1. A Reading Passage Read the following passage carefully. Large numbers of Americans spend countless hours each day commuting to and from work or school in major urban centers. To alleviate their transportation problems, some metropolises are proposing the constructing of high-speed express train systems to link suburbs and nearby cities to one another. These express trains would possess several advantages over cars, buses, and slower commuter trains. As a result, cities should put every effort into constructing high-speed express trains as quickly as possible. One major benefit is that express trains can utilize existing railway systems whereas any increase in car and bus traffic would require new roads and extensive road maintenance to operate efficiently. Trains, however, can transport more people than cars and buses, so there would be fewer train trips required, and the wear and tear on railways would be much less than on roads since there would be less traffic. Thus cities could actually save money on construction and maintenance. Express trains would reduce traffic congestion as well. While a single train can carry hundreds of passengers per journey, the same number of people must travel in hundreds of cars to reach their destinations, which can create massive traffic jams. Railways do not have to worry about traffic since their movements are tightly scheduled and controlled. Passengers always know when they will leave and arrive, but motorists cannot be sure of that. A third benefit is that express trains can reduce pollution. A few trains carrying large numbers of passengers create less pollution than hundreds or thousands of vehicles on the roads. And when these cars idle on highways due to traffic jams, they produce even more pollution. Trains, on the other hand, expel much less pollution on a per-person basis. Outlining Write an outline of the reading passage in the space provided. Main Point ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Argument 1 ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Argument 2 ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Argument 3 ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Paraphrasing Exercises Read the following sentences. Then, paraphrase them. Be sure to include the key information in each sentence. 1 Trains, however, can transport more people than cars and buses, so there would be fewer train trips required, and the wear and tear on railways would be much less than on roads since there would be less traffic. →________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 2 While a single train can carry hundreds of passengers per journey, the same number of people must travel in hundreds of cars to reach their destinations, which can create massive traffic jams. →________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 3 A few trains carrying large numbers of passengers create less pollution than hundreds or thousands of vehicles on the roads. →________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
Outlining Main Point: cities should build high-speed express train systems Argument 1: can use existing railway systems -don't need to build new roads or maintain them -less wear and tear on railways since less traffic Argument 2: reduce traffic congestion -too many cars=traffic jams -no traffic jams for railroads→schedules controlled=know when will leave and arrive Argument 3: reduce pollution -trains create less pollution than thousands of cars -idling cars=make more pollution Paraphrasing Exercises 1 Trains can move more people then cars and buses, and the lower amounts of traffic mean that railways will wear down less than roads. 2 One train carries as many people as hundreds of cars, and those cars can cause big traffic jams. 3 A small number of trains will create less pollution than thousands of cars.
2. B Listening Lecture Now listen to part of a lecture on the topic you just read about.
Note-Taking Main Point _______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Argument 1 _______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Argument 2 _______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Argument 3 _______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Paraphrasing Exercises Read the following sentences. Then, paraphrase them. Be sure to include the key information in each sentence. 1 Express trains in particular require high-grade rails and safe routes because they travel at faster speeds than regular trains. →________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 2 But in the southern and western parts of the country, cities and suburbs tend to be more spread out, so public transportation isn't practical. →________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 3 And when you consider that our existing rail systems don't allow trains to move quickly and suffer from plenty of delays, you'll realize that idling and slow-moving trains will expel even more pollution into the air. →________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
Note-Taking Main Point: are many problems with high-speed express trains Argument 1: very expensive -tracks, bridges, and tunnels need expensive upgrades -express trains need high-grade rails=cost billions of $ to make Argument 2: many people don't live near train stations -people in south and west→don't live near cities -would have to drive to stations, park cars, and board trains =easier to drive Argument 3: trains aren't ecofriendly -use lots of fuel and produce pollution -trains move slowly+delays=idling and slow-moving trains expel pollution Paraphrasing Exercises 1 Express trains need high-grade rails and safe routes due to their high speeds. 2 In the south and west, cities are spread out, so public transportation is impractical. 3 Present-day rail systems have slow-moving trains and delays, which cause trains to expel lots of pollution.
