2015-10-14
457
The potential of Kazakhstan to act as a transit in the trade between China, Europe, and even the eastern coast of America, as envisioned in the Trans-Asian Railway proposal, has not yet been fulfilled. Current rail transport between China and Europe goes over the Trans-Siberian Railway, is lengthy, and requires bogie exchanges.
KTZ is engaging on the Trans Kazakhstani Trunk Railways (TKTR), a major railroad project to link China and Southeast Asia to Europe for a length of 2, 400 miles (3,862 km). China and most of Europe use the standard rail gauge of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in), and the TKTR will utilize the same gauge. It will avoid costly delays at bogie exchange stations. The route to Europe will be shortened and laid out for high speed. It is estimated, that it will be possible eventually to ship cargo in 7-10 days (half the current time by rail) from China’s ports to Europe. The sea transport takes about 40-65 days. The railway would also open up areas of Kazakhstan for exploration of minerals and oil. Currently the plan is to run the railway through Turkmenistan to Iran; Iran is linked to Turkey and Europe's standard gauge system.
Construction for the new line will start at the eastern border town of Druzhba to go to Aktau on the Caspian Sea. The total cost of the project is $ 5-7 billion. A link from Aktau to Iran is also required.
The transport corridor through Kazakhstan has the potential to provide a railway-ship link between China and the east coast of North America through the Northern East West corridor.
4. Complete the sentences:
1. Kazakhstan will act as a ……… according to the Trans-Asian Railway proposal.
2. Current rail transport between China and Europe is lengthy, and …….
3. KTZ is intending to link ………….
4. China and most of Europe use ………...
5. The TKTR will utilize ………...
6. It will avoid …………..
7. It will be possible eventually to ………….
8. The railway would also open up ………..
9. Currently the plan is to run ………..
10. Construction for the new line will start ………..
11. The total cost of the project is …….
Make a presentation on the theme “Transport” and defend it.
GRAMMAR
PASSIVE VOICE
6. Translate and compare the following pairs of sentences:
1. He told them an interesting story. He was told an interesting story.
2. She visited her friends. She was visited by her friends.
3. I gave you a good book. I was given a good book.
4. He called his friend. He was called yesterday.
5. We discussed an interesting problem at the lecture. An interesting problem was discussed at the lecture.
