Question

【题目】 There are two ways of driving in the world: if the driver’s seat is on the left and cars travel on the right side of the road, it is called “left-hand driving”, as it is in China, while the other way of driving is called “right-hand driving”, as it is in Britain. Nowadays, around 65% of the world’s population drives on the right of the road, while the rest is used to driving on the left.

Though no one knows the exact reasons, it seems likely that people in ancient times travelled on the left of the road. Roman coins show pictures of horsemen passing on each other’s right. And right-hand people generally got on a horse from the animal’s left. Obviously, it’s safer to do this at the left side of the road, and it makes sense (行得通) for the horse to be ridden on the left.

A change happened in the late1700s. When Napoleon (拿破仑) conquered (攻占) nations, he forced them to travel on the right side of the road, which spread left-hand driving throughout Europe. However, Britain still stuck with the right-hand driving rule and countries which were part of the British Empire were made to follow. This is why India, Australia and the former British colonies (前英国殖民地) in Africa continue to drive on the left. One exception (例外,除外) is Egypt, as that country was defeated by Napoleon before becoming part of the British Empire.

Some countries changed sides until modern times. Sweden only moved to driving on the right in 1967 and Iceland changed the following year. Ghana changed sides in 1974. On September 7, 2009, Samoa became the third country ever to change from left-to- -right-hand- driving for the reason that it made it easier to import (进口) cheap cars from right-hand- driving Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

So if you want to travel to another country or go on business, make sure you know whether it is left-or right-hand driving to avoid unnecessary troubles.

【1】Which picture shows the correct driving in Britain?

A.B.

C.D.

【2】When did Iceland moved to driving on the right?

A.1967.B.1974.C.In 1968D.the late1700s.

【3】In modern times, countries follow the same driving way except ________.

A.AustraliaB.EgyptC.SwedenD.China

【4】Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A.Sweden changed to drive on the right in 1974.

B.People drive on the left side of the road in Egypt.

C.People have known the exact reasons for driving on the left.

D.Napoleon helped with the spread of left-hand driving.

【5】What is the writer’s purpose for writing this passage?

A.To explain the advantages of the two ways of driving.

B.To introduce the development of the two ways of driving.

C.To complain about the change of the two ways of driving.

D.To compare the differences of the two ways of driving.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】C

【2】C

【3】A

【4】D

【5】B

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了世界上有两种驾驶方式，左侧驾驶和右侧驾驶。没有人知道这种情况的明确原因。如果出去旅游或者出差，一定要确定所去国家是哪种方式，从而避免不必要的麻烦。

【1】推理判断题。根据第一自然段第一句“There are two ways of driving in the world: if the driver’s seat is on the left and cars travel on the right side of the road, it is called “left-hand driving”, as it is in China, while the other way of driving is called “right-hand driving”, as it is in Britain.”可知，如果司机位置在左边，车行驶在马路右侧，叫做左侧驾驶，中国就是；另外一种是右侧驾驶，比如英国。第三自然段第二句“However, Britain still stuck with the right-hand driving rule and countries....”可知，英国仍旧是右侧驾驶，推断司机位置在右边，车开在马路左边。故选C。

【2】细节理解题。根据第四自然段第二句“Sweden only moved to driving on the right in 1967 and Iceland changed the following year.”可知，瑞典1967年转到在马路右边开车，冰岛下一年进行的改变。故选C。

【3】细节理解题。根据第一自然段第一句“There are two ways of driving in the world: if the driver’s seat is on the left and cars travel on the right side of the road, it is called “left-hand driving”, as it is in China, while the other way of driving is called “right-hand driving”, as it is in Britain.”可知，如果司机位置在左边，车行驶在马路右侧，叫做左侧驾驶，中国就是；另外一种是右侧驾驶，比如英国。所以，中国是左侧驾驶。 根据第三自然段最后两句“This is why India, Australia and the former British colonies (前英国殖民地) in Africa continue to drive on the left. One exception (例外,除外) is Egypt, as that country was defeated by Napoleon before becoming part of the British Empire.”可知，印度和澳大利亚继续开在左边，是右侧驾驶，埃及是个例外，说明埃及是左侧驾驶。根据第四自然段第二句“Sweden only moved to driving on the right in 1967 and Iceland changed the following year.”可知，瑞典1967年转到在马路右边开车，成为左侧驾驶。故选A。

【4】细节理解题。根据第四自然段第二句“Sweden only moved to driving on the right in 1967 and Iceland changed the following year.”可知，瑞典1967年转到在马路右边开车，成为左侧驾驶。A错误；根据第三自然段最后两句“This is why India, Australia and the former British colonies (前英国殖民地) in Africa continue to drive on the left. One exception (例外,除外) is Egypt, as that country was defeated by Napoleon before becoming part of the British Empire.”可知，印度和澳大利亚继续开在左边，是右侧驾驶，埃及是个例外，埃及开在右边，说明埃及是左侧驾驶。B错误；根据第二段第一句“Though no one knows the exact reasons, it seems likely that people in ancient times travelled on the left of the road.”可知，人们不知道准确原因。C错误；根据第三段第二句“When Napoleon (拿破仑) conquered (攻占) nations, he forced them to travel on the right side of the road, which spread left-hand driving throughout Europe.”可知，拿破仑攻占国家，他强迫人们必须开到马路右边，左侧驾驶在全欧洲传播开来。D正确。故选D。

【5】作者意图题。A解释两种驾驶方式的优势。B介绍两种驾驶的发展。C抱怨两种驾驶方式的改变。D比较两种驾驶方式的不同。文章开头引出两种驾驶方式，说明了驾驶方式存在差别的确切原因不得而知，后面三四两段开头“A change happened in the late1700s. Some countries changed sides until modern times.”陈述了方式发生的变化，都是客观陈述。故选B。