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--- lesson 44 Speed and comfort |
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--- Listen to the tape then answer the question below. |
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--- Which type of transport does the writer prefer, do you think? |
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People travelling long distances frequently have to decide whether they would prefer to go by land, sea, or air. |
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Hardly anyone can positively enjoy sitting in a train for more than a few hours. |
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Train compartments soon get cramped and stuffy. |
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It is almost impossible to take your mind off the journey. |
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Reading is only a partial solution, for the monotonous rhythm of the wheels clicking on the rails soon lulls you to sleep. |
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During the day, sleep comes in snatches. |
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At night, when you really wish to go to sleep, you rarely manage to do so. |
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If you are lucky enough to get a sleeper, you spend half the night staring at the small blue light in the ceiling, |
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or fumbling to find your ticket for inspection. |
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Inevitably you arrive at your destination almost exhausted. |
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Long car journeys are even less pleasant, for it is quite impossible even to read. |
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On motorways you can, at least, travel fairly safely at high speeds, |
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but more often than not, the greater part of the journey is spent on roads with few service stations and too much traffic. |
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By comparison, ferry trips or cruises offer a great variety of civilized comforts. |
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You can stretch your legs on the spacious decks, play games, meet interesting people and enjoy good food -- always assuming,of course, that the sea is calm. |
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If it is not, and you are likely to get seasick, no form of transport could be worse. |
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Even if you travel in ideal weather, sea journeys take a long time. |
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Relatively few people are prepared to sacrifice holiday time for the pleasure of travlling by sea. |
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Aeroplanes have the reputation of being dangerous and even hardened travellers are intimidated by them. |
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They also have the disadvantage of being an expensive form of transport. |
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But nothing can match them for speed and comfort. |
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Travelling at a height of 30,000 feet, far above the clouds, and at over 500 miles an hour is an exhilarating experience.^腾云驾雾，在30，000 英尺高空以500英里的时速旅行，这种经历令人心旷神怡。 |
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You do not have to devise ways of taking your mind off the journey, for an aeroplane gets you to your destination rapidly. |
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For a few hours, you settle back in a deep armchair to enjoy the flight. |
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The real escapist can watch a film and sip champagne on some services. |
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But even when such refinements are not available, there is plenty to keep you occupied. |
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An aeroplane offers you an unusual and breathtaking view of the world. |
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You soar effortlessly over high mountains and deep valleys. |
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You really see the shape of the land. |
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If the landscape is hidden from view, |
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you can enjoy the extraordinary sight of unbroken cloud plains that stretch out for miles before you, while the sun shines brilliantly in a clear sky. |
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The journey is so smooth that there is nothing to prevent you from reading or sleeping. |
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However you decide to spend your time, one thing is certain: you will arrive at your destination fresh and uncrumpled. |
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You will not have to spend the next few days recovering from a long and arduous journey. |
