6 . 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 |
