学二姐，每日一篇新概念 II册第64课 ，边学边实践-10月23日

65. Lesson 64 The Channel Tunnel

In 1858, a French engineer, Aime Thome de Gamond, arrived in England with a plan /for a twenty-one-mile tunnel /across 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. Recently, there has again been a great interest in the idea of Channel Tunnel. If it is built, it will connect Britain to Europe for the first time in history.

It has been a long time since the first suggestion of the Channel Tunnel connecting Britain to Europe. In 1858, A French engineer said it would be possible to build a platform in the centre of the Channel which would be ventilated by tall chimneys built above sea level. A better plan was suggested by an Englishman, William Low. Instead of tall chimneys, they should build a two railway tunnel to solve the problems of ventilation. Recently, there is rising interest in building tunnel again. The Channel tunnel would have been built long time ago if the British had not been afraid of invasion. It will be the first tunnel connecting British to Europe in history.

I am not satisfied with this lesson, but I have ran out of time. Thanks for your listening, any comments are welcomed!