单选题
Amtrak (美国铁路客运公司) was experiencing a downswing in rider ship (客运量) along the lines comprising its rail system. Of major concern to Amtrak and its advertising agency DDB Needham, were the long-distance western routes where rider ship had been declining significantly. At one time, trains were the only practical way to cross the vast areas of the west. Trains were fast, very luxurious, and quite convenient compared to other forms of transportation existing at the time. However, times change and the automobile became America's standard of convenience. Also, air travel had easily established itself as the fastest method of traveling great distances. Therefore, the task for DDB Needham was to encourage consumers to consider other aspects of train travel in order to change their attitudes and increase the likelihood that trains would be considered for travel in the west. Two portions of the total market were targeted: 1) anxious fliers—those concerned with safety, relaxation, and cleanliness and 2) travel-lovers-those viewing themselves as relaxed, casual, and interested in the travel experience as part of their vacation. The agency then developed a campaign that focused on travel experiences such as freedom, escape, relaxation, and enjoyment of the great western outdoors. It stressed experiences gained by using the trains and portrayed western train trips as wonderful adventures. Advertisements showed pictures of the beautiful scenery that could be enjoyed along some of the more famous western routes and emphasized the romantic names of some of these trains (Empire Builder, etc.). These ads were strategically placed among family-oriented TV shows and programs involving nature and America in order to most effectively reach target audiences. Results were impressive. The Empire Builder, which was focused on in one ad, enjoyed a 15 percent increase in profits on its Chicago to Seattle route.
单选题
What's the author's purpose in writing this passage? A. To show the inability of trains to compete with planes with respect to speed and convenience. B. To stress the influence of the automobile on America's standard of convenience. C. To emphasize the function of travel agencies in market promotion. D. To illustrate the important role of persuasive communication in changing consumer attitudes.
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 本题属于文章的主旨性问题。我们可以利用排除的方式来做这道题，看哪一个选项比较好。首先来看A选项To show the inability of trains to compete with planes with respect to speed and convenience，因为在文章的最后火车最终还是盈利了，并非当面对飞机的时候表现出无能为力。B选项To stress the influence of the automobile on America's standard of convenience，本文说的内容主要在火车身上，不是在汽车身上，因此，这个选项应当排除。C选项To emphasize the function of travel agencies in market promotion，意思是：强调旅行社在市场推广中的作用。通过原文我们知道，文章的重点并非在旅行社，而是整体策略的转变促成了火车盈利的成功。D选项To illustrate the important role of persuasive communication in changing consumer attitudes，和文章的内容是比较符合的，在这四个选项中最好。
单选题
It can be inferred from the passage that the drop in Amtrak ridership was due to the fact that A. trains were not suitable for short distance passenger transportation B. trains were not the fastest and most convenient form of transportation C. trains were not as fast and convenient as they used to be D. trains could not compete with planes in terms of luxury and convenience
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析] 本题属细节性问题。这个问题和第二段的内容有关，读完第二段的内容后，我们对比四个选项。首先可以排除A选项trains were not suitable for short distance passenger transportation内容在文章中没有体现； D选项trains could not compete with planes in terms of luxury and convenience，关于火车和飞机的对比，文章中说火车没有飞机快，因此 D选项也不正确；B选项trains were not the fastest and most convenient form of transportation内容是属实的，因为文章中把火车与汽车和飞机作比较，说明火车没有汽车方便，没有飞机快，因此这个选项是比较好的；C选项trains were not as fast and convenient as they used to be说火车没有以前快和方便，这并不正确，文章中拿火车与汽车与飞机作比较，并没有将火车和他以前的情况作比较。故选B。
单选题
To encourage consumers to travel by train, DDB Needham emphasized? A. the freedom and convenience provided on trains B. the practical aspects of travel C. the adventurous aspects of train trips D. the safety and cleanliness of train trips
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 本题属细节性问题。这个问题和文章第三段最后一句话是对应的，现在对比四个选项，C选项the adventurous aspects of train trips是最佳选项，因为原文中说的是它描绘了wonderful adventures。
单选题
The train ads were placed among family-oriented TV programs involving nature and America because______ . A. they could focus on meaningful travel experiences, B. they could increase the effectiveness of the TV programs C. their profits could be increased by some 15 percent D. most travel-lovers and nervous fliers were believed to be among the audiences
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 本题属细节性问题。我们在文中找到了与此题相关的句子： These ads were strategically placed among family-oriented TV shows and programs involving nature and America in order to most effectively reach target audiences．现在对比四个选项，我们发现只有D选项most travel— lovers and nervous fliers were believed to be among the audiences，和这句话比较符合，因为两者都提到了audience的问题。
单选题
According to the passage, the Empire Builder enjoyed an increase in rider ship and? profits because______ . A. the attractiveness of its name and route was effectively advertised B. it provided an exciting travel experience C. its passengers could enjoy the great western outdoor D. it was widely advertised in newspapers and magazines in Chicago and Seattle
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[解析] 本题属细节性问题。我们在文章中找到了与这个问题对应的句子，首先读一下这个句子：Advertisements showed pictures of the beautiful scenery that could be enjoyed along some of the more famous western routes and emphasized the romantic names of some of these trains(Empire Builder，etc．)．现在对比四个选项，只有A选项the attractiveness of its name and route was effectively advertised表达了和原文相似的内容。