C
In America，the number of people killed in car crashes in 2016 was above 40，000 for the first time in a decade，data released on Wednesday shows．
“Americans believe there is nothing we can do to stop crashes from happening，but that isn't true．We are behind the rest of the developed world in addressing highway fatalities(死亡)．We just haven't been willing to do what needs to be done，”said Deborah A．P．Hersman，president of the National Safety Council．
The National Safety Council data shows a 6 percent increase in deaths in 2018 when compared with 2015 and a 3 percent increase in the number of miles Americana drove in 2016．
“Motor vehicle fatality numbers have been ringing the alarm for two years，”Hersman said．“Unfortunately，we have been blind to the data and the killings on our roadways．If we fail to take action，the death tell will continue to rise．”
“The trend is clear：After years of progress，highway deaths are heading in the wrong direction，”said Jonathan Adkins，a state safety official．
The number of people killed reached a record low of 32，675 in 2014，according to NHTSA statistics．That record followed a fairly steady downward track for the past six years that experts attributed it primarily to safety features that have been built into cars and trucks．
Safety advances including increased seat-belt use，air bags，anti-lock braking，stability controls and electronic warnings and cameras．
The bad economy and high gas prices also influenced the reduction in deaths．Now，with unemployment and gas prices both low，more people are driving for work and pleasure trips．
“It’s not just that Americans drive more miles when the economy improves ；it’s the kind of miles they drive，”said Adrian Lund，president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety．
8. What’s Hersman’s attitude towards the present situation?
A. It has been getting better． B. It can hardly be improved．
C. The efforts are far from enough． D. Much work hart already been done．
9. What do we learn about the number of highway deaths in 2013 in America?
A. It’s lower than that in 2014． B. It’s lower than that in 2010．
C. It’s the lowest in recent years． D. It’s the highest in recently years．
10. What will happen with the economic recovery?
A. The gas prices will go up． B. The gas price will go down．
C. There will be more highway deaths． D. There will be fewer highway deaths．
11. What would be the best title for the passage?
A. Traffic Deaths Are on the Rise B. Highway Deaths Will Drop off
C. Measures to Handle Car Crashes D. Safety Advances in Cars Are Made
【答案】8. C 9. B 10. C 11. A
【解析】
本文是一篇说明文。数据显示，美国的交通事故数量逐年上升。专家认为，解决此问题还任重道远。
【8题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段第二句We are behind the rest of the developed world in addressing highway fatalities(死亡)．可知，Hersman认为，比起很多发达国家，在解决交通事故方面，美国所做还远远不够。故C项正确。
【9题详解】
细节理解题。根据第三段The National Safety Council data shows a 6 percent increase in deaths in 2018 when compared with 2015 and a 3 percent increase in the number of miles Americana drove in 2016．和第六段The number of people killed reached a record low of 32，675 in 2014可知，2014年美国交通事故死亡人数创造了近年的最低记录，并且它之前连续几年都是下降的。之后则这一数字不断上升，由此可知B项正确。
【10题详解】
推理判断题。根据倒数第二段The bad economy and high gas prices also influenced the reduction in deaths．可知，经济不景气和油价高时，交通事故率会下降。由此判断，经济景气时则通事故率会上升。另外根据文章首句可知，2016年的交通事故死亡人数创造了近十年的最高。故C项正确。
【11题详解】
主旨大意题。综合全文可知，本文主要告诉我们近年来美国的交通事故死亡人数逐年上升，并分析了这背后的原因，故A项为最佳标题。
