"Going Underground" (Comprehension)

QUESTIONS: 

1. True or false: Underground machines have begun to dig new tunnels under London.

2. How much does a tunnel boring machine cost?

3. True or false: The tunnels will be placed at a minimum depth of 40m.

4. True or false: The new trains will be the same size as existing London Underground trains.

5. True or false: The machines are piloted underground.

6. True or false: There are no other similar projects of this size in Europe.

7. True or false: The new tunnels will allow increased passenger numbers in London.

ANSWERS:

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1. Answer: False.
Work is “about to begin” - meaning it will start shortly. (First paragraph.)

2. Answer: £10 million pounds each.
Vocabulary: “to set (someone) back”: British slang: to cost.

3. Answer: False.
40m is the maximum depth. Note grammar: “The deepest point”: superlative.

3. Answer: False.
Trains will be “the same size as” mainline trains: comparative.

Don’t forget the first “as” when comparing equal objects. E.g. “as big as...” - not “big as...”.

4. Answer: False.
The machines are monitored from ground level in a control room. Grammar: passive (“are monitored”).

5. Answer: False.
This is the largest civil engineering project taking place in Europe at the moment.

6. Answer: True.
It is expected to expand capacity by 10%.

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