Reading

Hyperloop

Working with words

A. Choose the correct words from the box to complete the following sentences.

a. I think that covering up the facts is equivalent to lying really.

b. If there is not a substantial move to public transport, we will have declaration and the whole regeneration will not work.

c. Each new leader would blame his predecessor for all the evils of the past.

d. We have, in fact, envisioned a better world and have made in happen.

e. The main linear actuators of the pneumatic systems are cylinders.

f. The barrel was short and the bullet emerged at subsonic speed.

g. The city is said to receive two-fifths of the total freight delivered in the country.

h. It would still take four hours to get down, in a spiral of gridlock.

i. Apparently, the magician will be doing some levitation on the stage tomorrow.

j. We might be experiencing some turbulence on this flight due to an approaching electrical storm.

B. Add three more words that are formed with the following prefixes.

a. hyper-  =  hyperloop ,  hyperspace , hypersensitive, , hyperlink

b. ultra-  =  ultrahigh , ultramarine , ultrashort , ultrabasic

c. up-  =  uphill , uplift , upside , upcoming

d. over-  =  overcoming , overact . overachieve , oversized

e. multi-  =  multibillion , multinational , multireligion , multigrade

Comprehension

A. Answer the following questions.

a. What is a hyperloop? How does it work? Ans: A hyperloop is an ultra-high-speed ground transportation system for passenger and cargo. It could see freight and passengers travelling as high as 760mph, in a ‘floating’ pod which shoots through giant, low-pressure tubes, either abover or below ground.

b. How is hyperloop more beneficial than the traditional trains? Ans: Hyperloop is much more beneficial and superior than any traditional or a high-speed rail. It’s less expensive and uses less energy since the track doesn’t have to provide electricity to the pods constantly and because the pods may depart every 30 seconds, it’s more like a demand-based service.

c. Does hyperloop have a successful history? How? Ans: No, it doesn’t have a successful history as the idea of developing hyperloop was limited to the wagon and pneumatic tubes to send mail and packages between buildings.

d. Write the contributions of Robert Goddard and Elon Musk for the development of hyperloop. Ans: As early 20th century, Robert Goddard developed the ‘vactrain’ concept. This is certainly an origin to the hyperloop. Since then, there have been a significant number of similar ideas. Elon Musk, the creator of SpaceX and Tesla, came up with the notion of the hyperloop in order to offer ultra-fast intercity transportation. Travel pods enclosed within steel tubes will serve as Elon Musk’s ‘fifth mode of transportation’ which will be superior to any car, planes, boats and trains. His ‘Hyperloop Alpha’ publication in August 2013 sparked the concept of hyperloop.

e. What relation does speed have with air resistance? Ans: Overcoming air resistance is one of the biggest uses of energy in high speed travel. Airliners climb to high altitudes to travel through less dense air; in order to create a similar effect at ground level. Hyperloop encloses the capsules in a reduced-pressure tube, effectively allowing the trains to travel at airplane speeds while still on the ground.

f. What are hyperloop capsules compared with? How are they similar? Ans: Hyperloop capsules are compared to Boeing 747s because they both accelerate at the same rate of speed.

g. How do the passengers feel while travelling via hyperloop? What will be done to make it luxurious? Ans: While travelling via hyperloop, the passengers feel about the same as riding in an elevator or a passenger plane. Beautiful landscape will be displayed in the cabin and each passenger will have access to their own personal entertainment system.

h. Why does the writer doubt the success of hyperloop? What does success depend on? Ans: Hyperloop’s success will be determined on the destinations, the local economy and the geographical location. The author has concerns regarding hyperloop’s viability because of the enormous multibillion-dollar expenditure and the fact that the projects are still in the pilot and experimental phases. In the past, Nikola Tesla and Elon Musk had already closed the same concept program, due to no response from government authorities.

Critical Thinking

a. Why does the reporter say that England is waiting to heal its half-century long pain? Ans: Elon Musk, an entrepreneur, who developed the concept of hyperloop. He is an inventor and inventors love the idea of creating something new and revolutionary. People like him want to show the world the project of hyperloop is possible.

