Above all,it offers people freedom to go wherever and whenever they want to go.The basic purpose of amotor vehicle is to get from point A to point B as cheaply, quickly, and safely as possible.However, to most people, cars are also personal fantasy machines that serve as symbols of power,success,speed, excitement,and adventure. ln addition, much of the world's economy is built on producing motor vehicles and supplying roads,services, and repairs for those vehicles. Half of the world's paychecks are auto-related. In the United States, one of every six dollars spent and one of every six non-farm jobs are connected to the automobile or related industries,such as oil, steel,rubber,plastics,automobile services, and highway construction. ln spite of their advantages, motor vehicles have many harmful effects on human lives and on air,water,land. and wildlife resources. The automobile may be the most destructive machine ever invented.Though we tend to deny it,riding in cars is one of the most dangerous things we do in our daily lives. Since 1885,when Karl Benz built the first automobile,almost 18 million people have been killed by motor vehicles. Every year,cars and trucks worldwide kill an average of 250.000 people—as many as were killed in the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima(广岛)and Nagasaki(长崎)—and injure or permanently disable ten million more.Half of the world's people will be involved in an auto accident at some time during their Iives. Since the automobile was introduced,almost three million Americans have been killed on the highways—about twice the number of Americans killed on the battlefield(战场)in all US wars. In addition to the tragic(悲惨的)loss of life,these accidents cost American society about 60 billion annually in lost income and in insurance,administrative, and legal expenses. Streets that used to be for people are now for cars. Pedestrians and people riding bicycles in the streets are subjected to noise,pollution, stress,and danger. Motor vehicles are the largest source of air pollution,producing a haze(薄卖)of smog over the world's cities.In the United States,they produce at least 50% of the country's air pollution.1.What is mainly talked about in this passage?

      The automobile has many advantages. Above all,it offers people freedom to go wherever and whenever they want to go.The basic purpose of amotor vehicle is to get from point A to point B as cheaply, quickly, and safely as possible.However, to most people, cars are also personal fantasy machines that serve as symbols of power,success,speed, excitement,and adventure.

      ln addition, much of the world's economy is built on producing motor vehicles and supplying roads,services, and repairs for those vehicles. Half of the world's paychecks are auto-related. In the United States, one of every six dollars spent and one of every six non-farm jobs are connected to the automobile or related industries,such as oil, steel,rubber,plastics,automobile services, and highway construction.

      ln spite of their advantages, motor vehicles have many harmful effects on human lives and on air,water,land. and wildlife resources. The automobile may be the most destructive machine ever invented.Though we tend to deny it,riding in cars is one of the most dangerous things we do in our daily lives.

      Since 1885,when Karl Benz built the first automobile,almost 18 million people have been killed by motor vehicles.        Every year,cars and trucks worldwide kill an average of 250.000 people—as many as were killed in the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima(广岛)and Nagasaki(长崎)—and injure or permanently disable ten million more.Half of the world's people will be involved in an auto accident at some time during their Iives.

      Since the automobile was introduced,almost three million Americans have been killed on the highways—about twice the number of Americans killed on the battlefield(战场)in all US wars. In addition to the tragic(悲惨的)loss of life,these accidents cost American society about $60 billion annually in lost income and in insurance,administrative, and legal expenses.

      Streets that used to be for people are now for cars. Pedestrians and people riding bicycles in the streets are subjected to noise,pollution, stress,and danger.

      Motor vehicles are the largest source of air pollution,producing a haze(薄卖)of smog over the world's cities.In the United States,they produce at least 50% of the country's air pollution.

1.What is mainly talked about in this passage?

A. The advantages of the automobile.                  

B. The disadvantages of the automobile.

C. How the automobile affects people andsociety.

D. How the automobile affects the worldeconomy.

2.According to the passage, what is the most important reason for people to buy a car?

A. For convenience.

B. For fantasy.

C. For safety.

D. For adventure.

3.Averagely.,how many people are killed,injured or permanently disabled in car accidents each year according to the passage?

A. 250,000.

B. Three million.

C. Eighteen million. 

D. More than 10 million.

4.What is the meaning of "pedestrians" (Para.6)?

A. People driving cars.

B. People on foot.

C. People taking a bus. 

D. People riding bicycles.

5.Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A. Motor vehicles produce at least 50%ofworld's air pollution.

B. The world's economy isbased onautomobile industry.

C. Riding in cars is very safe.

D. Half of the world's people will be involvedin an auto accident in their lives.