Getting about town Dialogue 1

• Excuse me, what is the name of this bridge?

• It's Palace Bridge. You are new here, aren't you?

• Not quite. I was in St. Petersburg some years ago on a short visit. Can you tell me some words about that grey building to the right?

• Oh, it's the Peter and Paul Fortress. It is the first stone building of St.Petersburg.

• And what's the name of that wonderful garden opposite it across the Neva?

• It's the famous Summer Garden.

• And that green-and-white building is the Winter Palace, isn't it?

• Right you are. That's the world-known Hermitage. And if you look to the left you'll see the building of St.Petersburg University.

• And opposite the University you can see St.Isaac's Cathedral. Am I right?

• Yes, you are. Do you know the monument in front of it?

• Oh, sure, it's the monument to Peter the Great, the Bronze Horseman.

• And now, have a look at this yellow building. It's the Admiralty. Its spire is one of the symbols of St. Petersburg.Oh, thanks a lot. Can you help me with some advice?

• Most willingly.

• I'm here only for a couple of days. What places off interest shall I see first?

• Well, first of all I'd recommend you to visit the Russian museum, the Mariinsky Opera and Ballet Theatre and the suburbs of St. Petersburg: Pushkin and Pavlovsk. If I you stay here over the weekend I'd be able to show you round the city.

• Oh, it's so kind of you. By the way, how much is the fare in public transport?

-... roubles on a bus and ... roubles on the metro, I Here is my telephone number. If you have time for sightseeing give me a ring, please.

• Thanks. I'll do it by all means. Good-buy.

• See you.

Dialogue 2

• Excuse me, can you tell me the way to Trafalgar square?

• Certainly. Go dow n Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus and then go down the Haymarket. Turn to the left at the bottom and in less than a minute you'll be in Trafalgar square.

• Thank you very much. How far is it from here?

• If you walk, it'll take you ten minutes or a quarter of an hour.

• Is there a bus?

• There's sure to be. But you'd better ask the policeman over there. He'll give you all the information you want.

-Thank you.

• Excise me, officer, is there a bus from here to Trafalgar square?

• Yes, sir, any bus'll take you. There's a bus stop just over there. Ask the conductor to put you down at Trafalgar square.

(From the "Linguaphone Conversation Course")

Exercise 1 Answer the following questions.

1. What is the name of your home town? 2. What are the most interesting sights of your home town? 3. Have you ever been to St. Petersburg? 4. What sights of St. Petersburg do you know? 5. What is your favourite place of interest in St.Petersburg? 6. What do you know about the Hermitage? 7. What is your favourite museum? theatre? cinema? 8. Have you ever been to London? 9. Do you know any place of interest in London? 10. What place of interest in London would you like to see?

Exercise 2. Read the text below. Pick out all the words referring to getting about town.

People use various means of communication to get from one place to another. When getting about town one can go by bus, by tram, by trolley-bus or by the underground. The underground in St. Petersburg is very popular with the citizens.It's the fastest and most convenient way of going about town. If you have to-travel a short distance you may take a bus, a tram, a trolley-bus or go on foot, if there is no direct bus to your destination you'll have to change on to another bus (trolley-bus, tram). When we travel on buses (trams, etc.) we have to pay fare. It's ... roubles and it doesn't depend on the distance you go. If there are many cars, buses and trolley-buses in the town we say that the traffic is heavy. If the vehicles are few we say that the traffic is light. The traffic is especially heavy in the j rush hour, that is in the morning when people are hurrying to work and in the evening when people are coming back home. At this time the public transport is overcrowded (packed to the full).

Exercise 3. Read and memorize the words. Consult the dictionary.

1. avenue, boulevard, bystreet, canal, crossroad, embankment, garden, highway, park, prospect,pavement, sidewalk;

2. block of flats, mansion, palace, hostel, boarding house, couritry house (cottage);

3. capital, centre, suburbs, district, region, area.

Exercise 4. Read and translate the following street signs and inscriptions.

Department Store, Supermarket, Shop, Postoffiсе, Сinema-house, Soft drinks, Savings Bank, Bank, Philarmonic Society, Snack Bar, Bakery, Grocery, Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall, Penny-in-the slot Cafe, Mince Pies, Research Institute, Ice cream Cafe, Canteen, Cafeteria, Restaurant, Periodicals, Show Sale, Stalls, Chemist's, First Aid; Picture Gallery, Fine Arts Museum Drama and Comedy Theatre, Greengrocery, Florist's,: Library, Art Saloon, Dressmaker's Shop, Hairdresser's, Public Gardren.

Exercise 5. Make up short dialogues according to the example. Use the words from ex. 4.

Example:- Can you tell me the way

to the nearest...

• Yes, of course. Go down...

• (Sorry, I can't. I'm new here).

Exercise 6. Read the public notices given below. Say in what place (the right hand column) you can see them.

1. No Smoking.

2. Please, Do Not Feed the Animals, As Unsuitable Zoo Food Will Make Them 111.

1. Passengers Are Requested Not To Alight Whilst the Vehicle Is bus In Motion

2. Meals, Snacks 24 Hours Service café, park

5. Used Cars shop

6. Walking On the Grass Is For­ hotel bidden

7. Red Horse private garden

8. Works Of Art are Seriously Da maged By Repeated Touching museum the gates of

9. Mind Your Head When Rising the house From Seat

10. Ticket Box theatre

11. Please Make Use Of The Litter Bins

11. These Animals Are Dangerous

11. Please Do Not Feed Animals. It is Unkind And Unnecessary street

11. Beware Of The Dog

11. Cloak Room (Articles May Be Left There Only At The Owner's Risk) cinema

11. Books And Mags

11. Please Do Not Invite Crime By Placing Handbags Or Any Other Objects On The Floor

18. Cross Here 19 Taxi Stand street-crossing

20. Bus Stop

21. Say Thank You By Our Flowers.

Exercise 7. Read the sentences below. Find their equivalents in the right-hand column.