The Light at the End of the Chunnel 郧阳师专英语系综合英语教研室
The Light at the End of the Chunnel 郧阳师专英语系综合英语教研室
Background knowledge The english Channel: commonly called the Channel is an arm of the atlantic Ocean separating the southern coast of England from the northern coast of france, and connecting the Atlantic in the west with the North Sea on the east via the strait of dover. It is 34 to 240 km (21-150 miles) wide and 560km(350 miles) long. The Channel is at its narrowest between Dover in England and Cape Gris-Nez, near Calais, in France, it being 34 km(21 miles) wide. Its average depth decreases from 120 to 45 meters(400-150 feet
Background knowledge ▪ The English Channel: commonly called the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean separating the southern coast of England from the northern coast of France, and connecting the Atlantic in the west with the North Sea on the east via the Strait of Dover. It is 34 to 240 km. (21-150 miles) wide and 560km. (350 miles) long. The Channel is at its narrowest between Dover in England and Cape Gris-Nez, near Calais, in France, it being 34 km. (21 miles) wide. Its average depth decreases from 120 to 45 meters (400-150 feet)
Background knowledge From earliest times. the Channel served as a route for, and a barrier to. invaders to Britain from the Continent. It was crossed by Julius caesar's legion in 55 B C. and norman forces in 1066. However, when Napoleon and Hitler threatened to cross it, they failed. Therefore, the Channel has chiefly served as a physical barrier to the invasion of Britain. Transportation across the Channel used to be supplied by ferry boat service only
Background knowledge ▪ From earliest times, the Channel served as a route for, and a barrier to, invaders to Britain from the Continent. It was crossed by Julius Caesar’ s legion in 55 B.C. and Norman forces in 1066. However, when Napoleon and Hitler threatened to cross it, they failed. Therefore, the Channel has chiefly served as a physical barrier to the invasion of Britain. Transportation across the Channel used to be supplied by ferry boat service only
Background knowledge The long-lasting Anglo-French conflict In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, France, conquered England and became King William I of England. After the Norman Conquest, French manners and culture predominated among the English nobles In 1154 King Henry recovered the English throne. Thereafter the holdings of English kings in France were greatly increased At one time, France assisted Scotland, over which the English kings attempted to dominate. These sources of friction led to intermittent fighting between the two countries from 1294 to 1337
Background knowledge The long-lasting Anglo-French conflict In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, France, conquered England and became King William I of England. After the Norman Conquest, French manners and culture predominated among the English nobles. In 1154 King Henry II recovered the English throne. Thereafter the holdings of English kings in France were greatly increased. At one time, France assisted Scotland, over which the English kings attempted to dominate. These sources of friction led to intermittent fighting between the two countries from 1294 to 1337
Background knowledge In 1337, Edward I of England(1327-1377) took the title of King of France. This step began the Hundred Years' War which continued on and off until 1453. Early in the conflict the English crushed the French, but by the end of Edward's reign the French had reconquered almost all the territory Edward had won. Fighting between the two countries continued in the fourteenth and the fifteenth century During King Henry VIll's reign (1509-1547),Eng land again invaded France and expanded it holdings around calais
Background knowledge ▪ In 1337, Edward III of England (1327-1377) took the title of King of France. This step began the Hundred Years’ War which continued on and off until 1453. Early in the conflict the English crushed the French, but by the end of Edward’s reign the French had reconquered almost all the territory Edward had won. Fighting between the two countries continued in the fourteenth and the fifteenth century. During King Henry VIII’s reign (1509-1547), England again invaded France and expanded it holdings around Calais
Background knowledge From 1689 to 1815 there was a series of conflicts between britain and france for domination of the North American continent. The principal objective of the British government was to drive the French out of north america once and for all. The maritime and colonial struggle between Britain and France for world empire and trade, which began in 1689, lasted until the final defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. t was about this time that the long duel between Britain and France was over
Background knowledge ▪ From 1689 to 1815 there was a series of conflicts between Britain and France for domination of the North American continent. The principal objective of the British government was to drive the French out of North America once and for all. The maritime and colonial struggle between Britain and France for world empire and trade, which began in 1689, lasted until the final defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. It was about this time that the long duel between Britain and France was over
Background knowledge The channel Tunnel project The Channel Tunnel Project is the scheme for an under- ocean tunnel linking Britain and france, which has been discussed on governmental levels for almost 200 years The first proposal for a Channel Tunnel came in 1802 from a French engineer. Napoleon showed interest, but the renewal of the war suspended the question, which, however, was taken up again and again throughout the nineteenth century. The proponents of the project were generally French, with the British government holding off for security reasons
Background knowledge ▪ The Channel Tunnel Project ▪ The Channel Tunnel Project is the scheme for an underocean tunnel linking Britain and France, which has been discussed on governmental levels for almost 200 years. ▪ The first proposal for a Channel Tunnel came in 1802 from a French engineer. Napoleon showed interest, but the renewal of the war suspended the question, which, however, was taken up again and again throughout the nineteenth century. The proponents of the project were generally French, with the British government holding off for security reasons
Background knowledge In the early 1880s, digging actually began near Folkestone, Kent, England, and Sangate, France A pilot tunnel 2000 yards long was bored from the English side before a rage from the press over the alleged threat to Britains securit caused the British government to cancel the project
Background knowledge ▪ In the early 1880s, digging actually began near Folkestone, Kent, England, and Sangate, France. A pilot tunnel 2000 yards long was bored from the English side before a rage from the press over the alleged threat to Britain’ s security caused the British government to cancel the project
Background knowledge The defence considerations remained decisive until the 1950s, When the missile age made it appear obsolete. The Channel Tunnel Study Group was formed and it published in 1960 a proposal for a rail tunnel from Folkstone to Calais n 1964 the two governments agreed to proceed with a rail tunneL. After frequent extensions of the estimated completion date, with costs constantly rising, the British government cancelled the project early in 1975, leaving two and a half kilometers of preliminary digging on both sides of the channel. In 1978 the matter of a channel crossing was again raised
Background knowledge ▪ The defence considerations remained decisive until the 1950s, when the missile age made it appear obsolete. The Channel Tunnel Study Group was formed and it published in 1960 a proposal for a rail tunnel from Folkstone to Calais. In 1964 the two governments agreed to proceed with a rail tunnel. After frequent extensions of the estimated completion date, with costs constantly rising, the British government cancelled the project early in 1975, leaving two and a half kilometers of preliminary digging on both sides of the Channel. In 1978 the matter of a Channel crossing was again raised
Background knowledge At long last, construction began again in December 1978, and after sever years of unremitting toil, the Chunnel was completed at the cost of 13.5 billion dollars
Background knowledge ▪ At long last, construction began again in December 1978, and after sever years of unremitting toil, the Chunnel was completed at the cost of 13.5 billion dollars
