Learn to Speak English. Методическое пособие для студентов всех специальностей дневного отделения - Асафова Г. К. , Матр

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Where is the crossing?

Is there a city information center? Where is the city information center?

Is there a subway station (post office, coffee shop, McDonalds) near here? This way, sir.

It’s only a short way to the square. It’s a long way from here.

Which is the best way there?

You are going in the opposite way (direction). I can’t find my way in.

Which is the way out? Are you going my way?

Shall I see you part of the way?

He lives over the way (on the other side of the road). It is an out-of-the-way place (corner).

The taxi-driver brought us a long way round, not by the shortest way. Where does the road lead?

You may go by either road. You’ve mistaken the road. May I help you over the road? Are we on the right road?

On turning the corner you’ll see that the road descends steeply. The road slopes to the sea by a gradual descent.

The roads are slick (slippery) with wet mud.

The motor-car skidded (slipped sidewise) on the wet road. It’s a long distance off.

It’s no distance at all.

It’s quite a distance from here. Oh, some distance.

He lives within easy distance from his office.

My house is within walking distance from the University.

VII. SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

1.Add a beginning (begin with: May I ask you…, Be so kind as to…, will you please…, Would you please…, Could I trouble you for…):

(1)—…

---You may go by either road.

(2)---…

---Not that way. The information booth is over there.

(3)---…

---It’s a long distance off. You’d better take a bus.

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(4)---…

---Sure it is. We can’t do better than take a taxi.

(5)--- …

---Certainly it is, but if you walk, you’ll have to give yourself half an hour to get there in time.

(6)---…

---It’s at the other end of the town.

(7)---…

---It’s a stone’s throw from here.

2.Complete the following sentences according to the given model: If you want to get to the hostel quickly… (взять такси)

If you want to get to the hostel quickly, you can’t do(any) better than take a taxi/

You should better take a taxi/ you had better take a taxi.

(1)If you don’t want to be lost…(обратиться к девушке в справочном бюро).

(2)If you want to ask the way… (обратиться к милиционеру).

(3)If you don’t want to miss the house…(идти прямо).

(4)If you want to get to the café… (дойти до площади и повернуть направо).

(5)If you want to reach the taxi-stand quickly…(выходить из вокзала с правой стороны).

(6)If you want to get off at your destination…(попросить кондуктора высадить вас у площади).

(7)If you want to get there in time… (выходить за полчаса).

3. Make up dialogues, using expressions from sections IV and V.

Lesson 18.

BUYING GAS

I. NOTE

While it is still possible to find full-service gasoline stations in the U.S., they are being replaced increasingly by self service outlets where you pump your own gas. At some service stations, you have the option of pumping the gas yourself or having an attendant do it for you. Usually, the price per gallon of gas is considerably higher at a full service pump.

Most service stations accept credit cards for payment, including Visa and MasterCard. Be sure to ask about this before filling up your car.

Unleaded gasoline is now required for all cars manufactured in the U.S. There are various grades of octane levels of gas. You will usually find such names as “Premium” or “Super” (highest octane level) and “Regular” for the lower octane level.

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II. DIALOGUE

Service Station Attention: Regular or super unleaded?

You: Regular, please. Could you also check the oil and the tires? (You read the instructions for Washington.)

Service Station Attention: Your oil is down a bit. Shall I put in a quart? You: OK. Would you mind cleaning the windshield, too?

Service Station Attention: Sure. Where are you headed?

You: To Washington. I’ve got to do some research there. I know nothing about the city.

Service Station Attention: It’s a great place — lots of good restaurants, museums, and stores. How long will you be there?

You: I’m not sure yet. Probably several days.

Service Station Attention: Have a safe trip! And don’t miss the Smithsonian!

(The instruction for Washington look complicated. And you still have to go to Chicago and the West coast! As you drive away, you wonder whether you’ll be able to collect your inheritance after all.)

