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Which type of transport does the writer prefer, do you think?
People travelling long distances frequently have to decide whether they
would prefer to go by land, sea, or air. Hardly anyone can positively enjoy
sitting in a train for more than a few hours. Train compartments soon get
cramped and stuffy. It is almost impossible to take your mind off the journey.
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. If you are lucky enough to get a sleeper, you spend half the night staring
at the small blue light in the ceiling, or fumbling to find your ticket for
inspection. Inevitably you arrive at your destination almost exhausted. Long car
journeys 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 roads with few service
stations and too much traffic. By comparison, ferry trips or cruises offer a
great variety of civilized comforts. You can stretch your legs on the spacious
decks, play games, 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 holiday time for the pleasure of travelling by sea.
Aeroplanes have the reputation of being dangerous and even hardened
travellers are intimidated by them. They also have the disadvantage of being an
expensive form of transport. But nothing can match them for speed and comfort.
Travelling at a height of 30,000 feet, far above the clouds, and at over 500
miles an hour is an exhilarating experience. You do not have to devise ways of
taking your mind off the journey, for an aeroplane gets you to your destination
rapidly. For a few hours, you settle back in a deep armchair to enjoy the
flight. The real escapist can watch a film and sip champagne on some services.
But even when such refinements are not available, there is plenty to keep you
occupied. An aeroplane 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 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. You will not have to spend the next few days
recovering from a long and arduous journey.
New words and expressions 生词与短语
positively
adv. 绝对地，完全地
compartment
n. 列车客车厢内的分隔间(或单间)
cramped
adj. 窄小的
stuffy
adj. 憋气的，闷气的
monotonous
adj. 枯燥的，乏味的
rhythm
n. 有节奏的运动
click
v. 发出咔哒声
lull
v. 催人欲睡
snatch
n. 短时，片段
sleeper
n. 卧铺
fumble
v. 乱摸，摸索
inspection
n. 检查
inevitably
adv. 必然地，不可避免地
destination
n. 目的地
exhaust
v. 使精疲力尽
motorway
n. 快车道
ferry
n. 渡船
cruise
n. 巡游船
civilize
v. 使文明
spacious
adj. 宽敞的
seasick
adj. 晕船的
intimidate
v. 恐吓，恫吓
disadvantage
n. 短处，缺点
exhilarating
adj. 使人高兴的，令人兴奋的
escapist
n. 逍遥者
sip
v. 呷，啜
champagne
n. 香槟洒
refinement
n. 精心的安排
breathtaking
adj.激动人心的;不寻常的
soar
v. 高飞，翱翔
effortlessly
adv. 不费力地
landscape
n. 景色
fresh
adj. 精神饱满的
uncrumpled
adj. 没有垮下来
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发表于 2016-7-11 23:04:34