B
SHANGHAI：Plans for the magnetic levitation(maglev)rail route linking the eastern cities of Shanghai and Hangzhou have been put on hold，partly because of residents' concerns about radiation，it was reported over the weekend.
“The project has been suspended by the municipal government，”Xinhua News Agency said，citing an unidentified official of Minhang District in Shanghai's suburbs，where the proposed line has encountered strong opposition from residents because of potential health concerns.
An official with the city's lawmaking body confirmed that the major reason for shelving the project was concerns over radiation，Xinhua said.
But an official with the Minhang District government told China Daily yesterday that the government and experts still need to discuss and conduct more research on the ￥4.5 billion project. He refused to comment on the reported halt.
Last week，German technology supplier Siemens AG said that it was close to signing a deal that would allow the world's only maglev train in commercial use.
In March last year，the central government approved a feasibility study on the 175 km ShanghaiHangzhou route with speeds of up to 450 km per hour.But recent accidents and cost concerns，as well as strong opposition from local residents，have thrown a spanner in the works.
The project was expected to be completed by 2010 in time for the Shanghai Expo.
A maglev train on a trial run crashed in Germany last year，killing 23 people.In August last year，one of the maglev trains in Shanghai caught fire，forcing it to be evacuated.
Although the original budget was for ￥4.5 billion，Xinhua cited experts estimating a final tally exceeding ￥5.2 billion.
According to residents along the proposed route，the maglev line would have been separated from communities by a greenbelt only 22.5 meters wide，although a blueprint at the local government indicated a protection belt 150 meters wide would be built on either side.German specifications require a 300meter leeway on both sides of the track.
5.The maglev rail route has been suspended mainly because of________.
A.recent accidents
B.concerns of radiation
C.cost concerns
D.disapproval from the government
解析 由“An official with the city's law making body confirmed that the major reason for shelving the project was concerns over radiation，Xinhua said.”可知。
答案 B
6.It will take you about________minutes to travel in the maglev train from Shanghai to Hangzhou if the project is completed.
A.18 B.25 C.23 D.20
解析 由“In march last year，the central government approved a feasibility study on the 175 km ShanghaiHangzhou route with speeds of up to 450 km per hour.”可得：175÷450×60≈23。
答案 C
7.The technology used in the maglev train is from________.
A.Germany B.Italy
C.America D.Japan
解析 由“German technology supplier”可知。
答案 A
8.The actual cost of the project is about________percent more than the original budget.
A.13 B.16% C.16 D.13%
解析 由“Although the original budget was for￥4.5 billion，Xinhua cited experts estimating a final tally exceeding￥5.2 billion.”可得：(5.2-4.5)÷4.5×100%≈16%。
答案 C
