Free levelled English reading practice. Read for meaning first, then use the full Speed Reading tool to time yourself and track your progress.
The Suez Canal is a man-made waterway in Egypt. It connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. Before the canal opened, many ships travelling between Europe and Asia had to sail around the southern tip of Africa. The canal created a much shorter route. Construction began in 1859 and involved large numbers of workers. The canal officially opened in 1869. Unlike some canals, it does not need locks because the two seas are at similar levels. Over time, the Suez Canal became one of the world's most important shipping routes. Oil, manufactured goods, food and many other products pass through it. When the canal is blocked or disrupted, shipping delays can affect businesses and consumers far away. The canal shows how one narrow waterway can have a major influence on global trade.
Comprehension questions
Which two seas does the Suez Canal connect?
In which country is it?
When did it open?
Why did it shorten journeys between Europe and Asia?
Why can problems in the canal affect distant countries?
