Reading and speaking section

Task1.

Read, translate and summarize the following texts.

Travelling by Train

What place is more interesting than a big station? There is the movement, the excitement, the gaiety of the people going away and sorrow of those who are seeing others off. There are the shouts of the porters as they pull luggage along the platforms to the waiting trains, the crowd at the booking-office getting tickets, the children tightly holding on to the skirts of their mothers, and passengers hurrying to board the train.

At last you manage to make your way through the crowd, closely following the porter, who has taken care of your luggage, and get out on to the platform. There are many tracks and trains there. No need for you to look round and read the signs that tell which train you must take. You follow your porter, and here you are - Car number 2.

You show your ticket to the guard and in you go into a most wonderful carriage. All is bustle and confusion, with people filling in, bumping into each other, and what not. At last you manage to stow away your luggage and get out on to the plat­form for fresh air and bid farewell to the well-wishers who have come to see you off.

But you have scarcely time to kiss and hug your friends when the station-master on duty, in a red cap, signals the train. You hear no shrill whistle of the engine — the train pulls out of the station noiselessly and without a jerk.

You are on your way. You start up a conversation with your fellow-passengers (people take to each other quickly when tra­velling) and soon you get to know who is who and what. Now that the excitement of the day is over you begin to feel hungry.

The dining-car steward happens to come along and you take bookings for dinner or supper, whichever it might be. As you go for the second sitting you have time to wash. By that time the guard has made your bed. You take your towel and go to the toilet to wash yourself.

You feel tired now, after a hearty meal, so you decide to turn in. You get into your upper berth and begin to absorb the beauty of the changing scenes that fly past you — the cheerful fields of wheat and corn, the meadows under a mantle of flowers, grass and green moss, the rivers that run through wood­land countries, the forests with their delicious sense of peace, and the mountains ribbed with sharp steep ridges.

But drowsiness creeps over you. You close your eyes and soon drift away into that vast mysterious void which men call sleep.

Travelling by Sea

For me there is no travel so fine as by sea. There are many things that make travel by sea a fascinating thing for me. Though I am not much of a sailor, I love the sight of a ship with its many decks, cabins and state-rooms. It looks like a huge white floating city. It is delightful to be out at sea, too, and pro­menade the desk or sit in a deck-chair and take the sun.

But what can be compared with the excitement you expe­rience when you sight land! The narrow strip of land on the hori­zon seems slowly coming towards you. Gradually the outlines of the shore become more distinct, and on coming nearer you get a full view of the city, the harbour, and of the big ships coming in from and leaving for distant lands.

The season was at its height then and the passenger traffic was heavy, so we had to reserve berths at the agency beforehand. After some three or four days of feverish prepara­tions and expectations we were ready to start.

The ship was to sail at 1400 p. m. on a certain Saturday early in July. On the morning of that distinguished day I felt very excited at the thought that in a few hours I shall go away.

The pier was crowded with cars, trucks loaded with luggage, passengers arriving and hurrying on board, and well-wishers seeing them off. It was really thrilling going up the gangway. Up and up we went until we reached the main deck. And there from high above we looked at the people that seemed so tiny down below, crowding on the pier.

When we got on deck, we were attended by a sailor who took us down below deck. Inside the ship there was a vast labyrinth of aisles that ran into each other and out again and seemed to lead nowhere. But we tripped along following the sailor, and soon he brought us to our cabin. It was a small room with two berths in it, and against the wall, just below the round window, called a porthole, stood a little trifle of a table.

But we had no time to look around because we were eager to go back on deck. There, all was bustle and confusion as before. A noisy excitement was kept up from one end of the ship to the other. Shortly we heard the ship's siren warning the passengers and their well-wishers to say their last good-bye to each other. After some 10—15 minutes the ship weighed anchor and slowly slipped out of the harbour, leaving the city behind wrapped in a blue noonday haze.

As soon as the land faded from sight, we went exploring the ship. It had all modern conveniences and a wide choice of entertainment facilities. There was a good library that could afford a fair amount of reading matter. Then there were restaurants that took care of the passengers appetites, a cinema-hall, billiard rooms and what not.