[听力原文] Now listen to part of a lecture on the topic you just read about. W Professor: All throughout the country, millions of people commute from suburbs to big cities every day. It's inevitable that there are going to be transportation problems. Now, uh, lately, some politicians have begun proposing building high-speed rail networks. But I've got to tell you that there are all kinds of problems with them. For one thing, they're incredibly expensive. Don't be fooled by anyone who tries convincing you otherwise. Most railway tracks in the country are outdated, and so are the, um, the bridges and tunnels they use. They're in need of expensive upgrades, especially if the tracks are going to be used by even more trains. Express trains in particular require high-grade rails and safe routes because they travel at faster speeds than regular trains. Just building a single high-speed rail system in one area can require billions of dollars. Now, uh, it's true that express trains would reduce road congestion in some places, but let's remember that most of the country isn't like the east coast. By that, urn, I mean that along the eastern seaboard, millions of people reside in metropolitan areas and thus live close to train stations. But in the southern and western parts of the country, cities and suburbs tend to be more spread out, so public transportation isn't practical. People would have to drive their vehicles to stations, pay to park them, and then board trains. For those individuals, it would be easier and faster to drive. Lastly, let's remember that trains—even electric ones—expend plenty of fuel and produce pollution, so they're not particularly ecofriendly. And when you consider that our existing rail systems don't allow trains to move quickly and suffer from plenty of delays, you'll realize that idling and slow-moving trains will expel even more pollution into the air.
3. C Combining the Main Points Read the following sentences from the reading passage and listening lecture. Then, combine each pair of sentences by using the given patterns. 1 Reading Trains, however, can transport more people than cars and buses, so there would be fewer train trips required, and the wear and tear on railways would be much less than on roads since there would be less traffic. Thus cities could actually save money on construction and maintenance. Listening Express trains in particular require high-grade rails and safe routes because they travel at faster speeds than regular trains. Just building a single high-speed rail system in one area can require billions of dollars. →The professor believes that ______________________________, which is in opposition to the claim in the reading passage that ____________________________________________________________. 2 Reading Express trains would reduce traffic congestion as well. While a single train can carry hundreds of passengers per journey, the same number of people must travel in hundreds of cars to reach their destinations, which can create massive traffic jams. Listening But in the southern and western parts of the country, cities and suburbs tend to be more spread out, so public transportation isn't practical. People would have to drive their vehicles to stations, pay to park them, and then board trains. For those individuals, it would be easier and faster to drive. →The professor admits that ____________________________________, but she also points out that ______________________________________________________. 3 Reading A few trains carrying large numbers of passengers create less pollution than hundreds or thousands of vehicles on the roads. Listening And when you consider that our existing rail systems don't allow trains to move quickly and suffer from plenty of delays, you'll realize that idling and slow-moving trains will expel even more pollution into the air. →Although the reading passage claims that ______________________________, the professor disputes this notion. She says ____________________________________.
1 The professor believes that building train systems will cost billions of dollars, which is in opposition to the claim in the reading passage that it would be cheaper to build express train networks than to build and maintain roads. 2 The professor admits that some parts of the country could be helped by trains, but she also points out that the western and southern areas are spread out, so they are not ideal for commuters who want to take trains. 3 Although the reading passage claims that trains would create less pollution than thousands of cars on the road, the professor disputes this notion. She says trains make plenty of pollution when they are both moving and idling, so they are not pollution free.
4. D Completing the Essay Complete the following sample essay. Use the phrases to help you write your essay. The professor covers ____________________________________. Her arguments against them __________________________________________________________________. Both the reading passage and the professor discuss ______________________________. The professor mentions that ____________________________________. She believes that ______________________________, which is in opposition to the claim in the reading passage that ____________________________________. The professor's second argument concerns ______________________________ She admits that ____________________________________, but she also points out that ______________________________. Her argument thus goes against the claim in the reading passage __________________________________________. Last, although the reading passage claims that ____________________________________, the professor disputes this notion. She says ________________________________________________________________________.
Sample Essay The professor covers some disadvantages of building high-speed rail networks in her lecture. Her arguments against them cast doubt on some specific points supporting high-speed train systems that were made in the reading passage. Both the reading passage and the professor discuss the costs of railway systems. The professor mentions that the American railway network is outdated and is in need of upgrading. She believes that building train systems will cost billions of dollars, which is in opposition to the claim in the reading passage that it would be cheaper to build express train networks than to build and maintain roads. The professor's second argument concerns the practicality of trains. She admits that some parts of the country could be helped by trains, but she also points out that the western and southern areas are spread out, so they are not ideal for commuters who want to take trains. Her argument thus goes against the claim in the reading passage that trains would help numerous people commute each day. Last, although the reading passage claims that trains would create less pollution than thousands of cars on the road, the professor disputes this notion. She says trains make plenty of pollution when they are both moving and idling, so they are not pollution free. Therefore there is no benefit to the environment by building train networks.
