3.2 City transport.

Vocabulary:

to go by bus, tram, underground, car – ехать на автобусе, трамвае, метро, машине

to hire/take/hail a taxi – нанять (поймать) такси

fare – плата за проезд

to pay a fare – платить за проезд

fare dodger – «заяц»

to travel free (free of charge) – не платить за проезд (ехать бесплатно)

to commute – ездить ежедневно на работу (особенно из пригорода в город).

a rush hour – час-пик

heavy traffic – затрудненное движение

a traffic jam – дорожная «пробка»

a road accident – ДТП

to lose one’s way – потеряться

to ask the way – спрашивать дорогу

to turn left, right – повернуть направо, налево

to walk ahead – идти прямо

to cross – пересекать

town centre – центр города

Task 1. Read the text and answer the questions below.

Our life becomes more and more rapid. That’s why transport is very important nowadays. Every morning millions of people throughout the world use different means of transport. They come to work by bus, tram, underground (Metro or “tube”, subway), car, and etc. Underground is the most popular means of transport among commuters in large cities (e.g. Moscow, St. Petersburg, London, New York and others). It runs very fast beneath certain parts of a city and you can use different lines and change the trains to get where you need.

When you use public transport you must pay a fare. Nowadays in many big cities it can be paid with the help of a plastic cards or mobile phone. But still many fare dodgers appear.

The heaviest traffic in a city is the traffic at rush hours. It’s a big problem to drive and park a car, because of traffic jams and road accidents. Big cities really suffer from noise and heavy traffic. It is really an international problem.

However, different countries have their typical means of public transport which become the national pride. For example, the red double-decker bus is one of the symbols of Great Britain. Traveling by bus is a good way to see London. In the United States one should take a yellow cab (American yellow taxi). And of course the underground in St. Petersburg is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. Marble decorations of its stations keep the Soviet-era spirit and attract many tourists from different parts of the world.

Questions:

1. What is the difference between public and private transport?

2. Have you ever gone by underground? Did you like it or not? Why?

3. Have you ever gone by public transport without paying a fare?

4. What are the main traffic problems in large cities?

5. What are the typical means of public transport in different countries?

6. What do you think about the means of transport in your city?

Task 2. Translate into English.

1. Был сильный дождь, поэтому нам пришлось взять такси.

2. Если ты потеряешься в большом городе, обратись к полицейскому и спроси дорогу.

3. Аварии и пробки в «час-пик» это обычное дело.

4. Хватит платить за проезд – покупай новую машину в кредит!

5. Когда я жил в пригороде, мне приходилось ездить на работу в город.

6. Чтобы добраться до центра города, вам необходимо сделать пересадку на следующей станции.

Task 3. Study the signs and explain their meanings¹.

ENTRANCE NO PARKING WАLK ! ЕХІТ НОURS:...TO... SMOKING SECTION PULL RESERVED NO PHOTOGRAPING PUSH BUS STOP NO SMOKING NO ENTRY АDMISSION FREE EMERGENCY EXIT SERVICE ENTRANCE STOP! DON’T WALK NO STOPPING ROAD CLOSED КЕЕР OFF THE GRASS Admission by ticket

Служебный вход / Проход (проезд) закрыт / Курить запрещается / Стоянка запрещена / Остановка запрещена / Идите / Место для курения / Открыто с… до… / Занято, забронировано / По газонам не ходить / Остановка автобуса / Стойте / Вход платный / Вход бесплатный / Запасной выход / Выход / Закрыто / Проход запрещен / От себя / Вход / На себя / Фотографировать запрещено.