This summer, the temperatures were very high in Europe. Firefighters fought against hundreds of wildfires in many European countries. And hundreds of people died because of the heat wave.
However, according to a survey, only about 20% of homes in Europe have air conditioners, compared to 90% in the US. Why is that?
First, usually it isn’t very hot in Europe in summer because of its location. Europe is located farther north than the US, making the weather cooler. The average (平均的) temperature in July in London is 24℃, which is 10 degrees cooler than that in New York.
Second, there are many old houses in Europe. More than half of the houses in Europe were built in the last century. The weather then was not as hot as it is nowadays. Naturally, air conditioners were unnecessary. What’s more, those old houses’ structure (构造) and material make it harder and more expensive to install air conditioners. Installing an air conditioner could cost more than the air conditioner itself.
As for other reasons, they can be very personal. Some people think air conditioners make them sick, so they don’t accept air conditioners. Some think using air conditioners produçes much greenhouse gas. It is bad for the environment and makes the weather even hotter!
But things will probably change in the coming years. With higher and higher temperatures, more and more Europeans are considering air conditioners these days.
41. Why isn’t it hot in Europe in summer usually?
A.Because of the firefighters. | B.Because of its location. |
C.Because of the air conditioners. | D.Because of the US. |
42. What does the underlined word “install” in Paragraph 4 mean??
A.set up | B.clean up | C.give up | D.make up |
43. What does using air conditioners produce?
A.Wildfires. | B.Greenhouse gas. | C.Heat wave. | D.Natural environment. |
44. What can we learn from the passage?
A.People in Europe use air conditioners more than those in the US. |
B.The average temperature in July in London is hotter than that in New York. |
C.The weather in the last century was cooler than that nowadays. |
D.About 80% of homes in Europe have air conditioners. |
45. What’s the passage mainly about?
A.Why Europe is cool. |
B.Why air conditioners make people sick. |
C.Why the temperatures are higher and higher. |
D.Why most Europeans don’t have air conditioners. |