1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of travelling by plane?

Well, one big plus351 is speed. Planes are a really fast way of getting from one place to another. You can cross oceans in a matter of hours352. Another advantage is the cool view you get from a high altitude. But every rose has its thorn. Planes are a very expensive form of travel. A decent ticket can cost you an arm and a leg353. Plus, some flights can be very crowded.

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living near an airport?

One advantage that comes to mind is convenience. Unlike others who live far away, you could probably skip out on paying for a hotel and parking since you’re so close. But a big downside354 would be the noise. You would be constantly hearing planes, whether they were taking off or touching down355. I think that would be enough to keep you awake at night.

3. How is working at the airport different from working in other places?

Well, I’d imagine that working in an airport keeps things interesting. You’d get to see people from all over the world. I suppose that would definitely help expand your horizons. But it’s also different because you have to go through so much security just to do your job. I think that would be hard to adjust to. You can’t just walk in through the front door like you could for an office job.

4. Why do so many people like to take high speed trains?

Well, lots of people like taking high-speed trains because they’re so convenient. You can get from one place to another in a few hours. Plus, they’re generally less crowded than buses or subways. You actually have room to breathe356. You aren’t packed like sardines with the other riders357. I also think high-speed trains give you a great view on the way to your destination. I love sitting in the window seat and just gazing out at the passing surroundings358.

5. What are the environmental problems caused by planes?

The first one that comes to mind is that planes eat up a lot of fuel359. They，re really bad for the environment because they cause so much carbon dioxide with all the fumes they emit. Especially when they，re flying over open areas, they release a ton of waste into the atmosphere. Not to mention how much material it takes to build them and keep them running. I don，t think airplanes are very ecofriendly, which is a shame because they，re so fun to travel in.

351 one big plus: —个很大的好处
352 in a matter of hours:几个小时以后
353 cost you an arm and a leg:让人花很多钱
354 a big downside: —个很大的缺点
355 taking off or touching down：起飞或降落
356 have room to breathe:有呼吸的空间，意为空间比较大
357 packed like sardines with the other riders:和其他乘客挤在一起
358 gazing out at the passing surroundings:看着窗外呼啸而过的地方
359 eat up a lot of fuel:消耗很多燃料