Since the automobile was introduced, almost three million Americans have been killed on the highways-about twice the number of Americans killed on the battlefield in all U.S. wars. In addition to the tragic loss of life, these accidents cost American society about $60 billion annually in lost income and in insurance, administrative, and legal expenses.
Streets that used to be for people are now for cars. Pedestrians and people riding bicycles in the streets are subjected to noise, pollution, stress, and danger.
Motor vehicles are the largest source of air pollution, producing a haze of smog over the world ' s cities. In the United States, they produce at least 50% of the country's air pollution.
46. Cars represent people' s _________.
[A] occupation [ B] identity
[C] life style [D] fame
47. According to the passage, the average number of people killed annually in traffic accidents around the world is __________.
[A] 18 million [B] 250,000
[ C ] half of the world ' s population [ D] 60 million
48. A serious environmental problem resulting from automobiles is _________.
[ A ] tragic loss of life [ B ] traffic jams
[ C ] air pollution [ D ] mental stress
49. It can be inferred from this passage that automobiles _________.
[ A ] are an important part of the world ' s economy
[ B ] are becoming less dangerous
[ C ] will produce less air pollution in the future
[ D ] are killing more people in recent years than in the past
50. The title that suits the passage best is _________.
[ A ] Automobile and Economy
[B] Automobile and the Environment
[ C ] The Problems with the Automobile