Read the passage and match the words with their definitions:In a single day
on planet Earth 189 metro systems convey approximately 120 million people over
more than 11,000 km of track. The rhythms of subway ridership worldwide is like
orchestrated ballet. Out of seeming chaos arises organization. Hundreds of
people descend flights of stairs from streets and are then funneled through turnstiles
and got off the elevators and escalators
where they descend to train platforms.
Riding the
subway can seem like a frontal (or rear!) assault: The passenger jabbing you with their umbrella;
backpacks knocking you over your
heels; hind quarters in your face; body odor; blocking the door with their suitcases or another person; pushing ahead of people to get the seat
at the other side of the coach; the woman occupying three seats to change her
baby’s nappy.
Commuting during
rush hour—especially when you’re
concerned that you may be late to work or to an important meeting—can result in
temporary spikes in stress levels that jack up your blood pressure, even if
it’s normally stable.