SECTION B SKIMMING AND SCANNING [10 MIN]
In this section there are seven passages followed by ten multiple-choice questions. Skim or scan them as required and then mark your answers on the answer sheet.
TEXT F

First read the question.
31. The President of Association of American railroads wrote the letter to _____
A. complain about public ignorance of its effects to improve the service.
B. criticize U.S. News for not reporting its effects to improve the safety record.
C. inform the public of what it has achieved over the past decade.
D. thank U.S. News for informing the public of its effects to reduce accident rate.
正确答案是

Now, go through the text quickly and answer the question.
December 20th 199_
Dear Editor,
The American railroad industry's commitment to safety is demonstrated by a steadily declining accident rate over the past decade.    The accident rate per million train miles has been reduces by 55 percent since 1981 and 21 percent since 1990.    In 11 of the past 16 years, the rail passenger fatality rate was lower than or the same as the airline rate.    In addition, rail employees had half the number of lost workday injuries per 100 full-time employees as did airline workers.

Nowhere does U.S. News mention that America's railroads have spent more than US' 90 billion just since 1990 to maintain and improve tracks and equipment.    Nowhere do you mention that railroads -- on their own initiative and at their own expense -- developed and installed a new type of wheel that is much less likely to fracture and cause accidents.    Nowhere do you mention how railroads are now testing a new type of electronically assisted brake that can reduce stopping distance by 40 percent.     Nowhere do you explain that more than 90 percent of rail-related fatalities involve highway-rail grade crossing accidents or trespassers -- accidents over which railroads have almost no control.    "facts are stubborn thing," wrote John Adams more than 200 years ago. Stubborn, that is, unless you choose to Ignore them.    That is what U. S. News has chosen to do.
Edwin L.Harper

President and chief Executive officer
Association of American Railroads

TEXT G

First read the question.
26. The author of the passage is ____ Johannesburg.
A. concerned about
B. critical of
C. nostalgic about
D. hopeful about
正确答案是