III. GRAMMAR EXERCISES

1. In this exercise you have to read the situation and then write a sentence with the present perfect continuous (I have been doing).

Example: Tom is out of breath. (he/run)

...He has been running...

1 Ann is very tired. (she/work/hard) ...

2 Bob has a black eye and Bill has a cut lip. (Bob and Bill/fight)...

3 George has just come back from the beach. He is very red.

(he/lie/ in the sun) ...

4 Janet is hot and tired. (she/play/tennis) ...

2. This time you have to ask a question for each situation.

Example: Your friend’s hands are covered in oil. (you/work/on the car?)

...Have you been working on the car? ...

1 You see a little boy. His eyes are red and watery. (you/cry?) ...

2 You have just arrived to meet your friend who is waiting for you.

(you/wait/long?) ...

3 Your friend comes in. His face and hands are very dirty. (what/you/do?) ...

3. This time you have to imagine that you are talking to a friend. Read the situation and ask a question beginning in the way shown.

Example: Your friend is learning Arabic.

4. In this exercise you have to read a situation and then write a sentence.

Example: The two boys came into the house. One had a black eye and the

other had a cut lip. (they/fight)

...They had been fighting...

know where she was. (she/dream) ...

IV. IDIOMS

Gas UP

(to fill up one’s gasoline tank with gasoline; informal)

I have to stop at the next service station and gas up.

The next time you gas up, try some of the gasoline with alcohol in it.

Run out of Gas

(run out of energy; lose momentum; run out of petrol)

We can’t go any further. We are running out of gas.

What a day! We’ve been working since morning, and I’m really running out of

gas.

This electric clock runs out of gas. I’ll have to get a new one.

Add Fuel to the Fire/ Flame (to make a problem worse)

To spank a crying child just adds fuel to the fire.

Bill was shouting angrily, and Bob tries to get him to stop by laughing at him. Of course that was just adding fuel to the flame.

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V. USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

Where is the nearest gas station?

I want ... gallons of gas

I need some oil

Fill it, please

Six gallons of regular, please

Five dollars worth of regular, please

Put some water in the radiator

Please put some antifreeze in

Wash the car, please

Put air in the tires, please

Change the tire, please

Change the spark plugs, please

I want the oil changed

I’d like the windshield cleaned

Will you check the tires?

I think the tires are low on air

Check the oil, please

Please check the battery

Can you charge the battery?

What’s the gas mileage?

What kind of gas does it take?

VII. SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

1.Explain what kinds of gasoline stations exist in the USA.

2.Speak on the differences in services at the gas stations in the USA and in Russia.

3.Make up dialogues, using expressions from sections

Lesson 19.

YOUR CAR BREAKS DOWN

I. NOTE

Many Americans now have telephones in their cars. Increasingly, you will see people driving while holding a telephone. Some are concerned that it is unwise to drive engage in a telephone conversation at the same time. Those who have car telephones defend their use by saying that they actually drive more slowly and cautiously, because they are not in such hurry to get to the office to return their phone calls.

Throughout the U.S., the number 911 has been recognized as an emergency telephone number. By dialing 911, you can report your whereabouts and a lifethreatening situation. Fire, police, or medical personnel are then dispatched depending on the circumstances.

II. DIALOGUE

You: I don’t know what’s wrong. It’s a rental car. Maybe I should call the emergency number of the agency.

Motorist: Can I give you a lift to the next exit? (You notice that he has a telephone in his car.)

You: If you don’t mind, I think I’ll call the rental agency. Motorist: Not at all. Go right ahead.

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(You dial the emergency number. The agent who answers tells you to have your car towed to the nearest garage. They will reimburse the garage for any parts and labor. You hang up.)

You: Thanks. Can you drop me off at the Exxon station at the next exit? Motorist: No problem. You’re not from around here are you?

You: No, I’m not an American. I’m visiting the U.S. for the first time. I’ve been to Atlanta, Georgia, and now I’m on my way to your nation’s capital.

