A
Little black taxis, often run-down and falling apart from decades of use, have for a long time been a main feature of Cairo’s chaotic urban landscape. But their days may be numbered, thanks to a new taxi replacement programme aimed at knocking out older, potentially unsafe vehicles.
The government-sponsored action, launched earlier this year, allows drivers of taxis 20 years or older, mostly Fiats and Peugeots, to trade their cars for shiny new all-white ones at generous rates of financing. Drivers can choose between five different locally manufactured car models.
According to officials, more than 11,000 brand new taxis, sporting trademark checked stripes on the sides, have already hit the streets of the capital, and they’ve been welcomed enthusiastically by passengers. Many people say that not only are the new taxis more comfortable, but they also make the streets of Cairo far more presentable. Furthermore, taxi fares have only increased by a small amount.
The poor condition of most black and white taxis is almost legendary. Passengers often have to deal with windows and doors that do not open and close, and heavy, thick petrol gases. Air conditioning is unheard of. The new all-white taxis, meanwhile, are cleaner, more fuel-efficient and provide air conditioning on request. Furthermore, all the new taxis come equipped with functioning fare meters, which avoids arguments and sometimes fights with passengers!
The government hopes to replace all of the capital’s 40,000 elderly black cabs soon, but not everyone in Cairo will be happy to see them go. Hotel manager Ibrahim Al-Toukhy says that the old black cabs were weak and run-down, and maybe even a little dangerous, but they were part of the city, and part of Cairo’s character.
1. Which of the followings can replace the underlined word “chaotic” in paragraph 1?
A. disorderly B. fantastic C. busy D. silent
2. Which of the following statements is TRUE about the new taxis?
A. They are much more presentable.
B. Their passengers have to pay dramatically more.
C. They are much more energy-saving.
D. Only few of them provide air conditioning.
3. What does the passage mainly talk about?
A. The road traffic condition of Cairo
B. A taxi renewal programme launched in Cairo
C. The problems with old black Cairo taxis.
D. Various views on the new taxi replacement in Cairo
【答案】1. A 2. C 3. B
【解析】
这是一篇说明文。旧出租车已成为开罗的城市特色，但因其车况残破不堪。本文主要介绍了开罗政府实行的新出租车更换旧出租车的工程。
【1题详解】
词义猜测题。根据上文可知，黑色的旧出租车经常出故障，已经成为开罗地区的chaotic特点的具体体现，和下文的But their days may be numbered, thanks to a new taxi replacement programme aimed at knocking out older, potentially unsafe vehicles.可知，而新的出租车将排除这种旧出租车带来的潜在的不安全因素。结合四个选项，由此可猜测chaotic为“混乱不堪的”。故选A。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。由第三段they also make the streets of Cairo far more presentable可知，新出租车使得streets变得presentable而不是出租车本身presentable，故排除A；由taxi fares have only increased by a small amount可知，新出租车的车费只有少量上涨，故排除B；由第四段The new all-white taxis provide air conditioning on request可知，只要乘客要求，司机都会提供冷气，故排除D；由The new all-white taxis, meanwhile, are cleaner, more fuel-efficient可知，新出租车更省燃料。故选C。
【3题详解】
主旨大意题。本文开篇第一段已将整体大意表明:虽然旧出租车已成为开罗的城市特色，但因其车况残破不堪，开罗政府已实行新出租车更换旧出租车的工程。再结合四个选项可知，本文主要内容为“开罗启动了出租车更新计划”。故选B。
