There could be downsides, however, to the busing cutbacks. If every formerly bused student begins walking to school, it’s an environmental win—but if too many of their parents decide to drive then instead, the overall carbon footprint can grow. Replacing buses with many more parent-driven cars can also increase safety risks: A 2002 report concluded students are 13 times safer on a school bus than in a passenger car, since buses have fewer accidents and withstand them better due to their size. And some students complain about the long morning hikes, particularly when the route contains a really big hill.
37. The “walking school bus” _____.
A aims to keep children fit
B does not consume fuel
C seldom causes traffic jams
D is popular with school kids
38. In America the responsibility for busing kids to school lies with ____.
A school districts
B individual schools
C teacher
D parents
39. As regards walking to school, modern parents seem much concerned with the _____.
A time spent on the way
B changes in the route
C safety of their children
D kid’s physical strength
40. To save money, some schools choose to _____.
A shorten the school week
B take the shortest routes
C give drives better training
D use fuel efficient buses
41. Busing cutbacks may eventually lead to _____.
A fiercer competition among bus companies
B more students taking public transportation
C a decrease in the safety of school buses
D an increase in carbon dioxide emissions
42. Which of the following best describes the author’s attitude towards busing cutbacks?
A Favorable
B Critical
C Indifferent
D Objective
Passage Three
If you haven’t heard or seen anything about Road Rage in the last few month you’ve probably been avoiding the media. There have been countless stories about the new and scary phenomenon, considered a type of aggressive driving. You have more likely encountered aggressive driving and/or Road Rage recently if you drive at all.
While drunk driving remains a critical problem, the facts about aggressive driving are surely as disturbing. For instance, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Association, 41,907 people died on the highway last year. Of those fatalities, the agency estimates that about two-thirds were caused at least in part by aggressive driving behavior.
Why is this phenomenon occurring more than ever now, and why is it something that seemed almost nonexistent a few short years ago? Experts have several theories, and all are probably partially correct. One suggestion is sheer to overcrowding. In the last decade, the number of cars on the roads has increased by more than 11 percents, and the number of miles driven has increased by 35 percent. However, the number of new road miles has only increase by 1 percent. That means more cars in the same amount of space; and the problem is magnified in urban areas. Also, people have less time and more things to do. With people working and trying to fit extra chores ( |