111

36 Nothing can match airplanes for speed and comfort, but

some people object to air travel. Read their possible objections and give your counter reasons (arguments) in favour of flying:

1. you take too great risk; b) modern airplanes fly too quickly and this is dangerous; c) flying is too expensive; d) planes are too fast and you don’t have time enough to acclimatize yourself to new surroundings and climate; e) you can’t see anything but clouds while travelling; f) you get airsick; g) it’s difficult to get air tickets at the height of summer season.

37 Make up a story for the following situation.

You’ve just arrived from... The flight has been your first journey by air and you are still feeling very excited about it. Now you are describing the journey to your parents (or friends) who have never been on an airplane yet.

38 Read the following two points of view. Which of the two do you share? What could you add to prove your point of view?

1. I like travelling by air best. I like getting to different places fast. I enjoy sensing the sudden changes in life and climate. Don’t you?

2. I like feeling the ground under my feet. Travelling by rail and road are my favourite ways of travelling. I quite enjoy travelling by sea too, but no one will tempt me into a plane if I can help it.

39 Why do people go these places at the airport?

Newstand, lost & found, currency exchange, restrooms, nursery, conces­sions, travel insurance, post office, car rentals.

40 Explain in English the meaning of.

a take-off, to cancel a flight, to put back a flight, an airfield, a runaway, an air-hostess, a port-hole, a non-stop flight, visibility is poor, an emergency landing, a luggage hold, a pilot.

41Complete the following sentences.

1. A special tag was tied to my bag at the airport when...

2. Visibility was poor, we...

3. They put back our flight by half-hour because...