Culdesac, which describes itself as “the first car-free neighborhood in the Us”, admitted its first 36 residents in Tempe, Arizona, US, earlier this year. The $170 million neighborhood, with its white buildings and narrow walkways, is expected to hold around 1, 000 people when the full 760 units are completed by 2025. Similar projects in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Houston, Texas, are also underway.

In a country as car-dependent as the US, Culdesac is no lack of foresight (远见). Although some densely populated (人口密集的) coastal Us cities like Boston and New York City are walkable and have ample public transportation options like taxis, buses and light rails, the majority of Americans are entirely dependent on cars to get around.

This dependence on cars doesn’t come cheap, unfortunately. In a 2023 study, the American Automobile Association said that it costs an average of about 89,000 yuan per year to own and maintain a car in the US.

So, what is stopping Americans from abandoning cars and accepting relatively cheaper choices like e-bikes? In a word, unsafe roads that prioritize cars over people. According to a 2018 report by WHO, the US traffic accident death rate is about 50 percent more than similar nations in Western Europe. At the same time, walkers and cyclists in the US are often blamed for being hit by drivers rather than the other way around.

Still, there’s hope. By choosing a new car-free way of living, US projects like Culdesac can provide another way of living that’s both healthier and more affordable and, in turn, influence others to live a better way as well. As Vanessa, a resident of Culdesac, said, “For some, cars equal freedom, but for me, it’s limitation, Freedom is being able to just simply walk out and access places. “

【小题1】What can we learn about Culdesac from the text?

A．It is expected to hold only 1, 000 people,	B．It is the world’s largest car-free neighborhood,
C．It will be finished by the end of this year.	D．It is thought to be forward-thinking.

【小题2】What does the underlined word ”ample“ in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Enough.

B．Possible.

C．Similar.

D．Special.

【小题3】Why are Americans unwilling to give up cars, according to the text?

A．Maintaining a car is cheap.	B．E-bikes are not widely available.
C．Road conditions are unsafe.	D．Drivers are respected by others.

【小题4】What influence can car-free projects like Culdesac have on American society?

A．Limiting freedom of movement.	B．Making local residents feel safer.
C．Encouraging people to explore their communities.	D．Promoting a cheaper and healthier way of living.