Listening Practice 6

31. William Jessop opened the world’s first public railway in __________.

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32. It was built mainly to transport __________.

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33. Richard Trevithick built the first railway __________.

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34. His locomotives were not commercially successful because they were too __________ for the railway tracks.

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35. The first commercially successful steam locomotive was called the __________.

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36. Why was the Stockton to Darlington Railway originally constructed?

A. To transport passengers between towns

B. To carry coal from inland mines to Stockton

C. To connect Liverpool with Manchester

37. Why is the Liverpool to Manchester Railway regarded as the first modern railway?

A. It was the first railway powered entirely by steam.

B. It carried both goods and passengers on a regular timetable.

C. It was the first railway to replace canals.

38. What happened after the Liverpool to Manchester Railway opened?

A. Canal companies increased their charges.

B. Industrial growth in northwest England accelerated.

C. Horse-drawn railways became more popular.

39. According to the speaker, what effect did the expansion of railways have on transport costs?

A. Road tolls and canal charges fell.

B. Railway fares increased significantly.

C. Canal tolls remained unchanged.

40. What mistaken belief did Dr. Lardner express in 1823?

A. Steam locomotives would never replace horses.

B. Railway tracks would not support heavy locomotives.

C. Travelling at high speed by rail would cause passengers to suffocate.

IELTS Academic Listening – Test 6