We soon felt remarkably tired with walking up and down from one deck to another and were very glad to occupy two deck-chairs that happened to be vacant. Though the sea was moderately calm, the ship rolled somewhat. Some passengers took to their berths — they felt seasick. By some happy fortune my friend and I were not sick. The fresh sea wind blew in our faces and it was lovely to look at the gulls and hear their cries as they gracefully swept over the waves almost touching the water with their wings.

In the evening we enjoyed the sunset, the beautiful sunset at sea. The sun, red as a glowing coal, gradually went down behind the horizon flooding the sky and the flakes of clouds with a crimson light. It was simply marvellous!

Our voyage lasted several days. On our way we called at several ports. The stays were quite sufficient to give us the opportunity of visiting some points of interest there. Even now when I recall it to my mind I experience a thrill of pleasure.

Travelling by Air

For me there is nothing like travel by air: it is more comfor­table, more convenient and, of course, far quicker than any other method. There is none of the dust and dirt of a railway or car journey; none of the trouble of changing from train to steamer, pushing your way through crowds to get from the boat to the Customs (if you travel abroad) and then to another train. A taxi or bus of the Airline Service takes you to the airport. There on the runway you see a sleek and beautiful jet-propelled passenger liner ready to carry you to your place of destination.

When the formalities of registering yourself and weighing your baggage are over, you get up the gangway and board the plane. If you are travelling for the first time, you may apply to the stewardess and she will see you to your seat and give you all the information you need as, how to strap your belt, how to adjust your seat and so on. If you feel hungry, you will be pro­vided with an excellent lunch. Strange though it may seem, it actually comes out cheaper, considering what you save in hotel charges or sleeping accomodation on the train, meals arid so on.

But it is not only on account of the convenience, comfort and speed that I like air travel. The whole experience is a spiri­tually thrilling thing for me. I enjoy greatly the feeling of flying. As you leave the earth behind you, you seem to belong to another world, a bigger, wider, freer world than the one you left. What loveliness there is on earth when you see it from above; the rapid changing scenes below are of divine beauty.

Just as the early tinges of dawn flush the eastern sky you take off from the Moscow airport leaving behind the huge city in deep slumber; the sun has not risen, but the bird-like machine is flying to greet it. Looking down you gain a magnificent view of a charming landscape — to the right are fields carefully cultivated, to the left — pasture-lands, ahead— a cheerful river winding its way through the lowland. On you fly past villages and cities, hills and valleys, each following the other in quick succession There in the far distance you perceive the outlines of a moun­tain range clothed with vegetation on both sides.

On and on you fly with the ever-changing scenes below till at last you safely land at the airport.

Task 2.

Discuss the following questions with your partner and point out the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of travelling.

A 1. Nowadays travelling has become a highly organized business. There are express trains, huge ships, cars and jet air-liners, all of which provide us with comforts and security. But there are difficulties too. What are the pros and cons of travelling by railway? by air? by car? by sea? What is better if you go on a holiday (business) trip? Give your reasons 2. Men have travelled ever since they first appeared on earth. Why do people travel? 3. Are you keen on travelling? If so, say why. Is it for a change of scenery or some other reason? 4. Have you ever taken a holiday cruise along the Black Sea coast or down the Volga (or any other)? Are you a poor sailor? Some much travel­led people say sea-sickness is “nine tenths nerves” Do you agree? 5. What pitfalls may await a traveller who goes long distances by car? 6. Some people find it rather difficult to pack things. Do you? What's the difficulty? 7. Why do you think travelling companions (especially when travelling by railway) are apt to talk about themselves with such ease? They hardly expect to know each other better, do they? 8. Are you an ardent picnicker or a picnic hater? Do you go hiking? 9. Sometimes we see how a pleasant coastline, a forest glade or bank of the river are being altered by tourism. What do you think should be done about it? What regulations should there be for tourists and picnickers? 10. When travelling you have to give special thought not only to your route, but to what you wear and eat during your trip. What clothes would you suggest to a young (old) passenger on a cruise? What food­stuffs are best on a hike or a car trip?

