China Southern Airlines on Monday started the first direct flight between Beijing and Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. This new route is a big step for air travel between China and Central Asia.

The first flight, CZ6051, took off from Beijing Daxing Airport at noon with 173 passengers. It landed in Dushanbe later that day. A Boeing 787 was used for the journey. Future flights will operate with a Boeing 737-8 aircraft. The flight will fly twice a week — on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The flight from Beijing to Dushanbe takes about 7 hours. The return flight takes 6 hours. Before this, travelers between the two cities typically had to connect through Urumqi in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, making total travel time more than 11 hours.

“This new route makes travel easier,” said Qu Guangji, deputy general manager of China Southern Airlines. “It will help trade, tourism, and culture between China and Tajikistan.” Saidzoda Zohir, Tajikistan’s ambassador to China, echoed his opinion. “The new route also offers Chinese travelers easier access to Tajikistan’s unique natural landscapes and historical heritage. Families, students and cultural delegations are expected to build stronger friendships through the expanded air link,” he said. He also added that the flight will bring more business and investment, especially under the Belt and Road Initiative (“一带一路”倡议). 

This summer, China Southern Airlines will open more new international routes, like a Guangzhou-Almaty service on June 25 and Guangzhou-Tashkent on June 30, and a Harbin-Vladivostok route on July 1. These flights will help more people travel and connect with the world.

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1.1. What is TRUE about the new air route?

A It means a lot to China and Central Asia.

B It uses a Boeing 787 for all flights.

C It flies daily from Beijing to Dushanbe.

D It takes about 11 hours one way.

解析：选A。细节理解题。根据第一段的“This new route is a big step for air travel between China and Central Asia.”可知，这条新航线是中国与中亚之间的航空旅行中很重要的一步。B选项错误，因首航由波音787机型执飞，后续将采用波音737-8型飞机执飞；C选项“daily”与原文“twice a week”不符；D选项“11小时”是此前经乌鲁木齐转机的时间，而非直飞时间。故选A。

2.2. How much time will travelers save by taking the direct flight?

A About 1 hour.

B More than 4 hours.

C Exactly 7 hours.

D Less than 11 hours.

解析：选B。数字计算题。根据第二段的“The flight from Beijing to Dushanbe takes about 7 hours. The return flight takes 6 hours. Before this, travelers between the two cities typically had to connect through Urumqi in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, making total travel time more than 11 hours.”可知，直飞单程7小时，回程6小时，转机需11小时以上，节省至少4小时（11-7=4）。故选B。

3.3. What does “echoed” mean in the third paragraph?

A Looked over.

B Ignored.

C Agreed with.

D Questioned.

解析：选C。词义猜测题。根据划线单词后面的“The new route also offers Chinese travelers easier access to...especially under the Belt and Road Initiative”可知，曲光吉表示，这条航线将有助于中国和塔吉克斯坦之间的贸易、旅游和文化联系。接下来，塔吉克斯坦驻华大使Saidzoda Zohir说，“The new route also offers ... build stronger friendships through the expanded air link”直航将加快业务发展，有助于中国的“一带一路”规划，中国游客现在可以更容易地参观塔吉克斯坦美丽的自然和历史遗迹。由此可推测，Saidzoda Zohir对曲光吉的观点表示赞同。故选C。

4.4. When will the Guangzhou-Tashkent route start?

A On June 25.

B On June 30.

C On July 1.

D On July 5.

解析：选B。细节理解题。根据最后一段的“Guangzhou-Tashkent on June 30”可知，广州至塔什干的航线将于6月30日开通。故选B。

5.5. What are the new flight routes meant to do?

A Cut down cost.

B Train crew members.

C Test new aircraft.

D Link up countries.

解析：选D。推理判断题。本文主要介绍了我国与塔吉克斯坦首开两国首都直飞航线的相关情况，结合文章中的“help trade/tourism”（第三段）和“connect with the world”（末句），可知开通新航线的主要目的是加强国与国之间的联系。故选D。