THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY TRANSPORT

1. It has been a long time since train velocities first surpassed the 100 km per hour limit and they are now approaching 200 km per hour and even higher velocities in some countries. Is it possible to increase the speed with the help of the traditional wheel at the present stage in the development of transport facilities? Scientists and engineers in various countries have come to the conclusion that a new leap in velocity is possible only if the wheel is replaced with an air or magnetic cushion.

2. In Russia the Electrical Locomotive Engineering Research Institute is the leader in the development of high-speed ground transport. In collaboration with many other Russian research centers, it is carrying out an extensive programme on high-speed ground transport. The advantages of high-speed ground transport to be used in future are obvious. At present air and road transport bums three-fourth of all produced fuels, and the combustion process, naturally, affects the earth's ecology.

3. The future trains must be ecologically clean and noiseless. It has been estimated that the cost of high-speed ground transport will be recouped three times faster than with the railways.

4. The high-speed ground transport will connect cities and industrial centers to airports. The first magnetic suspension train is not yet in operation, but its principle has found a way into technology.

7. Прочтите 4-й абзац текста в вопрос к нему. Из приведенных вариантов ответа укажите номер предложения; содержащего правильный ответ на поставленный вопрос:

What kind of transport will connect industrial cities to airports?

1. electric trains

2. high-speed ground-transport

3. magnetic - suspension trains