2 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What does the man think of air transportation?

A．Its insurance is always expensive.

B．It’s the safest way to send goods.

C．It’s the fastest way of transportation.

2. What will the man recommend to send very heavy machines?

A．Air transportation.

B．Sea transportation.

C．Road transportation.

3. Which is the feature of railway transportation according to the man?

A．It is economical.

B．It is very flexible.

C．It brings much pollution

5 . In a small, rough shipyard on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, a small team is building what they say will be the world’s largest ocean-going clean cargo ship.

Ceiba is the first ship built by Sailcargo, a company trying to prove that zero-carbon shipping is possible, and commercially available. Made largely of wood, Ceiba combines both very old and very new technology: sailing masts stand alongside solar panels, a uniquely designed electric engine and batteries. Once on the water, she will be capable of crossing oceans entirely without the use of fossil fuels, which sets her apart.

“The thing that is striking is the fact that she’ll have one of the largest marine electric engines of her kind in the world,” Danielle Doggett said. The system also has the means to capture energy from underwater propellers (螺旋桨) as well as solar power, so electricity will be available for the engine when needed. “Really, the only limit on how long she can stay at sea is water and food on board for the crew.”

Despite some hold-ups due to the global disaster, the team hopes to get her on the water by the end of 2024 and operating by 2025, when she will begin transporting cargo between Costa Rica and Canada.

“There are actually loads of innovations happening that could transform shipping emissions, but few companies are willing to apply them to building ships like Ceiba.” says Lucy Gilliam. “So it’s not that we don’t have great ideas. The problem that we have is that fossil fuels are still too cheap. And we don’t have the rules to force people to take up the new technology.”

When it comes to promoting this kind of boat, it has to be said that Ceiba is small for a cargo ship — tiny in fact. She will carry around nine standard shipping containers. She is also relatively slow. Being a world-first, there are some aspects of Ceiba’s design that have yet to be proven at sea.

1. What is unique about Ceiba as a cargo ship?

A．It is the world’s largest.	B．It is environment-friendly.
C．It is wooden with old technology.	D．It is modern with unique equipment.

2. What determines Ceiba’s length of staying at sea according to Danielle Doggett?

A．The size of the sail.	B．The weather of the ocean.
C．The power of the electric engine.	D．The quantity of the living supplies.

3. Why are companies unwilling to build ships like Ceiba?

A．The rules are disobeyed.	B．The fuels are affordable.
C．The bigger ships are preferable.	D．The innovations are distrusted.

4. What is the author’s attitude to the innovation of Ceiba?

A．Objective.

B．Doubtful.

C．Critical.

D．Favorable.

6 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What kind of activity would Matt prefer?

A．Enjoying private time in his own car.

B．Having a hot drink and snacks on a train.

C．Listening to audiobooks while walking to the office.

2. How might Beth prefer to travel to work?

A．By car.

B．By train.

C．On foot.

3. What does Matt mean in the end?

A．He makes up his mind to take the train.

B．He is hesitant about traveling without food.

C．He might choose a greener way.

10 . Here are some of the best new trains in Europe you’ll be able to take in 2024.

Paris — Berlin ÖBB nightjet

Links between two of Europe’s most visited capitals have traditionally been pretty poor, with no direct trains since the 1990s. However, that has just changed with the introduction of a direct overnight train operated by an Austrian company. Initially running three times a week via Strasbourg and Frankfurt, the “nightjet” connection will step up to nightly in the fall of 2024, providing a high-quality direct service for business travelers and tourists.

Italy’s new super-deluxe train

A year later than expected, Italy’s glorious new super-deluxe train Orient Express La Dolce Vita will welcome its first passengers some time in 2024. The hyper-luxurious 11-carriage train will feature a stylish “Bar Car” with live music and games, 12 deluxe wood-lined cabins and 18 master suites complete with double beds, a sofa, armchairs and private bathroom.

Brussels — Prague sleeper

Belgian — Dutch cooperative European Sleeper hit the rails in 2023 and will extend its Brussels — Berlin train to Dresden and Prague in 2024, providing a much needed direct link between cities in western and central Europe. Linking four of the continent’s tourist hotspots, the train offers seats and berths (铺位) which are in high demand, especially during the peak summer months for backpackers.

High-speed train to Pompeii

The route provides convenience for 4 million people to visit the Roman city of Pompeii, famously destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 79 CE. Leaving Rome just before 9 am, the trip allows visitors to explore Pompeii and still be back in Rome by 9 pm for a late dinner. However, it only runs on Sundays and selected public holidays.

1. What improves the connection between Berlin and Paris?

A．A direct overnight train.

B．High quality service of trains.

C．The trade links between the two cities.

D．A new train developed by a French company.

2. When was Orient Express La Dolce Vita originally planned to run?

A．In 2022.

B．In 2023.

C．In 2024.

D．In 2025.

3. Which train will a visitor take to an ancient ruin?

A．High-speed train to Pompeii.	B．Brussels — Prague sleeper.
C．Paris — Berlin ÖBB nightjet.	D．Italy’s new super-deluxe train.