Name: Date: reading (10 marks) 1

TOTAL 

/50

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REVIEW TEST 4

NAME:  

 Date: 

 

READING (10 marks)

1  Read the article and choose the best title (A–D). 1 mark

  A  India’s developing transport system 

  B  The nationalization of India’s railways 

  C  Private and public transport in India 

  D  India’s traffic problems 

There are only 13 million cars in India, although the country has a population of 1.2 billion. Some forms of private 

transport have been in use in India for centuries, and the public transport system is slowly improving.

One form of traditional transport is the water taxi. These carry thousands of passengers along the river Ganges every 

day. Another means of travel is by ox cart, traditionally used in rural India. In recent years, some cities have banned 

ox carts and other slow moving vehicles on the main roads because of traffic problems. Bicycles are also a common 

mode of travel in much of India, and more than 40% of households own one. While such private means of transport 

are useful, India’s public transport systems are among the most heavily used in the world. 

The public transport system is essential for city life, and is the main means of transport in urban India. The main forms 

of public transport are small motor vehicles, buses and railways. Cycle rickshaws (a type of small, cycle-powered taxi) 

are also common in smaller cities. Although 25 of India’s main cities with a population of over one million have some 

form of bus system, 80% of public transport is by smaller road vehicles. 

The railways were first introduced to India in 1853. In 1951 the many different systems were nationalized into one 

system, becoming one of the largest networks in the world. Indian trains carry over 30 million passengers and 2.8 

million tonnes of freight daily. Indian Railways are the world’s biggest employer, with over 1.4 million staff. Indian 

trains are safe and generally very efficient, but they do often run late. However, they are preferable to spending 

hours in a traffic jam.