B 1. Why are flights sometimes cancelled? 2. What must every tourist have if he starts on a long journey? 3.What can be seen at the station or on the pier? 4. What can you see through the porthole of a plane if visibility is good? 5. What happens in a compartment of a railway carriage when the train is approaching its destination? 6. Hitch-hiking is said to be quite popular in Great Britain as a means of travelling. What do you think about travelling in this way? 7. What does going on a hike imply? What kind of footwear is most convenient for hikers? Is a detailed plan an essential thing if one goes on a long hike? 8. For how many days are railway tickets valid? 9. Why do some people avoid going by sea? 10. Is a sea voyage delightful in all cases? Is it dan­gerous? 11. What facilities are provided for the passengers on board a modern liner? 12. What are the regulations during a flight? 13. What can you see through the portholes of a jet plane if visibility is good? 14. What are the sleeping facilities for those who travel by car? 15. What does the driver do if he runs out of petrol? (if he gets a flat tyre? if he needs technical service?) 16. Why are hikers so particular about the contents of their rucksacks? 17. What equipment is essential for hikers who intend to camp out? 18. How do you dispose of your luggage if you go sightseeing in a town? Do you use the left-luggage office at the railway station?

Task 3.

You are going to read an article about tourism. For questions (1-7), choose the correct answer A, B, C or D. What was the writer's purpose? How much do you agree with his/her points?

Travel Wise

Many of us look forward to our summer holidays all year. We can't wait to get away from our everyday lives, to visit new places, try new things, or just to relax and lie in the sun. But how many of us think about the effect our holidays have on the places we visit?

Although tourism has many benefits, such as bringing extra money into the local economy, there are also negative effects. Tourism can do all sorts of damage to the environment, the culture and the people of a country, especially in places which aren't prepared for large numbers of holidaymakers. In recent years there has been a large increase in the number of independent travellers who want to get off the beaten track, and this has meant that many remote destinations are having to adjust to new visitors.

It certainly isn't all bad news though. The last few years have also seen a huge increase in “eco-tourism”. This is tourism where holidaymakers try to have a positive effect on the people and places that they visit. If you are really committed to this idea, then you can spend your holidays helping out on an organic farm in Britain, or taking part in conservation projects in Africa or the Amazon rainforest. Don't worry, though, if this doesn't sound like your idea of a holiday. Wherever you go and whatever you want to do, there are still ways to make sure that you have the best possible impact on your holiday destination.

If you are heading off to a place for the first time, it is an excellent idea to find out as much about it as you can. A guidebook is a great place to start. As well as learning about the local places of interest, you can read about the way you will be expected to behave and dress. This can save you from making embarrassing mistakes and means that you are less likely to upset or offend your hosts. Don't stop at the guidebook, though. If you can, listen to some music or read some literature from your chosen destination.

Knowing a little about the place that you are visiting before you leave can make your holiday much more enjoyable when you arrive.

It is also important to think about how you spend your money when you are on holiday. Whenever you can, try to put it into the local people's hands. You can do this by eating and drinking local products rather than imported brands, staying in locally owned accommodation and using local guides. In some parts of the world, you might be relatively well off compared to the local population. Even in places where you are expected to haggle or bargain, you should always pay a fair price for things. Remember that what might be a very small amount of money to you, can make a big difference to some people.

Another important thing for the eco-tourist is to have as little effect on the local environment as possible. This is easy to do if you follow some common-sense advice. Don't leave litter lying around and use biodegradable products whenever possible. If resources like water or fuel are in short supply, then use as little of these as you can, and of course you should never buy products made from rare plants or endangered animals. If you are lucky enough to visit a truly exotic destination such as a coral reef, remote mountain or desert region, or a rainforest then you should try to leave it exactly as you found it, so that future visitors can enjoy it just as you did.

Eco-tourism organisations say that respecting the culture and environment of the places that you visit will lead to much more rewarding and enjoyable holidays. If we try to encourage the local economy, leave the environment undamaged and are aware of the different laws and attitudes in the places we visit, then all of us can enjoy our eco-holidays much better now and in the future. With more and more of us planning holidays in new locations every year, we should all do our bit to make sure that we are always welcome wherever we go.

1. Tourism does the most damage in countries.

A where there has been an increase in eco-tourism. В which aren't ready for a lot of tourist

С where there are a lot of people travelling on their own.

D which have a strong local economy.

2. What should you do before you take your eco- holidays?

A Buy a guidebook.

В Learn how to dress.

