Question

Like all big cities, Paris has a traffic problem: lots of traffic jams and lots of pollution from exhaust fumes. So in 2007, the city began a scheme(計(jì)劃) to improve the situation.

Under the Velib scheme(bicycle freedom), people can take a bicycle, use it for as long as they want, and then leave it at the same or another bicycle station. The first half-hour on the bike is free, but if you don’t return it after 30 minutes, you have to pay. But it’s only 1 euro a day or 29 euros a year! The bicycles are heavy (25 kilograms). They are all grey and have baskets. There are about 20,000 of them in the city, and around 1,450 bicycle stations. So there are a lot more Velib stations than the 298 metro stations!

Paris is not the first city to have a scheme like this — not even in France. Many years ago, Lyon started a free bicycle scheme. However, not everybody in Paris thinks it’s a great idea. One Parisian said, “These bicycles are only for short journeys. If people want to travel across the city, they won’t use a bicycle; they’ll still use their cars.”

A city spokesman said, “The bicycle scheme won’t solve all of our traffic problems, of course. But it might reduce pollution levels in the atmosphere. Traffic, together with factory fumes, is a big problem. Everyone knows about global warming. We know this is partly because rainforests are disappearing, but it’s also because there’s so much pollution in the world. We can help improve the situation right here. The Velib bikes might help people to lead a healthier life, too.”

“There aren’t any simple answers to traffic problems and pollution in cities,” the spokesman added. “But unless we do something now, there will be more traffic jams and temperatures will continue to rise. The problems in our environment will only get worse.”

1.How did Paris improve the situation of its traffic problem?

A.It built many bicycle stations. B.It is renting heavy bicycles to visitors.

C.It sold more bicycles to people. D.It is providing shared bikes for people.

2.How much will you have to pay if you use the bike for 45 minutes?

A.29 euros. B.1.5 euros. C.1 euro. D.Nothing.

3.According to the city spokesman, which of the following statements is true?

A.Traffic is not the only cause of global warming.

B.There aren’t any solutions to the city’s traffic problems.

C.Riding bikes is a perfect way to solve pollution problems.

D.It’s better to drive a car than to ride a bike to travel across the city.

4.What of the following is NOT a way to deal with global warming?

A.Using bicycles often. B.Protecting the rainforests.

C.Reducing factory fumes. D.Traveling across a city by car.

5.Which of the following may be a suitable title for the passage?

A.Traffic Jams in Paris B.Taking Action for the Environment

C.Bicycles and the Future D.The Advantages of the Velib Scheme

Answer 1