Part 4 (2). Types of accommodation
Checking hometask
Minicheck: Revision exercises p. 11
Reading
Task 7. Read the text and summarize its main ideas
What are Youth Hostels?
They are places where young people can stay cheaply and safely. Most countries have their national Youth Hostel Associations. These all use the "umbrella name" Hostelling International (HI).
What is their mission?
They want to encourage young people to learn about the countryside, and to appreciate the cultural values of towns and cities in all parts of the world.
In the hostels, there are no distinctions of race, nationality, colour, religion, sex or political opinions. They hope to develop a better understanding of other people as a result of this.
How did they begin?
A German schoolteacher, Richard Schirrmann, used to take his students for trips into the country in 1909. They needed to find cheap places to stay... That was the beginning! Now there are more than three million members all over the world.
Statistics
Number of hostels: More than 4,000.
Number of countries: More than 60.
Who can use them?
Anyone! Provided that you're a member of your national association, or join HI. School groups, individuals, people with kids - anyone who likes nature, and wants to explore different cultures, is welcome. If the hostel is nearly full, young people have priority.
What is their big idea?
They believe that staying in a hostel helps young people to develop skills to live in the modern, global world. They learn to live in a community and to share their experiences with other people. They also learn to make decisions, and to learn from their own experiences. They encourage an international awareness of current issues, too.
Are there any other important ideas?
The association has an environmental code. It covers:
1. Energy conservation
2. Recycling
3. Pollution
4. Transport
5. Nature
6. Environmental education
7. Consumption
HI encourages people to use bikes, or to share cars where possible. And it supports the United Nations "Decade for a Culture of Peace" through its work.
What are the rooms like?
In the past, there were big dormitories. Now there are many hostels with rooms for 1,2 or 4 people. Some have "en-suite" showers.
What are the costs?
These vary from country to country, but are always good-value.
What do I have to bring?
Bring your own towels. In some places, bring your own sheet or sleeping bag.
What facilities will I find?
There is a cafeteria for meals in most hostels. In some of them, there is a kitchen where you can prepare your own food. There is often a T.V. room, a library, and Internet access. There are usually laundry facilities, too.
What are the hostels like?
Lots of different kinds. Modern buildings, old houses, castles, small huts, converted banks - there's a huge range. Some of them are in the centre of cities - others are up in the mountains or near the beach. Many of them have wheelchair access, too.
Where can I find out more?
Contact your national Youth Hostels Association. Or look at the international website: www.hihostels.com. There's lots of interesting information there.
(based on Macmillan Topics. Travel and Tourism. pp. 18-19)
Task 6. Fill in the table comparing advantages and disadvantages of staying in a hostel and in a hotel. Discuss the information with your partner.
Type of accommodation |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
hotel |
|
|
hostel |
|
|
Revision of comparisons
Task 7. Tick the correct sentence, as in the example.
1 a) A fish is less noisier than a cat.
b)A fish is less noisy than a cat. \/
2 a) Lions are not so big as hippos.
b) Lions are not as big as hippos.
3 a) Going to the zoo is more entertaining watching TV.
b) Going lo the zoo is more entertaining than watching TV.
4 a) Cheetahs run faster than zebras.
b) Cheetahs run as fast than zebras.
5 a) Was the film as exciting as the book?
b)Was the film as more exciting as the book?
6 a) My hair is less dark than yours.
b) My hair is not as dark as yours.
7 a) A zebra's neck is long as a giraffe's
b) A zebra's neck is not as long as a giraffe's.
a) Are dogs more loyal than cats?
b) Are dogs loyal more than cats?
9 a) He works like a slave.
b) He works as a slave.
10 a) Did you do good in the algebra test?
b) Did you do well in the algebra test?
11 a) Their dog is twice as big as ours.
b) Their dog is twice as bigger as ours.
12 a) Mrs Darwin is a more helpful lady.
b) Mrs Darwin is a most helpful lady.
13 a) I have no more strength to continue climbing.
b) I have any more strength to continue climbing.
14 a) Mr Peters is by far more honest than our previous accountant.
b) Mr Peters is far more honest than our previous accountant.
(taken from www.busyteacher.org)
Task 8. Fill in: like or as.
1. Charles Nichols is known as "Chuck" to his friends.
2. Her perfume smelt ________roses.
3. People say she looks________Kim Basinger.
4. His father worked__________an accountant in the city.
5. _________ usual, Terry was late for work.
6. Diving into the sea was_________diving into an icy pool.
7. This is nice material - it feels____________silk.
8. She doesn't sing_________well_________her mother.
9. I don't think you could describe Andy________an intelligent person.
10. Some politicians, such__________John Major, are always in the news.
11. Ann looks__________an angel.
(taken from Virginia Evans Round up 5. p. 128)
Task 9.Complete each sentence as in the example:
1. (It is dangerous.) The faster you drive, .. the more dangerous it is.
