In many parts of the world, cars play an important role in daily life and many societies would not exist without them. So the idea that in 20 years’ time, no one will own cars may be hard to believe. But this is the prediction made by a team of transport researchers, which are taken seriously, not only by government but also by car manufacturers.
The Human Science and Advanced Technology Institute at Loughborough in the UK is part of an international research program. The team there believes that by 2030 all cars will be computerized, which will mean much saving, no accidents and better use of roads. The super-intelligent car of the 21st century will drive itself, and it will not be owned by one individual. Instead, we will have a choice of cars and change them as frequently as we change our clothing.
According to Dr. David Davis, who leads the research team, these predictions are based on the rising cost of the car culture, which had blocked up our cities, polluted our air, and caused more deaths than both world wars put together.
Davis says, cars will be fitted with some intelligent devices to regulate the distance between one car and another. The car will automatically (自动的) speed up, or slow down, to match the speed of the car in front. Computers are much safer drivers than people, so cars in a road train will be able to drive much closer together than cars driven by people.
By 2020. Dr. David Davis believes, car technology will give motorists a clear view of the road, whatever the weather conditions, by projecting an image of the road ahead on to the car’s windscreen. And by 2030, cars will travel in convoy, linked to each other electronically. Cars will be connected to the car in front, just like a train. “The front vehicle in such a train burns the normal amount of fuel.” says Davis. ‘‘But all the others in the train would burn about ten percent of the normal amount, and so produce about ten percent of the pollution.”
We know from the passage that governments and car manufacturers_______.
A. are devoted to the technological revolution in car industry
B. consider the predictions seriously
C. do not believe the prediction that no one will own cars by 2030
D. have put the super-intelligent car into mass production
Which of the following will be the characteristic of the cars of 2030?
A. The car will speed up out of control.
B. We will own as many cars as we want.
C. Cars will produce more pollution than present ones.
D. All cars will be driven by computers.
The expression closest in meaning to the phrase “in convoy” in the last paragraph is________.
A. sidelong B. in line
C. side by side D. shoulder to shoulder
What will happen if cars are joined to each other electronically in 2020?
A. There will be less pollution caused by car.
B. Motorists will get a clear view of the road.
C. The weather condition will not have effect On motorists.
D. All trains will burn less fuel than present.