2014届湖北省黄石市高考英语专项训练：阅读理解24（含答案）.docVIP

Louis Palmer has driven 32,000 miles through 38 countries in 17 months to become the first person to travel around the globe in a solar car. Palmer, a 36-year-old Swiss school teacher, didn’t burn a single drop of petrol during his “round-the-world drive”. This is the first time in history that a solarpowered car has achieved such a success. Palmer says the car “ran like a Swiss watch”, proving that solar energy can be used in transportation. “These new technologies are ready,” said Palmer. “The car is ecological, economical, and abslutely reliable.” The three-wheeled “Solar Taxi” can reach 55 mph, and seat two people comfortably. Along the way, Palmer offered rides to thousands of People, including U.N.Secretary general Ban Ki-moon and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, to promote solar power and raise awareness about global warming. Swiss scientists worked with Palmer to build the three-wheeled car, which drags a flat-topped trailer with 6 square meters of solar panels. The tour aims at spreading knowledeg about the dangers of global warming and showing that solutions are available to fight global warming. “People love the idea of a solar car,” he said. “I hope the car industry is listening…and will start making electric cars like this one.” Next year Palmer plans to go around the world in 80 days in vehicles that draw power from renewable sources like gegthermal(地热) and wind. 17．The main puirpose of Palmer’s travelling around the globe was to . A．offer free rides to thousands of people B．meet Ban Ki-moon and Michael Bloomberg C．experience the great joy his solar car brought to him D．promote solar power and raise awareness about global warming 18．What does Palmer mean by saying the car “ran like a Swiss watch”? A．The car didn’t burn a single drip of petrol. B．The car ran much faster than the car burning petrol. C．The techonolgies to make a solar car are ready and reliable. D．The car makes no pollution and is economical. 19．Which of the