2 . 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.

4 . William Vickrey was the pioneer to propose congestion pricing in 1952 for NYC’s (New York City) subways and later for roads. It has been rejected for decades, but the idea finally has the green light in NYC officially. Earlier this month the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the agency tasked with enforcing congestion pricing, gave the policy the go-ahead. From May, decades after London made the identical move, drivers of cars into NYC’s central business districts will have to pay.

The hope is that the fees will ease the traffic burden.Commercial zones where cars crawl are listed to be charging zones. The MTA expects much fewer vehicles on the city’s streets, which should decrease air pollution and promote the economy. But what made the plan successful was what it should bring in — $1bn annually — needed for MTA capital projects, which should improve reliability as well as access to the transport system.

Nevertheless, the plan has not been met with universal delight. Take New Jersey,some of whose regions are within NYC, as an example.Since New Jersey drivers have paid to cross into the city before, the state has filed suit (上诉). Phil Murphy,New Jersey’s governor, who supports pricing in principle,but not seemingly in actuality, has said that “We can’t fix a broken MTA in NYC on the back of New Jersey commuters (通勤者).” Fort Lee, a town on the New Jersey side of the Washington Bridge, has raised air-quality concerns. It expects increased traffic as lorry drivers try to avoid paying fees.

“Past years have witnessed the decline of fuel taxes as a revenue source in transport while congestion pricing could be the possible alternative. If NYC is really committed to doing it, they will come to some kind of settlement.” says Nicole Celina of the Manhattan Institute.

1. What can we learn about congestion pricing?

A．It applies to American drivers.

B．It was designed for roads initially.

C．It gained approval in London before.

D．It is rejected by the American authorities.

2. What is the main reason for the MTA’s support for congestion pricing?

A．To develop the economy.

B．To relieve the traffic load.

C．To obtain financial benefits.

D．To improve the environment.

3. What is New Jersey’s attitude to congestion pricing?

A．Favorable.

B．Hesitant.

C．Objective.

D．Disapproving.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Fewer Vehicles Are Expected in NYC

B．NYC Charges Drivers to Boost Economy

C．NYC’s Congestion Fee Faces Controversy

D．Congestion Pricing Dissatisfies New Jersey

5 . Your pet might have four legs, but that doesn’t mean they don’t get tired just as quickly as we do. Uber (优步) must have taken _________ of this, anyway, and launched a brand new travel _________ for pets. _________ named Uber Pet, the service _________ owners to book journeys with their pets for an added surcharge of £3.20 in London, and £2 _________. Plus, for each fare booked on Uber Pet, the company will _________ £l to charity All Dogs Matter.

Before the days of Uber Pet, booking a taxi through the app proved _________ when your pet was along for the ride — it was up to each driver as to whether they could hop in with you. The _________ puppy eyes may have worked a charm on some drivers, but this was not always the _________.

Now, users of Uber Pet will be __________ with drivers that allow pets in their vehicles, meaning it’s easier than ever to __________ a trip with your four-legged pals.

General manager at Uber UK Andrew Brem said: “We’re really happy to be launching Uber Pet in the UK, __________ even more convenient travel options to our __________.”

“With Covid 19 restrictions lifted, it’s the __________ time for new pets to get out and about again with you, no matter what your plans are.”

Those driving with a service animal can __________ booking through the usual Uber option.

1.

A．note

B．charge

C．control

D．place

2.

A．plan

B．service

C．company

D．survey

3.

A．Originally

B．Ridiculously

C．Creatively

D．Suitably

4.

A．persuades

B．forces

C．allows

D．promises

5.

A．anywhere

B．elsewhere

C．anyway

D．somehow

6.

A．donate

B．own

C．return

D．advance

7.

A．comfortable

B．simple

C．hard

D．efficient

8.

A．terrible

B．embarrassed

C．empty

D．cute

9.

A．case

B．matter

C．policy

D．view

10.

A．shared

B．connected

C．paired

D．competed

11.

A．remember

B．guarantee

C．afford

D．guide

12.

A．requiring

B．buying

C．removing

D．bringing

13.

A．pets

B．drivers

C．riders

D．managers

14.

A．only

B．perfect

C．dangerous

D．challenging

15.

A．start

B．stop

C．continue

D．forget

8 . Recently it has dawned on the government that closing more than 1,000 of England’s railway station ticket offices would not be very smart politics.The transport secretary, Mark Harper,announced that train operators had been asked to withdraw the cost-cutting strategy, which the government itself had originally pushed on them.The writing was already on the wall in the summer,when public anger led to an extension of the consultation period on the proposed closures.By the time it ended,750,000 responses had been recorded,99%of them negative.

The public’s concerns were over future access to travel advice and information,assistance for disabled people,safety at understaffed stations,and consequences for the digitally excluded. But the passionate opposition also underlined a widespread sense that railway stations must be more than transit(交通)zones.Combined with a reformed ticketing system,that insight should now inform a positive approach to breathing life into England’s railways and attracting more people back on to trains.

As a report published this autumn by the Campaign for Better Transport sets out,there is an urgent case for fairer ticketing reform across the network.For over a decade,the relative cost of taking the train rather than the car has skyrocketed,as fares have risen while fuel duty has been frozen.Over a third of the public are confused by the numerous types of ticket available,and the complex regulations that apply to them.Why should an anytime return from Chelmsford to London cost &32.60,when to cover the same distance from Grays to London costs E 13.40?

The failed attempt to shut down ticket offices had its roots in a short-term ministerial response to falling revenues(收入).But as the country strives to achieve a challenging green transition,the government should work to establish a simpler,fairer ticketing system that offers imaginative rewards to take the train;and to develop an ambitious plan for our stations —one that reflects their important role in the lives of the travelling public.

1. What does the underlined words in the first paragraph probably mean?

A．The public expressed their anger.

B．The proposal was put up on a wall.

C．Unfavorable outcome was expected.

D．The government adopted the policy.

2. What can be inferred about England’s railways?

A．They have expanded their services.

B．They have undergone ticketing reform.

C．They have included more transit zones.

D．They have seen a decline in public favor.

3. What does paragraph 3 mainly focus on?

A．The popularity of car ownership.

B．The development of ticketing reform.

C．The problems of the ticketing system.

D．The application of complex regulations.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Rising Prices of Train Travel

B．Urgent Calls for Rail Revival

C．Failed Closure of Railway Stations

D．Tough Route to Green Transit Initiatives

9 . 阅读下面知文，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 Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway(HSR) started official operation on October 17. It’s the first HSR project that China     1     (independent) completed overseas. It also shows that China and Indonesia have achieved results under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI,”一带一路”倡议).

The railway is called WHOOSH. It’s the first of its kind in Indonesia. The 142.3-kilometer-long line has four stations,     2     (connect) the country’s capital city Jakarta (雅加达) and its fourth largest city Bandung (万隆). For now, 14 trains run between the two cities. The frequency will be increased if market demand     3     (grow).

The railway can carry up     4     600 passengers. It has a top speed of 350 kilometers per hour,     5     cuts the journey between the two cities from 3.5 hour to just 46 minutes. The shorter journey will create more job     6     (opportunity) along the line.

In 2017, Indonesian President Joko Widodo     7     (speak) highly of the BRI. It’s not just empty talk. Instead, it’s a real effort     8     (make) to the world. With the operation of the Jakarta Bandung HSR, a new     9     (economy) zone is taking shape. That is already happening along the China Laos Railway. The China Thailand HSR project is also underway.     10     it’s completed, it will bring more benefits to Southeast Asia and beyond.