People traveling long distances frequently have to decide whether they would prefer to go by land, sea, or air. Hardly can anyone positively enjoy sitting in a train for more than a few hours. Train compartments soon get cramped and stuffy. Reading is only a partial solution, for the monotonous rhythm of the wheels clicking on the rails soon lulls you to sleep. During the day, sleep comes in snatches. At night, when you really wish to go to sleep you rarely manage to do so. Inevitably you arrive at your destination almost exhausted. Long car journey are even less pleasant, for it is quite impossible even to read. On motorways you can, at least, travel fairly safely at high speeds, but more often than not, the greater part of the journey is spent on narrow, bumpy roads which are crowded with traffic. By comparison, trips by sea offer a great variety of civilized comforts. You can stretch your legs on the spacious decks, play games, swim, meet interesting people and enjoy good food—always assuming, of course, that the sea is calm. If it is not, and you are likely to get seasick; no form of transport could be worse. Even if you travel in ideal weather, sea journeys take a long time. Relatively few people are prepared to sacrifice up to a third of their holidays for the pleasure of traveling on a ship.
Airplanes have the reputation of being dangerous and expensive. But nothing can match them for speed and comfort. Traveling at a height of 30,000 feet, far above the clouds, and at over 500 miles an hour is an exhilarating experience. For a few hours, you settle back in a deep armchair to enjoy the flight The real escapist can watch a free film show and sip champagne on some services. But even when such refinements are not available, there is plenty to keep you occupied. An airplane offers you an unusual and breathtaking view of the world. You soar effortlessly over high mountains and deep valleys. You really see the shape of the land. If the landscape is hidden from the view, you can enjoy the extraordinary sight of unbroken cloud plains that stretch out for miles before you, while the sun shines brilliantly in a clear sky. The journey is so smooth that there is nothing to prevent you from reading or sleeping. However you decide to spend your time, one thing is certain: you will arrive at your destination fresh and uncrumpled.
单选题 The author indicates that reading can help lessen ______.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】原文第1段第4句提到阅读是a partial solution,这表明阅读有助于解决某个问题,而这个问题就是该段第2句和第3句提到的坐长途火车会让人觉得烦闷,由此可见,本题答案应为A。
单选题 What can we learn about the long distance journey by car?
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】首段第8句中的for引出原因从句,表明因果关系,而B表达的因果关系与此相同,因此为本题答案。原文该段第9句提到了safely at high speeds,但安全和高速之间并不存在因果关系,因此A不正确;C在原文没提及,D的因果关系也不正确。
单选题 Trips by sea is regarded as the worst means of traveling when _____.
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】首段倒数第3句指出了两种因果关系:第一,海洋不平静可能会导致你晕船;第二,晕船会让你觉得坐船是最糟糕的交通方式,由此可见,本题应选C。D“海不平静”并非人们认为坐船是最糟糕的交通方式的直接原因,晕船才是;且海不平静并不一定会导致晕船,故排除干扰项D。
单选题 What is the greatest difference between traveling by air and the other means of traveling?
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】虽然文章没有明显地比较飞机与其他交通方式,但是从首段的内容来看,可以知道当作者描述其他交通方式时,都提到它们很累人,而第2段末句中的fresh and uncrumpled表明坐飞机旅行不会让旅行者觉得累,由此可见,本题应选A。
单选题 By writing the passage, the author intends to _____.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】作者在原文首句提到了三种交通方式,然后分别描述了它们各自的特点,可见,作者写本文是为了介绍三种不同的交通方式,故选A。作者只是描述三种交通方式的特点,没有指出哪一种是最好的,因此B不正确;C只是第2段的内容,并非全文主题,因此也不正确;本文的主题是交通方式,并非放松的方式,因此D不正确。