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阅读下面文章并根据题目要求回答问题。
The world's first subway was built in London in 1863. At the time, the government was looking for a way
to reduce traffic problems. The poor areas of the city were so crowded with people. So the officials decided
to make it possible for workers to live outside of London and travel easily to work each day. If people had a
convenient way to get to and from work, they would live outside of the city and this would help reduce the
pressure. From these problems, the idea of the London Underground was born.
The plans for building the Underground met with several problems, but the first track was finally opened in
January,1863. A steam train pulled the cars along the first underground track which was six kilometers long.
About 30,000 people got on the subway the first day. They were treated to comfortable seats and pleasant
decorations inside the cars. However, the smoke from the engine soon filled the air in the tunnels. Fans had to
be put in the tunnel later to keep the air clean enough for people to breathe. Even with its problems, riding the
Underground did become popular. It carried nine million riders in its first year.
Modem subways have come a long way since the early days of the London Underground.
Today there are more than one hundred underground systems around the world. Shopping malls built in
traffic stations have helped the popularity of subways. Nowadays many stations include underground
department stores, supermarkets and restaurants. Shoppers never have to go above ground!
1. What is the best title for this passage?
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2. Why did the British government decide to build the London Underground?
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3. When was the first track opened?
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4. What does the writer mean by saying "Shoppers never have to go above ground!" ?
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