TOEFL ITP Reading set 015
Reading Comprehension practice — read the passage and choose the best answer.
รถบัสไฟฟ้าในเมืองกับคุณภาพอากาศ
- Line numbers appear every 5 lines.
- Answer all 10 questions, then choose ตรวจคำตอบ to see the Thai translation, score summary, and explanation.
- Use Previous / Next to open the previous or next practice set.
Many cities still rely on diesel buses that move thousands of
people each day. Those engines release fine particles and
nitrogen oxides into busy streets. Near bus corridors,
residents often breathe dirtier air than people living farther
5
away. Health studies link long exposure to higher rates of
asthma and heart problems, especially among children and older
adults. Replacing diesel fleets with electric city buses has
therefore become a popular air-quality strategy for crowded
urban centers seeking cleaner public transit.
10
Electric buses run on batteries charged at depots or along
selected routes. They produce no tailpipe exhaust, so roadside
pollution drops where they operate. Quiet motors also reduce
traffic noise near schools and homes. Cities that have tested
early routes report cleaner sidewalk readings and fewer rider
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complaints about fumes. The change is most noticeable at stops
where buses idle for several minutes during busy hours.
Challenges remain. Batteries add weight and cost, and charging
stations need reliable power. Cold weather can shorten driving
range, forcing planners to adjust schedules or add spare buses.
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Drivers must also manage charging time so morning and evening
peaks still have enough vehicles on the road. Some grids still
burn fossil fuels, so total emissions depend on how electricity
is made. Even so, cleaner power plants and growing renewable
energy make electric fleets more beneficial over time.
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Maintenance teams must learn new skills, from battery care to
software updates that keep motors efficient.
Local governments often start with a few lines that cross dense
neighborhoods with heavy bus traffic. Success depends on careful
route choice, steady funding, and clear public messages about
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timetables and benefits. When electric buses replace older diesel
models on the same streets, both riders and nearby residents can
feel the difference in the air they share each day. Community
groups sometimes help by identifying the smokiest diesel buses
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that should leave service first.