As the world’s largest real-time ticketing system (系统), 12306 serves over 700 million users. The “super brain” behind this system is Shan Xinghua, leading researcher at the China Academy of Railway Sciences Corporation.

In 1996, Shan joined a new team with the task of creating a national ticketing system. Over the years, she has led the system through several big events.

The system was put into use in 2011, and it faced its biggest conundrum during the 2012 Spring Festival travel rush. It broke down several times because of the heavy visits. Faced with this problem, Shan told her team, “We must find a way, no matter how difficult it is.” Working around the clock, they successfully improved the system, allowing it to deal with over 1.4 billion daily visits and doubling its daily ticket sales capacity (能力).

In 2017, Shan and her team started the e-ticket reform in Hainan. Passengers could enter the station through facial scanning (面部扫描). Shan found the slow speed was the most serious problem with the system. Then Shan and her team spent several months developing a new facial recognition system. With it, passengers can pass through the ticket gate in about 1.5 seconds.

Shan said, “Technology should serve society and improve people’s lives.” To make travel more convenient, Shan and her team always listen to passengers’ voices. They hope to improve their services and satisfy more people.

1.1. When did Shan join the team to create a national ticketing system?

A In 1996.

B In 2011.

C In 2012.

D

解析：选A。细节理解题。原文第二段“In 1996, Shan joined a new team with the task of creating a national ticketing system.”直接定位时间1996年，选A。2011是系统投入使用，2012是春运遭遇故障，故排除 B、C。

2.2. What does the underlined word “conundrum” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A Choice.

B Chance.

C Challenge.

D

解析：选C。词义猜测题。解析：后文写春运访问量过大，系统多次崩溃，是遇到棘手困难。conundrum表示难题、困境，和challenge（挑战、难题）含义接近；choice 选择、chance 机会均不符合语境。

3.3. Why was a new facial recognition system developed?

A To avoid the breakdown of the system.

B To double the capacity of daily ticket sales.

C To cut the time of going through ticket gates.

D

解析：选C。细节理解题。解析：文中提到原有系统最大问题是速度慢，新系统实现约1.5秒通过闸机。研发目的就是缩短过闸时间。A对应2012年系统升级；B是春运改造系统带来的结果，和人脸识别无关。故选 C。

4.4. Which can be the best title for the text?

A “Super Brain” Behind 12306

B Ticketing Systems in the World

C People’s Lives with Technology

D

解析：选A。主旨大意题。解析：全文围绕12306背后核心科研人员单杏花展开。A紧扣文章开篇主题词 “super brain”；B范围过大，文章没有介绍世界各类票务系统；C过于宽泛，没有抓住本文主角12306与单杏花，故选A。