Passage 1
High-speed rail—a system of passenger trains that operate at speeds significantly faster than those of already have high-speed trains. While in office, President Obama called for a high-speed intercity rail system in the United States, sparking widespread debate over the advantages and drawbacks of highspeed trains. In addition to wondering whether the trains will be affordable for the general public or a luxury sevice that will be used by the wealthy, citizens want to know if the rail system will actually be more elficient than airplane travel for great distances. Despite the uncertainty, high-speed rail seems "on track" to become a reality in the US in the next ten years.

Passage 2
High-speed rail won't be happening in the United States anytime soon. Although there initially was great enthusiasm for a nationwide system of high-speed passenger trains, politicians began to express concerns about the money it would take to implement the system in their states. They also questioned the benefits of high-speed trains, suggesting that the trains would have to make so many stops in cities that they would wind up being slower than automobiles. These objections seem to have had great impact: While there is still interest in some parts of the country, the majority of the public has turned against plans for a highspeed rail system in the US.

The author of Passage 2 would most likely say that the scenario described in the last sentence of Passage 1 (Despite ... years") is:
- Unlikely
- Urgent
- Disheartening
- Excting