In 2008, an intercity high-speed train pulled out of Beijing South Station, showing China’s rail network stepped into a new fast-moving period. Over the past decade, the country has added over 35,000 kilometers 【小题1】 its high-speed rail (HSR) network, with the total length that goes far beyond the rest of the world combined.

The HSR is by far the world’s 【小题2】(big) network of its type and China was also the first country with a GDP per capita (人均国民生产总值) below $7,000 【小题3】(invest) in developing an HSR network.

Looking back, a key milestone for China’s HSR development was the 【小题4】(approve) of the Medium-and Long-Term Railway Plan (MLTRP) in 2004, 【小题5】 the low speed of the existing railway limited competitiveness in passenger transport.

Though construction 【小题6】(push) forward under technology agreements with developed countries like Germany and France in the beginning, China quickly adapted and improved the designs for local use. Based on the previous experience 【小题7】(accumulate) in this field, China has also developed international standards for HSR equipment.

The original intention for the project was to 【小题8】(large) the capacity (容量) of the country’s overloaded network and improve passenger services. But thanks to many spillover (外溢) 【小题9】(benefit), it has improved regional and provincial connectivity, serving as 【小题10】 great help to China’s economic development.

Chinese high-speed railways are a very comfortable way to travel. They are clean, quiet and【小题1】(efficiency). China【小题2】(lead) other developing countries and even some developed ones in this field since the first high-speed train came into use in 2008.

The stations are【小题3】(main) built outside the town center, but local transport has been lengthened【小题4】(connect) the high-speed network. The【小题5】(facility) on the train are new and the staff are well trained. Even the second class chairs provide plenty of space. The passages are wide and you can move easily, not【小题6】(disturb) anyone. You can use your mobile phone or work on your laptop, having access【小题7】the Internet. There is also a restaurant car, though the kinds of food【小题8】(be) limited. The toilets are large, clean and user-friendly too. The train almost doesn’t rock. Even when the train brakes, you can hardly feel it shake.

What’s more, with a faster check-in, the high-speed trains are also【小题9】(little) affected by weather than planes. Seldom are【小题10】delayed or cancelled for weather condition. Therefore, they have become the first choice for many passengers.

Amsterdam 【小题1】 (call) the “City of Bicycles” because of the convenience of riding bicycles there. In the 1960s, a group of cycling fans had 【小题2】 idea that it would be better for everybody if cars weren't allowed in the city centre and only bicycles were. They were 【小题3】 (hope) that this would help to save energy, reduce 【小题4】 (pollute) and provide free public transport. The group painted hundreds of bicycles white and placed them in lots of neighbourhoods around Amsterdam for people to use.

【小题5】 (fortunate), it didn't work because 【小题6】 (thief) took all the bicycles within weeks! However, more than thirty years later, the “white bike” is back in town — this time with a computer chip to record its every move!【小题7】 (take) a bicycle, you have to insert a special card. People who want to use the bikes 【小题8】 (park) at special parking places have to take them to another special parking place 【小题9】 has enough room. Thanks to the good ideas of lots of people, many people around the world have been enjoying city center streets 【小题10】 cars for many years.