| [00:01.080] |
--- Lesson 88 Trapped in a mine |
| [00:07.400] |
--- First listen and then answer the question. |
| [00:13.720] |
--- Why is the rescue taking so long? |
| [00:20.080] |
Six men have been trapped in a mine for seventeen hours. |
| [00:26.280] |
If they are not brought to the surface soon they may lose their lives. |
| [00:32.000] |
However, rescue operations are proving difficult. |
| [00:36.320] |
If explosives are used, vibrations will cause the roof of the mine to collapse. |
| [00:43.640] |
Rescue workers are therefore drilling a hole on the north side of the mine. |
| [00:50.480] |
They intend to bring the men up in a special capsule. |
| [00:55.920] |
If there had not been a hard layer of rock beneath the soil, |
| [01:00.520] |
they would have completed the job in a few hours. |
| [01:04.560] |
As it is, they have been drilling for sixteen hours and they still have a long way to go. |
| [01:12.400] |
Meanwhile, a microphone, which was lowered into the mine two hours ago,has enabled the men to keep in touch with their closest relatives. |
| [01:23.640] |
Though they are running out of food and drink, |
| [01:26.880] |
the men are cheerful and confident that they will get out soon. |
| [01:31.800] |
They have been told that rescue operations are progressing smoothly. |
| [01:36.960] |
If they knew how difficult it was to drill through the hard rock, they would lose heart. |
| [01:45.520] |
--- end |
