Question

      Think of London and you’re likely to think of the city’s famous bright red

double-deckers buses. Think of Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok, and the noisy

tuk-tuk ( 三轮摩托车) may come to mind. Picture the American city of San

Francisco and you might see the city’s trolleybuses.

   Imagining what these cities would look like without their red buses, tuk-tuks or

trolleybuses is difficult. They are symbols of these cities that make them different

from anywhere else in the world. However, these city symbols, which are so loved

by tourists, are not always so well loved by their city leaders. City leaders want what

is best for their city, which often means the most modern transport.

   In Thailand, Bangkok city authorities have forbidden new tuk-tuks because

they consider them noisy and polluting. However, the ban has largely been

unsuccessful, as it has not changed Thai people’s preference for the inexpensive

tuk-tuks over taxis.

  In London, the city’s first ever mayor got rid of the red double-decker buses,

which he thought were old-fashioned, by selling them to other countries. His plan worked,

but Londoners were upset to lose the charming old buses they believed represented the

best of their city. They made their upset felt, when the major came up for re-election last

year. Most Londoners voted for his competitor who promised to bring the bus back. Now

an improved version of the double--decker bus will hit London’s streets in 2012..

    As for San Francisco, several trolleybuses remain in use but mainly as tourist

attractions. They are too slow to be used for anything other than scenic trips.

    City transport symbols may have a place in their city people’s hearts, but it seems

they are increasingly out of step with the modern world. As Londoners have proved, their

continued life depends on people’s willingness to fight for their survival.

36. What’s the purpose of writing the first paragraph ?

A. To show the cultural significance of several cities’ unique transport systems

B. To introduce some old-fashioned means of transport, which are symbols of

three tourist cities.

C. To use the old transport symbols to attract more tourists to visit the cities.

D. To explain why those cities are popular with tourists around the world.

37. Bangkok’s ban on tul-tuks is unsuccessful due to ____.

A. people’s unawareness of environmental protection

B. tourists’ preference for tuk-tuks over taxis

C. the lack of severe punishment for violation(违规)

D. Locals’ willingness to take the tuk-tuks

38. The London double-decker bus is returning mainly because ____.

A. it is an improved version B. the new mayor also loves it

C. it is popular with tourists D. Londoners fought for it

39. We can conclude from reading the passage that ____.

A. tourist cities will lose their charm if their old transport symbols disappear

B. a modern city should get rid of inefficient old transport

C. old city transport symbols now face the problem of survival

D. the writer is in favor of keeping the old city transport symbols

                             

Answer 1

BDDC