The race is on to get more electric cars on the road. But according to a survey by Pew Research Center, more than half of the adults don’t want gas-powered cars to be phased out. They say EVs are expensive and charging them is a problem. We asked some students what they think about EVs.

Electric cars are better for the environment. They don’t burn fossil fuels (化石燃料). Some people think electric cars are expensive. But their prices are coming down. Some cost around $30,000. That’s cheaper than many gas-powered cars. Plus, the cost of gas can add a lot to the price of a regular car, and once you use the gas, it’s gone. Anyway, I think we’re going to run out of gas at some point. This will make EVs a necessity (必需品). Finally, many EVs are smaller and easier to park.

—Henry, 17

I don’t think all cars should be electric. First of all, charging stations are less common than gas stations. This makes electric cars a lot less convenient for long trips. And cold weather slows the chemical reactions that make the batteries work. Electric cars are also more expensive than regular cars. On average, a new EV costs around $11,000 more than a new gas car. What’s more, electric cars do have an environmental cost. Their batteries are made with rare metals found at the bottom of the sea. Mining these metals is harmful to marine life.

—George, 18

Electric cars would decrease air pollution and allow us to breathe better. Cleaner air also means there will be fewer animals dying. If the world could be a better, cleaner place, it would be worth the cost of electric cars. Some electric cars are more expensive. But they need less maintenance than gas-powered cars. So the costs start to even out. 

—Cathy, 18

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1.What do the underlined words “phased out” mean?

A Knocked out.

B Called away.

C Given off.

D Handed on.

解析：选A。A词义猜测题。根据划线部分后面的“They say EVs are expensive and charging them is a problem.”可知，这些人是反对电动车的，因此他们不希望汽油车被“淘汰”。故选A。

2.What is Henry’s opinion?

A The prices of gas-powered cars will be higher.

B EVs will play an important part in the future.

C Fossil fuels will be difficult to find in the future.

D Gas-powered cars change our life all the time.

解析：选B。B推理判断题。根据第二段的“This will make EVs a necessity.”可知，他认为未来所有的汽车都应该是电动的。即电动汽车会在未来扮演一个非常重要的角色。故选B。

3.What influences the popularity of electric cars? ① The number of charging stations. ② The low temperature. ③ The high price. ④ The low environmental cost.

A ①②④.

B ①③④.

C ②③④.

D ①②③.

解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第三段的“charging stations are less common than gas stations.”“cold weather slows the chemical reactions”“Electric cars are also more expensive than regular cars.”和“electric cars do have an environmental cost.”可知，充电站不如加油站常见，这使得电动车在长途旅行中不那么方便。寒冷天气会减缓电池工作的化学反应。电动车也比普通车更贵。电动车有环保成本，它们的电池是用海底发现的稀有金属制成的。开采这些金属对海洋生物有害。以上这些都影响了电动车的普及。故选D。

4.Who think electric cars are necessary?

A Henry and George.

B Henry and Cathy.

C George and Cathy.

D Only Henry.

解析：选B。B细节理解题。根据第二段的“Electric cars are better for the environment.”“This will make EVs a necessity.”和第四段的“Electric cars would decrease air pollution and allow us to breathe better.”“So the costs start to even out.”可知，Henry和Cathy认为电动车很必要。故选B。