The four north–south HSR lines

Beijing–Shanghai Route

* Length: 1,318 km

* Design speed: 350 kph

It connects two popular cities and reduces the journey time from 12 hours to 5 hours (2 hours by air).

Beijing–Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Route

* Length: 2,240 km

* Design speed: 350 kph

It is the longest passenger-transport dedicated high-speed rail line in the world. It connects North China, Central China, and South China.

Beijing–Harbin Route

* Length: 1,300 km

* Design speed: 350 kph

It connects Northeast China with the national capital, Beijing. It cuts the journey time from 12 hours to 6 hours between Beijing and Harbin.

Hangzhou–Shenzhen Route

* Length: 1,600 km

* Design speed: 250–350 kph

It connects the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta. The Hangzhou–Ningbo section is passenger-transport dedicated. The rest trip is mixed for passenger and cargo (货物) transport.

Experience Bullet Train in Your China Trip

If you are interested in experiencing a bullet train in your China trip, please see our popular tours below for inspiration:

* 5-Day Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou Bullet Train Tour

* CLASSIC WONDERS - 11 Days Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin/Yangshu, Shanghai Private Tour

Or you can just tell us your interests and requirements, and we can help you create a China tour.

【1】What can we infer from the passage?

A.China has the largest rail network in the world.

B.Hangzhou-Shenzhen Route makes a stop at Ningbo.

C.Beijing–Hong Kong Route is the longest high-speed rail line in the world.

D.Beijing–Harbin Route takes the shorter journey time than Beijing-Shanghai Route.

【2】What may be discussed following “The four north–south HSR lines” ?

A.The four vertical HSR lines.B.The four horizontal HSR lines.

C.Big events for China’s High-Speed Rail.D.The future development of China’s High-Speed Rail.

【3】From which is the text probably taken?

A.A research paper.B.A health magazine.

C.A China travel guide.D.A financial newspaper.

The expression,“ everybody’s doing it,” is very much at the center of the concept of peer pressure. It is a strong influence of a group, especially of children, on members of that group to behave as everybody else does. It can be positive or negative. Most people experience it in some way during their lives.

People are social creatures by nature, and so it is hardly surprising that part of their self-respect comes from the approval of others. This instinct (天性) is why the approval of peers, or the fear of disapproval, is such a powerful force in many people’s lives. It is the same instinct that drives people to dress one way at home and another way at work, or to answer “fine” when a stranger asks“ how are you?” even if it is not necessarily true. There is a practical aspect to this: it helps society to function efficiently, and encourages a general level of self-discipline that simplifies day-to-day interaction.

For certain individuals, seeking social acceptance is so important that it becomes like an addiction; in order to satisfy the desire, they may go so far as to abandon their sense of right and wrong. Teens and young adults may feel forced to use drugs, or join gangs that encourage criminal behavior. Mature adults may sometimes feel pressured to cover up illegal activity at the company where they work, or end up in debt because they are unable to hold back the desire to buy a house or car that they can’t afford in an effort to“ keep up with the Joneses”.

However, peer pressure is not always negative. A student whose friends are good at academics may be urged to study harder and get good grades. Players on a sports team may feel driven to play harder in order to help the team win. This type of influence can also get a friend off drugs, or to help an adult take up a good habit or drop a bad one. Study groups and class projects are examples of positive peer groups that encourage people to better themselves.

Schools try to teach kids about the dangers of negative peer pressure. They teach kids to stand up and be themselves, and encourage them to politely decline to do things that they believe are wrong. Similarly, it can be helpful to encourage children to greet the beneficial influence of positive peer groups.

What is Peer Pressure

It tells of Freedom, Success, and of the Architecture of big American cities. Because that is where it started: in the second half of the 19th century!

Welcome to a new Era of Kitchen Interior Design

Back then, a Generation of successful American Entrepreneurs dreamt of a new style of Architecture to express their personal wealth. This dream was realized by young architects such as Daniel Burnham and Stanford White. They all had studied at the cole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. And they created a new style for Architecture and Interior Design, named after the famous French Art Institute: Beaux-Arts.

SieMatic BeauxArts Breaks and Creates

In fact, it was not a new style at all, but a composition of styles from different periods and cultures. Many world-famous structures such as the Chicago Art Institute and the Statue of Liberty account for it. But what does that have to do with your kitchen? Just as much as you want it to. Because in the same way that the anti-conventional architects back then took the freedom to combine elements from different historical eras, today, you too can break the conventional rules of style and create something new: your own personal composition of your kitchen. For that, SieMatic BeauxArts offers unique opportunities: A broad range of seemingly conflicting features that you combine to a harmonious design of your own. You can choose from menu of various forms, appealing colors, and precious materials, to create an environment that is much more than just a kitchen: a reflection of your personality.

【1】Why did the BeauxArts style attract American entrepreneurs?

A.It helped display their money status.

B.It was created by famous architects.

C.It was named after a famous institute.

D.It represented the 19th century urban culture.

【2】What is unique of SieMatic BeauxArts?

A.Its designs are anti-conventional.

B.Its designs come from famous structures.

C.Its customers can enjoy their own composition.

D.Its customers can choose from various new styles.

A.areB.was

C.isD.were

A.whoB.whom

C.thatD.which

—_______,or we won't complete the project in time.

A.Come off itB.Take your time

C.Step on itD.Start from scratch

A.in preference toB.in response to

C.in addition toD.in regard to

A.casualB.smoothC.currentD.steady

A.MeanwhileB.HoweverC.ThereforeD.Moreover

A.involveB.combineC.equateD.compare