1.
Read the article about electric cars. A few years ago everyone was talking about the new electric cars. These cars were cleaner and quieter andthey were going to be the answer to our pollution problems. (1) ……………………… Why aren’t our roads full ofelectric cars? Why are we still sending out huge amounts of pollution into the atmosphere and using oil fasterthan the oil companies can produce it?There are several reasons. (2) ……………………… They are available. There are many different models and everyyear another, newer type of electric car is designed. Last year, more than ten new models of electric car wereintroduced. (3) ……………………… Although many of the faster, sporty-looking models are expensive – forexample, the new Tesla costs 130,000 dollars – there are plenty of cheaper types for sale. So what is thereason?Experts say that it’s mainly because electric cars can’t travel very far before we need to charge their batteriesand there aren’t enough charging points at the moment. (4) ……………………… It seems that the people who havebought electric cars use them as a second car, not their main one. They drive them around town and cities butthey don’t want to go too far in them. (5) ……………………… They aren’t going to buy an electric car to useregularly until they can be sure that it won’t stop suddenly on their way to work or somewhere important.While electric cars may still be the car of the future, there is an alternative for today. The hybrid car – a car thatcan switch from petrol to electricity – is more popular. People are buying them because they can drive furtherwithout having to charge their cars. (6) ……………………… It’s obviously not quite as good for the environment asthe electric car, but it shows that people are concerned and trying to do something about their carbonfootprint.
2.
Now read the article again. Six sentences are missing from the article. Choose from the sentences A–F the one which fits each gap.
3.
Read the article again and choose the best answers, A, B or C.
4.
A few years ago everyone was talking about the new electric cars. These cars were cleaner and quieter andthey were going to be the answer to our pollution problems. (1) ……………………… Why aren’t our roads full ofelectric cars? Why are we still sending out huge amounts of pollution into the atmosphere and using oil fasterthan the oil companies can produce it?
Correct Answer
C. So, where are they?
5.
There are several reasons. (2) ……………………… They are available.
Correct Answer
F. It’s not because the cars aren’t for sale.
Explanation
The given answer suggests that the reason why electric cars are not widely available is not because they are not being sold. This implies that the cars are indeed being sold and are available for purchase. The explanation provided in the passage states that the main problem is the cost, but electric cars are already cheaper than all electric cars. Therefore, the availability of electric cars is not the issue, suggesting that there are other reasons why they are not more prevalent.
6.
There are many different models and every year another, newer type of electric car is designed. Last year, more than ten new models of electric car were introduced. (3) ……………………… Although many of the faster, sporty-looking models are expensive – for example, the new Tesla costs 130,000 dollars – there are plenty of cheaper types for sale. So what is thereason?
Correct Answer
A. And it isn’t because of the price.
Explanation
The correct answer is "And it isn't because of the price." This means that the reason why there are plenty of cheaper types of electric cars for sale is not because of the price. The passage mentions that many of the faster, sporty-looking models are expensive, such as the new Tesla which costs $130,000. However, it also states that there are plenty of cheaper types available, suggesting that price is not the determining factor for the availability of cheaper electric cars.
7.
Experts say that it’s mainly because electric cars can’t travel very far before we need to charge their batteries and there aren’t enough charging points at the moment. (4) ……………………… It seems that the people who have bought electric cars use them as a second car, not their main one.
Correct Answer
D. People worry about not having enough electricity to get to their destination.
Explanation
The given answer suggests that one of the main reasons why people are not buying electric cars is because they worry about not having enough electricity to reach their destination. This is supported by the statement that electric cars can't travel very far before needing to charge their batteries, and there aren't enough charging points available. Therefore, people may be concerned about running out of battery power during their journey and not being able to find a charging point, which makes them hesitant to buy electric cars.
8.
They drive them around town and cities butthey don’t want to go too far in them. (5) ……………………… They aren’t going to buy an electric car to useregularly until they can be sure that it won’t stop suddenly on their way to work or somewhere important.
Correct Answer
E. People need a car that is reliable.
Explanation
The given answer suggests that the main reason people do not want to buy an electric car is because they need a car that is reliable. They are concerned that the electric car may stop suddenly on their way to work or somewhere important. This implies that they do not trust the reliability of electric cars and prefer to stick with conventional cars until they can be sure that electric cars will not have any sudden issues. The answer highlights the importance of reliability as a key factor in people's decision-making process when it comes to purchasing a car.
9.
While electric cars may still be the car of the future, there is an alternative for today. The hybrid car – a car thatcan switch from petrol to electricity – is more popular. People are buying them because they can drive furtherwithout having to charge their cars. (6) ……………………… It’s obviously not quite as good for the environment asthe electric car, but it shows that people are concerned and trying to do something about their carbonfootprint.
Correct Answer
B. The main problem is the cost, but they are already cheaper than all electric cars.
Explanation
The explanation for the given answer is that the main problem with hybrid cars is their cost, even though they are already cheaper than all electric cars. This suggests that the cost of hybrid cars is still a barrier for many people, despite being more affordable compared to electric cars. The statement implies that the cost is the primary reason why hybrid cars are not as widely adopted as electric cars, addressing the question of why hybrid cars are not more prevalent in the market.
10.
What is the aim of this article?
Correct Answer
B. To talk about why people don’t use electric cars
Explanation
The aim of this article is to discuss the reasons why people do not use electric cars. It is not intended to advertise a new type of electric car or to warn people about the dangers of petrol cars. The focus is on exploring the factors that contribute to the low adoption of electric cars and addressing the barriers that prevent people from using them.
11.
Why did people think electric cars would be good?
Correct Answer
C. They don’t pollute the environment.
Explanation
People thought electric cars would be good because they don't pollute the environment. Unlike normal cars that emit harmful gases and contribute to air pollution, electric cars run on electricity and produce zero emissions. This makes them a more environmentally friendly option and helps in reducing air pollution and combating climate change.
12.
Why isn’t the price of electric cars a problem?
Correct Answer
B. Because not all of them are expensive.
Explanation
The price of electric cars is not a problem because not all of them are expensive. This suggests that there are affordable options available in the market, making electric cars accessible to a wider range of consumers. It implies that there are different price ranges and models to choose from, addressing the affordability concern.
13.
What’s the main problem with electric cars?
Correct Answer
A. You can’t go very far in them without having to stop.
Explanation
The main problem with electric cars is that they have limited range and require frequent stops for recharging. Unlike traditional gasoline-powered cars, electric cars have a limited battery capacity, which means they can only travel a certain distance before needing to be recharged. This range anxiety is a major concern for potential electric car owners, as it limits their ability to take long trips or travel to remote areas without access to charging infrastructure. Therefore, the statement "You can’t go very far in them without having to stop" accurately describes the main problem with electric cars.
14.
Why do people prefer hybrid cars to electric cars?
Correct Answer
C. They can go longer distances without being
charged.
Explanation
People prefer hybrid cars to electric cars because hybrid cars can go longer distances without being charged. This is a major advantage as it eliminates the need for frequent charging and allows for more flexibility in travel. Electric cars, on the other hand, have a limited range and require regular charging, which can be inconvenient, especially on long trips. Therefore, the ability of hybrid cars to go longer distances without being charged makes them a more practical and preferred choice for many people.
15.
How does the writer feel about hybrid cars?
Correct Answer
B. It’s good that people are choosing them.
Explanation
The writer feels positively about hybrid cars because they believe it is good that people are choosing them. This suggests that the writer sees hybrid cars as a positive choice and believes that their adoption is beneficial.