Backpacker’s top tips!

1) Are you going backpacking? Travelling around the world? How many things should you take? And what should you carry them in?

2) Most people realise that carrying things in a big suitcase is a really bad idea. But is a big rucksack any better? Travel writer Hilary Bradt doesn’t think so. ‘Anyone who has stood on a crowded bus or train wearing a backpack knows how annoying it is. You take up three times more room than normal. And every time you turn round you knock someone over!’

3) So what’s the answer? It’s called a travel sack. A travel sack is a big bag which you can carry like a suitcase. But it also has straps so you can wear it like a rucksack. A travel sack often has a smaller daypack for things like bottles of wafer when you go sightseeing.

4) How much stuff can you take in your travel sack? Experienced travellers suggest you first put all things you want to take in a cardboard box. Then choose only a third of them! And remember, it’s not just a question of how many things you pack. You should also think about how much they weigh.

5) Don’t wear cotton next to your skin. Anything made of 100% cotton is not a good idea – cotton absorbs water and takes a very long time to dry. Get a new polyester T-shirt instead. Many travellers wear jeans, which are strong but also take a very long time to dry. It’s better to take polyester-cotton trousers – easy to wash and dry, and much smarter.

6) Many people think that a wool sweater is the best way to keep warm, but wool also absorbs a lot of water. The modern alternative is a fleece. When it rains, an ordinary raincoat is no good because it’s too heavy. Take a lightweight waterproof jacket instead.

9.17. Find the underlined words in the title and the text (activity 9.15) which mean:

1. pullover	6. does not let water through
2. things on a rucksack which go over your shoulders	7. full of people
3. suggestions	8. small rucksack for use in the day
4. cloth made from artificial material	9. takes in
5. tourist who travels cheaply	10. (group of) things

9.18. What do you pack when you go on holiday? Make a list of items.

9.19. Read the text below and decide which answer A, B, C or D best fits each space.

Drayton manor park

What makes a visit to Drayton Manor the best-value family day out in Britain? The park (1) …… in over 250 acres of magnificent parkland, and you’ll find an amazing thrill-a-minute theme park with more exciting rides than you could possibly imagine. It (2) …… for everyone from children to grandparents. There is a fabulous 15-acre zoo, a fun-packed Children’s Corner, life-size dinosaurs, (3) …… entertainment and snack stops. In fact, (4) …… enjoyment where the whole family can (5) …… fun at affordable prices. Drayton Manor (6) …… a spectacular zoo filled with animals of all shapes and sizes. Also in the (7) ……, there is Europe’s only stand-up roller coaster with its 40-metre drop, and the make-believe world of Cowboy Town, where you can (8) …… the Rio Grande Railway or colourful horses.

(9) …… are available throughout the park at different locations for when you need a snack. Groups are welcome and there is a fixed (10) …… price for parties of more than 27. Unlike other theme parks, prices are not (11) …… to change, although the management reserves the right to close rides for technical reasons. This exciting (12) …… is open from March to November each year.

1. A) locates В) is parked С) stands D) is lying

2. A) suggests В) offers С) caters D) looks

3. A) live В) living С) life D) alive

4. A) fast-stop В) never-stopping С) non-stop D) unstoppable

5. A) involve В) pay С) interact D) have

6. A) locates В) builds С) houses D) provides

7. A) grounds В) location С) area D) landscape

8. A) ride В) drive С) mount D) trek

9. A) Crafts В) Refreshments С) Wildlife D) Sights

10. A) entry В) enter С) entrance D) exit

11. A) open В) subject С) according D) able

12. A) venue В) thrill С) settlement D) leisure

9.20. Fill in the gaps with the words from the box:

occupy / clear / beauty / pasture / largest / highest / lies / cropping