Test topics

V term

1. Traffic rules and signs.

2. Symbols for danger warning.

3. Prohibitory or restrictive signs.

4. Mandatory signs.

5. Signs giving notice which may be useful to road users.

6. Additional panel.

7. Traffic rules in Ukraine.

8. Right-hand and left-hand traffic.

9. Speed limits.

10. Parking. Modes of parking.

11. Traffic light.

12. Motorway and Main highways.

13. Seat belts and child restraint system.

14. On the road.

VI term

1. Tourist routs.

2. Southern trans-European motorway Western border – Kyiv – on the section Vinnytsia – Kyiv.

3. A tour from Moscow – Kharkov – Yalta.

4. L’viv – Brody motorway.

5. A tour Kharkov – Kyiv – Lvov – Uzhgorod.

6. L’viv – Krakovets motorway.

7. A tour Odessa – Kyiv.

APPENDIX

Old Cars

By John Haycraft

George is very proud of the second-hand car he's just bought.

He's taking Elvira for a drive.

George: What do you think of my car?

Elvira: Well, she goes.

George: Yes, of course. I wouldn't have bought her if she didn't.

Elvira: Well, she seems a good sort of car to me. She's got gears and – let me look – yes, a hand­brake.

George: Oh, don't be funny, Elvira, I know that. But don't you find her comfortable? And the engine makes the right kind of noise. You know, I feel very proud of her.

Elvira: Of course, I understand, darling George. It's the first time you've had a car!

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George: It isn't.

Elvira: Isn't it?

George: No, I once had a 1930 Austin. I got it for only 20 pounds sterling and called her Minnie. She was wonderful. The only trouble was that I was never sure when I started on a journey that I would get to the other end.

Elvira: There are more second-hand cars in En­gland than in most countries. These strange old vintage cars. I know – it's the Englishman and pity. You just don't like to see an old car die. And the older it is the more your friends like you for it. Keep that old car ali­ve – getting down on your back under it on a main road, getting your best suit sprinkled with oil. And in a land where conversation is so difficult it's such a good subject to talk about: "My old car. It's over thirty years old..." Or: "My old dog. You know I think it's got asthma..." What would you do without them?

George: (firmly) I don't like you when you're in one of your sarcastic moods.

Elvira: I'm sorry, George.

George: Then, Elvira, I had a car which perhaps was haunted.

Elvira: (laughing) No, that's too good to be true! A car with ghosts!

George: No, but seriously. The car had an acci­dent in which the driver had been killed. It had been re­paired, of course.

Elvira: And?

George: It was strange driving it. There was this feeling of someone there trying to make me have an acci­dent.

Elvira: And did you?

George: Almost. Suddenly when I had put her in second gear I would find she was in fourth. I would put the handbrake on ' and then it would suddenly be off. I would turn the steering wheel to left and she would go to right.

Elvira: Dear George! You'd bought a very bad car.

George: But she passed the road test. And at gara­ges no one could find anything wrong with her.

George: (coldly) Weill, I don't know why I am tak­ing you out for a drive.

Elvira: But we can't go back. We've been in this traffic jam for twenty minutes and we'll be here at least another half hour. A bicycle is quicker than a car in this country!

Testing a New Car

Mr.Vio1ini: What do you think of this car?

Mr.Warski: Altogether, I've formed a high opinion of it.

Mr. Violini: This car has already been given a long trial on your roads. Although your highways...

Mr.W a r s k i:Trunk roads, you mean?

Mr.Violini: National roads are another term, in fact. But what I want to say is that I congratulate you on having good main roads. Coming back to this little ve­hicle, what do you think of its seats?

Mr.Warski: I must say the seating position at the wheel is well designed for control and good visibili­ty, but...

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Mr. V io1ini: But?

Mr.Warski: ...but the passenger on the back seat has no centre armrest when the car is turning first one way and then the other on mountain roads.

Mr.Vio1ini: You can be sure that I'll report about it at Torino. Any more remarks?

Mr.Warski: It's a pity there are no pockets in the door as they are really needed when on tour.

Mr.Violini: I agree with you. But door-pockets can be added.

Mr.Warski: Now, as no luggage boot is available in this type of car, it's a pity that there's no roof rack.

Mr. Violini: There are suitable roof racks. The roof rack can be fitted and detached quickly and easily.

