In the United States there are six million tennis players and twelve million golfers. These figures would not surprise most people. But many would be surprised to learn that twenty million Americans ride motorcycles. Few people realize that motorcycling is fast becoming one of America's most popular sports.
Many kinds of people enjoy motorcycling. The average American motorcyclist is between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-five. He owns his own house, and has a wife, more than one child, and at least one car. He is a responsible citizen.
Cycle Magazine, a monthly publication with almost 280,000 readers, claims that about fifty-five per cent of American motorcyclists are businessmen, with three per cent in the professions and nine per cent in government service. Such information is offered by motorcyclists in the hope of improving the general public's impression of their sport. The public has tended to believe that all motorcycles are ridden by wild, irresponsible, lawless young man.
There are several things about motorcycling that the average citizen dislikes.
Motorcyclists often look dirty; in fact, they are dirty. On the road there is little to protect them from mud, crushed insects, and bird droppings. For practical reasons they often dress in old clothing which looks much less respectable than the clothing of people who ride in cars.
Probably the machine itself also produces anger and fear. Motorcycles are noisy, though some big trucks are even noisier. But trucks are big and carry heavy loads; they are accepted because they perform. a needed service, making America move. Motorcycles, on the other hand, make an unpleasant noise just to give their riders pleasure. That is what is commonly thought.
Of course the danger of motorcycling also helps account for many people'slow opinion of the sport. Its defenders, however, claim that careful cyclists arein less danger than is commonly believed.
As motorcycling becomes more common in years to come, it will be interesting to see how people in general feel about the sport. Perhaps it will someday become as respectable as tennis or golf.
(1) Motorcyclists ().
A、are wild, irresponsible, lawless young man
B、are all businessmen
C、hope to improve the general public's impression of their sport
D、want to own his own house and at least one car
(2) The average citizen dislikes motorcycling not because ().
A、motorcyclists often look dirty
B、motorcycles make an unpleasant noise
C、it is dangerous
D、it is not as popular as tennis
(3) Why do motorcyclists often dress in old clothing?
A、For practical reasons.
B、It looks cool and wild.
C、They do not want to be looked respectable.
D、Because motorcycles are dirty.
(4) People accept noisier big trucks because ().
A、they are big and carry heavy loads
B、they perform. a needed service
C、they give their riders pleasure
D、they are not roaring along quiet streets.
(5) Which of the following ideas is suggested in the passage?
A、In the United States there are twelve million tennis players and six million golfers.
B、There are 280,000 motorcyclists in the United States.
C、Many people realize that motorcycling is becoming one of America's most popular sports.
D、Motorcycling becomes more common in the future.