Bullet Train — Questions and answers

Read the full story

What was a big problem with Japan's old rail system in the 1950s?

Choices

  1. It was too new and shiny.
  2. It only went to one city.
  3. It was too slow and couldn't carry enough people or goods quickly. ✓
  4. It didn't have any train stations.

Answer: It was too slow and couldn't carry enough people or goods quickly.

From page 2

What was Hideo Shima known for when working on the Shinkansen project?

Choices

  1. He loved to tell funny stories.
  2. He paid very careful attention to every small detail. ✓
  3. He liked to paint the trains bright colors.
  4. He only cared about very big ideas and not the small parts.

Answer: He paid very careful attention to every small detail.

From page 4

How was the Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) system different from old trains?

Choices

  1. It used only one super-heavy engine at the front.
  2. It had motors spread out in many carriages along the whole train. ✓
  3. It didn't need any power to move.
  4. It was much slower than traditional trains.

Answer: It had motors spread out in many carriages along the whole train.

From page 5

What special system helped the Shinkansen trains stay safe by telling them their speed and stopping them if needed?

Choices

  1. A very loud train whistle.
  2. The Automatic Train Control (ATC) system. ✓
  3. A team of people waving flags along the tracks.
  4. The train's bright headlights.

Answer: The Automatic Train Control (ATC) system.

From page 7

When did the Tokaido Shinkansen officially open, and what did it do?

Choices

  1. On Christmas day, it made trains fly.
  2. On October 1, 1964, connecting Tokyo and Osaka much faster. ✓
  3. In the year 1950, it made trains very slow.
  4. On a sunny morning, it gave everyone free snacks.

Answer: On October 1, 1964, connecting Tokyo and Osaka much faster.

From page 8

What made the Bullet Train special for many decades after it opened?

Choices

  1. It was the only train that had windows.
  2. It was always exactly on time.
  3. It operated without any passenger deaths from derailment or collision. ✓
  4. It was the slowest train in Japan.

Answer: It operated without any passenger deaths from derailment or collision.

From page 9

What did the success of the Tokaido Shinkansen inspire other countries to do?

Choices

  1. Buy more bicycles for their citizens.
  2. Build their own high-speed rail systems. ✓
  3. Stop using trains altogether.
  4. Make trains that could float on water.

Answer: Build their own high-speed rail systems.

From page 10