The Channel Tunnel

You are going to read an article about the Channel Tunnel. For questions choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which you think fits best according to the text.

Прочитайте текст и выберите наиболее подходящий вариант ответа.

TRAVELLING BY RAIL

LESSON 7

GRAMMAR: PRESENT PERFECT

Recently I was offered the chance to travel by train through the chan­nel tunnel between England and France. I went on the shuttle that car­ries cars. The site is not beautiful. There is a huge railway complex with tracks disappearing into a large hole, and a brand-new exhibition centre.

The location of trains is indicated by signs saying “France”. Cars must stop at the toll booths and French immigration points, where passports are shown. (Dealing with formalities here means you can drive straight off the train at the other end.)

The double-decker carriages are brightly lit, air-conditioned and very hi-tech. Loudspeaker announcements from the “Chef de Train”, an Englishman speaking very slow French, welcomed us aboard. A crew member with a walkie-talkie said the crossing would take about 35 min­utes and passengers were expected to stay in or by their cars. He told me the shuttle employed several female drivers. “The most important requirement for the job is that they know about computers and learn French, especially the numbers. They practise by playing bingo.”

Then we started. We slid into the tunnel and hit our travelling speed of 80 mph. The ride was so smooth one was barely aware of any move­ment. It was, predictably, about as interesting as a ride round the London underground. Somewhere to sit and have a coffee would have been welcome, but a crew member said: “With the numbers we expect to carry, it just wouldn’t be practical.”

After half an hour we shot back into the French daylight, had lunch, then came back. The return trip, however, did not go so smoothly. Halfway across, a fire alarm went off. We were all moved to a neighbouring carriage. Moments later, a young man appeared and said calm­ly: “Just practising. You can all go back!”

Then without warning, the train stopped. We found out that a lorry had fallen over during boarding. After half an hour we were still waiting. People were becoming mildly irritated, and the only person still smiling worked for a cross-channel ferry company.

Then, all at once, we moved off. Disembarking was swift and easy and, within minutes, we were driving on the left again through a wet English night. It had been an interesting day. I had enjoyed the experience of what will undoubtedly become routine in the 21st century; but for me, the attractions of the sea and the cry of gulls will always win in the end.

- Why did the writer make the trip?

A Because he was given the opportunity.

B Because he wanted to go to France.

C Because he had an important date.

D Because it was the only method available.

- What is the English Channel train entrance like?

A badly constructed

B large and ugly

C small and quiet

D bright and cheerful

- What does the writer think will happen to channel travel in the future?

A The trains will stop running.

B The trains will not be used by the very rich.

C There will be a lot of technical problems.

D The trains will become the usual method of transport.

- Why will the writer not use the channel tunnel train in the future?

A Because it’s too expensive.

B Because it takes too long.

C Because he has no reason to travel to France.

D Because he prefers going by boat.

- Why is the French Immigration office In England?

A So passengers can get straight on to the train in England.

B So passengers can drive off the train as soon as they get to France.

C So non-European citizens can be separated from Europeans.

D So French citizens don’t have to show their passports.

- Why do the crew play bingo?

A To improve their French.

B To pass the time.

C To decide who will drive the train.

D To practise communication skills.

- What was the crossing to France like?

A It was alarming.

B It was calm.

C It was impractical.

D It was interesting.

Дата добавления: 2014-11-29