The world’s most crowded city also has the most efficient public transportation system in the world.
Tokyo has the largest population of all the cities in the world. With over 37 million people in the Greater Tokyo Area, the city’s public transportation systems are incrediblybusy. Images of trains full of people can often be seen on the internet. They show a part of everyday life for those living in the city. In fact, Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station serves more passengers in a single day than any other train station in the world.
Trains are most crowded during the morning rush hour between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. and between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. when people are getting off work. The last few trains of the evening, which usually departshortly before midnight, are also often packedto the limit. Standing chest to chest or shoulder to shoulder with a stranger is practicallyunavoidableif you choose to use the trains and metro linesduring these times.
In spite of the huge number of people using Tokyo’s trains, the system is extremelyefficient. Japanese people take pride in their transportation systems. Trains are almost never late. That’s why most people who are living and working in Tokyo prefer to take the train rather than drive cars or use other forms of transportation.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
efficient
[ɪˋfɪʃənt]
a. 有效率的
A boss likes nothing more than a faithful and efficient worker.
老闆最喜歡忠心且有效率的員工。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
efficiency
[ɪˋfɪʃənsɪ]
n. 效率
The manager was very satisfied with Taylor’s efficiency.
經理很滿意泰勒的辦事效率。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
population
[͵pɑpjəˋleʃən]
n. 人口，全體人民
Taiwan has a population of about 23 million.
臺灣的人口約 2,300 萬人。
New Zealand has a small population, while Taiwan has a large population.
紐西蘭人口稀少，而臺灣人口眾多。
高中 Level 2
●
passenger
[ˋpæsndʒɚ]
n. 乘客
=
rider
Several passengers were injured during the bumpy flight.
好幾名乘客在顛簸的飛行途中受傷了。
高中 Level 3
●
practically
[ˋpræktɪk!ɪ]
adv. 實際地
Practically speaking, Jason isn’t cut out for the job. 講得實際一點，這份工作傑森不能勝任。
高中 Level 3
●
extremely
[ɪkˋstrimlɪ]
adv. 極端地；非常地
=
exceedingly
=
exceptionally
I was extremely happy upon hearing the good news.
我一聽到這個好消息便高興得不得了。
Street violence is an extremely common problem in big cities.
在各大城市，街頭暴力是非常普遍的問題。
高中 Level 3
●
incredibly
[ɪnˋkrɛdəblɪ]
adv. 難以置信地
英檢中高
高中 Level 4
●
depart
[dɪˋpɑrt]
vi. 出發
Stuart departed for France last night.
史都華昨晚動身前往法國。
Stuart set out for France last night.
史都華昨晚動身前往法國。
Stuart left for France last night.
史都華昨晚動身前往法國。
多益綠色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
unavoidable
[͵ʌnəˋvɔɪdəb!]
a. 無可避免的
多益金色
Practical Phrases
●
a small / large population
人口稀少 / 眾多
New Zealand has a small population, while Taiwan hasa large population.
紐西蘭人口稀少，而臺灣人口眾多。
●
to the limit
到達極限(其前通常與動詞 pack、 push、stretch 等並用)
The rubber band was stretched to the limit.
這條橡皮筋被拉到極限了。
●
take pride in...
以……為榮
= pride oneself on...
= be proud of...
The father takes pride in his son’s excellent performance in school.
孩子在學校有優異的表現，這個做父親的引以為榮。
