(2020·广西桂林市第十八中学高三模拟)Petrol and diesel cars may still dominate (影响) our roads, but their days are numbered.A recent university study found that current electric cars could be used for 87 percent of daily car journeys in the US.That figure could rise to 98 percent by 2020.
One hurdle to the widespread adoption of electric cars has been “range anxiety” — drivers' concerns about running out of juice on a journey.While petrol stations are conveniently located across national road systems, the necessary network of electric charging stations is still being developed.In fact, charging points are becoming increasingly common throughout the USA.
Attitudes towards electric vehicles have changed quite considerably over the last few years.Not that long ago, electric cars met with distrust, and their high price tags drove customers away.Thanks to improvements in battery capacity, recharging times, performance and price, the current generation of electric cars is starting to persuade critics.Plug — in cars will soon give internal combustion engine models a run for their money.
As well as advancements on the road, electric vehicles are taking to the sea and sky.Electric boats are among the oldest electric vehicles, having enjoyed several decades of popularity from the late 19th to the early 20th century before petrol­powered outboard motors took over.Now, the global drive for renewable energy sources is bringing electric boats back.Steps towards electric planes are also being made, with Airbus and NASA among the organizations developing and testing battery­powered planes.The experiments could soon make commercial electric flight a reality.
Electric vehicles do not produce any emissions.Were the US to act on the study's findings and replace 87 percent of its cars with electric vehicles, it would reduce the national demand for petrol by 61 percent.However, because of the production processes and the generation of electricity required to charge these vehicles, they cannot claim to be completely emission­free.Even so, as many countries continue to increase their use of renewable energy sources, electric vehicles will become even cleaner.
语篇解读：本文是一篇科普文。汽油和柴油汽车可能仍然主宰着我们的道路，但很快会被电动汽车所替代。电动汽车不产生任何排放物，随着在陆路方面的进步，电动汽车正朝着海洋和天空方向发展。而未来一定是电动时代。
8．Which of the following can be the best title for this passage?
A．My Dream Car
B．History of Electric Cars
C．Problems with Petrol Cars
D．Driving into the Future
解析：选D　标题归纳题。通读全文可知，汽油和柴油汽车可能仍然主宰着我们的道路，但很快会被电动汽车所替代。而未来一定是电动时代。分析选项可知，D项适合作文章标题。
9．The underlined word “hurdle” in paragraph 2 means ________.
A．aim  B．barrier
C．consequence  D．step
解析：选B　根据第二段破折号后的内容 “drivers' concerns about running out of juice on a journey” 可知，让司机在行驶中担心电会用光的一定是车的一个缺点，B项意为“障碍”与画线词意思相近，故选B。
10．In the past, why did many people refuse to buy the electric cars according to the passage?
A．They were not good value.
B．They were very poorly made.
C．They were not widely promoted.
D．They couldn't travel at a high speed.
解析：选A　细节理解题。根据第三段中的“Not that long ago, electric cars met with distrust, and their high price tags drove customers away.” 可知，不久前，电动汽车遭到了不信任，他们的巨额标价把顾客吓跑了，也就是说人们认为电动汽车太贵了不值得买。故选A。
11．What is the function of paragraph 4?
A．To introduce the history of electric vehicles.
B．To explain why the world needs more electric cars.
C．To show why more people have interest in electric cars.
D．To describe different ways electric vehicles can be used.
解析：选D　推理判断题。根据第四段第一句“As well as advancements on the road, electric vehicles are taking to the sea and sky.” 除了公路上(汽车)的进步，电动交通工具正朝着海洋和天空方向发展。由此可知电动交通工具以不同的方式出现在陆路、海上及空中。故选D。