[00:01.080]--- lesson 44 Speed and comfort
[00:05.840]--- Listen to the tape then answer the question below.
[00:11.520]--- Which type of transport does the writer prefer, do you think?
[00:18.000]People travelling long distances frequently have to decide whether they would prefer to go by land, sea, or air.
[00:26.920]Hardly anyone can positively enjoy sitting in a train for more than a few hours.
[00:32.440]Train compartments soon get cramped and stuffy.
[00:35.800]It is almost impossible to take your mind off the journey.
[00:39.600]Reading is only a partial solution, for the monotonous rhythm of the wheels clicking on the rails soon lulls you to sleep.
[00:48.600]During the day, sleep comes in snatches.
[00:52.000]At night, when you really wish to go to sleep, you rarely manage to do so.
[00:57.600]If you are lucky enough to get a sleeper, you spend half the night staring at the small blue light in the ceiling,
[01:04.360]or fumbling to find your ticket for inspection.
[01:07.480]Inevitably you arrive at your destination almost exhausted.
[01:12.680]Long car journeys are even less pleasant, for it is quite impossible even to read.
[01:18.960]On motorways you can, at least, travel fairly safely at high speeds,
[01:23.720]but more often than not, the greater part of the journey is spent on roads with few service stations and too much traffic.
[01:32.080]By comparison, ferry trips or cruises offer a great variety of civilized comforts.
[01:38.960]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.
[01:50.880]If it is not, and you are likely to get seasick, no form of transport could be worse.
[01:57.880]Even if you travel in ideal weather, sea journeys take a long time.
[02:03.640]Relatively few people are prepared to sacrifice holiday time for the pleasure of travlling by sea.
[02:11.480]Aeroplanes have the reputation of being dangerous and even hardened travellers are intimidated by them.
[02:19.000]They also have the disadvantage of being an expensive form of transport.
[02:24.360]But nothing can match them for speed and comfort.
[02:28.240]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。
[02:38.240]You do not have to devise ways of taking your mind off the journey, for an aeroplane gets you to your destination rapidly.
[02:46.600]For a few hours, you settle back in a deep armchair to enjoy the flight.
[02:52.200]The real escapist can watch a film and sip champagne on some services.
[02:57.640]But even when such refinements are not available, there is plenty to keep you occupied.
[03:03.560]An aeroplane offers you an unusual and breathtaking view of the world.
[03:08.800]You soar effortlessly over high mountains and deep valleys.
[03:13.640]You really see the shape of the land.
[03:16.320]If the landscape is hidden from view,
[03:18.840]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.
[03:29.440]The journey is so smooth that there is nothing to prevent you from reading or sleeping.
[03:35.520]However you decide to spend your time, one thing is certain: you will arrive at your destination fresh and uncrumpled.
[03:44.640]You will not have to spend the next few days recovering from a long and arduous journey.