The weak link

By Ajarn Helen Jandamit

University Tips is here to help you prepare for the English exams and tests that are coming your way. It gives you practise answering questions similar to those you may have at school and also on the University Entrance Examination.

Read the story by Karnjana Karnjanatawe from the Bangkok Post. Then, answer the questions that follow.

When I used the Airport Rail Link service for the first time, I was surprised to see very few people using the remote luggage check-in services. This was possibly because the service is currently available only for Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways passengers.

I decided to give the remote check-in service a try to see of it was practical. I took the MRT subway from Queen Sirikit station to Petchaburi station. My first problem was at Queen Sirikit station, where I had to carry my luggage down to the platform because there was no ramp.

When I got off the train at Petchaburi station, I had no idea where to go because there were no direction signs. Eventually, I saw a small paper sign saying Exit 3 to Airport Link. I then had to drag my luggage along a rough footpath and across a railway line on Petchaburi Road. Walking under Makkasan Rail Link station, a big pillar blocked my way and I had to pull my luggage along the road.

Makkasan Rail Link station was very quiet. After checking in my bags, I decided to catch the Rail Link train to Phaya Thai to shop for souvenirs. At Phaya Thai station, I noticed a group of tourists exiting the Rail Link station who looked nervous. They had to carry their big suitcases down many stairs, as the station had no escalator and only one small elevator that could carry about four people at a time.

The 7.7 million baht skywalk linking the Airport Rail Link and Phaya Thai station functions well. However, I couldn't clearly see any information about train times at the station. Some passengers also said that a board containing information about flight schedules should be provided.

The City Line is blue and costs 15 to 45 baht, while the Express Line is red and costs 150 baht. The latter has not yet extended its service to Phaya Thai station. Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum admitted that there had been many problems since the launch of the service.

"There will eventually be more escalators, direction signs, skywalks and links from Airport Rail Link stations to MRT and BTS stations," he said.

Section 1

Read the story. Then answer the following multiple-choice questions.

1. What is the story about?

a. Bangkok Airways services.
b. Airport Rail Link services.
c. Thai Airways customer satisfaction.
d. Public transport direction signs.

2. How much does the Express Line service cost?

a. 15 baht.
b. 45 baht.
c. 100 baht.
d. 150 baht.

3. What service does the Airport Rail Link provide?

a. Remote luggage check-in services.
b. A fast form of transport between the inner city and the airport.
c. Easy ways for passengers to carry heavy luggage.
d. Both a and b are correct.

4. Which of the following is not provided by the Airport Rail Link?

a. Elevators.
b. Escalators.
c. Check-in services.
d. The story does not say.

Section 2

Complete the following sentences with the correct words or phrases from the choices that follow.

5. The skywalk linking the Airport Rail Link and Phaya Thai stations cost ………………………

a. 7 million baht to build.
b. 7.7 million baht to build.
c. 17 million baht to build.
d. 17.7 million baht to build.

6. Some passengers said that the Airport Rail Link should provide ………………………

a. information on the MRT and BTS stations.
b. a board showing the Airport Rail Link timetable.
c. a board showing flight schedules.
d. information on luggage delivery services.

7. Sohpon admitted that a lot of ……………………… occurred after launching the service.

a. improvements
b. accidents
c. problems
d. changes

8. The author said that ……………………… used the Rail Link check-in service.

a. very few people
b. a large number of people
c. people with heavy bags
d. everybody

Section 3

Read the story. Then, determine whether the following statements are true or false.

9. The City Line costs 15-45 baht to use. ...........................................................................................................................................

10. Sohpon said there will soon be more souvenir shops at the Airport Rail Link stations.

...........................................................................................................................................

11. Elevators at the Airport Rail Link stations can carry about fourteen people at a time.

...........................................................................................................................................

12. The City Line has not yet extended its service to Phaya Thai station.

...........................................................................................................................................

Section 4

Find words in the story that are antonyms of the following words.

13. Theoretical ................................................

14. Relaxed ......................................................

15. Smooth .......................................................

16. Large ...........................................................

Section 5

Write down the noun forms of the following words used in the article.

17. Linking ...........................................................

18. Practical .......................................................

19. Available .......................................................

20. Extended ......................................................

Section 6

Fill in the blanks in the following passage with the correct words from the choices that follow.

Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum said he would increase the number of passenger buses and taxies ...... 21...... Makkasan station, while officials...... 22 ...... expected to note flight ...... 23 ...... so that the number of public transport vehicles could match the expected flow of passengers travelling between Suvarnabhumi airport ...... 24 ...... the Airport Rail Link stations.

21.

a. up
b. at
c. in
d. through

22.

a. is
b. am
c. are
d. be

23.

a. schedules
b. schedule
c. scheduled
d. scheduling

24.

a. during
b. or
c. until
d. and