С Find out about the local attractions.

D Learn about your destination.

3. How can a tourist help the economy of a country?

A Bargain for everything they buy.

В Buy the goods and services provided by the

local people.

С Pay a fair price for everything.

D Buy expensive imported brands.

4. What is meant by 'can make a big difference to some people'?

A You can change their lives.

В You can help to preserve their local environment.

С You can help them to have a better life.

D You can be fair.

5. According to the writer, being a responsible eco- tourist means

A not being influenced by local bad habits.

В following some simple guidelines.

С always limiting the amount of water you use.

D never leaving a place without picking up the rubbish.

6. What do eco-tourist organisations say about tourism?

A If we show consideration for the place and people, we will have a more satisfying holiday.

В If we visit unusual places, we should leave them just as we found them.

С If we have a holiday in a new place, we should make sure we will be welcome there.

D If we visit a foreign country, we should try to support the local economy.

7. The writer's attitude to eco-tourism is

A hopeful В disappointing

С interesting D supportive.

Task 4.

Read the text about a new type of resort. Choose the most suitable sentence from the list A-H for each gap 1-7.

Paradise found?

Close your eyes and imagine the perfect beach. Soft white sand, beautiful blue sea, and the temperature a constant 30 degrees Celsius. But wait, there's more: no risk of sunburn, no insects or bugs, no sharks or jellyfish, and, at regular intervals, the best surfing waves imaginable. 1… Thanks to modern technology and the miracles of science, this beach really does exist and it is on the island of Kyushu in southern Japan. In a resort complex called Seagaia you will find the Ocean Dome. The Ocean Dome contains, among other things, the world's largest artificial sea beside the biggest indoor beach. 2… The soft white sand is actually made of crushed marble chips, which won't stick to your skin, and the water is salt free and chlorinated. The temperature of the water is kept at 28C and the air is kept at 30C.

The Dome has everything you would expect to find on a big tropical island! 3 ... There is a man-made volcano that erupts at regular intervals, waterslides, a wave pool and even a virtual reality raft ride where passengers are tossed, shaken and splashed with water.

There is plenty to do for the whole family in Seagaia. If you want a break from the beach, you can visit the 'Lost World' rainforest. 4 … There is also a beach carnival held every afternoon with dancers and musicians dressed in colourful Caribbean costumes and in the evening there is a spectacular show put on by aquatic dancers.

In Seagaia you don't even have to carry any money with you. 5 … This type of holiday is wonderful for anyone who enjoys lying on the “beach” or swimming in the “sea” without having to check the weather forecast first. In fact, many Japanese businessmen and office workers come here just to relax and unwind after a hard week's work.

Naturally, no island holiday is complete without luxury hotels, boutiques and a wide variety of restaurants with everything from fine dining to fast food, and Seagaia has them all. 6 … The Ocean Dome feels so real that visitors to the resort still use suntan lotion and wear sunhats even though the 'sunlight' is artificial and harmless.

The Dome itself actually has a roof that opens but it is only used when the weather outside is at the same temperature as the weather inside the dome. It is also quite ironic that the Ocean Dome was built only 300 metres away from the real ocean. Strangely enough, the real beach is usually quite empty even on hot and sunny days because holiday-makers seem to prefer the safety, comfort and predictability of the artificial beach.

12

Nowadays, theme parks are springing up everywhere and it looks like virtual reality holidays are going to be the way of the future. 7 … However, can we really compare the experience of sitting on an artificial beach with man-made sand under a fake sun to a day on a real beach? Where is the challenge in surfing man-made waves when you know exactly how big they are going to get and exactly when they are going to appear? More importantly, where is the fun in coming back from a seaside holiday without tan lines? A There are even several theatres, golf courses and tennis courts.B Too good to be true? Not anymore.

C This is a Jurassic Park style jungle full of artificial creatures and holographic pirates.

D The whale complex is a testament to modern technology and engineering.

E It is roughly the size of six football fields and has an 85- metre shoreline.

F After all, they are cleaner, safer and far more convenient than real holidays.

G Visitors pay an admission fee at the entrance and are given colour coded barcode tags, which they use instead of cash.

H There are caves, waterfalls, small islands, palm trees and that's just the beginning.

Task 5.

