A Trip on the Tram|百年历史叮叮车

A Trip on the Tram

by Evan M. Gioia

Hong Kong's iconic tram has served locals and tourists for more than 100 years.

　　With all the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong's busy streets, it is helpful to know that there is a quick and easy way of getting around and that there are plenty of options to choose from. The Mass Transit Railway, taxis, buses, and ferries have proven to be _(1)_ and safe ways for Hong Kong's 7.1 million residents to travel from point A to point B. However, the means of public transportation most preferred by locals is the tram. Hong Kong Tramways is a classic _(2)_ of Hong Kong's metropolitan culture.

　　Before Hong Kong had horse- or steam-powered means of transport, they had an electric-powered tramway. First _(3)_ in 1904, Hong Kong Tramways started with 26 single-deck tramcars. Each could carry a maximum of 48 passengers. Early routes ran from Kennedy Town to Causeway Bay, which is a length of 7.6 kilometers. Since then, the tramcars have gone _(4)_ many upgrades, and routes have been extended by more than 20 kilometers. Today, the tram system operates 163 double-decker tramcars making 120 stops and ferrying 220,000 passengers per day. Adult passengers pay around NT$8 per ride while children and senior citizens pay NT$4.64 and NT$4.26, _(5)_.

　　Hong Kong's tram system has become a crucial means of transportation for both locals and tourists alike. The ding ding tram, as it is called by locals for its double bell that rings when it approaches, has _(6)_ an iconic symbol for more than 100 years. In fact, Hong Kong is planning to extend the tram's current route by _(7)_ 12 kilometers.

1. (A) superficial (B) descriptive (C) reliable (D) allergic

2. (A) vanity (B) integrity (C) sentiment (D) symbol

3. (A) established (B) establish (C) establishing (D) establishes

4. (A) for (B) through (C) upon (D) onto

5. (A) delightfully (B) competently (C) respectively (D) abundantly

6. (A) served as (B) laid off (C) opened up (D) learned of

7. (A) the other (B) the another (C) other (D) another

 

百年历史叮叮车

过去一百多年来，香港指标性的电车，都一直为当地人以及游客服务。

　　在香港喧嚣繁忙的街道上，如果知道有一种快速简便的方法可以到处游览而且还有很多方式可供选择，那是很有帮助的。地铁、出租车、巴士，以及渡轮已经被证实是可靠又安全的交通方式，提供香港七百一十万的居民从甲地前往乙地。然而，当地大多数人比较喜欢的大众交通工具是电车。香港电车是香港大都会文化的经典象征。

　　在香港有以马匹或蒸汽作为动力的方法之前，他们就拥有一种以电力提供动能的电车了。香港电车最初建立于 1904 年，以二十六辆单层电车揭开序幕。每辆单层电车最多能乘载四十八名乘客。早期的路线从坚尼地城到铜锣湾，总长为七点六公里。从那时起，电车历经多次的改良升级，而且路线也延长了二十多公里。时至今日，电车系统有一百六十三辆双层电车在运作、共有一百二十个停靠站，且每天承载二十二万名乘客。成年的乘客每趟须支付大约新台币八元，而儿童及老人分别须支付大约新台币四点六四元及四点二六元。

　　香港的电车系统已成为当地居民和游客一种重要的交通方式。叮叮车，为当地人所称，接近时它的双铃会响起叮叮声，过去一百多年来都被当作指标性象征。事实上，香港正在计划将电车目前的路线再另外延长十二公里。

答案： 1. C 2. D 3. A 4. B 5. C

6. A 7. D