Mr.Warski: That's good because the motorist in Poland makes great use of it when he takes his holiday tour. Be careful now, we're approaching a roundabout.

Mr.Violini: What's your opinion about the car's steering?

Mr.Warski: Oh, it's light. What is more, a strong self-centring action is very helpful on twisty and curve roads. But the suspension is a little too hard and this was felt on a bumpy part of our route.

MrViolini: Some sections of today's route were bumpy. What about brakes?

Mr.Warski: They are good descents from the Morskie Oko.

Mr.Violini: Beg pardon?

Mr.Warski: I mean from that Lake we saw this morning.

Mr.Violini: I see. It's good that it was raining when we were going back to Zakopane.

Mr.Warski: Why? You did not see our pleasant mountain views.

Mr.Violini: That's true, but you had a chance of convincing yourself that the wipers performed well and that this car is really weatherproof.

A Driving Lesson

After great discussion Mr. Howard agreed to teach his wife to drive their car. They go out to a quiet place of the main road, and Mr. Howard pulls up.

Mr. Howard: Now, pay attention, I shall explain everything to you. Here, at my feet, are three pedals – the clutch on the left, then the foot brake and the accele­rator on the right. Here is the gear lever. Now, I first of all make sure that the gear lever is in neutral position, then I switch on the ignition and press the starter. (The engine begins to tick gently). I now let in the clutch and engage first gear. Then, while gently, letting out the clutch I gradually press down the accelerator. (The car starts to move forward). Now we'll change places and see if you can do that. (He stops the car).

Mrs. Howard: It seems easy enough. (She switches on the engine, gets into first gear and lets out the clutch. The car gives a jolt and stops).

Mr. Howard: You didn't accelerate. Try again! Don't look at your feet! Watch the road ahead! We were nearly in the ditch that time.

Mrs. Howard: What do I do now?

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Mr. Howard: Get into second gear! There it is. Don't let out the clutch so suddenly! Oh, my poor engine! Now change up to third! That's better. Keep to the left! A car behind is going to overtake us. Now, brake gently, get into neutral and stop!

Mrs. Howard: I think that's enough for today,

Mr. Howard: So do I.

A Joy-Ride

George: Hello you, Tom!

Tom: George! My Lord! It's you, isn't it?

George: My very self. How do you do, Tom?

Tom: Pretty well. And how goes the world with you?

George: Getting along all right. I say, Tom, let's go for a spin in the car.

Tom: In the car? What car?

George: We have bought a car.

Tom: You don't say so!?

George: Really. Well? What about Saturday at, let's say, 4o'clock?

Tom: Why, that would be fine! And couldn't we pick up Fred and Ann?

George: Why, yes! You'll let them know, won't you? I'll bring the car over to your place at about four then.

Tom: All right.

***

George: Well, here we are. Hello, everybody.

All: Hello, George.

George: Well, come on. Get into the car, all of you.

Ann: I say, George, may I take the front seat?

George: Certainly! Well? All in?

Tom: Yes. Step on it, George.

George: Where do you want me to take you to?

To m: Get out of town on to the highway first.

Fred: Well, it is fine, Tom isn’t it? I say, George, what does the speedometer show?

George: Sixty.

Fred: Sixty miles an hour. That’s great!

Tom: What about taking to the right, George?

George: No. The road's bumpy there. Last Sunday we got stuck somewhere near here.

Tom: All right. Go straight. – What’s that?

George: People call it a puncture.

Ann: A puncture? What are we going to do now? Shall we have to walk back all this way?

George: Don't fret, Ann. Everything will be right in two minutes. Well, lads, we'll have to be snappy. You, Tom, get the jack. Do you know with it?

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Tom: Yes. To lift the car, I suppose.

George: That's, right. You, Fred, get out the spare wheel. And you, Ann, go and pick flowers. In ten minutes we'll be on move again.

Tom: (after some time) Well, George? Everything's fixed up, isn't it?

George: Yes. You go and call Ann. Put in the wheel, Fred, while I fill the radiator.

Ann: You were rather quick, lads. Which way are we going now?

George: Let's go as far as N. and then go back.

A n n: Good.

George: Well? How did enjoy the joy-ride?

All: It was fine, George. Thanks very match.

George: Not at all.

The Joys Of Motoring

By H. Andrews

(Jane and Robert are taking their friend Barbara for a ride in Robert's car.)

Jane: Oh, Robert! Can't you drive more carefully?