问答题1.A Reading Passage Read the following passage carefully. Large numbers of Americans spend countless hours each day commuting to and from work or school in major urban centers. To alleviate their transportation problems, some metropolises are proposing the constructing of high-speed express train systems to link suburbs and nearby cities to one another. These express trains would possess several advantages over cars, buses, and slower commuter trains. As a result, cities should put every effort into constructing high-speed express trains as quickly as possible. One major benefit is that express trains can utilize existing railway systems whereas any increase in car and bus traffic would require new roads and extensive road maintenance to operate efficiently. Trains, however, can transport more people than cars and buses, so there would be fewer train trips required, and the wear and tear on railways would be much less than on roads since there would be less traffic. Thus cities could actually save money on construction and maintenance. Express trains would reduce traffic congestion as well. While a single train can carry hundreds of passengers per journey, the same number of people must travel in hundreds of cars to reach their destinations, which can create massive traffic jams. Railways do not have to worry about traffic since their movements are tightly scheduled and controlled. Passengers always know when they will leave and arrive, but motorists cannot be sure of that. A third benefit is that express trains can reduce pollution. A few trains carrying large numbers of passengers create less pollution than hundreds or thousands of vehicles on the roads. And when these cars idle on highways due to traffic jams, they produce even more pollution. Trains, on the other hand, expel much less pollution on a per-person basis. Outlining Write an outline of the reading passage in the space provided. Main Point ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Argument 1 ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Argument 2 ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Argument 3 ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Paraphrasing Exercises Read the following sentences. Then, paraphrase them. Be sure to include the key information in each sentence. 1 Trains, however, can transport more people than cars and buses, so there would be fewer train trips required, and the wear and tear on railways would be much less than on roads since there would be less traffic. →________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 2 While a single train can carry hundreds of passengers per journey, the same number of people must travel in hundreds of cars to reach their destinations, which can create massive traffic jams. →________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 3 A few trains carrying large numbers of passengers create less pollution than hundreds or thousands of vehicles on the roads. →________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
【正确答案】Outlining Main Point: cities should build high-speed express train systems Argument 1: can use existing railway systems -don't need to build new roads or maintain them -less wear and tear on railways since less traffic Argument 2: reduce traffic congestion -too many cars=traffic jams -no traffic jams for railroads→schedules controlled=know when will leave and arrive Argument 3: reduce pollution -trains create less pollution than thousands of cars -idling cars=make more pollution Paraphrasing Exercises 1 Trains can move more people then cars and buses, and the lower amounts of traffic mean that railways will wear down less than roads. 2 One train carries as many people as hundreds of cars, and those cars can cause big traffic jams. 3 A small number of trains will create less pollution than thousands of cars.
【答案解析】
问答题2.B Listening Lecture Now listen to part of a lecture on the topic you just read about.
Note-Taking Main Point _______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Argument 1 _______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Argument 2 _______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Argument 3 _______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Paraphrasing Exercises Read the following sentences. Then, paraphrase them. Be sure to include the key information in each sentence. 1 Express trains in particular require high-grade rails and safe routes because they travel at faster speeds than regular trains. →________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 2 But in the southern and western parts of the country, cities and suburbs tend to be more spread out, so public transportation isn't practical. →________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 3 And when you consider that our existing rail systems don't allow trains to move quickly and suffer from plenty of delays, you'll realize that idling and slow-moving trains will expel even more pollution into the air. →________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
【正确答案】Note-Taking Main Point: are many problems with high-speed express trains Argument 1: very expensive -tracks, bridges, and tunnels need expensive upgrades -express trains need high-grade rails=cost billions of $ to make Argument 2: many people don't live near train stations -people in south and west→don't live near cities -would have to drive to stations, park cars, and board trains =easier to drive Argument 3: trains aren't ecofriendly -use lots of fuel and produce pollution -trains move slowly+delays=idling and slow-moving trains expel pollution Paraphrasing Exercises 1 Express trains need high-grade rails and safe routes due to their high speeds. 2 In the south and west, cities are spread out, so public transportation is impractical. 3 Present-day rail systems have slow-moving trains and delays, which cause trains to expel lots of pollution.
