Comprehension check

Ex 1. Read the sentences. Circle Т if the statement is true, circle F if the statement is false.

1. Heathrow has more international flights now than any international airport Т     F

2. Heathrow was built in 1944. Т      F

3. It became an international airport in 1952. Т      F

4. Heathrow was the name of the most important Anglo‑Saxon temple.

T      F

5. The first international flight from Heathrow was to Argentina. Т     F

6. Heathrow has problems because it is not big enough. Т      F

7. Gatwick and Stansted used to be military bases. Т      F

8. The Channel Tunnel started operating in 1994. T      F

9. It takes only 35 minutes to travel from London to Paris. Т      F

10. There are two classes of carriages on Euroshuttle trains – first and standard. T      F

11. The first passenger trains appear in Great Britain in 1825. Т      F

12. British Rail is the name of the biggest railway company in Great Britain. Т      F

13. It takes one about two hours to get from London to Wales by train now. T      F

14. Trains in Great Britain travel at speeds of 200–350 km per hour now. T      F

15. Everyone who buys a Railcard can travel at a discount. Т      F

Ex. 2. Find the words in the text that are similar to the following definitions.

1. Complex system of railways, rivers, canals, etc.

2. Of sound or consistent character or quality.

3. Edifice dedicated to accommodation or service of good (s).

4. Be controlled or determined by.

5. Cripple, deprive of or reduce power of acting.

6. Legally acceptable.

Travelling by Train Listening Comprehension Packing Up

Ex. 1. Now listen to the dialogue and answer the questions:

Why is Norman's mother fussing?

What things go to the suit case the last moment?

What is a label?

Where did Norman put his passport?

Who is meeting Norman at the airport?

When is Norman coming back?

Ex. 2. Think about the clothes you would pack:

for one week holiday in Spain;

for two week's business trip in London in spring;

for a skiing holiday in Sweden.

make a list of the clothes you had in your suitcase.

Text 3 4.50 from Paddington

Mrs. L. panted along the platform in the wake of the porter carrying her suit‑case. Mrs. L. was burdened with a large quantity of parcels, the result of a day's Christmas shopping. The race was, therefore, an uneven one.

No 1 platform was not at the moment unduly crowded, a crowd was rushing in several directions at once, to and from undergrounds, left‑luggage offices, tea‑rooms, inquiry offices, indicator‑boards, and the two outlets, Arrival and Departure, to the outside world.

Mrs. L. and her parcels arrived eventually at the entrance to No 3 Platform. She searched her bag for the ticket that would enable her to pass the stern uniformed guardian at the gate. At last Mrs. L. found her ticket and presented it. The man clipped it and murmured: "On the right‑rear portion".

Mrs. L. went up the platform and found her porter outside the door of a third‑class carriage.

"Here you are, lady"

"I'm travelling first‑class" said Mrs. L.

"You didn't say so" grumbled the porter.

The porter retrieved the suit‑case and marched with it to the coach where. Mrs. L. was installed in solitary splendour. Mrs. L. handed the porter his tip which he received with disappointment clearly considering it more applicable to third‑class than to first‑class travel.

Notes:

pant – тяжело дышать, пыхтеть

in the wake – по пятам

Comprehension check

Ex. 1. Answer the questions.

1. Why was Mrs. L. burdened with a large quantity of parcels?

2. Where was a crowd rushing to and from?

3. Who is allowed to pass the uninformed guardian at the gate to a platform?

4. Where did Mrs. L. find her porter?

5. Was the porter satisfied with his tip?

6. What class was Mrs. L. travelling?

Ex. 2. Find in the text equivalents to the following words and phrases.

1. чемодан; 2) носильщик; 3) поезд; 4) толпа; 5) камера хранения; 6) справочное бюро; 7) указательное табло; 8) прибытие; 9) отправление 10) вход; 11) компостировать (билет); 12) вагон третьего класса.

Ex. 3. Translate the words and phrases given in brackets.

1. Mrs. G. (была нагружена) with a large quantity of (пакетов) and bags. 2) She (рылась в) her bag for (билет) that would enable her to pass the gate No. 3 Platform. 3) (Выход на платформу) was guarded by (служащим в форме). 4) (Носильщик) took her (чемодан) and marched with it to the (следующий вагон). 5) He considered the tip more applicable to (путешествующих в третьем классе, чем в первом классе).

Ex. 4. Fill in the prepositions or adverbs where necessary.

1. Mrs. G. hurried ... the platform accompanied ... a porter carrying her baggage. 2. The Platform was ... the moment crowded. 3. The crowd was rushing ... different directions. 4. She was burdened ... a large quantity of parcels. 5. She searched ... her bag ... the ticket. 6. Only ... a ticket could she pass ... the uniformed guard ... the gate. 7. The man ordered: "... right, ... the rear portion." 8. She could hardly move ... the platform ... her carriage. 9. The porter was waiting ... the door ... a third‑class car. 10. Mrs. G handed ... the porter his tip which he received ... disappointment.

Ex. 5. Match the words and phrases in column A with those in column B.

A

• trunk

• a piece of luggage

• luggage rack

• single ticket

• day coach

• dining car

• run on schedule

• time‑table

B

• идти по расписанию

• багажная полка

• вагон‑ресторан

• расписание (на стене)

• место (багажа)

• вагон с местами для сидения

• большой чемодан, сундук

• билет в один конец

Ex. 6. Get ready and discuss one of the following topics.

• Your first/ last travelling by railway.

• A big railway station

• An embarrassing experience (real or imaginary) that you have had at the railway station.

Ex. 7. Describe a journey you have taken on public transport which was delayed or canceled. Say:

• Where have you bought your ticket

• What kind of ticket it was

• Why you were delayed

• What you did about it

• What the transport company / authority did about it

• How long the journey took altogether.