Robert: I'm sorry. According to the map this is sup­posed to be an "A" road but it has not been repaired for a long time.

J a n e: Are you sure it's just the road, Robert? Per­haps the tyres need pumping up.

Robert: They we're all checked this morning at the garage. Oh, dash it! Sorry. I think I had better have a look at them. May be we have got a flat (the car stops and all get out).

Jane: Look, Robert, this tyre's flat. It must be a puncture.

Robert: I suppose it'll have to be changed. I hope I'll manage. It looked so easy when the man at the gara­ge did it. Jane, you'd better help me with the jack.

Jane: Oh, I think I'd better prepare lunch, Robert. I can't crawl under cars.

Robert: As usual I'm to do the unpleasant job, I sup­pose. Give me a drink at least.

Jane: Where's the beer?

Robert: I think it was packed in the boot.

Jane: I'll get it out in a minute. How are you getting on with the wheel?

Robert: All in good time, all in good time! Rome wasn't built in a day, you know. Will you give me some beer?

Jane: Oh, Robert, something terrible has happened. The bottle wasn't closed properly and all the beer's run out. You'll have to have tea.

Robert: Tea? That's not a man's drink!

Barbara: Tea is said to be a very good stimulant. Much better for drivers than alcohol.

Robert: Well, what's to be done! Drinking tea at a picnic! There, that's the wheel back on. Let's be off! (Ro­bert starts the car). Strange, it doesn't seem to be better. There must be something wrong. I'll have to get out and have another look. (Robert stops the car and gets out). Oh, dash it. The spare tyre must have had a puncture as well.

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Jane: You simply forgot to pump it up, Robert.

Robert: Well, so I did.

***

New Traffic Rules in India

New traffic rules have been introduced in India. There must be an electric lamp on every elephant. The owner of the elephant must light the lamp in the evening. Tho­se who do not want to do it have to pay a fine.

Safe Driving Problems

Safety problems are very important. Statistics show that the USA lost more people as a result of motor acci­dents than there were on the American war casualty list in WW2. The joke was known at that time: ”If Hitler knew how heavy our losses were from motor accidents, he would switch the whole of Germany’s industry to pro­duce motor cars for America and win the war”.

There is much competition in wit in “Drive Safe” Signs on motor roads in the USA. Here are some examples:

• “Check your brakes and your brakes will check you”.

• “It's better to be late, Mr. Motorist, than to be the late Mr. Motorist”.

• “The driver is safer when the road is dry. The road is safer when the driver is dry”.

• “The average time it takes a train to pass this crossing is 4 seconds whether your car is on it or not”.

• “Do you love your children? – So do we. Drive care­fully!”.

Aggressor Behind the Wheel.

A businessman who has driven for 20 years believes that “aggressive driving is better driving” He has had one serious accident. He gives this account of it:

“Well, it was silly, I suppose, but I couldn't wait behind” a queue of traffic, so I pulled out and overtook the cars in front. When I tried to join the line again, the man in an old car refused to let me in – I called out angrily, so I eased in and edged him further away until I was in the line of traffic. He had to fall back, but kept bumping me every time the cars had to stop. This went on for quite a while, so I put my car into reverse and backed into his. That got out and stopped him, but it ruined my rear wing and lights. I got out and took his number, etc., and threatened him with court if he didn't meet the bill...

“The fool did!”

Road Safety

Every rear several thousand people are killed on the roads on Great Britain. Every year between one and two hundred thousand people are injured. These people are killed and injured in road accident.

If you are in England and if you to the eight o’clock news from BBC, you will often hear news of road accidents. You can hear something like this:

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“On Monday evening last, at about twenty minutes to ten, a motor-cyclist was knocked down by a motor-van at the junction of Oak Road and High Street in Croydon, Surrey. The cyclist has since died from his injuries. Will anyone who saw the accident, please, communicate with New Scotland Yard, telephone number Whitehall one, two, one, two.”

Accidents are often used by carelessness. There are rules that help to make the roads safe, but people do not always obey the rules. They are careless. If everybody obeys the rules, the road will be much safer.

In Great Britain traffic keeps to the left. Motorcars, motor-vans, buses and cyclists must all keep to the left side of the road. In most other countries traffic keeps to the right.

Before crossing the road, stop and look both ways. Look right, look left, look right again. Then, if you are sure that the road is clear, that there is nothing coming, it is safe to cross the road.

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