《新版新概念英语第三册(英音)Lesson (44)》歌词

[00:00:01] --- lesson 44 speed and comfort

[00:00:05] --- listen to the tape then answer the question below.

[00:00:11] --- which type of transport does the writer prefer, do you think?

[00:00:18] people travelling long distances frequently have to decide whether they would prefer to go by land, sea, or air.

[00:00:26] hardly anyone can positively enjoy sitting in a train for more than a few hours.

[00:00:32] train compartments soon get cramped and stuffy.

[00:00:35] it is almost impossible to take your mind off the journey.

[00:00:39] reading is only a partial solution, for the monotonous rhythm of the wheels clicking on the rails soon lulls you to sleep.

[00:00:48] during the day, sleep comes in snatches.

[00:00:52] at night, when you really wish to go to sleep, you rarely manage to do so.

[00:00:57] if you are lucky enough to get a sleeper, you spend half the night staring at the small blue light in the ceiling,

[00:01:04] or fumbling to find your ticket for inspection.

[00:01:07] inevitably you arrive at your destination almost exhausted.

[00:01:12] long car journeys are even less pleasant, for it is quite impossible even to read.

[00:01:18] on motorways you can, at least, travel fairly safely at high speeds,

[00:01:23] but more often than not, the greater part of the journey is spent on roads with few service stations and too much traffic.

[00:01:32] by comparison, ferry trips or cruises offer a great variety of civilized comforts.

[00:01:38] 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.

[00:01:50] if it is not, and you are likely to get seasick, no form of transport could be worse.

[00:01:57] even if you travel in ideal weather, sea journeys take a long time.

[00:02:03] relatively few people are prepared to sacrifice holiday time for the pleasure of travlling by sea.

[00:02:11] aeroplanes have the reputation of being dangerous and even hardened travellers are intimidated by them.

[00:02:19] they also have the disadvantage of being an expensive form of transport.

[00:02:24] but nothing can match them for speed and comfort.

[00:02:28] 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。

[00:02:38] you do not have to devise ways of taking your mind off the journey, for an aeroplane gets you to your destination rapidly.

[00:02:46] for a few hours, you settle back in a deep armchair to enjoy the flight.

[00:02:52] the real escapist can watch a film and sip champagne on some services.

[00:02:57] but even when such refinements are not available, there is plenty to keep you occupied.

[00:03:03] an aeroplane offers you an unusual and breathtaking view of the world.

[00:03:08] you soar effortlessly over high mountains and deep valleys.

[00:03:13] you really see the shape of the land.

[00:03:16] if the landscape is hidden from view,

[00:03:18] 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.

[00:03:29] the journey is so smooth that there is nothing to prevent you from reading or sleeping.

[00:03:35] however you decide to spend your time, one thing is certain: you will arrive at your destination fresh and uncrumpled.

[00:03:44] you will not have to spend the next few days recovering from a long and arduous journey.