Thousands of years ago, people started building boats to help them explore the watery parts of the world. Boats let people find new hunting grounds and discover new lands.【小题1】

The earliest boats were probably logs that people sat on as they floated downstream. Later, people made these logs more useful and comfortable by burning and scraping away the insides to make dugout boats and canoes.

【小题2】 They tied logs together to make rafts. They wove reeds and branches to make tidy little boats that are still used in many parts of the world today. They sewed animal skins together and filled them with air — like a float you might use in a swimming pool. They used paddles, poles, and oars to help steer, or to move upstream.

Boats like the Greek trireme (三列桨船) were big and heavy and hard to steer.【小题3】 Soon people figured out how to use sails to catch the wind. Early sailboats might only have one or two sails. But more sails meant more power, and fast tall ships could have dozens. People still use sailboats today, for cruising and racing.

When steam engines were invented, boating became easier than ever.【小题4】 As engines got bigger and better, so did boats.

Over the years, boats have been used for fishing, for fighting, for carrying goods, for fun — even for living on.【小题5】

Traveling by train can be a romantic way to see the world. Since it was one of the original forms of transportation worldwide, here are some fantastic train trips to add to your travel list.

Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Where it goes: Xining to Lhasa

Why not start with the world's highest train ride? The Qinghai-Tiber Railway climbs to great heights of over 16,0000 feet as it snakes trough the Himalayas. The wonderful 1215-mile journey only makes seven stops.

Eurostar

Where it goes: London to/from Paris

Eurostar is a popular way for folks to get from London to Paris, thanks to its quick travel time, but it has another attraction that makes it a great train trip. For 20 minutes, you will actually be riding 150 feet underwater through the famous English Channel.

Trans-Siberian Railway

Where it goes: Moscow to Vladivostok

The Trans-Siberian Railway is another historically famous railroad that should be on your travel list. It is also the world's longest continuous railway. Along the way, you will pass through eight time zones and have plenty of time to see the beautiful Russian countryside.

Glacier Express

Where it goes: St. Moritz to Zermatt in the Swiss Alps

This train ride is a favorite among many, as it's arguably the best way to experience the Swiss Alps. It's much more about the journey than the destination, and it gives new meaning to the term slow travel, taking over seven hours to pass just 180 miles. But it's one of the most scenic train journeys out there, so the slow pace is welcomed.

What is an Oyster card?

Oyster is the easiest way to pay for journeys on the bus，Tube，tram，Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Over ground and National Rail journeys in London You can store your travel cards, Bus & Tram Pass, season tickets and credit to pay for journeys as you go.

Where to get an Oyster card?

There are a number of ways for you to get an Oyster card:

• At over 3,900 Oyster Ticket stops

• At Tube and London Over ground station ticket offices

• At some National Rail stations

• At London Travel information Centers

• Online at tfl. gov. uk/oyster

How to use an Oyster card?

To pay the correct fare on the Tube, DLR, London Over ground and National Rail services, you must always touch in on the yellow Oyster card reader at the start of your journey, and touch out at the end. If you don’t, a maximum cash Oyster fare will be charged. When using the bus or tram, you must only touch in at the start, but not at the end of your journey.

What happens if I don’t visit London very often?

Don’t worry. Any pay as you go credit on your card will not expire (过期)，so you can keep it for your next visit or lend it to a friend.

Fares

Traveling by Tube from Central London (Zone l)to Heathrow (Zone 6)

Adult Oyster single fare

£ 4. 20 Monday to Friday 06:30 - 09:30 and 16:00 - 19:00

£ 2. 70 at all other times including public holidays

Adult single cash fare £ 5.00

For further information，visit tfl.gov. uk /fares.