Trains have long been an important form of transportation. Yet they have changed a lot since 1804, when the first train moved at 8 km/hr. Today’s high speed trains can go 300 km/hr or faster. Besides their speed, they have many advantages over other transportation types.
Japan built the world’s first high speed railway. In 1964, Japan’s “Shinkansen” trains started traveling between Osaka and Tokyo at 200 km/hr. Over time, more lines, as well as faster trains, were built.
Korea, England, and the USA, now have their own high speed systems. Taiwan Province’s started running in 2007. Its trains are based on two types of Shinkansen trains. They can carry 989 people and travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung in less than two hours.
These systems are expensive to build, but they have many advantages. For example, they are good for the environment. Trains on the London to Paris line create 1/10 the pollution that planes create. High speed trains are also safer and cleaner than cars.
Super fast trains can even help a country’s economy(经济). They make it easier to travel to faraway places. That helps businesses and land values in those areas. It’s no wonder so many countries are building their own high speed railways.
1.The world’s first high speed trains started traveling at ______.
A. 8 km/hr B. 200 km/hr
C. 300 km/hr D. 500 km/hr
2.In Taiwan Province, the high speed trains are based on trains from ______.
A. Japan B. Korea C. China D. the USA
3.According to the passage, high speed trains ______ than planes.
A. are cheaper B. are safer and cleaner
C. make traveling easier D. cause less pollution
4.One of the disadvantages of high speed trains mentioned in this passage is that ______.
A. they are safer than some other transportation types
B. it costs a lot to build the whole high speed systems
C. they’re good for a country’s businesses and land values
D. super fast trains can help a country’s economy(经济)
5.The main idea of this passage is that ______.
A. trains are the most popular form of transportation in the world
B. Japan built the world’s first high speed railway
C. we should do everything that we can to help the environment
D. there are a lot of good reasons to build high speed railways
Questionaire
Read the question and answer YES or NO, then you will find out how good you are.
1. When you don’t understand something, you ask questions.
2. You like listening to older people talk about the past.
3. You think that you can learn something interesting from everyone around you.
4. You are brave enough when you have to talk to people you don’t know. You enjoy reading books about famous people.
5. You always see and talk to different people.
6. You are interested in learning new ways of doing things.
7. You enjoy sharing experiences with friends and learning from people of all ages.
8. You talk a lot about yourself.
9. Even if you are often wrong, you make your own decisions.
10. You hate teaching what you are good at: sports, technology, whatever.
11. Your parents don’ understand you, so you don’t talk to them much.
SCORE NOW: Score 2 points if you answer YES to each of the first 8 questions, and 0 if you choose NO.
Score 2 points if you answer NO to each of the last 4 questions, and 0 if you choose YES.
18-24 You are friendly and open-minded. You make people feel important by listening to what they have to say. You’ll probably succeed in learning all kinds of interesting things. Good for you!
10-16 Remember that every single person you know can teach you something. You will greatly make your life rich and colorful.
0-8 About 400 years ago, a famous writer wrote, “ No man is an island”. This is still true today. Try to be more open and interested in people around you.
1.If you say “YES” to all these questions, you’ll get _____ points.
A. 12 B. 16 C. 20 D. 24
2.When you score 22 points, you are _____.
A. shy and nervous B. silent and serious
C. open and friendly D. brave and strong
3.The writer thinks you should_____.
A. always see and talks to the same people
B. make your own decision whenever you want
C. enjoy teaching what you are good at
D. talk much about yourselves when possible
4.“No man is an island” in the text probably means that______.
A. the famous writer was very clever
B. everything is the same as 400 years ago
C. you will feel lonely if on an island
D. you can not live alone in the world
5.The questions are used to test whether you are willing to _____.
A. learn from others B. help other people
C. do all by yourself D. depend on others
One afternoon I took a trip to an art museum while waiting for my husband to finish a business meeting. I was expecting a view of the masterpieces(名作).
A young couple looking at the in front of me chatted non-stop. I watched them for a moment and realized the wife was doing all the talking. I admired(佩服)this man for being so with her. Bored by their noise, I moved on.
I met them several times as I moved those rooms of art. Each time I heard her voice, I moved away quickly.
I was standing at the museum gift shop buying some cards when the couple walked to the exit(出口).
" He's a brave man, " the clerk said. "Most of us would our interests if we were blind at such a young age. But behind his wife he comes in there's a new art show. "
"But he can't see. " I said in surprise.
" His wife each painting so that he can see it in his head. "
I learned about patience, courage and love that day. I saw the patience of a young wife describing paintings to a person without sight and the courage of a husband who would not allow blindness to change his . And I saw the love shared by two people as I this couple walk away holding each other's hands.
1.A. crowded B. quiet C. noisy D. silent
2.A. gifts B. maps C. books D. Paintings
3.A. strict B. patient C. careful D. excited
4.A. through B. across C. into D. out of
5.A. give up B. give away C. die out D. run away
6.A. whatever B. wherever C. whenever D. whether
7.A. talks B. shows C. describes D. tells
8.A. nothing B. everything C. something D. anything
9.A. mind B. eyes C. life D. decision
10.A. met B. knew C. researched D. Watched
– May I know _______ your parents?
--Usually by phone, and sometimes by WeChat.
A. how do you keep in touch with
B. how often do you keep in touch with
C. how you keep in touch with
D. how often you keep in touch with
--_____ harder, and you’ll do better next time.
--OK, I will. I’m looking forward _____ good grades.
A. Working, to get B. Working, getting
C. Work, to get D. Work, to getting
--Would you please give me a hand and take the bookcase upstairs?
-- _____.
A．Go ahead B．With pleasure
C．Of course I do D．Yes．That’s all right
