation of electricity required to charge these vehicles，they cannot claim to be completely emissionfree. That said，as many countries continue to increase their use of renewable energy sources，electric vehicles will become even cleaner.
【解题导语】 本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了汽油车和柴油车将逐步被电动汽车代替以及电动交通工具在未来的发展。
1．Which is the best title for this passage?
A．My Dream Car
B．History of Electric Cars
C．Problems with Petrol Cars
D．Driving into the Future
D 解析：标题归纳题。通读全文可知，本文主要介绍了汽油车和柴油车将逐步被电动汽车代替以及电动交通工具在未来的发展。D项“驶向未来”形象地概括了文章的主旨，故选D项。
2．As used in Paragraph 2，the underlined word “hurdle” means “ ”．
A．aim B．barrier
C．consequence D．step
B 解析：词义猜测题。根据第二段中的“drivers’ concerns about running out of juice on a journey”可知，司机担心在路上没电的问题。因此，这是电动汽车普及的一个障碍，故选B项。
3．In the past，why did many people refuse to buy the electric cars?
A．They were not good value.
B．They were very poorly made.
C．They were not widely promoted.
D．They couldn’t travel at a high speed.
A 解析：细节理解题。根据第三段中的“Not that long ago，electric cars were met with distrust，and their large price tags drove customers away.”可知，人们是被当时这种电动汽车的价格吓跑的；根据该段中的“Thanks to...to persuade critics.”可知，随着电池容量、可充电次数的增加、汽车性能的改善和价格的优化，这一代电动汽车已经开始吸引消费者购买了。这说明以前的电动汽车在各方面还不够完善，人们认为不值那个价钱。故选A项。
4．What is the function of Paragraph 4?
A．To introduce the history of electric travel.
B．To explain why the world needs more electric cars.
C．To show why more people have interest in electric cars.
D．To describe different ways electric vehicles can be used.
D 解析：段落大意题。根据第四段中的“electric vehicles are taking to the seas and skies”可知，除了在公路上，其他地方也可以使用电动交通工具。故选D项。
