7 . The head of the Virgin Hyperloop (超级高铁) transport system says the company aims to begin carrying passengers by 2027.

The Virgin Hyperloop system is based on a technology called magnetic levitation (磁悬浮). It uses magnetic fields to lift a vehicle off the ground a little and to push it forward.

Some high-speed trains also use this technology. But unlike trains, a Hyperloop is designed to operate within tubes containing very little air. Electric force moves vehicles, called pods, through the tubes at high speeds. The system offers nearly silent travel and reportedly releases no carbon emissions.

The system’s pods are designed to move at much higher speeds, up to 1,200 kilometers per hour. It says such a vehicle could complete a trip between New York and Washington, D.C. in 30 minutes. That would be two times as fast as a jet flight and four times faster than a high-speed train.

The pods will seat 28 passengers and could be specially designed to travel long or short distances, or to carry goods, the company said.

While the system is still in early development, it is predicted that commercial operations could start as early as 2027. Virgin Hyperloop is looking to first develop passenger systems in India, where the transport system is overcrowded, and in Saudi Arabia, which lacks infrastructure (基础设施).

It could be the first form of transportation in 100 years to revolutionize travel, as cars, trains and airplanes did before. “It starts off with two people riding a Hyperloop. It ends with hundreds of millions of people riding on a Hyperloop and that’s what the 2020s—the roaring 2020s—will be,” he added.

Virgin Hyperloop has partners that include Virgin Group founder Richard Branson and the port operations company DP World, which is owned by the Dubai government.

1. What’s the difference between a Hyperloop and a high-speed train?

A．A Hyperloop runs in a space with little air.

B．A high-speed train travels at a higher speed.

C．A Hyperloop uses magnetic levitation technique.

D．A high-speed train is more environment-friendly.

2. What advantage of a Hyperloop does the author mention in paragraph 4?

A．Its size.

B．Its speed.

C．Its safety.

D．Its service.

3. What does the author think of the Hyperloop system?

A．It will take a long time to improve.	B．It will replace the traditional vehicles.
C．It will be a milestone for transportation.	D．It is only suitable for countries with heavy traffic.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．A Clean Form of Transportation Is on the Horizon

B．Traditional Transportation Will Face Great Challenges

C．High Technology Brings Great Convenience to Travel

D．The Hyperloop Plans to Start Carrying Passengers by 2027

9 . 阅读下面短文,在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Both research and     1     (explore) in the Arctic are fundamental to understanding and dealing with climate change issues. With the melting of Arctic ice, the polar region could provide an opportunity to     2     (well) understand the effects of global warming. The Arctic is     3     great importance, among other things, for the environment, trade, investment, energy and security. It is evaluated     4     (have) a quarter of the world’s oil and natural gas. China has a clear Arctic policy, explained in a White Paper,    5     corresponds well with the concept of a “Polar Silk Road”.

Thanks to global warming, Arctic ice is melting,    6     (open) up the possibility of a “Northern shipping route” via the Northwest, Central and Northeast     7     (passage). Shipping time between China and Europe via the Arctic would be shorter than     8     existing one through the Indian Ocean and Suez Canal. Although this does not mean the “Northern route” would replace these established ones, it would represent a new chance,    9     (particular) in the trade of energy and minerals. As issued in the white paper, great importance     10     (attach)to voyage security in the Arctic shipping routes and studies on the routes by China these years.

10 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The trade routes are of great importance. In march, the Suez Canal, one of the world's most important sea trade routes,     1     (block) by a ship, causing an epic maritime traffic jam of nearly 300 ships between Europe and Asia. Besides the Suez Canal, China's ancient Silk Road also played     2     important role in trade and cultural exchanges between China and Europe.

In early history, The Silk Road was the most important trade route,     3     (mark) the beginning of globalization. As the first route     4     introduced the Eastern world to the Western civilization, the Silk Road in China can date     5     the Han dynasty in ancient China. In the following years in history, many great figures had made significant     6     (contribute) to the development of the Silk Road.

Though the Silk Road was mainly a trading route, it was     7     (benefit) to each other in the first place. It     8     (actual) made great attraction to the development of the civilization of the world, opening long-distance political and economic communication between Europe and Asia. The ancient Silk Road is more like a historical textbook, enabling people from different cultures and regions     9     (comprehend) what happened during the ancient time. Up to now, the Silk Road in China     10     (bring) great attraction to the tourism in China even in the world.