What type of holiday suits you best? Do the quiz to find out.

1. How do you feel when you go shopping or sightseeing during your holiday?

A trapped B hot and bothered C excited D bored

2. You're trying to enjoy your holiday but the weather is terrible. What do you do?

A Get out into the countryside. B Stay in and get warm with a cup of tea. C Take your umbrella and do some window shopping. D Pack up and go home.

3. You're staying in an old family friend's house for your summer holiday. How do you thank them?

A Invite them on an adventure weekend. B Invite them to your house for a long weekend. C Invite them for a weekend out on the town. D Invite them to a health spa.

4. A friend suggests a trip to a country you've never visited before. What do you ask him about first?

A the national parks B the beaches C the nightlife

D the best restaurants

5. What's your ideal spring break?

A Walking over the rugged Yorkshire Moors. B Wandering along the beach in Tahiti. C A stopover in New York City. D A luxurious Mediterranean cruise.

Mostly A)'s, you enjoy adventure and wide open spaces. You would be happiest out hiking in rocky mountains, canoeing across deep blue lakes or camping under the stars in the middle of a green forest.

Mostly B)'s, you enjoy gentler pastimes. You would be happiest somewhere where you can relax. A secluded mountain resort or a sandy, palm-fringed beach where you need do nothing but lie back and relax is the perfect spot for you.

Mostly C)'s, you want to be with people. You would be happiest in a bustling city centre where you can fill your days shopping in elegant boutiques and your evenings sampling the non-stop nightlife of the area's trendiest hot spots.

Mostly D)'s, you appreciate comfort and luxury. Glamorous resorts, upscale hotels and first-class cruises were created with you in mind. Your holidays are the time when you want to experience all the finer things in life.

Task 6.

Read the texts and talk about the similarities and differences of these places. Which place would you like to visit? Why?

White Cliffs of Dover

When crossing the English Channel from continental Europe to Dover, England, the first sight you see is the famous White Cliffs of Dover. They are almost 70 million years old and have been in existence since dinosaurs were roaming the earth. Their characteristic white colour is due to the fact that they are made of chalk. They are believed to grow 15 metres every million years and are now around 250 metres high.

Due to their strategic location they have been used to help defend the coast from invasion throughout England's history. During the time of Napoleon, tunnels were dug into the cliffs so that soldiers could attack the invading French armies. These tunnels were used as recently as World War II. There are many shipwrecks to be found in the bays and along the beaches below the cliffs because the sea is exceptionally rough along this stretch of the coast.

What's more, there is plenty to see and do in the surrounding area. You can visit one of Dover's many spectacular heritage castles or even the Roman fort at nearby Richborough. The White Cliffs themselves are an excellent place for hiking, and offer stunning views of one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. On a clear day, you can even see the French coastline. A visit to England would not be complete without a stopover at this magnificent natural feature.

The Rockies

The Rocky Mountains are the largest mountain system in North America. The Rocky Mountain chain extends for more than 4,800 km through the United States and Canada. Visitors to the Rockies enjoy sparkling lakes, snow-capped peaks and other spectacular scenery. The region is also famous for its ski resorts and wild game. Some US and Canadian national parks can be found there. Several rivers such as, the Colorado, the Missouri, the Arkansas and others begin in the Rockies,

Chief ranges of the Rockies include the Southern Rockies, the Middle Rockies, the Northern Rockies, the Canadian Rockies, the Selwyn and Mackenzie mountains and the Brooks Range.

Plant and Animal life: Forests of pines cover the lower slopes of the Southern Rockies. In the higher areas of the Rockies firs, pines and spruces can be found. Mountain goats, elk, bears, deer, mountain lions, squirrels and other animals live in the Rockies.

History: The Rockies were formed over 65 million years ago. The sides of the mountains contain fossils of animals which once lived in the sea as well as rocks that were formed in the hot interior of the earth.

Many Indian tribes used to live there when Europeans first arrived in North America. The first Europeans to reach the Rockies were Spanish explorers, who established a colony near what is now Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1598.

The Rockies hampered transportation during the 1800's when explorers and settlers were moving westward. The first railroad route through them was built in the Wyoming Basin in 1868. Today, Interstate Highway 80 runs through the Wyoming Basin.