Vocabulary

ship – перевозка морем

cargo – груз

track – грузовик

freight – груз

crate – упаковочная корзина

tax relief – облегчение налогового бремени

damage – повреждение

insurance – страховка, страхование

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS

1. What problems must company consider exporting the goods?

2. In what way may goods be transported?

3. How are goods called when they are in transit?

4. Who insures the shipment?

5. How does government encourage export trade?

17. On the buses

Omnibuses were introduced in London in 1829. Horses pulled these carriages, and, because there were no bus stops, they stopped wherever you wanted them to – even on the other side of the road. At first, they carried 12 people who sat inside; but later the seats were put on the roof and the first double-decker buses were created.

The stairs to the top deck and the deck itself were protected from the wind and the rain. The basic design remained the same even when buses became motorized. The faults in the design became obvious and caused a public scandal when, in 1906, a bus lost control going downhill – ten people were swept off the deck by overhanging trees and killed.

However, buses were not allowed to have roofs because of extra weight. Before “London transport” was formed in 1933 to organize all the buses as well as underground trains, there were many private bus companies. Each company had a different color for its buses which also helped the public to know where it was going. Nowadays all London buses are red except the single-decker green buses which go out into the country. In 1951 many old buses were sold abroad – especially to Yugoslavia.

Since then buses have been modernized in many ways. The main improvement is that they are lower and have roofs (though it is impossible for a tall man to stand upstairs). The old open double-deckers are used as tourist attractions.

There is a very strict training course for all new drivers. Before they are allowed to drive through London, they have to be able to control a bus on a dangerous track which simulates all the worst conditions.

At this moment it is still very unusual for women to drive buses. A woman was employed as a bus driver in London for the first time in June 1974. The passengers reported she was a “wonderful driver”. Now the London bus service needs drivers badly.

Vocabulary

double-decker – двухэтажный автобус

to need badly – остро нуждаться

simulate – зд. имитировать

track – зд. Маршрут

ANSWER THE QUESTIONS

1. When were omnibuses introduced in London?

2. What differs London buses from other buses?

3. In what way were London buses modernized?

4. How are the old double-deckers used?

5. Do women drive buses in London?

18. Pubs in great britain

People say that pubs are as important as museums in Great Britain. Their long history has played a big role in shaping the customs and culture of this country. They have also become very popular in other European countries and all over the world.

English public houses or pubs are one of the characteristic features of British life. They are visited by members of every social class, both young and old, men and women. In London alone, there are nearly seven thousand pubs. Going to a different one every night for “a pint of beer” would take you around twenty years.

The most popular name for a pub is “The Red Lion”. You can find several types of beer and other drinks there. You can have a snack, play darts, billiards or discuss events of the day. In many pubs you can watch TV sports programs. Some pubs offer live music to listen to.

At present, there are about seventy-three thousand pubs in Great Britain. Many of them date back to the seventeenth or eighteenth century. All of them offer new guests a warm welcome and a nice, friendly atmosphere.

There are, however, a few rules which you must follow. For example, you should always order a drink in the pub. You should also know when to leave. There are always two bells to warn you to finish your drink – at 10.50 p.m. and at 11.00 p.m. You must leave the pub by 11.20 p.m.