私家车问题

　　Writing (图画提纲式议论文)

　　Directions: Study the picture carefully and write an essay of 160 -- 200 words in which you should

　　1)depict the present situation of private cars in Beijing,

　　2)offer reasons for or against owning private cars, and

　　3)give your own opinion on the issue.

　　北京拥250万辆汽车，其中私家车达到170万辆。

　　范文　

　　With the living standards rising rapidly, more and more Beijing residents have cars of their own. Statistics show that in Beijing alone, there are 2500,000 cars, among which private cars add up to(=number) 1700,000. The increase in the number of cars brings about a lot of problems, such as air pollution, noise, traffic congestion and gas shortage. Then a controversy arises: whether private cars should be encouraged in Beijing? People differ in their opinions on it.

　　Many residents are against owning cars. According to them, private cars have to be limited in Beijing. The reasons for it are obvious. To begin with, cars contribute to air pollution. Beijing is now plagued by serious air pollution. If people are to have cars of their own, the already contaminated atmosphere will get even dirtier. Secondly, private cars can be a terrible threat to the already heavy traffic in the city. If more cars are allowed onto busy streets, there will be more traffic jams, which is really a public hazard to all of us. Finally, cars consume a large amount of fuel. Though China is rich in its oil resources, they are running out rapidly. All these facts allow of only one solution: to limit the ever growing number of cars.

　　In my opinion, private cars should be discouraged in Beijing. In order to leave clean air, wide and safe roads and abundant energy resources to our descendants, we have to say "No" to private cars. As far as the great demand for means of transport is concerned, we can develop mass transit to take the place of private cars. In short, Beijing does not need private cars.

　　参考作文地带译文：

　　随着生活水平的迅速提高，越来越多的北京居民拥有自己的汽车。统计数字表明，北京有250万辆汽车，其中私家车达到170万辆。汽车数量的增加产生了一系列问题，如空气污染、噪音、交通堵塞和汽油短缺。这样就引起了一场争论：北京是否应该鼓励私家车？人们对这个问题有不同的想法。

　　许多人反对拥有汽车。在他们看来，北京必须限制私家车。原因很明显。首先，汽车加剧了空气污染。北京的空气严重污染。如果人们都要拥有私家车，已经污染的大气将变得更脏。其次，私家车可能对北京业已拥挤的交通状况是一个可怕的威胁。如果更多的汽车开上繁华的街道，交通堵塞将会更严重。这对我们大家来说确是公害。最后，汽车消耗大量燃料。虽然中国拥有丰富的石油资源，但是它们正在日趋减少。所有这些事实只能有一种解决办法：限止日益增长的汽车数量。

　　我的看法是北京不应该鼓励私家车。为把清洁的空气、宽阔安全的道路和富饶的石油资源留给子孙后代，我们对私家车只能说"不"。至于对交通工具的巨大需求，我们可以发展公交系统来代替私家车。总而言之，北京不需要私家车。