2014英语四级听力练习:慢速英语9.1(2)

　　From Learning English, this is the Technology Report.

　　A record number of Americans are moving into cities. When they move into urban areas they drive less. New York city is one of the top cities for new people and for users of mass transit.

　　There are about 3.4 billion riders on New York City subways and buses every year. That is about one-third of all mass transit trips in the United States. New Yorks mass transit system operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

　　The public transport system costs $1.5 billion a year to maintain. It is one of the worlds oldest mass transit systems. The citys first subway line opened in 1904. Use of public transportation is the highest it has been in almost 60 years in almost every American city.

　　Researchers say Americans took 10.7 billion trips on public transportation in . Gene Russianoff is the spokesman for the Straphangers Campaign. The group supports people who take public transportation. He says younger Americans are causing the rise in mass transit use.

　　Millenials, those people born around the turn of the past century are much less car-oriented. They are urban. They like not owning cars, they like less responsibility and there are a lot of them, Russianoff said.

　　Many people, not just Millenials, believe public transit is less costly than car use and is good for the environment. New York City is planning several major expansions of its public transportation system. One project is a new $4.7 billion subway line. The first part of the project is set to be completed in 2016.

　　People who work in New Yorks financial area will soon be using a new subway center. Almost all of New York citys subways meet in the lower part of Manhattan. The new center will give riders an easier way to travel to the neighboring state of New Jersey. The most costly planned project is a $7 billion tunnel connection from Long Island into Manhattans Grand Central Terminal.

　　Andrew Albert is a member of the board of the Metropolitan Transit Authority. He says there are many other reasons for the increase in the use of mass transit.

　　The system has gotten a lot more dependable. We have new cars. We have countdown clocks to tell you when the next train is coming. We have expanded facilities in places, Albert said.

　　And thats the Learning English Technology Report.

　　词汇讲解：

　　1. maintain vt.保持，维持

　　例句：Such achievers must maintain that drive.

　　这些成功人士必定保持了那种进取精神。

　　2. expansion n.扩大; 扩张

　　例句：We have got used to expansion and dominance.

　　我们必须习惯资源的膨胀和支配。

　　3. connection n.连接; 联系

　　例句：Social media offers direct, transparent, person-to-person connection.

　　社交媒体则提供了直接透明的人际联系。

　　4. increase vt. 增加，增大

　　例句：Experts believe self-driving cars will increase productivity.

　　专家认为，自驾汽车会提高生产力。

　　5. expand vt.使变大; 扩张; 详述

　　例句：My duties continue to expand.

　　我的职能继续扩张。

　　短语讲解：

　　1. A record number of Americans are moving into cities.

　　move into 搬进 移入 搬家; 迁入新居

　　例句：When you move into a new house you really have to start payling out money.

　　当你迁入新居,你就得开始付钱了。

　　2. They like not owning cars, they like less responsibility and there are a lot of them, Russianoff said.

　　a lot of 许多

　　例句：There was a big post/a lot of post this morning.

　　今早邮件很多.

　　3. Many people, not just Millenials, believe public transit is less costly than car use and is good for the environment.

　　be good for 值得，有效; 利于

　　例句：Mild depression may be good for work.

　　轻微的沮丧可能对工作有好处。