2. (Your marks will be good.) The harder you work, __________________
3. (I feel fit.) The more I exercise, ___________________
4. (We'll get there late.) The later we leave ______________
5. (It is quiet.) The further we are from the city, ___________________
6. (The roads became busy.) The nearer we got to the city centre,______________
(taken from Virginia Evans Round up 5. p. 129)
Task 10. Underline the correct item.
It is very/far more expensive to live in London than any other city in Britain. Rents are much/very higher and it is most/far more difficult to find accommodation of any kind. Trying to find a flat in a convenient location is even/very more frustrating. You can live in the suburbs, but it will take you much/any longer to get to work and the tares are very/far high. Wages are normally a bit/very higher in London, but that doesn't mean you will have many/much more money to spend, since the cost of living there is most/even higher than you would expect.
(taken from Virginia Evans Round up 6. p. 58)
Task 11. Oral Activity
In teams, find the differences between picture A and picture В using comparisons. Each correct sentence gets 1 point. The team with the most points is the winner.
Team A S1 There are more pictures on the walls.
Team В S1: There are fewer pictures on the walls.
(taken from Virginia Evans Round up 5. p. 130)
Task 12. Read the following information about the two applicants, then make comparisons using: young, old, heavy, tall, short, well-qualified, experienced, few.
Ted Rogers
Date of Birth: 23/11/67
Height: 187 cm
Weight: 75 kilos
Children: 3
Teaching experience: 4 years
Qualifications:4 A' levels, BA English, MA Computer Science
Simon Baker
Date of Birth: 17/2/64
Height: 167 cm
Weight: 83 kilos
Children: 2
Teaching experience: 2 years
Qualifications: 2 A' levels, BSc Computer Science
e.g. Ted Rogers is younger than Simon Baker. Simon Baker isn't as old as Ted Rogers, etc
(taken from Virginia Evans Round up 6. p. 63)
Speaking
Task 13. Check-in at a hotel
a. Consuela Rodriguez is checking in to the Studios Inn Hotel. Read the Conversation A.
Conversation A
Clerk: Good afternoon. May I help you?
Consuela: Yes. Do you have any vacancies starting tonight?
Clerk: Yes, ma'am, we do. Is that a single or a double?
Consuela: A single.
Clerk: How long would you like to stay?
Consuela: For four nights.
Clerk: Will you be paying by credit card?
Consuela: Yes. MasterCard. Here you are.
Clerk: That's Ms. Rodriguez? I'll just swipe your credit card. Would you please complete the guest registration card?
b. Read the Conversation В and answer these questions:
a What does the Front Desk Clerk give Consuela?
b What floor is Consuela's room on?
с Which room is she in?
d What time does the main restaurant close?
Conversation В
Clerk: Here's your credit card, Ms. Rodriguez, and your room key.
Consuela: Thank you.
Clerk: This is your room charge card. You'll need this if you charge anything in the restaurant or lobby shops. Could you sign it here?
Consuela: OK.
Clerk: Your room is 743, on the seventh floor. The bell captain will take your bags up to your room.
Consuela: Thank you. Oh, is the restaurant still serving lunch?
Clerk: Our main restaurant closes at two thirty, but you can get something to eat in the All-Day Coffee Shop. It's just across the lobby.
Consuela: Thank you very much.
Clerk: You're very welcome. Enjoy your stay with us.
c. Interview another student and complete a guest registration card for them. For student B information look at page 77.
Student A
You are the Hotel Front Desk Manager. Interview your partner and complete the Guest Registration Card for him or her.
(They can give imaginary answers if they prefer.)
GUEST REGISTRATION CARD Hollywood Towers Hotel Wilshire Boulevard Family name:_____________________________________________ First name: _____________________Middle initial: ______________ Title: Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr. _____________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Telephone: (_____)________________________________________ Cell phone: ______________________________________________ E-mail:__________________________________________________ Business: ______________________________________________ Business address:_________________________________________ Business phone number: (_____) ____________________________ Nationality:______________________________________________ Passport number (if applicable): _____________________________ Next address:____________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Car License #:_______________________________State:________ |
Task 14. Hotel information
a. Read Conversation A. Find these facts:
a What kind of room does Julie Morrison want?
b How much will the room be per night?
Conversation A
Operator: Studious Inn Hotel. This is Kevin speaking. How may I help you?
Julie: Good afternoon. Do you have any accommodation for tonight?
Operator: Yes, ma’am. What are you looking for?
Julie: Just a single.
Operator: Excuse me… Yes, we have that.
Julie: How much will that be?
