Technology (Hyperloop)

Choose the correct words from the box to complete the following sentences.

freight, levitation, gridlock, pneumatic, predecessor, envisioned, equivalent, subsonic, turbulence, deceleration

a. I think that covering up the facts is equivalent to lying really.
b. If there is not a substantial move to public transport, we will have gridlock and the whole regeneration will not work.
c. Each new leader would blame his predecessor for all the evils of the past.
d. We have, in fact, envisioned a better world and have made it happen.
e. The main linear actuators of the pneumatic systems are cylinders.
f. The barrel was short and the bullet emerged at subsonic speed.
g. The city is said to receive two-fifths of the total freight delivered in the country.
h. It would still take four hours to get down, in a spiral of deceleration.
i. Apparently, the magician will be doing some levitation on the stage tomorrow.
j. We might be experiencing some turbulence on this flight due to an approaching electrical storm.

Add three more words that are formed with the following prefixes.

a. hyper- : hyperloop, hyperdrive, hyperactive, hyperspace
b. ultra- : ultrahigh, ultrasonic, ultrafast, ultralight
c. up-: uphill, upcycle, upgrade, uproot
d. over-: overcoming, overdrive, overpopulate, overuse
e. multi-: multibillion, multilingual, multifaceted, multidimensional

Comprehension

Answer the following questions.

a. What is a hyperloop? How does it work?

A hyperloop is an ultra-high-speed ground transportation system for passenger and cargo. It works by using low-pressure tubes to transport passengers and cargo at speeds of up to 760mph (1,220km/h) in a ‘floating’ pod which shoots through giant, low-pressure tubes, either above or below ground. To reduce friction and increase speed, most of the air is removed from the tubes and the pods are designed to float on air skis or use magnetic levitation.

b. How is hyperloop more beneficial than the traditional trains?

Hyperloop is more beneficial than traditional trains as it is faster and cheaper to build than traditional high-speed rail, and it could be cheaper and faster than train or car travel, and cheaper and less polluting than air travel. It could also take the pressure off gridlocked roads, making travel between cities easier, and potentially unlocking major economic benefits as a result.

c. How is hyperloop more beneficial than the traditional trains?

Hyperloop technology is still in development, and although the basic concept has been around for many years, its history of success is not clear yet. It is currently being explored and developed by a number of companies and the earliest hyperloop was likely to be up and running by 2020 but most services are expected to be later.

d. Write the contributions of Robert Goddard and Elon Musk for the development of hyperloop.

Robert Goddard, an early 20th century inventor, developed the concept of a 'vactrain' which is considered as a predecessor of the hyperloop concept. However, it was entrepreneur Elon Musk who reignited interest in the concept with his 'Hyperloop Alpha' paper in August 2013, which set out how a modern system would work and how much it would cost.

e. What relation does speed have with air resistance? Explain.

Speed and air resistance have a direct relation as air resistance increases as the speed increases. Hyperloop systems are designed to overcome air resistance by enclosing the capsules in a reduced-pressure tube, effectively allowing the trains to travel at airplane speeds while still on the ground.

f. What are hyperloop capsules compared with? How are they similar?

Hyperloop capsules are compared with air hockey tables, as the pods float above the tube's surface on a set of 28 air-bearing skis, similar to the way that the puck floats just above the table on an air hockey game.

g. How do the passengers feel while travelling via hyperloop? What will be done to make it luxurious?

The passengers' experience while travelling via hyperloop is not mentioned in the text. However, it is expected that the Hyperloop system would be designed to be as luxurious as possible, with amenities such as comfortable seating, Wi-Fi and other modern conveniences.

h. Why does the writer doubt about the success of hyperloop? What does the success depend on?

The writer does not mention any doubt about the success of hyperloop in the text. The success of the Hyperloop system would depend on the successful development and implementation of the technology, as well as the willingness of governments and private companies to invest in and support the system.

Critical thinking

Is the hyperloop the future of transportation or just a dream? What do you think? Justify your opinion with suitable reasons.

Yes, I think that there is potential for hyperloop to be the future of transportation. The technology is actively being developed and tested by various companies and start-ups, and has the potential to revolutionize transportation by providing faster, cheaper, and more efficient travel.

One of the major benefits of hyperloop is its potential to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation. With the increasing concerns of climate change and environmental degradation, it is important to consider sustainable forms of transportation. Hyperloop could be more cost-effective and less polluting than air travel, and could help to reduce the pressure on gridlocked roads. This technology has the potential to make travel between cities more efficient, unlocking major economic benefits as a result.

Another potential benefit of hyperloop is its ability to connect distant regions and reduce travel time. It could potentially connect cities that are far apart and make it possible for people to live in one city and work in another. This would open up new opportunities for people and businesses and could have a significant impact on the economy.

However, it is important to note that the development of hyperloop technology is still in its early stages and many technical and logistical challenges need to be overcome before it can be fully realized as a practical form of transportation. The success of hyperloop would depend on the willingness of governments and private companies to invest in the infrastructure and technology required to make it a reality. This includes significant investments in research and development, as well as the construction of the necessary infrastructure such as low-pressure tubes and stations. Additionally, safety and security concerns need to be addressed, and regulations and standards need to be established to ensure the safe operation of the system.

Furthermore, there are also economic considerations that need to be taken into account. The cost of building and maintaining the system will be significant, and it will be important to ensure that the system is financially viable and can generate enough revenue to cover these costs.

In conclusion, while there are many technical and logistical challenges that need to be overcome, and the success of hyperloop would depend on the willingness of governments and private companies to invest in the technology, the potential benefits of hyperloop as a form of transportation make it worth considering as a viable option for the future. It has the potential to revolutionize transportation, reduce the carbon footprint and connect distant regions, and reduce travel time.

