4.London has seen the appearance of the world's first subway.In 1863,the government was looking for a way to reduce traffic problems in the city of London.The poor areas of the city were so crowded with people that it was almost impossible for horse carriages(the taxis of those days) to get around.The city officials were interested in trying to make it possible for workers to live outside of London and travel easily to work each day.If people had a cheap and convenient way that they could depend on to get to and from work,they would settle down outside of the city.This would help ease the pressure of too many people living in the poor parts in London.From these problems,the idea of the London underground,the first subway system,was born.
The plans for building the underground met with several problems and delays,but the first track was finally opened in January 1863.A steam train pulled the cars along the first underground track which was six kilometers (3.7miles) long.About 30,000people got on the subway the first day.Riders were treated to comfortable seats (standing up while the train was moving was not allowed)and pleasant decorations inside each of the cars.
However,the smoke from the engine soon filled the air in the tunnels with ash and black powder,as well as chemical gases.Fans had to be put in the tunnels later to keep the air clean enough for people to breathe.Even with its problems,riding the underground did become popular.It carried nine million riders in its first year.
Modern subways have come a long way since the early days of the London Underground.Today there are 94large underground rapid transit systems around the world.The busiest of these subway systems is the Tokyo Metro which opened in 1927.This efficient subway has two billion riders per year,and"pushers"work on the platforms during busy traffic hours to help push riders onto trains.At times,subway cars have been packed with up to 300people!Shopping malls built in high traffic stations where riders move from one train to another have also helped the popularity of subways in Tokyo.Many stations underground department stores,supermarkets,restaurants,and specialty shops.Shoppers never have to go above ground!
13.What problems led the British government to build the London Underground?C.
A.Pollution and overcrowding
B.Traffic jams and pollution
C.Overcrowding and traffic jams
D.The subway problems
14.The last paragraph is mainly aboutB.
A.the London Underground today
B.the Tokyo subway
C.subways with subways
D.problems with subways
15.What is probably the best title for this passage?C.
A.The Subway Nowadays
B.The Popularity of the Subway
C.Subway Then and Now
D.The First Subway.
分析 本文屬于說明文閱讀,作者通過這篇文章主要向我們介紹了地鐵的發(fā)展歷程,介紹了從前與現(xiàn)在的地鐵的區(qū)別,以及不同國家地鐵的不同.
解答 13.C 細節(jié)理解題,根據(jù)第一段In 1863,the government was looking for a way to reduce traffic problems in the city of London可知倫敦政府建造倫敦地鐵是為了減少倫敦的城市交通問題,故選C.
14.B 細節(jié)理解題,根據(jù)最后一段Shopping malls built in high traffic stations where riders move from one train to another have also helped the popularity of subways in Tokyo.可知作者在最后一段中主要向我們介紹了東京地鐵,故選B.
15.C 主旨大意題,通讀全文可知作者通過這篇文章向我們介紹了地鐵的發(fā)展歷程,介紹了從前與現(xiàn)在的地鐵的區(qū)別,故選C.
點評 考查學(xué)生的細節(jié)理解和推理判斷能力.做細節(jié)理解題時一定要找到文章中的原句,和題干進行比較,再做出正確選擇.在做推理判斷題時不要以個人的主觀想象代替文章的事實,要根據(jù)文章事實進行合乎邏輯的推理判斷.