64_The_Channel_Tunnel

64 The Channel Tunnel¶

In 1858, a French engineer, Aime Thome de Gamond, arrived in England with a plan for a 21-mile tunnel under the English Channel. He said that it would be possible to build a platform in the centre of the Channel. This platform would serve as a port and a railway station. The tunnel would be well-ventilated if tall chimneys were built above sea level. In 1860, a better plan was put forward by an Englishman, William Low. He suggested that a double railway-tunnel should be built. This would solve the problem of ventilation for if a train entered this tunnel, it would draw in fresh air behind it. Forty-two years later a tunnel was actually begun. If, at the time, the British had not feared invasion, it would have been completed. The world had to wait almost another 100 years for the Channel Tunnel. It was officially opened on March 7, 1994, finally connecting Britain to the European continent.

Words¶

Channel /ˈtʃænəl/ 海峡
serve /sɝv/ as /æz/ 充当
well-ventilated /ˌwɛl ˈvɛntlˌetɪd/ 通风
chimneys /ˈtʃɪmniz/ 烟囱
level /ˈlɛvəl/ 海平面
draw /drɔ/ 吸入
had /hæd/ not /nɑt/ feared /fɪrd/ 害怕
invasion /ˌɪnˈveʒən/ 侵略
officially /əˈfɪʃəli/ 正式地
continent /ˈkɑntənənt/ 洲, 大陆

虚拟语气¶

结构: If 主 had done..., 主 would/could/ might/should + have done. 与过去事实相反

Expressions¶

it is possible to do sth. ... 做某事是可能的
a serve as b A 充当 B
put forward a plan... 提出计划
solve the problem of a... 解决……的问题