A
[2019·南宁市摸底联考]It used to be one of the world's most splendid train stations, sitting on the FrenchSpanish border — but then it fell into disrepair. Now, writes Chris Bockman, the building is showing new signs of life.
The train station was built in iron and glass, complete with a hospital, a restaurant and living quarters for customs officers from both France and Spain. At the time it was nicknamed the “Titanic of the Mountains”.
But after the day the station was opened in 1928 by the French president and the Spanish king, flaws quickly became obvious. The rail gauges (轨距) were different, so passengers still had to change trains. It made transporting goods too slow. In the early 1930s, as few as 50 passengers a day were using the station. And then things got worse. During the Spanish Civil War, the tunnels on the Spanish side were sealed off to prevent Republican rebels (反叛者) from bringing weapons in. Later, the French lost interest in the line. When a train derailed on the French side in 1970, that signaled that France abandoned the line.
The grand building itself went to rot. The tracks rusted, the ceilings fell in with the severe winter weather and vandalism (故意破坏财物的行为) did the rest.
But a few years ago the local government in Aragon decided to buy the place and restore it, claiming it was a major part of Spanish history. The French government has agreed to reopen the line on its side too. If all goes to plan, the “Titanic of the Mountains” could be back in business within five years before the end of 2022. It is reported that the massive wooden ticket counters at the station have already been restored.
体裁:说明文 题材:历史变迁 主题:法国和西班牙边境的火车站
【语篇解读】 本文讲述了法国和西班牙边境的一座火车站的历史变迁。
【难句分析】 But a few years ago the local government in Aragon decided to buy the place and restore it, claiming it was a major part of Spanish history.
分析:这是一个复杂的简单句。buy the place与restore it是并列的不定式短语,作decided的宾语;claiming it was a major part of Spanish history是现在分词作伴随状语,claiming后是一个宾语从句。
译文:但是几年前,阿拉贡的当地政府决定买下这个地方并且恢复它,声称它是西班牙历史的重要一部分。
1.The following factors contributed to the shutdown of the train station EXCEPT ________.
A.its poor appearance
B.different gauges
C.the Spanish Civil War
D.slow transporting speed
答案与解析:A 考查细节理解。根据第三段中的“The rail gauges (轨距) were different, so passengers still had to change trains”可知,轨距不同是造成火车站关闭的原因之一;根据第三段中的“During the Spanish Civil War, the tunnels on the Spanish side were sealed off to prevent Republican rebels (反叛者) from bringing weapons in”可知,西班牙内战是造成火车站关闭的原因之一;根据第三段中的“It made transporting goods too slow”可知,运输速度慢是造成火车站关闭的原因之一。综上知选项A不是造成火车站关闭的原因,所以选A。
2.When the train station reopens, it may celebrate its ________ anniversary.
A.52nd B.72nd
C.94th D.89th
答案与解析:C 考查推理判断。根据第三段中的“But after the day the station was opened in 1928”和第五段中的“If all goes to plan, the ‘Titanic of the Mountains’ could be back in business within five years before the end of 2022”可以计算出:2022-1928=94(年),当其恢复使用时可以庆祝其94周年纪念日,所以选C。
3.What will probably happen to the train station?
A.It will be repaired.
B.It will be turned into a museum.
C.It will be knocked down.
D.It will be sold to the French government.
答案与解析:A 考查推理判断。根据第五段首句“But a few years ago the local government in Aragon decided to buy the place and restore it”可知,几年前阿拉贡的当地政府要购买并且恢复该火车站。restore意为“使恢复,修复”,所以选A。
4.What is the best title for the text?
A.The Design of a Train Station
B.The War Between France and Spain
C.The History of a Train Station
D.The “Titanic of the Mountains” Coming Back
答案与解析:D 考查主旨大意。根据全文尤其是第一段中的“the building is showing new signs of life”和第五段中的“If all goes to plan, the ‘Titanic of the Mountains’ could be back”可知,选项D能够概括全文,所以选D。