2. 外语
  3. A rapid means of long-distance transportation became a necessity for the United States as settlement (新拓居地) spread ever farther

A rapid means of long-distance transportation became a necessity for the United States as settlement (新拓居地) spread ever farther

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问题     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 joys 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.
The building of the first transcontinental system ______.
选项 A、relieved the burden of overall railroad system
B、encouraged people to rush for gold in the west
C、attracted many visitors to the construction sites
D、brought about a rapid growth of industry and farming in the west
答案D
解析 本题是细节题。文中最后一段说，这条横贯大陆的铁路通过运输原材料和把产品运输到距离远的市场帮助发展了工业和农业，D选项是对原文内容的同义转述。A选项原文未提及。原文说这条铁路在西进运动中扮演着重要的鼓励作用，可是这不等于说鼓励人们去西部淘金，故B选项错误。原文说铁路建成时吸引了许多人到工地庆祝这个重大的事情，但这只是一时的情况，所以C选项不准确。
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