Pioneer Pilots 飞行员的先驱

In 1908 Lord Northcliffe offered a prize of $1,000 to the first man who would fly across the English Channel. Over a year passed before the first attempt was made. On July 19th, 1909, in the early morning, Hubert Latham took off from the French coast in his plane the 'Antoinette IV.' He had travelled only seven miles across the Channel when his engine failed and he was forced to land on sea. The 'Antoinette' floated on the water until Latham was picked up by a ship.
Two days alter, Louis Bleriot arrived near Calais with a plane called 'No. XI'. Bleriot had been making planes since 1905 and this was his latest model. A week before, he had completed a successful overland flight during which he covered twenty-six miles. Latham, however, did not give up easily. He, too, arrived near Calais on the same day with a new 'Antoinette'. It looked as if there would be an exciting race across the Channel. Both planes were going to take off on July 25th, but Latham failed to get up early enough, After making a short test flight at 4,15 a.m., Bleriot set off half an hour later. His great flight lasted thirty-seven minutes. When he landed near Dover, the first person to greet him was a local policeman. Latham made another attempt a week later and got within half a mile of Dover, but he was unlucky again. His engine failed and he landed on the sea for the second time.

7.Bleriot had been making planes since 1905 and this was his latest model.

布莱里奥从1905年起便开始研制飞机，“11号”飞机是他制作的最新型号。

语言点1:句子结构分析:since 1905与句中的过去完成进行时had been making形成一种时态与时间状语呼应的用法。

语言点2:含有latest的短语总结:

latest model 最新型号
latest news 最新消息
latest style 最新款式
latest invention 最新发明

8.A week before, he had completed a successful overland flight during which he covered twenty-six miles.

一周以前，他曾成功地进行了一次26英里的陆上飞行。

语言点:句子结构分析:which引导定语从句，修饰flight,并且与during一起作从句的时间状语，表示“在…段时间里”。

9. Latham, however, did not give up easily.

但是莱瑟姆不肯轻易罢休。

语言点:easily为程度副词，强调“不轻易地”。