TransLink is urging customers to avoid non-essential travel today and to stay home where possible in the difficult weather conditions. TransLink chief executive officer Peter Strachan said bus and train services were continuing to run where possible, however all CityCat and CityFerry services had been cancelled until further notice. "These are extremely difficult conditions for South East Queensland---we are running essential services where possible but safety remains to be the most important," Mr Strachan said. "Severe weather and associated flooding has impacted on all modes of public transport, with bus, ferry and train services all impacted to varying degrees. "If you are planning to use public transport at anytime over the next few days, then I would recommend you check that your intended service is still running." Service disruptions for today include: l City network trains running hourly on all lines. l Bus diversions, delays and cancellations in some regions, particularly across Brisbane, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast. l CityCat and CityFerry services cancelled. Queensland Rail Chief Executive Officer Paul Scurrah said rising waterways had closed some train lines, and road closures and damage to property throughout the South-East had contributed to a shortage of available rail employees. "We intend to run trains hourly on all lines, similar to the timetable we operate on Christmas Day. We will also be looking to run other additional services to meet demand as required. At this stage we will run services stopping at all stations which will depart at the same time on the hour, however, this is all subject to the weather conditions and the availability of traincrew." Mr Scurrah encouraged all customers to visit the Translink website for specific departure times for their station, and asked for patience in the event of delays. "Queensland Rail appreciates that reduced services may cause disruptions but it is simply unavoidable. We have a dedicated and experienced team monitoring the situation around... Which means of transport is NOT available during the special period? A) Bus. B) Train. C) Ferry. D) Plane.
C
(Question)
Most Chinese people expect to relax and enjoy themselves during the Golden Week. But for those trying to go someplace,it may seem more disappointment than pleasure. This year, the severe traffic jam resulted in a roadside wedding. The suffering of being stuck in traffic was possibly most strongly felt by Lv Kangzhou and his bride Yan Mengxia. By tradition, the groom drove early in the morning to the bride's home in Zhejiang province in East China to pick her up along with her family and take them to his family's hometown for the wedding. By 4 p.m., Lv's wedding was 90 minutes away, but his car had not moved an inch for a long time. Lv contacted the local radio to explain his difficult situation and ask for a traffic forecast. The radio host told Lv there was no way he could hold his wedding on time and offered to hold their wedding on the air. At 5:30 p.m., Lv and his bride said their vows on the side of the road while Lv's family and friends witnessed the ceremony while listening to the radio. Lv wasn't the only person stuck in the Golden Week crowds. According to the state news agency Xinhua, 11.7 million people traveled by train Wednesday. It calculated that 120,000 people gathered at Tiananmen Square in Beijing to watch the flag raising ceremony. Last year, the Forbidden City in Beijing hosted 175,000 tourists on a single day during Golden Week, and the number is expecting to be even bigger this year. Chinese internet users routinely complain about the Golden Week holiday every year. As internet user Tuzhi said on Sina Weibo: "On the Great Wall, I'm holding your hand, but I cannot see your face." What does the text mainly intend to tell us? A) A successful roadside wedding during the Golden Week. B) The popularity of traveling around during the Golden Week. C) The crowded situation in China during the Golden Week. D) The cause of the heavy traffic in China during the Golden Week.
(Answer)
C
Tess was eight years old. Her little brother Andrew was very sick and their parents were completely out of money. She heard Daddy say to her tearful Mother, "Only a miracle can save him now." Tess took her money and made her way six blocks to Rexall's Drug Store. "And what do you want?" the chemist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. "I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen for ages." "Well, I want to talk to you about my brother," Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. "He's really sick. He has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?" "We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you," the chemist said, softening a little. "Listen, I can help you." The chemist's brother was a well-dressed man. He asked Tess, "What kind of miracle does your brother need?" "I don't know," Tess replied. "Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money." "How much do you have?" asked the man from Chicago. "One dollar and eleven cents," Tess answered. "And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more, if I need to." "Well,what a coincidence ," smiled the man. "A dollar and eleven cents - the exact price of a miracle for your little brother. Take me to where you live. Let's see if 1 have the kind of miracle you need." That man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon in neurosurgery . The operation was completed without charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost... one dollar and eleven cents... plus the faith of a little child. What can we learn about Dr. Carlton Armstrong? A) He was a stone-hearted man. B) He cared for only a little money. C) He never helped others unless given a lot of money. D) He was a kind gentleman and ready to help others.
D