[al:新概念英语（三）] [ar:MP3 同步字幕版（英音）] [ti:Speed and Comfort] [by:更多学习内容，请到chazidian.com搜索“新概念”] [00:01.50]Lesson 44 [00:03.30]Speed and comfort [00:11.94]Which type of transport does the writer prefer, do you think? [00:18.46]People travelling long distances frequently have to decide whether they would prefer to go by land, sea, or air. [00:27.21]Hardly anyone can positively enjoy sitting in a train for more than a few hours. [00:32.88]Train compartments soon get cramped and stuffy. [00:36.19]It is almost impossible to take your mind off the journey. [00:40.05]Reading is only a partial solution, for the monotonous rhythm of the wheels clicking on the rails soon lull you to sleep. [00:49.02]During the day, sleep comes in snatches. [00:52.43]At night, when you really wish to go to sleep, you rarely manage to do so. [00:57.95]If you are lucky enough to get a sleeper, [01:00.40]you spend half the night staring at the small blue light in the ceiling, or fumbling to find your ticket for inspection. [01:07.93]Inevitably you arrive at your destination almost exhausted. [01:13.11]Long car journeys are even less pleasant, for it is quite impossible even to read. [01:19.31]On motorways you can, at least, travel fairly safely at high speeds, [01:23.92]but more often than not, the greater part of the journey is spent on roads with few service stations and too much traffic. [01:32.45]By comparison, ferry trips or cruises offer a great variety of civilized comforts. [01:39.41]You can stretch your legs on the spacious decks, play games, [01:43.71]meet interesting people and enjoy good food--always assuming, of course, that the sea is calm. [01:51.30]If it is not, and you are likely to get seasick, no form of transport could be worse. [01:58.35]Even if you travel in ideal weather, sea journeys take a long time. [02:04.10]Relatively few people are prepared to sacrifice holidays time for the pleasure of travelling by sea. [02:11.91]Aeroplanes have the reputation of being dangerous and even hardened travellers are intimidated by them. [02:19.43]They also have the disadvantage of being an expensive form of transport. [02:24.81]But nothing can match them for speed and comfort. [02:28.66]Travelling at a height of 30, 000 feet, far above the clouds, [02:33.30]and at over 500 miles an hour is an exhilarating experience. [02:38.68]You do not have to devise ways of taking your mind off the journey, [02:42.64]for an aeroplane gets you to your destination rapidly. [02:47.00]For a few hours, you settle back in a deep armchair to enjoy the flight. [02:52.55]The real escapist can watch a film and sip champagne on some services. [02:58.01]But even when such refinements are not available, there is plenty to keep you occupied. [03:03.93]An aeroplane offers you an unusual and breathtaking view of the world. [03:09.18]You soar effortlessly over high mountains and deep valleys. [03:14.06]You really see the shape of the land. [03:16.70]If the landscape is hidden from view, [03:19.05]you can enjoy the extraordinary sight of unbroken cloud plains that stretch out for miles before you, [03:25.69]while the sun shines brilliantly in a clear sky. [03:29.87]The journey is so smooth that there is nothing to prevent you from reading or sleeping. [03:35.86]However you decide to spend your time, [03:38.21]one thing is certain: you will arrive at your destination fresh and uncrumpled. [03:45.12]You will not have to spend the next few days recovering from a long and arduous journey.