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

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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 over 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 toad, 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 sys tem. In 1862 congress authorized two western railroad companies to build lines from Nebraska west ward 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 labourers. 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 honour 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.
What most likely made people think about a transcontinental railroad?

选项 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.

答案C

解析 横跨美国大陆东西的铁路使美国东海岸和西海岸连接起来,所以,提及这条铁路,就会使人们想起连接东西海岸的需求。
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