A - A global problem
There are no easy answers to lớn the problems of traffic congestion. Traffic congestion affects people throughout the world. Traffic jams cause smog in dozens of cities across both the developed and developing world.
In the U.S., commuters spend an average of a full work week each year sitting in traffic, according to lớn the Texas Transportation Institute. While alternative ways of getting around are available, most people still choose their cars because they are looking for convenience, comfort and privacy.
B - Paying to lớn get in
The most promising technique for reducing đô thị traffic is called congestion pricing, whereby cities charge a toll to lớn enter certain parts of town at certain times of day. In theory, if the toll is high enough, some drivers will cancel their trips or go by bus or train. And in practice it seems to lớn work: Singapore, London and Stockholm have reduced traffic and pollution in đô thị centers thanks to lớn congestion pricing.
C - Changing working practices
Another way to lớn reduce rush hour traffic is for employers to implement flextime, which lets employees travel to lớn and from work at off-peak traffic times to lớn avoid the rush hour.
Those who have to lớn travel during busy times can bởi their part by sharing cars. Employers can also allow more staff to lớn telecommute (work from home) sánh as to lớn keep more cars off the road altogether.
D - A solution which is no solution
Some urban planners still believe that the best way to lớn ease traffic congestion is to lớn build more roads, especially roads that can take drivers around or over crowded đô thị streets. But such techniques bởi not really keep cars off the road; they only accommodate more of them.
E - Not doing enough
Other, more forward-thinking, planners know that more and more drivers and cars are taking to lớn the roads every day, and they are unwilling to lớn encourage more private automobiles when public transport is sánh much better both for people and the environment.
For this reason, the American government has decided to lớn spend some $7 billion on helping to lớn increase capacity on public transport systems and upgrade them with more efficient technologies. But environmentalists complain that such funding is tiny compared with the $50 billion being spent on roads and bridges.
Questions 1-5
Read the paragraphs one by one to lớn choose the correct headings.
1. Paragraph A
Answer: vii Locate
2. Paragraph B
Answer: vi Locate
3. Paragraph C
Answer: ii Locate
4. Paragraph D
Answer: i Locate
5. Paragraph E
Answer: v Locate
List of Headings
i A solution which is no solution
ii Changing working practices
iii Closing đô thị centres to lớn traffic
iv Making cars more environmentally friendly
v Not doing enough
vi Paying to lớn get in
vii A global problem