Part III Reading Comprehension (25 points )

Section A

Directions: In this section, there are four passages followed by questions or unfinished statements, each with four suggested answers A,B,C and D. Choose the best answer and mark your answer on the Answer Sheet.

Passage One

It sounds like something straight out of a science fiction movie or a silly cartoon: a futuristic  traveling tube that can quickly shoot people wherever they want to go, inside a tiny pod. But this may be just around the comer for people looking for a faster, easier, and cheaper-than-ever way to travel.

South African-American inventor and billionaire Elon Musk, who, in the past, has worked on both private space flight and electric cars, recently announced he has been working on the design of this traveling tube, which could forever change the way we travel the world.

In an interview, Musk described the new tube as a fifth kind of transportation.“We have planes, trains, automobiles, and boats," he explained. "What if there was a fifth mode? I have a name for it. It's called the Hyperloop.”

"This system I have in mind...can never crash, is immune to weather, it goes three or four times faster than the bullet train...it goes at an average speed of twice what an aircraft would do. You would go from downtown L.A. to downtown San Francisco in under 30 minutes.,,

People using the Hyperloop would shoot around in pods, which are each just over six-and-a-half feet across, and the pods would travel through tubes located either above round or under water.

The Hyperloop could even run 24/7, be cheap, and allow people to travel on their own schedule. People could show up at the Hyperloop station whenever they want and be quickly sent on their way.

Additionally Musk believes the Hyperloop could be completely powered by the sun一 making it more environmentally friendly than cars, airplanes, or train systems. Someday it could possibly move people between the East and West Coasts of the United States in less than an hour. Eventually the Hyperloop would be able to move people around the world.

Musk is not the first person outside of science fiction novelists to dream up vacuum tube technology for moving people. The idea has been around for some time, and inventors in other countries, including China, are reportedly working on similar technology.

11. The phrase“just around the corner” (Para. 1) means“       ”

A. preferable

B. forthcoming

C. reliable

D. available

12. The“pod” mentioned in the passage is a(n)  .

A. tube-shaped music player

B. wireless earphone

C. engine that provides a driving force

D. vehicle that carries passengers

13. Which of the following is NOT true of Elon Musk?

A. He draws insights from science fictions.

B. He has tried his hand at space flight.

C. He has manufactured electric cars.

D. He cares for environmental protection.

14. What can be learned about the Hyperloop?

A. It could be developed at a low cost.

B. It would remind people of their schedule.

C. It could operate round the clock.

D. It would run at regular intervals.

15. China is mentioned in the last paragraph in order to  .

A. demonstrate that it is an innovative country

B. give an example of those working on similar technology

C. show a successful model of vacuum tube traveling

D. indicate a potential for international cooperation