高考◆英语◆湖南省題庫下載題庫

  The private automobile (私家车) has long played an important role in the United States. In  

fact, it has become a necessary and important part of the American way of life. In 1986, sixty-nine  

percent of American families owned at least one car, and thirty-eight percent had more than one.  
(B)giving workers rapid transportation, the automobile has freed them from having to live near  

their place of work. This has encouraged the growth of the cities, but it has also led to traffic  

problems.  

     For farm families the automobile is very helpful. It has made it possible for them to travel to  

town very often for business and for pleasure, and also to transport their children to distant  

schools.  

     Family life has been affected (影响) in various ways. The car helps to keep families  

together when it is used for picnics, outings, and other shared experiences. However, when  

teenage children have the use of the car, their parents can't keep an eye on them. There is a great  

danger if the driver has been drinking alcohol or taking drugs -- or is "showing off' by speeding or  

breaking other traffic laws. Mothers of victims (受害者) of such accidents have formed an  

organization called MA
(D)(Mothers Against Drunk Driving). These women want to prevent  

further tragedies (悲剧). They have worked to encourage the government to limit the youngest  

drinking age. Students have formed a similar organization, SA
(D)(Students Against Drunk  

Driving) and are spreading the same message among their friends.  

      For many Americans the automobile is a necessity. But for some, it is also a mark of social  

position and for young people, a sign of becoming an adult. Altogether, cars mean very much to   

Americans.