Madrid has ordered nearly half of the private cars off the roads on Thursday to deal with

Madrid has ordered nearly half of the private cars off the roads on Thursday to deal with the worsening air pollution, a first in Spain.

The restriction (限令) will operate between 6.30 a.m. and 9 p.m. every day. The city government said in a statement: “Vehicles with even-number registration plates (偶数牌照) will be allowed to drive around on even-number days and the rest cars on the rest days.”

The measure works when levels of harmful NO₂ in the atmosphere go above 200 micrograms in every 1in at least two measuring stations for two days running, and if the air is unlikely to clear soon.

On Thursday, the city environment officer Ines Sabanes said the restriction would not be carried out as pollution levels had dropped by the required amount. Other measures, including a ban on street parking for non-local vehicles and reduced speed limits, will continue. There are exceptions to the restriction, such as for hybrid (混合动力的) cars, those carrying three people or more or used by disabled people. Buses, taxis and emergency vehicles are not encompassed, either. “It’s not about traffic restrictions but about the important issue of public health,” deputy mayor Marta Higueras said. “Lots of people suffer from breathing problems and are very affected by pollution.”

With 3.2 million people and 1.8 million cars, Madrid often suffers from bad pollution. The move to ban half of the cars is Level Three on a series of four measures to prevent pollution. Level Four bans taxis from the city, except those that are hybrid cars.

29. According to the statement of the city government, _________.

   A. the restriction only works by day        B. the restriction only works on private cars

   C. every restricted car is restricted nearly half a month in a whole month

   D. Vehicles are restricted depending on the first number of registration plates

30. According to the passage, vehicles driven from other cities will not be ______.

   A. allowed to park on Madrid’s streets      B. included in a speed limit

   C. restricted if pollution levels drop           D. allowed to drive on Madrid’s streets

31. What does the underlined word “encompassed” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?

   A. punished      B. encouraged           C. accepted         D. included

32. If the air pollution in Madrid becomes worse, _______.

   A. the government will punish more people   B. more cars will be kept out of the roads

   C. new traffic restrictions will be carried out  D. more hybrid cars will disappear from the road

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