7


Reading


Reading 1: recognizing facts and opinions


A Answer these questions with a partner. 1. Do many people travel by train in your country? 2. Is the railway system good in your country? 3. How often do you travel by train? 4. What do you like / not like about travelling by train?


B Look at the picture of a train. Check the words below and then use them to talk about the picture and predict what is in the newspaper story below.


speed motors locomotive engine carriage passengers airlines C read the text to check your ideas.


AGV Is the Future of Trains, The Scientist, 2008


A new high-speed train will soon be operating in Europe. The AGV (Automotrice Grande Vitesse) can travel at 360 km per hour. It will travel 1,000 km in just three hours. The previous highest speed for a European train was 320 km per hour.


The huge French engineering company, Alstom, has built the train. Motors are located under each carriage so there is no need for a locomotive engine to drive the train. This means the train will be able to carry more passengers.


Alstom’s chief executive says that the new train is the equal of any German or Japanese train and that railway companies will now be able to compete with airlines. He compares the AGV to the world’s largest passenger plane, the Airbus A380. A spokesman for Air France admits that airlines are concerned about the number of passengers who might switch to using trains for journeys within France.


An engineer who was part of the team that built the AGV says that the day the train was tested was the most exciting day of his life. He thinks that almost every engineer in the world would like to be in his shoes at the moment.


The French president says that it is great news for France. He recognizes that Alstom have invested money in research and development, and he believes the company has shown courage in developing such a futuristic train.


Exam tip: Texts often contain both facts (statements that are certainly true) and opinions (what somebody believes). You will find a text easier to read if you can recognize what is fact and what is opinion.


D Mark these ideas from the story about the AGV (F) fact or (o) opinion. 1. A new high-speed train will soon be operating in Europe.


2. Motors are located under each carriage.


___ ___


3. The new train is the equal of any German or Japanese train. ___ 4. Railway companies will now be able to compete with airlines. ___ 5. It is great news for France.


___ 6. Alstom has invested money in research and development. ___ 90 Pathway to IELTS 1


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