A rapid means of long-distance transportation became a necessity for the United States as settlement (新拓居地) spread ever farther westward. The early trains were impractical curiosities, and for a long time the railroad companies met with troublesome mechanical problems. The most serious ones were the construction of rails able to bear the load, and the development of a safe, effective stopping system. Once these were solved, the railroad was established as the best means of land transportation. By 1860 there were thousands of miles of railroads crossing the eastern mountain ranges and reaching westward to the Mississippi. There were also regional southern and western lines.

The high point in railroad building came with the construction of the first transcontinental system. In 1862 Congress authorized two western railroad companies to build lines from Nebraska westward and from California eastward to a meeting point, so as to complete a transcontinental crossing linking the Atlantic seaboard with the Pacific. The Government helped the railroads generously with money and land. Actual work on this project began four years later. The Central Pacific Company, starting from California, used Chinese labor, while the Union Pacific employed crews of Irish Laborers. The two groups worked at remarkable speed, each trying to cover a greater distance than the other. In 1869 they met at a place called Promontory in what is now the state of Utah. Many visitors came there for the great occasion. There were joyous celebrations all over the country, with parades and the ringing of church bells to honor the great achievement.

The railroad was very important in encouraging westward movement. It also helped build up industry and farming by moving raw materials and by distributing products rapidly to distant markets. In linking towns and people to one another it helped unify the United States.

1. The major problems with America’s railroad system in the mid 19th century lay in        .

A) poor quality rails and unreliable stopping systems

B) lack of financial support for development

C) limited railroad lines

D) lack of a transcontinental railroad

2. The Construction of the transcontinental railroad took         .

   A) 9 years       B) 7 years        C) 4 years       D) 3 years

3. What most likely made people think about a transcontinental railroad?

A)   The possibility of government support for such a task

B)   The need to explore Utah.

C)    The need to connect the east coast with the west

D)   The need to develop the railroad industry in the west.

4. The building of the first transcontinental system is significant in that it          .

A) brought about a rapid growth of industry and farming in the west

B) attracted many visitors to the construction sites

C) attracted laborers from Europe

D) encouraged people to travel all over the country

5. The best title for this passage would be         .

   A) Settlements Spread Westward    

   B) The Coast-to-Coast Railroad: A Vital Link

   C) American Railroad History     

   D) The Importance of Railroads in the American Economy

参考答案：Passage 10. A D C A B

参考译文：

随着美国新居住地不断向西扩展，快捷的长途交通工具就显得非常必要。早期的列车只是一些不怎么实用的新鲜事物。长期以来，铁路公司面临着诸多棘手的技术瓶颈，其中最严重的问题是能承载符合的轨道的建造以及安全可靠的制动系统的研制。这些问题得以解决之后，铁路便确立了最佳陆地交通运输工具的地位。截止1860年，数千英里的铁路线穿越东部山区通往西部的密西西比。同时，南部和西部还有区域性的铁路线。
首条跨大陆铁路的修建将铁路建设推向了高潮。1862年议会授权两家西部铁路公司建设一条自内布拉斯加州向西，自加利福尼亚州向东，最终联通的铁路，从而完成连接大西洋和太平洋的跨大陆铁路的建设。政府在资金及土地上给予工程建设慷慨的帮助。工程建设四年后开工。中央太平洋公司利用中国劳工，在加利福尼亚开工；而联合太平洋公司雇佣爱尔兰劳工。两家公司均以惊人的速度推进，尽力使自己修建的历程超过对方。1869年他们在叫做Promontory(现犹他州)的地方会和。当时许许多多的游客到现场亲历这个伟大的时刻，全国各地都有欢快的庆祝活动，到处可以看到游行的队伍，教堂也敲钟以纪念这个伟大的成就。
这条跨大陆铁路在鼓励人们向西迁移方面起到非常重要的作用；同时，这条跨大陆铁路承担了运输原材料并把产品销往遥远市场的任务，从而逐步壮大了西部的工农业；另外，这条跨大陆铁路将城镇与城镇，人与人连在一起，从而有助于美国国家的一体化。