The project of hyperloop needs a large amount of investment. The concept of hyperloop has been around for a long time. There are well-funded companies battling to be the first to provide a working service. In spite of their optimistic timescales, these projects are still in the experimental stages. Critics argue that lots of pods will be needed to get the same passenger numbers as more traditional trains.

Now, hyperloop is at an experimental phase even if the firms involved are interested to talk about its potential. Despite their promise, new technologies take time to come to the fullest success. Concludingly, nothing is impossible when we want to fulfill a dream. Considering the efforts made by innovators and inventors, hyperloop can be the future of transportation.

b. The number of private vehicles is increasing day by day in Nepal beyond the capacity of our infrastructure. What do you think should be done to curb the ever-growing number of private vehicles? Discuss. Ans: Nepal’s infrastructure is being outpaced by private automobile and vehicle use. Vehicle ownership is constantly rising among the Nepalese population. Despite the fact that they save time and privacy, they are hazardous to the environment since they cause greater pollution, traffic congestion and road deaths.

As a solution to this problem, even though petroleum costs are rising, more and more people are buying their own vehicles. As a result, traffic is expanding at an alarming rate. It is time to outlaw private vehicles since their extensive use harms the environment and raises harmful gas emissions that will cause big difficulties in the future. We should reduce the number of vehicles on the road by putting public transit first and prioritizing it above private autos.

There should be limits on the use of old personal automobiles by municipal administrations. New highways need to be constructed or existing ones widened. People must use public transportation. The public and the government should be worried about this. Some of the traffic congestion may be alleviated by widening the roads. As a last point, public transportation should be emphasized, including the bus, rail and so on.

 Working together, the government and citizens can make this happen. Effective management is needed to avoid a growth in the number of automobiles and their detrimental impacts because it’s almost insane to stop people from purchasing and using personal vehicles.

Writing

B. Suppose you are the General Manager of Nepal Airlines. Issue a press release on behalf of the airlines about the cancellation of flights to the mountain regions due to the poor weather condition.

Press Release

1st January 2022

Nepal Airlines has temporarily cancelled all domestic flights to the mountain regions due to the heavy rain throughout the country since last week. The cancellation is effective from 1st January till further notice.

Passengers having tickets for flights of 1st January 2022 and onwards are eligible fro full refund and date change charge will be waived off. Nepal Airlines regrets for the inconvenience caused to the passengers due to the cancellation of Flights.

Hari Poudel

General Manager

Grammar

Subject Verb Agreement

B. Rewrite the following sentences with the correct form of the verbs in the brackets.

a. The invitation is for one person. I don’t mind whether you or she comes to the party.

b. Neither the MPs not the Prime Minister has felt regret for the party split.

c. I don’t care whether he or she wins the lottery.

d. Either the Kantipur or the Republica is used for the advertisement.

e. She speaks in a strange accent. Neither I nor my sister understands her.

f. I forgot whether the singers or actress is given the Film Fair Award last year.

g. Neither the tracksuit nor the pajamas fit me perfectly.

h. Neither the gas fire nor the electric heaters are suitable for room heating.

C. Correct the subjects or verbs that don’t agree with each other. Remember to use present tense in your corrections.

Ans: Within the state of Arizona, Rob, along with his family, moves frequently from city to city. After his arrival, one of his first tasks was to find an apartment close to work, as he did not have a car. Usually, there are many different places to choose from, and he considers cost, location and luxury. If one apartment has a washing machine and dryer and costs four hundred dollars a month, he prefers to rent it over another apartment which has significantly less rent and is located two blocks from a Laundromat. Rob’s family never wanted to live in an apartment on the thirteenth floor, since all of them fear heights. He also tried to choose an apartment with a landlord recommended by former tenants. Everybody knows that it is important to find a responsible landlord. Rob and his wife love to cook together when both are free, so they need a spacious, well-equipped kitchen. Rob often looks fora place with an air conditioner because there are so many scorching days and nights in Arizona. Whenever Rob finds a new apartment, all of his concerns disappear. He felt relieved and called his mother. Someone understands!