Lesson 64:The Channel Tunnel 英吉利海峡隧道

　　In 1858, a French engineer, Aime Thome de Gamond, arrived in England with a plan for a twenty-one-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.

　　句子讲解：

　　8、Forty-two years later a tunnel was actually begun.

　　42年以后，英吉利海峡隧道才真正开工。

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

　　参考翻译如果不是那时英国人害怕他国的入侵，隧道早就完工了。

　　语言点 典型的与过去事实相反的虚拟条件句。'

　　真题测试 测试语言点：词义辨析

　　A lot of ants are always invading my kitchen. They are a thorough(　).

　　(2000 年 1 月 CET4，第 69 题)

　　A. nuisance B. trouble C. worry D. anxiety

　　答案：选A

　　分析：nuisance表示让人讨厌的东西、行为或人，符合句意。

　　翻译：我的厨房里总是有许多蚂蚁进来，它们是非常令人讨厌的东西。

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

　　我们不得不等了将近一个世纪才看到海峡隧道的竣工。

　　语言点 have to wait不得不等，强调客观上的原因。

　　11、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。

　　语言点 finally connecting…部分全部是状语。

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