VOA标准英语2013--S. Korea's Newest Trains Take Tracks Less Traveled

 

S. Korea's Newest Trains Take Tracks Less Traveled

If you are in a hurry, do not take South Korea's newest trains.   

The electric four-coach O-Train, running four times daily, circles a five-hour 257-kilometer course with stops at 13 stations.

The three-coach V-Train operates three times daily on a 70-minute shuttle between two rural stations 28 kilometers apart.  

On the O-Train, KORAIL attendant Baeck Da-eun explains that those accustomed to high-speed rail travel will experience a significant change of pace and style during a ride on what is known as the spine¹ of the Korean peninsula, until now mostly accessible only by unpaved winding² roads.   

“When passengers board for the first time, at first they are awed³ by the trains' exterior⁴ design and the internal décor. But what they seem to like most is the ability to take in such beautiful scenery,” Da-eun said.

To give passengers time to enjoy viewing the numerous valleys, the V-Train crawls along at an average speed of just 30 kilometers per hour, occasionally stopping at the most scenic⁵ spots.

Some passengers disembark to stretch their legs and watch a group of farmers.

Others remain on board waving to those working in the field and strike up a brief conversation.

While the V-train's leisurely⁶ pace, French-designed interior, large windows and whistle stops harken back to a different era, it also features 21st century technology.

Each of its three coaches is topped with solar panels, generating five kilowatts⁷ a day to power the lights, fans and doors. 

1 spine   

n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊

参考例句：

• He broke his spine in a fall from a horse.他从马上跌下摔断了脊梁骨。
• His spine developed a slight curve.他的脊柱有点弯曲。

2 winding   

n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈

参考例句：

• A winding lane led down towards the river.一条弯弯曲曲的小路通向河边。
• The winding trail caused us to lose our orientation.迂回曲折的小道使我们迷失了方向。

3 awed   

adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The audience was awed into silence by her stunning performance. 观众席上鸦雀无声，人们对他出色的表演感到惊叹。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I was awed by the huge gorilla. 那只大猩猩使我惊惧。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 exterior   

adj.外部的，外在的；表面的

参考例句：

• The seed has a hard exterior covering.这种子外壳很硬。
• We are painting the exterior wall of the house.我们正在给房子的外墙涂漆。

5 scenic   

adj.自然景色的，景色优美的

参考例句：

• The scenic beauty of the place entranced the visitors.这里的美丽风光把游客们迷住了。
• The scenic spot is on northwestern outskirts of Beijing.这个风景区位于北京的西北远郊。

6 leisurely   

adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的

参考例句：

• We walked in a leisurely manner,looking in all the windows.我们慢悠悠地走着，看遍所有的橱窗。
• He had a leisurely breakfast and drove cheerfully to work.他从容的吃了早餐，高兴的开车去工作。

7 kilowatts   

千瓦( kilowatt的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• It's about 500 kilowatts per hour on average. 年用电量平均为每小时500千瓦。 来自商贸英语会话
• We have an emergency-standby electric generator with a capacity of 300 kilowatts. 我们有一台三百千瓦的事故备用发电机。