新概念英语第二册英音版64：The Channel Tunnel

第64课

The Channel Tunnel

海峡隧道

First listen and then answer the question.

听录音，然后回答以下问题。

Why was the first tunnel not completed?

为什么第一个隧道未完工？

In 1858, a French engineer, Aime Thome de Gamond,

1858年，一位名叫埃梅.托梅.德.干蒙的法国工程师

arrived in England with a plan for a 21-mile tunnel under the English Channel.

带着建造一条长21英里、穿越英吉利海陕的隧道计划到了英国。

He said that it would be possible to build a platform in the centre of the Channel.

他说，可以在隧道中央建造一座平台，

This platform would serve as a port and a railway station.

这座平台将用作码头和火车站。

The tunnel would be well-ventilated if tall chimneys were built above sea level.

如果再建些伸出海面的高大的烟囱状通风管，隧道就具备了良好的通风条件。

In 1860, a better plan was put forward by an Englishman, William Low.

1860年，一位名叫威廉.洛的英国人提出了一项更好的计划。

He suggested that a double railway-tunnel should be built.

他提议建一条双轨隧道，这样就解决了通风问题。

This would solve the problem of ventilation for if a train entered this tunnel, it would draw in fresh air behind it.

因为如果有列火车开进隧道，它就把新鲜空气随之抽进了隧道。

Forty-two years later a tunnel was actually begun.

42年以后，隧道实际已经开始建了。

If, at the time, the British had not feared invasion, it would have been completed.

如果不是因为那时英国人害怕入侵，隧道早已建成了。

The world had to wait almost another 100 years for the Channel Tunnel.

世界不得不再等将近100年才看到海峡隧道竣工。

It was officially opened on March 7, 1994, finally connecting Britain to the European continent.

它于1994年3月7日正式开通，将英国与欧洲大陆连到了一起。