2011年大学英语四级考试仔细阅读模拟练习(2)_第2页

White smoke can be.ignored if the engine is cold, but once it is warmed up, white smoke can mean a leaking head gasket (垫圈) : expensive. Reject this car.

After the engine has warmed, shut it off, and then go wipe your finger inside the tailpipe (making sure it's not too hot). The residue should be whitish-gay. If you get a black, oily mark, refuse the car—it's probably an oil burner.
Restart the engine and check the oil in an automatic transmission. It should be clean and clear, with no burned odor. The test drive

The salesman may try to convince you that a short drive around the block is enough. Wrong. Make it clear that you plan to road test the car, and if he isn't happy with this look elsewhere.

The test route you have mapped out should include dry city streets, a freeway, a hill, a bumpy road and an empty parking lot. All gauges(计量器) should read steady and normal throughout the test, especially oil pressure and engine heat. If not, don't buy the car.
Drive to a traffic-free city street on your predetermined route and then accelerate smoothly to about 35 miles per hour. The automatic transmission should shift without jerking and with no noise.
Slow to about 7 m. p. h. by gently applying the brakes. There should be no noise, no sharp sound or grinding. The car should slow in a straight line, with no pulling to the right or left.
Pick up speed to about 15; then making certain nobody is behind you, hit the brakes hard! The car should come to an immediate stop without making noise or swerving.
In an empty, level parking lot, brake to a complete stop. Shift into reverse and back up at about 4 m. p. h. , brake to a halt, shift into forward, etc. Do this four or five times to test the transmission. All shifting should be smooth, with no noise or hesitation.
Accelerate up a hill to about 40 m. p. h. The car should not labour. If it does, you could have a rotten transmission. Go back down the hill. Stop halfway, shift into neutral and set the parking brake. The car should remain stationary when you take your foot off the brake pedal.

Drive the car over the bumpy road, up a hill, and on the highway. Rarely will a car be perfect. However by now you should have a pretty good idea what needs to be done. How to bargain
Use what you've learned from the visual exam, test drive and outside mechanic to get the price down. Have a maximum figure in mind, based on your inspection and on current prices from a used-car guide. Start your bidding lower than that. When you have nearly arrived at a price, get the seller to throw in certain repairs. It may be cheaper for him than further price cuts.

1. Following the instructions here will help you make a good selection when buying a used car.
2. Winter is a good time for purchasing a car because there is little rain in winter.
3. You are more likely to pay less to a private owner for a car of poor quality.
4. Refuse the car if you find any signs of a past accident in the visual examination.
5. Don't buy the car if there is white smoke coming out of the rear because it is probably an oil burner.
6. At certain speeds in the tests, a good car should not make any noise when the driver brakes either hard or gently.
7. If you are patient and careful enough, you will certainly find a perfect used car.
8. The last step before you make a decision to buy a car is______.
9. Besides all gauges, the two very important systems mainly examined in the test drive are______.
10. According to some experts,  to buy a second-hand car is______.

I. Y 2. N 3. Y 4. NG 5. N 6. Y 7. N
8. to bargain over the price 9. brake and transmission 10. a new-car dealer