C
Some experts feel that cars are certain to fall into disuse. They see a day in the not-too-distant future when all cars will be deserted and made useless. Other experts, however, think the car is here to stay. They hold that the car will remain a leading means of city travel in the foreseeable future.
The car will undoubtedly change greatly over the next 30 years. It should become smaller, safer, and more practical, and should not be powered by the gas engine. The car of the future should be far more pollution-free than present types.
Unless changes take place in the power system, the car in the future will still be the main problem in city traffic jams. One suggested solution to this essential problem is the automated (自动的) system, which seems to hold water.
When the car enters the highway system, a small arm will drop from the car and connect with a rail, which is similar to those powering subway trains electrically. Once joined to the rail, the car will become electrically powered from the system, and control of the car will pass to a central computer. The computer will then monitor all the car’s movements. The driver will use the telephone to dial instructions about his position and the place he heads for into the system. The computer will find the best way and reserve space for the car all the way to the correct exit from the highway. The driver will be free to relax and wait for the call that will warm him of his coming exit. It is believed that an automated highway will be able to deal with 10,000 cars per hour, compared with the 1,500 to 2,000 cars that can be carried by a present-day highway.
48. What is the main concern of the author of the passage?
A. How to make cars pollution-free. B. How to make cars smaller and safer.
C. How to solve the problem of train jam. D. How to develop an automated subway system.
49. We can infer from this passage that __________.
A. the car connected to the rail on the highway will be powered by electricity.
B. The lack of oil is forcing people to find new means to power automobiles.
C. The driver under the system will be told where to get out of the highway.
D. The future car will become larger, faster, prettier and less expensive.
50. What provides cars with electric power in an automated highway system?
A. An engine. B.A rail. C. A computer controller. D. A small arm.
51. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A. The driver puts his information in the system by email.
B. The new system can deal with 10 times as many cars as the present one.
C. After entering the automated system, the driver needs to do nothing but relax.
D. Some experts are not confident of the future, while the view of the author is hopeful.