The number of private vehicles is increasing day by day in Nepal beyond the capacity of our infrastructure. What do you think should be done to curb the ever-growing number of private vehicles? Discuss.

There are several steps that can be taken to curb the ever-growing number of private vehicles in Nepal:

1. Encourage the use of public transportation: The government should invest in the development of public transportation systems, such as buses and trains, to make them more convenient, reliable, and affordable for citizens. This will encourage people to use public transportation instead of private vehicles.
2. Implement carpooling and ride-sharing schemes: The government and private organizations can encourage carpooling and ride-sharing by providing incentives for those who participate in these programs. This will help to reduce the number of cars on the road and reduce congestion.
3. Increase the cost of car ownership: The government can increase the cost of owning a car by increasing taxes and fees associated with vehicle registration, insurance, and fuel. This will discourage people from buying cars and using them frequently.
4. Improve infrastructure for non-motorized transport: By building more sidewalks, bike lanes and other infrastructure for non-motorized transport, the government can make it easier and safer for people to walk or bike. This will encourage more people to use non-motorized transport and reduce the number of cars on the road.
5. Create more bike and car-sharing schemes: Encourage bike and car-sharing schemes, which can help to reduce the number of cars on the road.
6. Develop a comprehensive plan for transportation management: The government needs to develop a comprehensive plan for transportation management that considers all aspects of transportation, including infrastructure, public transportation, carpooling and ride-sharing, and regulations. This plan should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that it remains effective in reducing the number of private vehicles.

By implementing these steps, the government can help to curb the ever-growing number of private vehicles in Nepal and improve the overall transportation situation in the country.

Writing

Suppose you are the General Manager of Nepal Airlines. Issue a press release on behalf of the airlines about the cancellation of flights to the mountain regions due to the poor weather condition.

Nepal Airlines Press Release

RE: Cancellation of Flights to Mountain Regions ISSUED: Friday - January 13, 2023

Kathmandu, Nepal - We regret to inform our valued customers that due to the poor weather conditions in the mountain regions, Nepal Airlines has decided to cancel all flights to these areas until further notice.

The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew members is of the utmost importance to us, and we have made this decision in the interest of their safety. The poor weather conditions in the mountain regions make flying in these areas extremely dangerous, and we do not want to take any risks.

We understand that this may cause inconvenience to our customers, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused. We are closely monitoring the weather conditions and will provide updates on the resumption of flights as soon as possible.

Customers who have booked flights to mountain regions are advised to contact our customer service team for assistance with rebooking or refunds. We will do our best to accommodate all customers affected by the flight cancellations.

We ask for our customers' understanding and patience during this time. The safety of our passengers and crew members is our top priority, and we will continue to make decisions based on this principle.

We will keep you updated on the situation, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Rames Karki
General Manager of Nepal Airlines

Grammar

Subject verb agreement

Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical rule that requires the subject and verb of a sentence to agree in number. This means that the verb in a sentence must be in the same form as the subject, whether it is singular or plural.

The rules of subject-verb agreement are as follows:

1. A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. For example: "The dog barks" (singular subject, singular verb) and "The dogs bark" (plural subject, plural verb).
2. When the subject is a compound subject (two or more subjects joined by "and"), the verb should be plural. For example: "John and Jane are going to the store."
3. When the subject is a compound subject joined by "or" or "nor", the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For example: "Neither the boy nor the girls are ready."
4. When the subject is an indefinite pronoun (like "everyone" or "someone"), the verb should agree with the pronoun. For example: "Everyone has their own opinion."
5. When the subject is a noun phrase (like "the number of students" or "a lot of money"), the verb should agree with the noun in the noun phrase. For example: "A lot of money is being spent"
6. When the subject is an expression of quantity (like "a dozen" or "half"), the verb should agree with the quantity expression. For example: "Half of the pie is gone" or "A dozen eggs are in the carton."

It is important to keep in mind that these rules are not always clear-cut and may require some additional understanding of the context and syntax of the sentence. It's always helpful to practice and familiarize yourself with subject-verb agreement rules by reading and writing as much as possible.

Rewrite the following sentences with the correct form of the verbs in the brackets.

a. The invitation is for one person. I don’t mind whether you or she comes to the party.
b. Neither the MPs nor the Prime Minister have felt regret for the party split.
c. I don’t care whether he or she wins the lottery.
d. Either the Kantipur or the Republica is used for the advertisement.
e. She speaks in a strange accent. Neither I nor my sister understand her.
f. I forgot whether the singers or the actress were given the Film Fair Award last year.
g. Neither the tracksuit nor the pajamas fits me perfectly.
h. Neither the gas fire nor the electric heaters are suitable for room heating.

This passage contains the agreement errors. Correct the subjects or verbs that don’t agree with each other. Remember to use present tense in your corrections.

Within the state of Arizona, Rob, along with his family, moves frequently, from city to city. After his arrival, one of his first tasks is to find an apartment close to work as he does not have a car. Usually, there are many different places to choose from, and he considers cost, location, and luxury. If one apartment has a washing machine and dryer and cost four hundred dollars a month, he prefers to rent it over another apartment which has significantly less rent located two blocks from a Laundromat. Rob's family never want to live in an apartment on the thirteenth floor since all of them fear heights. He also tries to choose an apartment with landlords recommended by former tenants. Everybody know that it is important to find a responsible landlord. Rob and his wife love to cook together when both are free, so he needs a spacious, well-equipped kitchen. Rob often also looks for a place with an air conditioner because there are so many scorching days and nights in Arizona. Whenever Rob finds a new apartment, all of his concerns disappear. He feels relieved and call his mother. Someone understands!