Train

Subway

Bus

Taxi

Cable Car

Tram

Monorail

Shuttle Bus

Trolleybus

Light Rail

High-speed Train

Jeepney

Chiva Bus

Funicular

Tuk-tuk

People Mover

Airport Shuttle

Matatu

Double-decker Bus

Jitney

Public Transportation

Train - Transportation

40 chapters

beginner

Check out our simple readings on public transportation to boost your English skills and learn about buses, trains, and how people travel in cities.

capitolo

Train

Read a short passage about a long vehicle that runs on tracks, often used to carry people or goods over land.

1.1

Trains are a type of public transportation. They run on tracks. Trains carry people and things. They go from one place to another. Trains have been used for a long time. They have an interesting history.

I treni sono un tipo di trasporto pubblico. Corrono su binari. I treni trasportano persone e cose. Vanno da un posto all'altro. I treni sono stati utilizzati per molto tempo. Hanno una storia interessante.

1.2

Horses pulled the first trains. This was before engines were made. Early trains were made of wood. They were not very fast. They were used to move coal and heavy stuff. They moved from mines to factories.

I cavalli trainavano i primi treni. Questo era prima che i motori fossero costruiti. I primi treni erano fatti di legno. Non erano molto veloci. Erano usati per spostare carbone e materiali pesanti. Si muovevano dalle miniere alle fabbriche.

1.3

In 1804, a man named Richard Trevithick made the first steam train. It was called the Penydarren locomotive. This train was faster than horse-pulled trains. It could carry heavy loads. It did not get tired like horses. Steam trains became very popular.

Nel 1804, un uomo di nome Richard Trevithick realizzò il primo treno a vapore. Si chiamava locomotiva Penydarren. Questo treno era più veloce dei treni trainati da cavalli. Poteva trasportare carichi pesanti. Non si stancava come i cavalli. I treni a vapore divennero molto popolari.

1.4

The first passenger train ran in 1825. It was called the Stockton and Darlington Railway. It was in England. It carried people and coal. This was the start of trains being used to carry people.

Il primo treno passeggeri corse nel 1825. Si chiamava la Stockton and Darlington Railway. Era in Inghilterra. Trasportava persone e carbone. Questo fu l'inizio dell'uso dei treni per trasportare persone.

1.5

In 1829, a famous train called the Rocket was built. George Stephenson made it. This train was very fast for its time. It could go at a speed of 47 kilometers per hour. The Rocket showed people that trains were a good way to travel.

Nel 1829, fu costruito un famoso treno chiamato il Rocket. George Stephenson lo realizzò. Questo treno era molto veloce per il suo tempo. Poteva viaggiare a una velocità di 47 chilometri all'ora. Il Rocket mostrò alle persone che i treni erano un buon modo per viaggiare.

1.6

Trains have changed a lot since then. Today, we have electric trains and high-speed trains. Some high-speed trains can go up to 320 kilometers per hour. These trains are very fast and comfortable. They connect big cities. They help people travel quickly.

I treni sono cambiati molto da allora. Oggi abbiamo treni elettrici e treni ad alta velocità. Alcuni treni ad alta velocità possono raggiungere fino a 320 chilometri all'ora. Questi treni sono molto veloci e confortevoli. Collegano le grandi città. Aiutano le persone a viaggiare velocemente.

1.7

Trains are also important for moving things. Freight trains can carry a lot of heavy items. They carry stuff like cars, coal, and food. They help businesses. They move products from factories to stores.

I treni sono anche importanti per il trasporto di merci. I treni merci possono trasportare molti articoli pesanti. Trasportano cose come auto, carbone e cibo. Aiutano le aziende. Spostano i prodotti dalle fabbriche ai negozi.

1.8

Fun fact : The longest train ride in the world is on the Trans-Siberian Railway in Russia. It is over 9,000 kilometers long. It takes about seven days to complete!

Curiosità: Il viaggio in treno più lungo del mondo è sulla Ferrovia Transiberiana in Russia. È lungo oltre 9.000 chilometri. Ci vogliono circa sette giorni per completarlo!

1. Train

Public Transportation

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Quiz

What do trains run on?

Roads

Tracks

Water

Sand

Who built the first steam train?

George Stephenson

A horse rider

Richard Trevithick

A coal miner

Put the events in the correct order from earliest to latest:

the first steam train was made

the first passenger train ran

trains were pulled by horses

the rocket was built

Match the item to what it relates to:

The Rocket

Stockton and Darlington

Freight trains

Trans-Siberian Railway

First passenger train

Carry heavy items

Fast train in 1829

Longest train ride

Choose the best word to complete each sentence (two words extra):

The first trains were pulled by

The Rocket could go

kilometers per hour.

High-speed trains are

and comfortable.

horses

fast

cars

Are these sentences True or False?

Sentence	True/False
Trains were always made of metal.
The first passenger train carried only people.
Today, some trains can go 320 kilometers per hour.
Freight trains carry items like coal and food.

False

True

Where is the longest train ride in the world?

England

America

Russia

China