新西兰英语 700 Cook Strait Ferry Crossing

 　　The government is again looking at a plan to move the South Island ferry terminal¹ from Picton to Clifford Bay, about 50km south of Picton. This is a shorter distance from Wellington to Christchurch. It would cut 110 minutes off the time by rail and 80 minutes off the time by road. The Minister of Transport said that the rebuild of Christchurch means that this is a good time to improve the links between the North and South Islands.

　　Although Cook Strait is only 24km at its most narrow part, the ferry travels 70km because it goes through the Marlborough Sounds. This is an attractive tourist journey but not so good for business. Eighty minutes less makes a difference, especially for commercial vehicles like trucks. A shorter time for rail transport is also important as most trains these days carry goods not passengers.

　　However, the cost of moving the ferry terminal would be about $400m. Clifford Bay would also need hotel accommodation, restaurants and other services. At the moment it is farm land.

　　The people of Picton are afraid they would lose a lot of business. The Minister of Transport said that Picton could become another Queenstown. It is a very attractive town.

　　Listen to May 13th 2011 to hear about this proposal² last year.

　　Vocabulary

　　?ferry- a boat that goes back and forward between two places

　　?terminal – end place of a ship, train or bus

　　?link – connection between two things

　　?The Sounds – fingers of sea like a fiord

　　?proposal – plan

1 terminal   

n.终端机，终点，末端；adj.终点的，按期的，致死的

参考例句：

• The car has reached its terminal speed and can run faster no longer.这辆车的速度已达到了极限，不能再跑更快了。
• There's a taxi stand outside the terminal.在终点站的外面有出租车。

2 proposal   

n.提议，建议；求婚

参考例句：

• I feel that we ought to accept his proposal.我觉得我们应该接受他的建议。
• They could not gain over anyone to support their proposal.他们无法争取到支持他们建议的人。