IV. READING COMPREHENSION
Read the two passages and choose the most likely answer to each of the questions. Blacken the letter corresponding to your choice on the answer sheet. (2 points each, 20 points in all)
Passage One
Bike trailers are now becoming a popular mode of transportation. If you are wondering what a bike trailer is, it is a motorless wheeled frame attached to your bicycle. Its primary function is to help the bike rider in carrying additional load．Instead of carrying the load on the bike, it can now be carried on the bike trailer which greatly reduces the strain placed on the bike. It is convenient, easy to use and it helps you live an active lifestyle.
Bike trailers are an alternative to carrying different sorts of loads. Instead of using your car to go to the nearby grocery store perhaps, why not use your bike trailer? It not only saves you money from the gas which should have been spent by your car, it also does the job of carrying your groceries.
Planning to get a bike trailer? Make sure to decide on what you are going to use it for first. Different bike trailers are made for different uses. There are a variety of bike trailers being commercially manufactured．The general trailers available in the market today are the general cargo trailer which is used to carry different sorts of loads from groceries to furniture, child passenger trailer which is used to carry a child, pet trailer which is used to carry cats or dogs, and canoe trailers which are used to carry long and narrow loads like canoes and surfboards.
If you want a trailer to carry cargo all around, then a cargo trailer would definitely suit your needs. If you want to take your child along with you while you ride your bike, then check out the different child trailers available in the market.
There are two types of bike trailers in the market today based on the number of wheels. The first is the single wheel trailer which can carry light to medium loads. It is popular among hikers since it is great for trail riding and narrow surfaces. It is also stable when making sharp turns at high speeds. The other type of trailer is the two-wheel trailer which obviously has two wheels. It can carry heavier loads than the single wheel type. When making sharp turns at high speeds it may roll over, so be sure to slow down before making the turns.
Caring for your bike trailer is easy and comparable to that of a bike. Cleaning the trailer requires water, soap and wax. Regularly check the tires for abnormalities like low air pressure or wear and tear for this may cause accidents.
When you are out riding in your bike trailer, keep in mind that it is different from riding a bike. The responses are different. You may notice that your bike may be a bit unresponsive due to the extra load．Be sure to take trial runs in non-busy roads to get you acquainted with the new riding conditions.
Riding at night is more dangerous than riding during the daytime. Make sure that you have a front light and a rear light and that both are switched on. Be sure also to have front, back and side reflectors so that you would always be visible to traffic．
41. The passage mentions all the following aspects about a bike trailer EXCEPT ______.
A． its maintenance B． its price
C． its definition D． its uses
42. Which of the following is an advantage of a bike trailer over a car?
A． It can help reduce the weight on your riding.
B． You don’t have to check the tires regularly.
C． You don’t have to spend money on gas.
D． It can carry groceries for you.
43. A two-wheel trailer should be a better choice than a single wheel trailer when ______.
A． you carry heavy loads
B． you ride on a narrow surface
C． your additional load is not heavy
D． you make a sharp turn at high speed
44. Which of the following is a difference between riding in a bike trailer and riding a bike?
A． You need to check the tires regularly for a bike trailer.
B． It is easier to ride in a trailer than riding a bike.
C． A trailer requires water and wax for cleaning.
D． A trailer cannot react as quickly as a bike.
45. What is the writer’s purpose in writing this passage?
A． To provide information about bike trailers.
B． To advertise for a new mode of transportation.
C． To arouse your interest in more active lifestyle.
D． To advise you to be careful when riding in a bike trailer.
