It is set to be the biggest passenger plane ever seen - with a wingspan so big the tips have to be folded up so it can fit into airports. The Boeing 777-9X will be the largest and most efficient twin-engine jet in the world, the aerospace giant claims - and will begin production in 2017.

The plane will have the widest wingspan of any aircraft: 71.8 meters. It is so big, Boeing has developed hinges on its wingtips. Inside, the 777-9X will seat at least 400 passengers, 34 more than the 777-9X's competitor - the Airbus A350-1000. The 777-9X cabin will be 40 centimeters wider than the A350-1000, Boeing says, allowing economy-class seat widths up to 46 centimeters. Typical airline seat widths range from 43 to 47 centimeters.

The factory for the plane, in Everett, is big enough to fit 25 football fields inside. Building on the success of the 777 and 787, the 777-9X will be the largest and most efficient twin-engine jet in the world. The cabin interior of the777-9X is inspired by the comforts and conveniences of the 787 and includes larger windows, a wider cabin and new lighting. 

The giant announced today the completion of the firm configuration milestone for the 777-9X, the first member of the 777X family to be developed. It has received orders and commitments for 320 airplanes from six customers worldwide. Production is set to begin in 2017. 

“It's great to see the airlines and industry team side-by-side with us as we achieve this important milestone,” said Bob Feldmann, vice president and general manager of the 777-9X program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The team has followed a disciplined process to complete all of the requirements for this stage of the program.”

The firm configuration milestone marks the completion of configuration trade studies required to finalize the airplane's capability and basic design. Wind tunnel test results, aerodynamic performance and structural loads are also evaluated to ensure the airplane meets requirements. This allows the777-9X team to begin detailed design of parts and other systems for the airplane. As detailed designs are completed and released, production can begin.

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1.What is the name of the new plane to be made?

A The 777-9X.

B The 777

C The 787

D The 747.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据文章第一段第二句的The Boeing 777-9X will be the largest and most efficient twin-engine jet in the world...可以得知该款新飞机的名字叫the 777-9X。

2.What is the width of the A350-1000?

A 71.8 meters.

B 72.8 meters.

C 71.4 meters.

D 68.2 meters.

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第二段第四句的The 777-9X cabin will be 40 centimeters wider than the A350-1000...可知该飞机比空客A350-1000长40厘米；结合第二段第一句的The plane will have the widest wingspan of any aircraft: 71.8 meters可知该飞机的臂幅宽度是71.8米；因此A350-1000的宽度的71.4米。

3.Compared with the 777 and 787, the 777-9X has _______.

A taller cabins

B smaller seats

C larger windows

D better computers

解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句的...includes larger windows, a wider cabin and new lighting可知该新型飞机的窗户更大一些。

4.When can people travel by the777-9X?

A In 2017.

B In 2016.

C In 2015.

D In 2014.

解析：选A。推理判断题。根据第四段最后两句的It has received orders and commitments for 320 airplanes from six customers worldwide. Production is set to begin in 2017.可知在2017年可以看到该飞机投产，也就是在那个时候才能坐上该飞机。

5.What are the team now doing?

A They are carrying out the detailed design.

B They are making the two new engines.

C They are dealing with the basic design.

D The are putting up a new milestone.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据文章最后一段倒数第二句的This allows the 777-9X team to begin detailed design of parts and other systems for the airplane可知他们正在进行一些细节设计。