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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.
Car ownership in Singapore does NOT differ from that of Los Angeles in that______.
选项 A、it is cheaper to own a car in Los Angeles than Singapore
B、it is more expensive to own a car in Los Angeles than Singapore
C、Los Angeles has a worse public transportation system
D、car ownership is a prerequisite to finding a job in Los Angeles
答案B
解析 属信息推断题。题目中的关键词Singapore，Los Angeles出现在第五段。选项C可从第二句中推出(公共交通工具使用起来既便宜又方便)；选项D与本段第三句的意思相符(在洛杉矶，拥有一辆车是找工作的前提条件)，由此也可推导出选项A的内容。只有选项B不能从文中推出，且与本段中第一句内容不符：进口汽车要交纳高额税金，上牌照和各种管理费用都相当贵。因此，选项B是本题正确答案。
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