单选题
单选题 A. The use of oversized freight containers. C. The growth of the automotive industry.
B. Safety problems with railroad tracks. D. The high cost of meeting environmental regulations.
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】[听力原文]
At the beginning of the 20th century, the railroads were used to transport everything. Powerful railroad companies made fortunes without having to be accountable to the public or considerate of customers. But cars and trucks changed all of that. And by 1970, the rail industry was beset with problems. Trucks were taking all the new business. And even so, the rail industry remained indifferent to customers. Also, many regulations kept the rail industry from adjusting to shifting markets. But in 1980, the rail industry entered the modem era when a deregulation bill was passed that allowed railroad companies to make quick adjustments to fees and practices. Companies reduced their lines by 1/3 and used fewer employees. They also took steps to minimize damage to products and to increase their shipping capacity by stacking freight containers on railroad cars. To accommodate these taller loads, under passes and tunnels were "enlarged. The image of the rail industry has changed dramatically. Today companies are very responsive to customers and are gaining increasing market share in the shipping industry. The railroad safety record is also strong. Freight trains have an accident rate that is only 1/3 of that of the truck industry. Trains also come out ahead of the trucks on environmental grounds because they give off only 1/10 to 1/3 the pollution that is emitted by trucks. And railroading does not wear out highways as trucks do.

What development caused the decline in the use of railroads?

[解析]
1．四项均为名词短语。
2．三项含有与交通运输有关的词汇(freight containers，railroad tracks，automotive、industry)。
3．三项明显为不利因素(oversized，safety problems，high cost)。
结论：本题有可能考查导致某结果的不利因素。
题干问是什么的发展导致铁路运输的应用率下降。20世纪初，铁路运输业曾盛极一时，一切运输都依赖铁路。后由于汽车运输业的发展，铁路运输一度衰退，到了20世纪70年代，卡车运输包揽了很多新业务。可见铁路运输是受到了汽车运输业发展的影响。故选C。
单选题 A. To make the railway operation safer. C. To meet the demand of shipping larger loads.
B. To offer passengers more comfortable journeys. D. To connect the railway network with the highways.
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】[听力原文]
Why were the under passes and tunnels enlarged?

[解析]四项均为to引导的不定式短语，表目的，而且是为了使某事物更好。需重点关注相关信息。
短文中间部分提到，铁路行业为了增加运力，开始在车厢内放货物集装箱，为适应这种高度更高的装载，地下通道和隧道都变得更宽大了。故选C。
单选题 A. It contributes less to air pollution than truck industry.
B. Its competitors are inconsiderate of customers.
C. It preserves a traditional way of doing business.
D. It creates personal fortunes for investors.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】[听力原文]
What is one of the reasons why the railroad industry is gaining public support?

[解析]
1．三项以it开头，一项以its开头，需先辨别所指代的对象。
2．四项多为有利因素。
结论：本题可能考查某事物的竞争优势何在。
题干问为什么铁路运输业渐渐赢得了人们的支持。短文在结尾处提到铁路行业努力提高了运输的安全性，而且在环境保护方面也更有优势，其排放的污染物仅为卡车的1/10到1/3。故选A。