英语听力精选进阶版 6449

Why do we always want to go faster? I am talking about travel. We want our cars, trains and planes to get us to places quicker. This century, there's been a rise in high-speed rail travel as people have seen the benefits of this form of transport.

I love train travel and have experienced¹ the efficient and fast trains that operate in France and Japan. The acceleration² and top speed of these trains is impressive³, the space and comfort on board makes it comfortable and the ability to see something out of the window means, according to me, it beats air travel any day.

Spain recently joined the railway revolution with its AVE ultra-modern high-speed train that has a top speed of 310 kilometres per hour. Its service from Madrid to Barcelona took 20% of passengers away from Spain's national airline. In Japan, a magnetic⁴ train is being developed that will run at 500 kilometres per hour.

This has shunted rail travel in Britain onto the slow line. It has one high-speed line from London to France - HS1 - but now it is planning to construct a new line called HS2 which will connect London with the north of England. The UK government's transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, says "This is essential to actually make sure that our great cities are connected and we get the right benefits for the United Kingdom."

But not everyone agrees. The idea of fast train travel may appeal but not if it's going to be built in your back yard. It's controversial⁵: people are arguing over the benefits and cost of having shorter journey times, less traffic on the roads and more capacity⁶ on the rail network.

John Kelleher, who is a farmer and lives on the proposed⁷ site of the new line says, "they're not taking into consideration the amount that HS2 will destroy on its construction and route through the countryside." Some people are worried the financial and environmental cost will be too high to save just half an hour on a journey.

But other countries have shown that high-speed rail is good for the economy. It has helped poorer parts of the country, reduced the need to fly and has made train travel cool. For me, there's nothing better than sipping⁸ a cold beer and watching the world go by from the comfort of a train seat - in fact if it's that good, what's the rush?! Maybe I will stick with the slow train.

Quiz 测验

1. True or false? Trains, planes and cars are types of transport.

True.

2. Name a country mentioned in the article which has high-speed trains.

France, Japan, Spain.

3. How many high-speed rail lines are there in Britain?

It has one high-speed line from London to France - HS1.

4. According to the article, where would you not be happy for a new railway line to be built?

If it is built in your back yard.

5. What do some people fear a new railway line would destroy?

The countryside.

Glossary 词汇表

high-speed 高速的

transport 交通运输

efficient 效率高的

acceleration 加速

the railway revolution 铁路革命

ultra-modern 超现代的

shunted 分流到，归类到

construct 建造

controversial 有争议的

capacity (运输) 能力

rail network 铁路网

watching the world go by 静静地欣赏周围的一切

1 experienced   

adj.有经验的；经验丰富的，熟练的

参考例句：

• Experienced seamen will advise you about sailing in this weather.有经验的海员会告诉你在这种天气下的航行情况。
• Perhaps you and I had better change over;you are more experienced.也许我们的工作还是对换一下好，你比我更有经验。

2 acceleration   

n.加速，加速度

参考例句：

• All spacemen must be able to bear acceleration.所有太空人都应能承受加速度。
• He has also called for an acceleration of political reforms.他同时呼吁加快政治改革的步伐。

3 impressive   

adj.给人深刻印象的，感人的

参考例句：

• This cinema is so impressive that we can't help crying.这影片如此感人以至我们禁不住流下泪来。
• The suit made him look especially impressive.他穿上这套衣服真精神。

4 magnetic   

adj.磁的，有磁性的；有吸引力的，有魅力的

参考例句：

• If we charge it with electricity,it will become magnetic.如果充上电，它就会带有磁性。
• I have a magnetic disc.我有一张磁盘。

5 controversial   

adj.引起争论的，有争议的

参考例句：

• The topic of argument is controversial.这个议题是很有争议的。
• Immigration is a controversial issue in many countries.在很多国家，移民都是一个颇有争议的问题。

6 capacity   

n.能力，力量，接受力；容量，能量，容积

参考例句：

• She is employed by the president in an advisory capacity.她被总裁聘为顾问。
• This carriage has a seating capacity of 120 people.这节车厢定员120人。

7 proposed   

被提议的

参考例句：

• There is widespread discontent among the staff at the proposed changes to pay and conditions. 员工对改变工资和工作环境的建议普遍不满。
• an outcry over the proposed change 对拟议的改革所发出的强烈抗议

8 sipping   

v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• She sat in the sun, idly sipping a cool drink. 她坐在阳光下懒洋洋地抿着冷饮。
• She sat there, sipping at her tea. 她坐在那儿抿着茶。