八、The Advantages and Disadvantages of Cars

　　The use of the motor is becoming more and more widespread in the twentieth century; as an increasing number of countries develop both technically and economically, so a larger proportion of the world's population is able to buy and use a car. Possessing a car gives a much greater degree of mobility, enabling the driver to move around freely. The owner of a car is no longer forced to rely on public transport and is, therefore, not compelled to work locally. He can choose from different jobs and probably changes his work more frequently as he is not restricted to a choice within a small radius. Traveling to work by car is also more comfortable than having to use public transport; the driver can adjust the heating in winter and the air-conditioning in the summer to suit his own needs and preference. There is no irritation caused by waiting for trains, buses or underground trains, standing in long patient queues, or sitting on windy platforms, for as long as half an hour sometimes. With the building of good, fast motorways long distances can be covered rapidly and pleasantly. For the first time in this century also, many people are now able to enjoy their leisure time to the full by making trips to the country or seaside at the weekends, instead of being confined to their immediate neighborhood. This feeling of independence, and the freedom to go where you please, is perhaps the greatest advantage of the car.

　　when considering the drawbacks, perhaps pollution is of prime importance. As more and more cars are produced and used, so the emission from their exhaust-pipes contains an ever larger volume of poisonous gas. Some of the contents of this gas, such as lead, not only pollute the atmosphere but cause actual harm to the health of people. Many of the minor illnesses of modern industrial society, headaches, tiredness, and stomach upsets are thought to arise from breathing polluted air; doctors'surgeries are full of people suffering from illnesses caused by pollution. It is also becoming increasingly difficult to deal with the problem of traffic in towns; most of the important cities of the world suffer form traffic jams.

　　In fact, any advantage gained in comfort is often cancelled out in city driving by the frustration caused by traffic jams: endless queues of cars crawling one after another at the intersections. As an increasing number of traffic regulation schemes are devised, the poor bewildered driver finds himself diverted and forced into one-way systems which cause even greater delays than the traffic jams they are supposed to prevent. The mounting cost of petrol and the increased tolls and road tax all add to the driver''s worries. In fact, he must sometimes wonder if the motor car is such a blessing and not just a menace.

　　mobility n. 1.流动性，移动性 2.机动性

　　mobilize vt. 1.动员 2.调动 vi.动员起来

　　[联想词]

　　summon vi. 1.召唤 2. （up）鼓起勇气 3.召开，召集

　　irritate vt. 1.使恼怒，使烦躁 2.使（身体某部分）不适，使疼痛

　　radius n. 半径

　　air-conditioning n. 空调设备，空调系统

　　drawback n. 缺点，欠缺，不利条件

　　[联想词]

　　setback n. 挫折，倒退，失败

　　handicap n. 1.缺陷 2.障碍 vt. （handicapped；handicapping） 妨碍，使不利

　　productive a. 1.多产的，富饶的 2.富有成效的

　　productivity n. 生产力，生产率

　　surgery n. 1.外科，外科手术 2.手术室

　　surgeon n. 外科医生

　　[联想词]

　　dentist n.牙科医生

　　ward n.病房

　　bandage n.绷带 vt.用绷带包扎

　　intersection n.道路交叉口，交点

　　[联想词]

　　junction n.联结点，交叉口，枢纽

　　overpass n.天桥，立交桥

　　barricade n. 路 vt.在……设路障

　　bewilder vt. 使迷惑，难住

　　[联想词]

　　perplex vt. 使困惑，使复杂化

　　baffle vt. 使困惑，难住

　　toll n. 1.过路费 2.（事故等的）伤亡人数，损失 v.（缓慢而有规律的）敲（钟）

　　divert vt. 1.使转向，使改道 2.转移，转移……的注意力 3.使娱乐

　　diversion n. 1.转移，转向 2.消遣，娱乐 3.临时绕行路

　　bless v. 1.使有幸得到，使具有 2.为……祈神赐福

　　blessing n. 1.祈神赐福 2.幸事，恩惠

　　menace n. 1.具有危险的人 2.威胁，威吓 vt. 威胁，威吓

　　[联想词]

　　intimidate vt. 恐吓，威胁

　　bully vt.欺负，威吓 n.恃强欺弱者

　　jeopardize vt. 危及，损害

　　terrify vt. 使害怕，使惊吓

　　terrific a. 1.可怕的，吓人的 2.极度的，极大的