歌词
--- lesson 44 Speed and comfort
又快捷又舒适
--- Listen to the tape then answer the question below.
^听录音，然后回答以下问题。
--- Which type of transport does the writer prefer, do you think?
People travelling long distances frequently have to decide whether they would prefer to go by land, sea, or air.
^出远门的人常常需要决定是走旱路、水路，还是坐飞机。
Hardly anyone can positively enjoy sitting in a train for more than a few hours.
^很少有人能够真正喜欢坐几个小时以上的火车。
Train compartments soon get cramped and stuffy.
^车厢很快就变得拥挤、闷热，
It is almost impossible to take your mind off the journey.
^想摆脱开旅途的困扰是很难的。
Reading is only a partial solution, for the monotonous rhythm of the wheels clicking on the rails soon lulls you to sleep.
^看书只能解决部分问题。车轮与铁轨间单调的嘎喳声很快就会送你进入梦乡。
During the day, sleep comes in snatches.
^白天是忽睡忽醒，
At night, when you really wish to go to sleep, you rarely manage to do so.
^到了夜晚，你真想睡了，却很难入睡。
If you are lucky enough to get a sleeper, you spend half the night staring at the small blue light in the ceiling,
^即使你走运弄到一个卧铺，夜间有一半时间你会盯着车顶那盏小蓝灯而睡不着觉；
or fumbling to find your ticket for inspection.
^要不然就为查票摸索你的车票。
Inevitably you arrive at your destination almost exhausted.
^一旦抵达目的地，你总是疲惫不堪。
Long car journeys are even less pleasant, for it is quite impossible even to read.
^乘汽车作长途旅行则更加不舒服，因为连看书都几乎不可能。
On motorways you can, at least, travel fairly safely at high speeds,
^在公路上还好，你至少能以相当快的速度安全地向前行。
but more often than not, the greater part of the journey is spent on roads with few service stations and too much traffic.
^但旅行的大部分时间都花在路上，而且只有很少的服务设施，交通也很拥挤。
By comparison, ferry trips or cruises offer a great variety of civilized comforts.
^相比之下，坐船旅行或环游可以得到文明世界的各种享受。
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.
^你可以在甲板上伸展四肢、做游戏，还能见到各种有趣的人，能享用各种美味佳肴-当然，这一切只有在大海风平浪静的情况下才有可能。
If it is not, and you are likely to get seasick, no form of transport could be worse.
^如果大海肆虐起来，你就可能晕船，那种难受劲儿是任何一种别的旅行的方式都不会带来的。
Even if you travel in ideal weather, sea journeys take a long time.
^即使风平浪静，坐船旅行也要占用很长时间。
Relatively few people are prepared to sacrifice holiday time for the pleasure of travlling by sea.
^没有多少人会为享受坐船旅行的乐趣而牺牲假期的时间。
Aeroplanes have the reputation of being dangerous and even hardened travellers are intimidated by them.
^飞机以危险而著称，连老资格的旅行者也怕飞机。
They also have the disadvantage of being an expensive form of transport.
^飞机的另一个缺点是昂贵。
But nothing can match them for speed and comfort.
^但就速度与舒适而言，飞机是无与伦比的。
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。
You do not have to devise ways of taking your mind off the journey, for an aeroplane gets you to your destination rapidly.
^你不必想办法去摆脱旅途的困扰，因为飞机会迅速地把你送到目的地。
For a few hours, you settle back in a deep armchair to enjoy the flight.
^几小时之内，你躺在扶手椅上，享受着旅途的欢乐。
The real escapist can watch a film and sip champagne on some services.
^真正会享受的人还可以在某些航班上看一场电影和喝香槟。
But even when such refinements are not available, there is plenty to keep you occupied.
^即使没有这些消遣条件，也总是有事可做。
An aeroplane offers you an unusual and breathtaking view of the world.
^飞机上，你可以观察世界上非同寻常的奇妙的美景。
You soar effortlessly over high mountains and deep valleys.
^你毫不费劲地飞越高山幽谷，
You really see the shape of the land.
^你确能饱览大地的风貌。
If the landscape is hidden from view,
^如果这种景色被遮住了，
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.
^你便可以观赏一下展现在你面前的、一望数英里的、连绵不断的云海，同时阳光灿烂，天空清澈明朗。
The journey is so smooth that there is nothing to prevent you from reading or sleeping.
^旅途平稳，丝毫不妨碍你阅读或睡眠。
However you decide to spend your time, one thing is certain: you will arrive at your destination fresh and uncrumpled.
^不管你打算如何消磨时间，有件事是可以肯定的，即当你抵达目的地时，你感到精神焕发，毫无倦意，
You will not have to spend the next few days recovering from a long and arduous journey.
^用不着因为漫长旅途的辛苦而花几天时间休息来恢复精神。
专辑信息