The Chinese Online Writing Lab

1. The Taiwan Rail Administration (TRA) oversees conventional rail transportation in Taiwan.

I A.  subsidizes

B.  orchestrates  

C.  transfers

2. Since Liu Ming-Chuan directed the construction of the first rail line from Keelung to Taipei in 1886, rail has been important to long-distance transportation in Taiwan.

A.  insignificant

B.  irrelevant

C.  critical  

3. In response to rapid population and economic growth, TRA completed the north-link line, the double link of the western line, the electrified project of the western line, the purchase of the push-pull Tzu-Chiang express train and, most significantly, the south-link line and the round island railway network.

A.  procurement

B.  investment

C.  lease

4. Recent passenger numbers have not justified the tremendous capital requirements of railway construction.

A.  extirpated

B.  expunged

C.  warranted  

5. Notably, completion of the Chung-shan and Formosa freeway projects encouraged individuals to drive cars or take passenger buses instead of riding the train, and many bus companies offer an attractive combination of luxurious seating and inexpensive off-peak ticket prices. 

A.  enticing  

B.   repulsive

C.  nauseating

6. To encourage passengers to return to railway transportation, TRA has promoted the Taipei-Kaohsiung Tzu-Chiang express train (3 hours 59 minutes one way) and the Taipei-Hualien Chu-Kuang group express train. The Taiwan High Speed Railway (THSR) has been the most daunting undertaking of TRA to date.

A.  diffident

B.  timid

C.  adventurous  

7. To realize the THSR, TRA is directing several construction projects, including commuter stations in San-Keng, Tai-Yuan, Da-Ching and Da-Chiao, as well as a metro hub linking Taipei and Hsinchu.

A.  monitoring

B.  coordinating  

C.  identifying

8. To make the THSR competitive with other transportation modes, TRA needs to provide additional short-distance train lines, promote custom-designed train tourism packages, provide shuttle services linking THSR stations with downtown areas and expand train cargo capacity.

A.  lagging behind

B.  emulative  

C.  waning

9. To make the THSR competitive with other transportation modes, TRA needs to provide additional short-distance train lines, promote custom-designed train tourism packages, provide shuttle services linking THSR stations with downtown areas and expand train cargo capacity.

A.  improvements

B.  quality

C.  space  

10. Moreover, the Taiwan Department of Transportation should integrate the efforts of TRA and the THSR to provide a comprehensive, comfortable and convenient passenger service.

A.  tranquil   

B.  distressing

C.  nerve-racking

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