Language in use

Reading

SHINKANSEN

The Shinkansen ( , "New Main Line"^? ) also known as " the bullet train " is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan operated by four Japan Railways Group companies. The now 2,459 km long network has expanded to link most major cities on the islands of Honshū and Kyūshū at speeds up to 300 km/h.

Shinkansen literally means "New Trunk Line", referring to the tracks, but the name is widely used inside and outside Japan to refer to the trains as well as the system as a whole. Shinkansen is the world's busiest high-speed rail line. Between Tokyo and Osaka, the two largest metropolises in Japan, up to ten trains per hour with 16 cars each (1,300 seats capacity) run in each direction with a minimum of 3 minutes between trains. Though largely a long-distance transport system, the Shinkansen also serves commuters who travel to work in metropolitan areas from outlying cities.

A

To enable high-speed operation, Shinkansen uses advanced technologies compared with conventional rail, and it achieved not only high speed but also high standard of safety and comfort. Its success has influenced other railways in the world.

B

• Shinkansen routes are completely separate from conventional rail lines. Consequently, Shinkansen is not affected by slower local or freight trains and has the capacity to operate many high-speed trains punctually.
• It uses tunnels and viaducts to go through and over obstacles rather than around them.
• The Shinkansen system is built without road crossings.

C

• Shinkansen trains are electric multiple unit style, offering high acceleration and deceleration, reduced damage to the track because of lighter vehicles.
• Shinkansen cars are air-sealed to ensure stable air pressure when entering tunnels at high speed.

D

The Shinkansen is very reliable, and in 2003, it was reported that the Shinkansen's average arrival time was within six seconds of the scheduled time. This includes all natural and human accidents and errors and is calculated over roughly 160,000 Shinkansen trips completed.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki)

Reading comprehention exercises:

1. Skim the text and match sections 1 – 4 to these subheadings (a-e). There is one extra subheading which you do not need to use.

a/ trains

b/ routing

c/ punctuality

d/ ticket booking

e/ technology

2. Read the text again. Tick true and cross false sentences.

a/ Shinkansen in Japan is run by the cooperation of Japanese and foreign investors._________

b/ Between Tokyo and Osaka more than 10 trains run every hour. ________

c/ Shinkansen is used for both, short and long distances. ________

d/ Conventional trains and Shinkansen trains share the same rail lines. ________

e/ Because of covering long distances, Shinkansen is quite often late._________

3. In the text, find synonyms and opposites to these words:

Synonyms:

rapid

controlled

grew

sophisticated

triumph

Opposites:

unusual, uncommon

late

slowing down

shaky

departure