7. Speaking Practice Everyday English

1. Shall we take a tram?

2. The tram will take us right there.

3. It takes the tram so long to come.

4. How long does it take you to get there by tram?

5. What tram do I take to reach the stadium?

6. We soon got tired of going by tram.

7. Can you tell me if there is a tram from the station to the hotel?

8. Here comes our tram!

9. Does the tram run to the suburbs?

10. The tram is packed full.

A. Double drill.

Student A translates the sentences into Ukrainian.

Student B renders them again into English.

B. Discussion.

Work with a partner. Why do people usually get tired of going by tram?

C. Make up a story of your own describing the tram being derailed.

Unit six. Trolleybusses

Pre-reading Activity

• If you had a choice of travelling around the city would you prefer a trolleybus to a tram? Why? Why not?

• Have the trolleybuses been in service in your city for a long time?

• What parts of Kharkiv can a trolleybus take you to?

Make sure you know these words:

CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) – СНД

steering wheel – кермове колесо

booster – бустер

steer – керувати (тролейбусом)

diminish – зменшити

alloy – сплав

1. Read the Text ***

Trolleybuses

The first trolleybuses appeared in 1933, and three years later they appeared in Petersburg, Kiev, Rostov-on-the-Don and Tbilisy. Trolleybuses were functioning in 91 cities by the end of 1968.

Today CIS holds the first place in the world for the development of trolleybus transport.

In 1936 trolleybuses were equipped with a pneumatic system for opening and shutting doors. Two years later the driver got an isolated cabin, the interior of the cabin was improved, and the speed increased. A year later trolleybuses raised their dynamic qualities.

For the first time in 1960 the production was started of ‘paired’ (linked) trolleybuses, which transported up to 160 passengers. Work on improving the trolleybuses continued.

In 1972 a new model of a trolleybus, having a number of advantages was released. The steering (driving) wheel, equipped with a hydraulic booster, made it easier to steer (drive) the bus. Technological innovations made it possible to cut down the number of breaks in contact lines. It was featured by a greater speed, better dynamic qualities and greater maneuverability. For the convenience of the passengers the model had three doors, and it did not diminish the seating capacity of a trolleybus.

Trolleybuses of today have an all-metal streamed body, an automatic control system, an improved finishing in the passenger saloon, good natural and artificial lighting, a system of ventilation which provides heating in winter, a greater passenger capacity.

The widespread employment of trolleybuses is decreasing air pollution. The trolleybuses must be made with fuller use of light alloys and plastics. The trolleybuses

will become still more efficient and comfortable.

Trolleybuses of today have