高考英语专题阅读：The English ChannelBritain has always been a neighbor of France, separated only by the 20 mile seaway of the English Channel. And for most of the time they have been enemies. One conflict between the two countries lasted over 100 years, and the British and French were at war for most of the 18th century. （指英法百年战争） There is no fighting now, of course. But there is still a strong sense of rivalry between the two nations. That’s why a recent survey in the UK caused a major shock. It revealed that one third of the British people would like to live in France. It also showed that 21 per cent of British people would actually have preferred to have been born in France. Many reasons were given. France has a better climate and a more relaxed lifestyle, with some of the longest holidays in Europe. It is thought to have better public services in every area from health to transport. People in France work shorter hours and enjoy longer holidays. And think of the food and wine! Estimates （估计） of the number of Britons living in France range from 100,000 to half a million.But it is not one-way traffic. （指也有法国人来英国生活）Around 15,000 French people per year come to live in Britain, mainly settling in London. They are attracted by higher pay in Britain, lower taxes and a more dynamic （富有活力的） lifestyle. Now that citizens of the European Union are free to move between countries, we are likely to see more movement in both directions. Now it seems that people can go to the place that suits them best.