Motorist: You mean Washington? You: That’s right.

Motorist: I’ve never been there. I’d like to go there one day. They say it’s a lovely city. Hope the rest of your trip goes well!

III.GRAMMAR EXERCISES

1.In this exercise you have to make sentences with

The next three sentences are past. Examples: “Do you know if he was serious?”

“...I’m not sure. He might have been serious...”

“Do you know if they were looking?”

“...I’m not sure. They may have been looking...”

5 “Do you know if she was ill?” “I’m not sure. She ...” 6 “Do you know if she told anybody?” “I ...”

7 “Do you know if they were listening?” “...”

And now you have to use may not or might not.

Example: “Is Jack in his office?”

“...I’m not sure. He might not be in his office...”

8 “Does she want to go?” “...”

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9 “Is he telling the truth?” “...”

10 “Are they ready?” “...”

2. In this exercise you have to talk about your (and other people’s)future plans. But you are not sure what is going to happen. Use may or might. Example: Where are you going for your holidays? (to Italy???)

I haven’t finally decided but ...I may (or might) go to Italy...

1 What sort of car are you going to buy? (a Mercedes???)

I’m not sure yet but I ...

2 What are you doing this weekend? (go to London???)

I don’t know for sure but ...

3 Where are you going to hang that picture? (in the dining-room???)

I haven’t made up my mind yet but ...

4 When is Tom coming to see us? (tomorrow evening???)

I’m not sure but ...

5 What’s Jill going to do when she leaves school? (a secretarial course???)

She hasn’t decided yet but ...

3. This time you have to talk about possible happenings. Use the word(s)in brackets. Examples: Do you think it will rain this afternoon? (may)

...It may rain this afternoon...

Do you think Ann will come to the party? (might not)

...She might not come to the party...

1 Do you think Tom will be late? (may) He ...

2 Do you think Ann will be able to find our house? (might not) She ...

3 Do you think there’ll be an election this year? (might) There ...

4 Do you think Tony will pass the exam? (may not) ...

5 Do you think they’ll be waiting for us when we arrive? (might) ...

6 Do you think it’ll snow later? (may) ...

IV. IDIOMS

Smell a Rat

(feel that something is wrong)

How come the front door is open? Didn’t you close it before we went shopping?

I’m sure I did. I can’t understand it. Frankly, I smell a rat.

Me, too. I’m convinced that something is definitely wrong here.

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We’d better call the police.

Go to the Dogs (become run-down)

Have you seen their house lately? It’s really gone to the dogs.

It’s true that it has become run-down and in serious need of repair, but I’m sure that it can be fixed up to look like new.

I guess with a little carpently work and some paint it could look pretty decent.

Take the Bull by the Horns

(take decisive action in a difficult situation)

Julie had always felt that she was missing out on a lot of fun because of her clumsiness on the dance floor. She had been putting off taking lessons, but she finally took the bull by the horns and went to a professional dance studio for help. She was tired of feeling left out and acted decisively to correct the situation.

Hot Under the Collar (extremely angry)

Did you see how Bill came in to work this morning? Did I ever! Boy, was he hot under the collar! What brought that on?

He said that he was extremely angry because he got stuck in slow-moving traffic and arrived late for an important business meeting.

All’s Well That Ends Well

(a successful outcome is worth the effort)

Hi, Benito. How are things going?

Well, everything’s OK now. Remember that teaching job for which I applied? Yes, I sure do.

Well, I was finally hired, but I had a bit of a rough time before I got it. Between all that paperwork and all those interviews, I’m all worn out. Thank goodness it’s all over.

Great! All’s well that ends well. After all that you went through, I’m happy to hear that things finally turned out satisfactorily for you.

Yes, I’m happy, too. It was really worth the effort.

V. USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

Trouble on the road

I have a problem with my car

I want to phone a garage

I have trouble with my car. Can you help me?

We must call the police about this accident