New diesel and petrol vehicles to be banned from 2040 in UK 英国将于2040年起禁止销售柴油和汽油汽车
英国计划将于2040年起禁止销售由柴油机和汽油机驱动的车辆。这是为应对空气污染而提出的举措。相关部门大臣也公布将拨款2.55亿英镑，给地方政府用于治理二氧化氮排放，其中不排除会在一定区域内对高排放车辆进行收费。但政府并不会用这项专款来资助旧车报废，因为他们认为过去在这上面的支出“并非物有所值”。请听报道。
For petrol and diesel cars and vans, the end is nigh.
France has committed to phasing out sales of them by 2040. The UK now officially matches that ambition.
In the meantime, the government must deal with illegal levels of air pollution mainly from diesel vehicles. In April, it was ordered by the High Court to present by 31 July a strategy for cleaning up the UK’s polluted air. That would include tackling emissions of all types of pollution.
Ministers have defied the court, though, by producing only a plan for roadside emissions of the pollutant nitrogen dioxide associated with diesels.
词汇表 petrol 汽油
diesel 柴油
nigh 不远了、临近
committed to 已承诺
phasing out 逐步淘汰，逐渐停止
ordered （被）要求，（被）命令
the High Court （英格兰及威尔士）最高法院
emissions （有害气体的）排放
defied 违抗，违反
roadside 道路的，路边的
nitrogen dioxide 二氧化氮
测验 请听报道并回答下列问题。
1. When will petrol and diesel cars and vans be banned in the UK?
2. Which type of vehicles produce the highest illegal levels of air pollution in the country?
3. True or false? The government was ordered to present a strategy to deal with emissions of all types of pollution.
4. Which word in the text means ‘a specific plan to achieve a goal’?
答案 1. When will petrol and diesel cars and vans be banned in the UK?
Diesel and petrol cars and vans will be banned in the UK from 2040.
2. Which type of vehicles produce the highest illegal levels of air pollution in the country?
According to the text, diesel vehicles produce the highest illegal levels of air pollution in the UK.
3. True or false? The government was ordered to present a strategy to deal with emissions of all types of pollution.
True. The order by the High Court would include tackling emissions of all types of pollution.
4. Which word in the text means 'a specific plan to achieve a goal'?
Strategy.