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  3. As any city increases in size, there is a corresponding surge in vehicular traffic, a problem that, if left unaddressed, can hin

As any city increases in size, there is a corresponding surge in vehicular traffic, a problem that, if left unaddressed, can hin

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问题     As any city increases in size, there is a corresponding surge in vehicular traffic, a problem that, if left unaddressed, can hinder the well-being of its residents. The problem is most acute in developing countries, where an increase in prosperity leads to greater purchasing power and freedom of movement. Hollywood movies and celebrity stars support the popularity of the car, which often lead Western countries to exploit their images for economic reasons. This further promotes the image of car ownership with class privilege and social freedom.
    In the United States, there is probably no better symbol of car ownership and its cultural supremacy than Southern California and Hollywood. The image peddled by the movie industry of the traditional American family includes several cars, with great emphasis on newer models and expensive designs. Behind this image of escapism, however, lie clogged freeways, smog-covered boulevards and frustrated commuters. The once famous light rail system that covered most of Los Angeles county has been replaced with mammoth freeways but at the expense of the health of neighboring residential communities.
    Developing nations have learned lessons from the problems associated with cars by developing a mixture of public transportation networks, including subway systems, bus routes and light rail service. But even as governments struggle to meet the needs of a rapidly urbanizing society, social forces often overwhelm city budgets by the cost and complexity of providing for clean and effective substitutes to the ease and independence of car ownership.
    As a result, many countries fall prey to common and perhaps avoidable problems of pollution and traffic congestion, even though these results have negative health and economic consequences. Once set in motion, though, the effects of car ownership are hard to curb. Increased use of roads often leads to pressure for more freeways and expanded vehicular infrastructure. Since space is often at a premium in large cities, development exacerbates the cost of major subway systems while car users become reluctant to change to public transportation systems.
    In Singapore, the government has imposed draconian restrictions on car ownership by heavily taxing vehicle imports to the island, imposing a hefty license fee and a variety of administrative costs. Travel to the center of the city is also heavily restricted and public transportation is cheap and easily accessible. Compared to Los Angeles, where car ownership is a prerequisite for finding a job, the contrast is quite stark. Nevertheless, in both locations the demand for car increases unabated.
    How will cities, new and old, deal with the pressure for car ownership? In the end, it seems likely that new technology that reduces car pollution and a mixture of public transportation and private car use will result in sustainable transportation solutions. However, governments and citizens must be willing to sacrifice some personal convenience for long-term goals in efficiency and well-being.
What purpose does the author’s description of car ownership serve in the first paragraph?
选项 A、It describes the importance of driving for young people.
B、It describes the popular and social influence that cars have on American society.
C、It describes the lack of public transportation.
D、It describes developed countries with many cars.
答案B
解析 属信息推断题。题目中的关键词car ownership在第一段最后一句：有车族具有阶级特权和社会自由的形象得到了进一步的宣传和提升。由此可知，作者描述有车人的目的是阐述汽车对美国社会造成的普遍社会影响。因此，选项B正确。其他选项都与本段内容无关。
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