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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 pan of the journey is spent on
narrow, bumpy roads which are crowded wich 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 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.
【试题】
1. The author indicates that reading can help lessen_______________.
A) the boredom of being in the train
B) the tiresome clicking of the wheels
C) the sleeplessness during the journey
D) the poor ventilation of the compartment
2. what can we learn about the long distance journey by car?
A) It is safe because the car usually goes at high speeds.
B) It is monotonous because reading is quite impossible.
C) It is exhausting because you seldom manage to sleep.
D) It is dangerous because the traffic is always too dense.
3. Trips by sea is regarded as the worst means of traveling
when______________.
A) the weather is terrible B) the traveler has little time
C) the traveler feels seasick D) the sea is not calm
4. What is the greatest difference between traveling by air and the other
means of traveling?
A) Traveling by air is not so tiring as the others.
B) Traveling by air brings more fun than the others.
C) Traveling by air is much more expensive than the others.
D) Traveling by air offers more time for sleep than the others.
5. By writing the passage the author intends to_______________.
A) introduce diverse ways of traveling
B) points out the best mode of traveling
C) emphasize the advantages of traveling by air
D) compare the means of relaxing when traveling
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