Operator: The room charge will be $295 per night, plus tax.
Julie: Great, I’ll take it. My name is Morrison. That’s M-O-double R-I-S-O-N…
b. Read the Conversation В below and the Studios Inn price list. (Consuela Rodriguez is phoning a friend from her room at the Studios Inn.)Then, ask and answer similar questions with Does it have...? / Do you have...?
Conversation В
Consuela: Hi, Karen? This is Consuela.
Karen: Consuela! Great to hear from you. Where are you?
Consuela: At the Studios Inn, in Hollywood.
Karen: Really? What's it like?
Consuela: Very nice. The room's huge.
Karen: Yes? Does it have a DVD player?
Consuela: No, it doesn't, but it has cable TV ...
Studios Inn Hotel Hollywood Boulevard Prices Executive suite (two luxury bedrooms) $895 per night Bedroom 1 has king-size bed, bathroom with plasma TV Bedroom 2 has two queen-size beds, bathroom plus connecting living room with plasma TV, DVD, hi-fi, wet bar, guest washroom. Standard suite $550 per night Bedroom with king-size bed, bathroom, VCR, living room, wet bar Double room $375 per night With two queen-size beds, bathroom, minibar (Children under 14 sharing a roomwith two adults stay FREE) Small double room (1 person occupancy) $295 per night With one double bed, bathroom, minibar Extras: $30 per night Cot/Rollaway bed (for children under 12) ALL OUR ROOMS HAVE PRIVATE BATH, SHOWER, DIRECT-DIAL TELEPHONE, INDIVIDUAL CLIMATE CONTROLS, HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS AND WIDESCREEN CABLE TV. State tax (currency at 8%) will be added to asll charges. Service charge of 17,5 % included. Additional gratuities at your discretion. |
c. Look at Conversation С at the Orange Grove Motel. Guess the 'You' sentences.
Conversation С
Front Desk Clerk: What kind of room do you want?
You:
Front Desk Clerk: Fine. I have a double room available.
You:
Front Desk Clerk: No, it doesn't. But it has a shower.
You:
Front Desk Clerk: $99 per night. How are you paying?
You:
(taken from Peter Viney Survival English New Edition pp.13-14)
Listening
Task 15. Taking a reservation by telephone
a. Look at the screen from a hotel computer reservation system.
In which order do you think the receptionist will ask for the information? Listen to a phone call and see if you were right.
b. Listen again and fill in the missing information.
c. Work in pairs. Student A, you are the receptionist at the Hadrian Hotel. Answer the phone and follow the telephone booking sequence. Take notes of the booking details.
For Student B information look at page 76.
State name of hotel. State own name. Greet client.
Determine client's room needs - dates, number of guest(s), number of rooms, room type(s)
Double check dates and needs
Check availability
Take client's name
Request confirmation (fax, email, or credit card)
Double check details of the confirmation option taken
Give client reservation number and request its use for booking changes
Close conversation
d. Change the roles and practice the conversation again
(taken from Robin Walker and Keith Harding Oxford English for Careers. Tourism 1. Student ‘s book, p. 66)
Unusual accommodation
Task 16. Hotels, guest houses, villas, and campsites are all standard types of accommodation. But what about the unusual?
a. Look at the hotel descriptions below. Which hotel is the most unusual?
b. Which hotel would you like to stay in? Why?
c. If you can, go to the websites for the hotels and find out more about them.
d. Work with a partner. Think about your local area. Discuss buildings or natural structures (e.g. caves) that you could convert into 'unusual' accommodation. You might like to consider the following points:
type - details of type + natural or made structure
location - urban or rural
serviced or self-catering
luxury or budget
large or small (number of rooms - how many doubles, singles, etc.)
details of the rooms, facilities, and services.
M
ammut
Snow Hotel with its arctic surroundings is a unique place. It is an
excellent way to experience the coldness of an arctic night. The
temperature in the hotel rooms is approximately -5°C, but guests
will have a good night's sleep in a warm Ajungilak sleeping bag. In
Mammut Snow Hotel there are 30
double
rooms, 2
group
rooms for five persons, and a suite
G
amirasu
is the name of an exquisitely restored eighteen-room cave house, in
Ayvali Village near Urgup in the heart of Cappadocia, Turkey. In
former times housing the cells of a prison, this ancient monastery is
steeped in history. A
luxurious cave accommodation in a traditional Cappadocian village.
EXAMPLE
We have decided to make our unusual accommodation from [name of structure]. This is a natural / built structure in an urban / rural setting. We are going to make serviced / self-catering accommodation and it's going to be...
(taken from Robin Walker and Keith Harding Oxford English for Careers. Tourism 1. Student ‘s book, p. 65)
Home task 8.