Read the following passage answer the Questions:
In 1984, the French and the British agreed that a link across the English Channel would be mutually beneficial. However, both the Governments realised that although the project would create the much needed jobs, neither country's Government could fund such a massive project. Thus, they decided to hold a contest.
This contest invited companies to submit their plan to create a link across the English Channel. As part of the contest's requirements, the submitting company was to provide a plan to raise the needed funds to build the project, have the ability to operate the proposed Channel link once the project was completed, and the proposed link must be able to endure for at least 120 years.
Ten proposals were submitted, including various tunnels and bridges. Some of the proposals were so outlandish in design that they were easily dismissed; others would be so expensive that they were unlikely to ever be completed. The successful proposal planned for a tunnel made up of two, parallel railway tunnels that would be dug under the English Channel. Between these two railway tunnels would run a third, smaller tunnel that would be used for maintenance, including drainage pipes, communication cables etc.
After the first testrun on 10 December 1993, the Channel Tunnel officially opened on 6 may 1994.
What did the contest involving the competing companies require? Choose the incorrect option.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → The link across the English Channel was supposed to be outlandish. The companies were asked to keep that in mind.
Outlandish means strange and unusual in a way that seems foolish or impractical. The passage says that some proposals were "so outlandish in design that they were easily dismissed". Being outlandish was a reason for rejecting a plan, not a requirement of the contest, so this statement is the incorrect one.
Example: His outlandish idea of building a bridge of glass was rejected at once.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: The companies were supposed to provide a plan to raise the needed funds to build the project. — Incorrect. True in the passage: the company was "to provide a plan to raise the needed funds".
Option 2: The companies were expected to operate the proposed channel link once the project was completed. — Incorrect. True in the passage: the company had to "have the ability to operate the proposed Channel link".
Option 4: The link must be able to endure for at least 120 years. — Incorrect. True in the passage: the requirement is stated in the same words: "able to endure for at least 120 years".