Cars – curse or craze?

Johnny Watson, 30

It is easy to criticize cars – they cause pollution and accidents, and so on. But what are alternatives? Nobody wants to travel in a slow, smelly old bus when you can relax in the comfort of your own car. In most countries, the public transport system is inadequate, expensive and inefficient – and anyway, cities today are designed to meet drivers’ needs, with fast roads and car parks everywhere. The car industry also provides thousands of jobs. Roads are getting safer and more efficient every year, and cars are causing less pollution because of lead-free petrol and other technological improvement. What’s the problem?

Amanda Rees, 33

I am much happier now that I don’t have my car. I used to spend an hour stuck in a traffic jam each morning and that made me angry and irritable for the rest of the day. I was so stressed! The worst thing about cars, though, is the number of accidents. Did you know that somebody dies in a road accident in Britain every two and a half hours? Another thing I hate is the way that road building is destroying the countryside. Finally, I would love to live without that constant traffic noise coming through the window. In fact, I think it’s the noise that bothers me most.

1. What does Johnny think of cars?

A They cause pollution and accidents.

B They are slow and smelly.

C They are comfortable.

2. Which is not the reason why Johnny supports cars?

A The public transport system in most countries is not good enough.

B Road building is destroying the countryside.

C Roads are much safer and more efficient now.

3. Did Amanda use to have a car?

A Yes, she did.

B No, she didn’t.

C It doesn’t mention.

4. What bothers Amanda most?

A The number of accidents.

B The destroying of the countryside.

C The constant traffic noise.

5. How serious is the road accident in Britain?

A Someone dies every 2 hours.

B Someone dies every 2.5 hours.

C Someone dies every 0.5 hours.