Text For Additional Reading
Ex. 1. Listen to the tape and imitate the speaker as best as you can. After that, translate the text, consulting a dictionary as little as possible.
Light Rail1 Arrives in the Lone Star State USA (Dallas)
The first stage of Dallas light rail network was inaugurated in June 1997. Marching bands, balloons, free rides created a lively atmosphere in Dallas, when the city and its surrounding region celebrated the Grand Opening of the first modern light rail line in Texas. The ceremonies2 were held in the city centre as well as at all 14 stations along the initial 16 km route. More than 4, 000 local officials and citizens from across the region gathered in temperatures of over +37° С to witness the opening of the light rail. The Grand Opening, a five-day period of public celebrations, included a gala dinner, art program and parties at eight of the fourteen stations. Thanks to sponsorship from over 80 corporations, passengers were also able to ride free of charge for the whole of the following week in a " Try-it-you'll-like-it" campaign. The biggest sponsors were recognized with their names on some of the cars exteriors. Approximately 8, 600 passengers rode the light rail line on the first afternoon. Regular commercial services began on June 24. The standard fares are $1 for a single ticket and $2 for a return ticket, apart from the city centre zone where there is a 50 cent single ticket. Different discounts are proposed (e.g. passengers can buy 11 tickets for the price of 10, and there is also a “day pass” offering unlimited travel on light rail and bus services for just $3 a day). Dallas light rail network has purchased 40 Light Rail Vehicles (LRV). Able to accommodate 160 passengers each, the cars have a top speed of 105km/h. The air-conditioned LRVs can operate singly or in trains of up to three depending on demand. Traffic frequency on the city centre section is 5 minutes and 10 minutes during the peak hours and off-peak hours respectively. Capital Program of the Dallas light rail network development envisages construction of additional light rail and commuter rail routes over the next 15 years, creating a 145 km network by 2010.
Notes: 1light rail – наземное метро; 2ceremonies – праздничные мероприятия.
Ex. 2. Mark the following statements as ‘True’ or ‘False’. Correct the false statements without consulting the text. 1. The second stage of Dallas intercity rail network was inaugurated in July 1997. 2. Less than 4, 000 local officials and citizens from Dallas gathered in temperatures of over +27° С to witness the opening of the heavy rail. 3. The length of the first section of the light rail was 14 km and the stations were located at a distance of 3 km apart. 4. When the city celebrated the Grand Opening of the first light rail line in Texas, a gala dinner, art program and parties were held at eight stations. 5. Public celebrations lasted seven days. 6. About 8, 600 passengers rode the light rail line on the first afternoon. 7. More than 80 public organizations sponsored the construction of the light rail. 8. The names of all the sponsors were written on some of the cars exteriors. 9. A " Try-it-you’ll-like-it" campaign was organized to attract more passengers to the light rail. 10. Passengers were able to travel by rail free of charge for the whole month. 11. Regular commercial services began on June 24, 1998. 12. A single ticket cost $1 apart from the city centre zone where the standard fare was $2. 13. Passengers could buy a " day pass" and rode by rail and bus for just $3. 14. Forty light rail vehicles operated on the Dallas light rail network. 15. Each LRV was able to accommodate 260 passengers. 16. The average speed of trains was 105 kmh. 17. LRVs could operate singly or in trains of up to three depending on demand. 18. Some LRVs were equipped with air-conditioning system. 19. Traffic frequency on the city centre section was 5 minutes. 20. According to the program of the Dallas light rail development, the length of the whole network will be 145 km.
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