Question

There are two ways of driving in the world: if the driver’s seat is on the left and cars travel on the right side of the road, it is called “l(fā)eft-hand driving”, as it is in China, while the other way of driving is called “right-hand driving”, as it is in Britain. Nowadays, around 65% of the world’s population drives on the right of the road, while the rest is used to driving on the left.

Though no one knows the exact reasons, it seems likely that people in ancient times travelled on the left of the road. Roman coins show pictures of horsemen passing on each other’s right. And right-hand people generally got on a horse from the animal’s left. Obviously, it’s safer to do this at the left side of the road, and it makes sense (行得通) for the horse to be ridden on the left.

A change happened in the late1700s. When Napoleon (拿破侖) conquered (攻占) nations, he forced them to travel on the right side of the road, which spread left-hand driving throughout Europe. However, Britain still stuck with the right-hand driving rule and countries which were part of the British Empire were made to follow. This is why India, Australia and the former British colonies (前英國殖民地) in Africa continue to drive on the left. One exception (例外,除外) is Egypt, as that country was defeated by Napoleon before becoming part of the British Empire.

Some countries changed sides until modern times. Sweden only moved to driving on the right in 1967 and Iceland changed the following year. Ghana changed sides in 1974. On September 7, 2009, Samoa became the third country ever to change from left-to- -right-hand- driving for the reason that it made it easier to import (進(jìn)口) cheap cars from right-hand- driving Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

So if you want to travel to another country or go on business, make sure you know whether it is left-or right-hand driving to avoid unnecessary troubles.

1.Which picture shows the correct driving in Britain?

A. B.

C. D.

2.When did Iceland moved to driving on the right?

A.1967. B.1974. C.In 1968 D.the late1700s.

3.In modern times, countries follow the same driving way except ________.

A.Australia B.Egypt C.Sweden D.China

4.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A.Sweden changed to drive on the right in 1974.

B.People drive on the left side of the road in Egypt.

C.People have known the exact reasons for driving on the left.

D.Napoleon helped with the spread of left-hand driving.

5.What is the writer’s purpose for writing this passage?

A.To explain the advantages of the two ways of driving.

B.To introduce the development of the two ways of driving.

C.To complain about the change of the two ways of driving.

D.To compare the differences of the two ways of driving.

Answer 1