Travelling

1. Scan the text to the subject & answer the questions after the text:

Many people are fond of travelling since their childhood. Every child spends a large proportion of his time dreaming about trees, engines, seas, horses or some other subjects which have captured his imagination.

There are many ways of travelling. What method of travelling would you like best of all – by train, by air, by ship, by car, by bicycle or on foot?

Some people would speak in support of the train. They believe with a train one has speed, comfort and pleasure combined. From the comfortable corner seat of a railway carriage you have splendid view of the whole countryside. If you are hungry you can have a meal in the dining-car, and if the journey is a long one you can have a bed in a sleeper. Every railway travel starts at a station. There is always a movement, an excitement of people going away and those who are seeing others off. There are shouts of porters as they pull luggage trucks along platforms, crowds getting tickets at a booking office.

Of course, if you are short of time and have to travel a long distance you have better travel by air. Travelling by air is more convenient, more comfortable and far quicker than any other methods. There is none of the dust and dirt of the railway or car journey.

Some people like a sea voyage. They can breathe the rich sea air, look at the harbour. Some prefer to stay on deck, some remain in their cabins. They can enjoy a beautiful sunset at sea. People can see different towns, beautiful monuments, beautiful nature and places full of wonders. They learn more about people and their traditions.

Some people prefer travelling by car, others think that it's dangerous and pollutes the environment. Whatever your views, there's no doubt that travelling by car has both many advantages, and a lot of disadvantages. To begin with the speed, we can move quickly from one place to another. We don't have to waste our time and wait for a bus. It is very important, because we can travel wherever and whenever we want. Secondly, cars are always available and we can go everywhere. Moreover, we can also have a touring holiday when and where we want. On the other hand, travelling by car is not very comfortable for a driver. He cannot relax and he has to be careful all the time. Using a car is also very expensive. If you have a car you have to pay much money for petrol and services.

Travelling on foot has the advantages of quite the other sort. The traveller sees the real country, the wild flowers, the quietness and calm of nature.

After travelling people return home. East or West home is best.

1. What are the ways of travelling?

2. Why is travelling by train so comfortable?

3. When do people usually travel by air?

4. Why do people like a sea voyage?

5. Why is travelling by car so dangerous?

6. Is travelling on foot exciting?

2. Look through the dialogue and say:

- What is Alex’s favourite method of travelling? Why?

- What is Bert’s favourite method of travelling? Why?

- What is Cecil’s favourite method of travelling? Why?

- What is David’s favourite method of travelling? Why?

Alex: Personally I hate seeing people off. I prefer being seen off myself. I’m extremely fond of travelling and feel terribly envious of any friend who is going anywhere. I can’t help feeling I should so much like to be in his place.

Bert: But what method of travelling do you prefer?

Alex: For me there is nothing like travel by air; it is more comfortable, more convenient and of course far quicker than any other method. There is none of the dust and dirt of a railway or car journey, none of the trouble of change from train to steamer and to another train. Besides, flying is a thrilling thing. Don’t you agree?

Bert: I think I should like to say a word or two for trains. With a train you have speed comfort and pleasure combined. From the comfortable corner seat of a railway carriage you have a splendid view of the whole countryside. If you are hungry, you can have a meal in the dining-car; and if the journey is a long one you can have a wonderful bed in a sleeper. Besides, do you know any place that is more interesting than a big railway-station? There is the movement, the excitement, the gaiety of people going away or waiting to meet friends. There are the shouts of the porters as they pull luggage along the platforms to the waiting trains, the crowd at the booking-office getting tickets, the hungry and thirsty ones hurrying to the refreshment rooms before the train starts. No, really! Do you know a more exciting place than a big railway station?

Cecil: I do.

Alex: And that is?

Cecil: A big sea port. For me there is no travel so fine, as by ship. I love to feel the deck of the ship under my feet, to see the rise and fall of the waves, to feel the fresh sea wind blowing in my face and hear the cry of the sea-gulls. And what excitement, too, there is in coming into the harbour and seeing round us all the ships, steamers, cargo-ships, sailing ships, rowing boats.

Alex: Well, I suppose that’s all right for those that like it, but not for me. I’m always seasick, especially when the sea is a little bit rough.

Bert: I’ve heard that a good cure for seasickness is a small piece of dry bread.

Alex: Maybe; but I think a better cure is a large piece of dry land.

David: Well, you may say what you like about aeroplane flights, sea voyages, railway journeys or tours by car, but give me a walking tour any time. What does the motorist see of the country? But the walker leaves the dull broad highway and goes along little winding lanes where cars can’t go. He takes mountain paths through the shade of woods. He sees the real country, the wild flowers, the young birds in their nests, the deer in the forest; he feels the quietness and calm of nature. And besides, you are saving your railway fare travelling on foot. No one can deny that walking is the cheapest method of travelling. So I say: a walking tour is for me.