[originaltext] In spite of some signs that the recession in Japan could be e

游客2024-05-20  9

问题  
In spite of some signs that the recession in Japan could be easing, the important export market is down nearly 46 percent, compared to a year ago. At the center of the downturn, are Japan’s car manufacturers — heavily dependent on foreign markets. It is not only a lack of demand from abroad that has hurt these companies, but growing disinterest in car ownership at home, too. The Japan Automotive Manufacturers Association forecasts that, for the first time in almost three decades, less than five million automobiles will be sold domestically this year. This is not only because of the recession, but a change in the way Japanese consumers regard owning a vehicle. A generation ago, car ownership in Japan was seen as a sign of wealth and affluence. But Martin Schultz, senior economist at the Fujitzu Research Institute in Tokyo, says that mindset is a thing of the past. "For younger people in Japan, the car is simply not a status symbol anymore. It is a tool," Schultz said. "Japan has wonderful infrastructure beyond roads. For younger people, having a car is basically a costly and cumbersome affair. "Surging gas prices and parking lot fees that put drivers back hundreds of dollars a month are just some of the reasons why young Japanese would rather spend their money elsewhere. Japanese automakers have seen this trend coming for a while. And, in part, that is why they focus so much attention on foreign markets. To offset the slump in sales, manufacturers have laid off hundreds of thousands of short-term contract workers. There is concern here that, if the production does not pick back up soon, companies may have to resort to letting go of full-time salaried employees.
Questions 32 to 35 are based on the passage you have just heard.
32. What is the passage mainly about?
33. What do Japanese younger people regard car ownership as, according to Schultz?
34. What might be the reason that young Japanese don’t want to buy cars?
35. What have Japanese automakers done to offset the slump in sales?

选项 A、Cars are still too expensive.
B、Traffic is heavy on the road.
C、Gas prices and parking lot fees are costly.
D、Traffic accidents are more and more serious.

答案 C

解析 选项中的Cars are…expensive,Traffic is heavy,Gas prices…are costly等表明,本题可能与人们不开车的原因有关。短文中提到,不断上涨的汽油价格以及停车费使开车的人每月花费数百美元,这就是日本年轻人更愿意把钱花在别的地方的一部分原因,由此可知,日本年轻人不愿意买车是因为汽油价格和停车费很贵,故答案为[C]。
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