The most common form of public transportation is the buses. They provide transportation service on innumerable routes from the city center to the suburbs and even to outlying rural areas that surround the city. Also, special buses can be chartered for trips to the mountains, to lakes, and to nearby places of historical interest. In some cities, the city bus system offers free “mini-bus” service as a convenience to shoppers in the downtown business district.

Subways are mostly found in larger cities, such as New York, London, Tokyo, Paris and so on. The subway is an underground system of high-speed trains. The world’s first system was built in London, and trains have been operating there since 1890. Subway trains move more quickly and efficiently than buses. They, too, are inexpensive and help solve city traffic problems. The one drawback of subway trains is that they are often crowded and noisy.

Taxicabs are more expensive than buses or subways, but they will deliver you to the exact location you want in the shortest time possibly. Taxis are convenient if you are in a hurry or if you are taking a number of suitcases or packages.

If you ever visit a major city in another country, you will probably have no trouble getting around. You will quickly find out about city bus routes and schedules, about crowds on subway trains, and about the scarcity of taxis when you are trying to find one during rush hours. Like many people, of course, you may come to the conclusion that the most inexpensive and reliable form of transportation will be your own two legs!

1. What is the common form of public transportation?

A.    Bicycles and horses.

B.    Taxicabs and horses.

C.    Subways, taxi and busses.

D.    High-speed trains underground and suburbs.

2. Why do people like to take busses?

A.    Because busses run faster than the others.

B.    Because busses cost much more than the others.

C.    Because the others are not safe.

D.    Because busses are the cheapest of all these.

3. What does “mini-bus” mean?

A.    It means that a kind of bus only runs in the mid-night.

B.    It is another name of the bus.

C.    It means that this kind of bus is very small.

D.    It means that this is a special kind of bus for shoppers to carry goods.

4. The subway is a kind of high-speed train underground ___________

A.    that runs only on the suburb routes.

B.    that was first used in London, New York and Tokyo.

C.    and is mostly being operated in some big cities.

D.    Both A and B.

5. Which of the following is true according to the above?

A.    The public transportation is only for the rich.

B.    Subway was used earlier than buses.

C.    Taxicab is free.

D.    In the big crowded cities, you’ll find your own two legs will be the cheapest and the most reliable form of transportation.