Изучающее чтение

(careful reading)

(A) Read the text and do the tasks below.

There is something about the English Channel that has always fascinated the human race and it has always played a special role in British history. The sea itself has always been important to mankind but the Channel often created a barrier between Great Britain and the Continent. This barrier has existed for more than 12 000 years and the desire to break it has occupied the minds of many people for almost two hundred years.

The construction of the tunnel is perhaps the most incredible engineering project of the 20^th century. In fact its completion was called a “technical triumph”.

However, the first proposal to build a Channel Tunnel appeared in 1802, when a French engineer presented his project for two tunnels to cross it. Historians say Napoleon was interested in that plan. But Napoleon was more interested in fighting the British than in linking the two countries, and shortly afterwards a new war between England and France began. There were many other plans to build a tunnel but unfortunately all of them failed. It was not until after the last war that Britain and France began seriously considering the project. On the 12^th February, 1986 Mrs. Thatcher and President Mitterand signed the Franco-British Treaty which allowed the construction and the operation of the Channel Tunnel. The tunnel was completed eight years later.

It is now very quick and easy to cross the Channel. You don’t have to book a ticket. The Channel Tunnel trains operate twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year. You can now cross the Channel in thirty-five minutes. At last the great barrier has been broken.

I. Choose the right answers to the questions below:

1. What has always been important to all people?

1. The English Channel

2. The sea.

3. The tunnel.

4. Travelling.

2. What did Europeans want to do for many years?

1. To create a barrier between Great Britain and the Continent.

2. To sign a contract on the construction of the tunnel.

3. To connect Great Britain and the Continent by train service.

4. To make a technical triumph of the century.

3. When did the Channel Tunnel begin to function?

1. In 1986

2. In 1996

3. In 1994

4. In 1999

4. Who proposed the first plan to build a tunnel under the Channel?

a) Napoleon

b) Mrs. Thatcher

c) President Mitterand

d) A French engineer.

5. When did the construction of the tunnel become possible?

1. After the treaty had been signed

2. After the engineering project had been presented.

3. After many other plans had been discussed.

4. After many people had agreed to finance it.

6. Why is it easy to cross the Channel at present?

1. The tickets are cheap.

2. The tickets are sold everywhere.

3. The trains go day and night.

4. The trains are very comfortable.

7. Choose the best text heading:

1. International Agreement.

2. Engineering Projects.

3. The Channel Tunnel.

4. Britain’s Triumph.

RELAX

Read for pleasure.

I. Названия каких двух рек Великобритании скрыто в этих предложениях?

Tom went out with a massage.

We have to pay such a great rent for our house.

II. Do you know the geography of Great Britain? Do a crossword.

Across: 2. One of the largest rivers in England. 5. The capital of Great Britain. 6. One of the two largest islands of the British Isles.

Down: 1. The largest part of Great Britain. 3. The part of Great Britain which is in the North. 4. The part which lies in the south-west.

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