【答案解析】 [听力原文] Now listen to part of a lecture on the topic you just read about. W Professor: All throughout the country, millions of people commute from suburbs to big cities every day. It's inevitable that there are going to be transportation problems. Now, uh, lately, some politicians have begun proposing building high-speed rail networks. But I've got to tell you that there are all kinds of problems with them. For one thing, they're incredibly expensive. Don't be fooled by anyone who tries convincing you otherwise. Most railway tracks in the country are outdated, and so are the, um, the bridges and tunnels they use. They're in need of expensive upgrades, especially if the tracks are going to be used by even more trains. Express trains in particular require high-grade rails and safe routes because they travel at faster speeds than regular trains. Just building a single high-speed rail system in one area can require billions of dollars. Now, uh, it's true that express trains would reduce road congestion in some places, but let's remember that most of the country isn't like the east coast. By that, urn, I mean that along the eastern seaboard, millions of people reside in metropolitan areas and thus live close to train stations. But in the southern and western parts of the country, cities and suburbs tend to be more spread out, so public transportation isn't practical. People would have to drive their vehicles to stations, pay to park them, and then board trains. For those individuals, it would be easier and faster to drive. Lastly, let's remember that trains—even electric ones—expend plenty of fuel and produce pollution, so they're not particularly ecofriendly. And when you consider that our existing rail systems don't allow trains to move quickly and suffer from plenty of delays, you'll realize that idling and slow-moving trains will expel even more pollution into the air.
问答题3.C Combining the Main Points Read the following sentences from the reading passage and listening lecture. Then, combine each pair of sentences by using the given patterns. 1 Reading Trains, however, can transport more people than cars and buses, so there would be fewer train trips required, and the wear and tear on railways would be much less than on roads since there would be less traffic. Thus cities could actually save money on construction and maintenance. Listening Express trains in particular require high-grade rails and safe routes because they travel at faster speeds than regular trains. Just building a single high-speed rail system in one area can require billions of dollars. →The professor believes that ______________________________, which is in opposition to the claim in the reading passage that ____________________________________________________________. 2 Reading Express trains would reduce traffic congestion as well. While a single train can carry hundreds of passengers per journey, the same number of people must travel in hundreds of cars to reach their destinations, which can create massive traffic jams. Listening But in the southern and western parts of the country, cities and suburbs tend to be more spread out, so public transportation isn't practical. People would have to drive their vehicles to stations, pay to park them, and then board trains. For those individuals, it would be easier and faster to drive. →The professor admits that ____________________________________, but she also points out that ______________________________________________________. 3 Reading A few trains carrying large numbers of passengers create less pollution than hundreds or thousands of vehicles on the roads. Listening And when you consider that our existing rail systems don't allow trains to move quickly and suffer from plenty of delays, you'll realize that idling and slow-moving trains will expel even more pollution into the air. →Although the reading passage claims that ______________________________, the professor disputes this notion. She says ____________________________________.
【正确答案】1 The professor believes that building train systems will cost billions of dollars, which is in opposition to the claim in the reading passage that it would be cheaper to build express train networks than to build and maintain roads. 2 The professor admits that some parts of the country could be helped by trains, but she also points out that the western and southern areas are spread out, so they are not ideal for commuters who want to take trains. 3 Although the reading passage claims that trains would create less pollution than thousands of cars on the road, the professor disputes this notion. She says trains make plenty of pollution when they are both moving and idling, so they are not pollution free.
【答案解析】
问答题4.D Completing the Essay Complete the following sample essay. Use the phrases to help you write your essay. The professor covers ____________________________________. Her arguments against them __________________________________________________________________. Both the reading passage and the professor discuss ______________________________. The professor mentions that ____________________________________. She believes that ______________________________, which is in opposition to the claim in the reading passage that ____________________________________. The professor's second argument concerns ______________________________ She admits that ____________________________________, but she also points out that ______________________________. Her argument thus goes against the claim in the reading passage __________________________________________. Last, although the reading passage claims that ____________________________________, the professor disputes this notion. She says ________________________________________________________________________.
【正确答案】Sample Essay The professor covers some disadvantages of building high-speed rail networks in her lecture. Her arguments against them cast doubt on some specific points supporting high-speed train systems that were made in the reading passage. Both the reading passage and the professor discuss the costs of railway systems. The professor mentions that the American railway network is outdated and is in need of upgrading. She believes that building train systems will cost billions of dollars, which is in opposition to the claim in the reading passage that it would be cheaper to build express train networks than to build and maintain roads. The professor's second argument concerns the practicality of trains. She admits that some parts of the country could be helped by trains, but she also points out that the western and southern areas are spread out, so they are not ideal for commuters who want to take trains. Her argument thus goes against the claim in the reading passage that trains would help numerous people commute each day. Last, although the reading passage claims that trains would create less pollution than thousands of cars on the road, the professor disputes this notion. She says trains make plenty of pollution when they are both moving and idling, so they are not pollution free. Therefore there is no benefit to the environment by building train networks.