READING-COMPREHENSION -TRAINS

Trains: past, present and future

ADAPTED FROM THE TEXT OF John Russell

Railways are not a modern invention. The idea of transporting things and people on rails has been around for a long time. Rails were made of wood, stone or metal, and railway wagons were pulled by horses.

 By 1829 locomotives were travelling at speeds of over 45km/h. The most famous early locomotive was The Rocket. Railways were built all over the world, and the size, speed and comfort of trains continued to increase.

The fastest steam train in the world was The Mallard.  Diesel powered locomotives or trains running on electrified lines now run on most railways.

Modern trains are cleaner and much faster than steam engines¹ but many people still miss the puffing² sound. Quite a few countries now use high speed trains. The famous Bullet Train in Japan and the TGV in France can carry passengers at speeds of over 300km/h.

1. motores

2.  ruído del tren antiguo

True or false. Justify the answer and give the line.

a)      The idea of transporting people and things is new.

b)      Now, the fastest train is The Mallard.

c)      There are some countries which are using the high speed trains.

d)      New fast trains can carry passengers at 300km/h.

Complete this text with an appropriate word for the context. You can use verbs or nouns.

Some years ago, trains ______________slower than now. The name of the fastest steam train in the world __________The Mallard.

Some people were _____________with the puffing sound of the old trains. They miss it.

The fast train in France ______TGV and in J