英語学習

英語ニュース教材：Virgin cleared to challenge Eurostar on Channel Tunnel route（Intermediate レベル）

 

Contents

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

Virgin Trains has received approval to offer new passenger rail services through the Channel Tunnel, challenging the current operator, Eurostar. The services are expected to begin in 2030, providing travelers with more options when traveling between the UK and mainland Europe. This development is significant as it introduces competition on this key rail route, which has been primarily dominated by Eurostar for years. The new services by Virgin Trains are anticipated to bring about competitive pricing and potentially improved services for passengers.

Traveling through the Channel Tunnel, also known as the Eurotunnel, is a popular and efficient way to move between the UK and Europe. It connects Folkestone in the UK with Coquelles in France. Since its opening in 1994, Eurostar has been the main provider of passenger rail services through this tunnel. However, with Virgin Trains entering the market, the dynamics of this route may change significantly.

Virgin Trains is known for its innovative approach to rail services and focuses on customer experience. By entering the Channel Tunnel route, Virgin aims to provide an alternative that could attract passengers through better services and competitive pricing. The introduction of a new player could drive improvements in the quality of services offered by both Virgin and Eurostar, benefiting passengers.

The approval comes as part of efforts to increase competition and choices for consumers. More competition usually leads to improved services and lower prices, which can be advantageous for travelers. However, it also poses a challenge for existing operators like Eurostar, which will need to maintain their market share by possibly enhancing their services or adjusting their pricing strategies.

The move by Virgin is also a reflection of ongoing changes in the rail industry, where companies are looking for new opportunities and routes to expand their services. As this new service launches in 2030, passengers can look forward to having more travel options and potentially seeing benefits from increased competition.

📝 Vocabulary

  • approval: the action of officially agreeing to something
    例文: “The project received approval from the authorities.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • gain approval
    • seek approval
    • official approval
    承認
  • competition: rivalry in the market
    例文: “There is strong competition between the two companies.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • fierce competition
    • direct competition
    • healthy competition
    競争
  • dominate: to have control or power over something
    例文: “One company may dominate the market.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • dominate the market
    • dominate the industry
    • dominate completely
    支配する
  • innovative: featuring new methods or ideas
    例文: “The company is known for its innovative products.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • innovative design
    • innovative solution
    • innovative approach
    革新的な
  • launch: to start or introduce something new
    例文: “They plan to launch a new service next year.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • launch a product
    • launch a campaign
    • launch officially
    開始する

✏️ Grammar Point

Future Tense with “will” – “The services are expected to begin in 2030, providing travelers with more options…”

文法の日本語補足を見る
未来の予定や予測を表す未来形の「will」を使った文

💡 使用場面

この文構造は、将来の計画や予測を話すときに使われます。

📝 使用例文

“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”

❓ Listening Questions

  1. True/False: Virgin Trains will start services through the Channel Tunnel in 2025.
  2. MCQ: What is the significance of Virgin Trains starting services through the Channel Tunnel?
    a) It will create more jobs.
    b) It introduces competition to Eurostar.
    c) It will reduce travel time significantly.
    d) It will close the Channel Tunnel.
  3. MCQ: When did the Channel Tunnel first open?
    a) 1990
    b) 1992
    c) 1994
    d) 1996
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
  1. False
  2. b) It introduces competition to Eurostar.
  3. c) 1994

📚 Reading Questions

  1. Who is the current main provider of passenger rail services through the Channel Tunnel?
  2. Why is Virgin Trains’ entry into the Channel Tunnel route considered significant?
  3. What does the word “innovative” mean in the context of Virgin Trains?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
  1. Eurostar
  2. It introduces competition and may lead to better services and pricing.
  3. Featuring new methods or ideas.

🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

バージン・トレインズが2020年代にチャンネル・トンネルでのサービスを開始することで、ユーロスターとの競争が激化しそうです。これは、消費者にとって選択肢が増え、価格競争が激化するため、サービスの向上が期待されます。国際的には、イギリスとヨーロッパ大陸を結ぶ新たな交通手段として注目され、将来的には経済活動の活性化につながる可能性があります。長期的には、競争が市場にどのような影響を与えるかが注目されます。

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8v5z15551o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

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