II. Lease

A lease is a written contract between the tenant (you) and a landlord which allows you to use a dwelling for a designated period of time in exchange for monthly rent payments. The lease outlines¹ the restrictions on the use of the dwelling and the responsibilities of tenant and landlord. A lease is a legal document and should be read carefully before signing.

The lease should specify at least the following:

– The amount of the monthly rent and when it should be paid. The lease might mention how the rent will increase in subsequent years.

– Whether utilities are included in the rent, and if so which ones. Heat and electricity are the most important.

– The time period covered² by the lease, usually one year.

– Restrictions on the number of unrelated people who may occupy the dwelling.

– The amount of the security deposit, which must be paid in addition to the first month's rent when you sign the lease. The security deposit can be as much as twice the monthly rent. If you have a pet, there may be a separate security deposit for the pet if the landlord allows pets. The deposit will be refunded at the end of the lease if the apartment is left in good and clean condition. If not, the landlord will use the security deposit to cover the cost of cleaning and repairing³ the apartment. Accordingly, if there are any problems with the apartment they should be noted on the lease, so that you will not be held responsible⁴ for them when you move out of the apartment.

– Restrictions on pets, children, and noise. Many landlords do not permit pets because of the potential for damage and noise. The lease may also contain a provision prohibiting⁵ noise from musical instruments, stereo systems, loud parties, and other sources.

– Landlord responsibilities, such as repairs to heating and plumbing facilities⁶ and fire or water damage that wasn't caused by the tenant.

– A clause⁷ about terminating the lease. This clause will describe the penalties⁸ to the tenant for breaking the lease. Such penalties can range from forfeiting the security deposit to being responsible for the remaining rent.

– A clause about subletting⁹. This clause will either allow or forbid the tenant from subletting the apartment to another person during the term of the lease. It is best to have a lease that permits subletting. If you decide to move to a different apartment before the end of your lease, subletting allows you to rent the apartment to someone else. Otherwise you will be responsible for the rent for the remainder of the lease.

– A clause about eviction proceedings¹⁰. This clause describes the rights of tenant and landlord should the landlord want to force the tenant out of the property during the term of the lease. The most common reasons for an eviction include failure to pay¹¹ the rent when due or causing significant damage to the property.

If the lease includes a wear and tear clause¹², this allows the landlord to charge you for repainting the apartment at the end of the lease.

Read the lease carefully before signing. If you don't understand part of the lease, ask the landlord or a friend to explain it to you. Don't be afraid to cross¹³ of provisions with which you disagree just because it is a printed form. Both you and the landlord must initial any changes to the printed lease. If the landlord promises to make certain repairs or there are pre-existing problems with the property, attach a list to the lease and have the landlord sign it. The list should include all problems, including leaking faucets¹⁴, clogged drains¹⁵, stains on the walls and rugs, peeling paint, cracks and holes in the walls and ceiling, non-functional kitchen appliances, and anything else you notice.

Clauses which talk about money, dates when things happen, restrictions on the use of the property, and other clauses mentioned above, however, tend to be binding. If you have any questions about any clause, ask before you sign, not after.

When you pay the rent and security deposit, get a receipt¹⁶. Get a separate receipt for the rent and security deposit. It is best to pay the rent by check, and to use a separate check for the security deposit. You will need this at the end of the lease in order to recover your security deposit. To get your security deposit returned when you move out, return the key to the landlord and provide a forwarding address. We recommend sending this by certified mail, so that you have proof the key and forwarding address were received by the landlord. The landlord then has 30 days to return your deposit or send you a list of the repairs, their actual cost, and any money left in the security deposit.

Although the landlord is obligated to return the security deposit to you if you leave the property in undamaged condition at the end of the lease, some landlords will try to take advantage of international students. After all, if you are moving back to your home country, you are less likely to protest if the landlord refuses to refund your security deposit. The best defense against this practice is to ask your fellow students which landlords have a reputation for such practices. Be sure to write down the name, address, and telephone number of the landlord, as well as the handyman responsible for maintaining the property. You will need this information to turn on the utilities and telephone service.

9. Ответьте на вопросы к тексту:

1. What is lease? 2. What does lease outline? 3. What clauses should the lease include? 4. What is the usual time period covered by the lease? 5. Why should it be included the clause about subletting? Is it convenient? 6. Why is it necessary to include clause about pets? 7. What list should be attached to the lease? 8. How many days does the landlord have to return a deposit to a student? 9. What information is required to know to turn on utilities and telephone service?

10. Составьте диалог, используя информацию, данную в тексте упражнения 8.

UNIT 5

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

New Words:

public transportation – общественный транспорт trolley – электричка

to be fairly reliable – работать без перебоев to be wheeled – иметь колеса

community – район line = route – маршрут

to change buses – сделать пересадку transfer – посадочный билет

change – сдача bus pass – проездной на автобус

exact change – мелочь без сдачи return trip – обратный проезд

to get on – садиться (заходить в автобус) set fee –тариф, плата за билет

to get off – выходить (из автобуса) token = fare card – жетон (карта)

subway – подземка to head (зд.) – ехать

tube = underground – метро inbound – в центр (города)

to alert – дать знать outbound – из центра (города)

s top-requested signal – стоп-сигнал to catch the bus – сесть на авто-

fare-box – коробка для денег to take a bus бус

the next but one stop – через одну остановку to owe [oʋ] – должен (об оплате)

dunno (разг.) = don’t know – не знаю after 3 stops – через 3 остановки

crowd – толпа cab – такси

to be overcrowded – быть переполненным dime – дайм (монета в 10 центов)

the crowd of people – толпа людей nickel – никель (монета в 5 центов)

take me to … – подвезите меня до… quarter – четвертак (монета 25 центов) (разг.)

1. Прочитайте и переведите текст:

Public Transportation

Most US cities have two forms of public transportation: buses and trolleys. Trolleys are also known as the subway, underground, streetcars, metro, or light rail, depending on the region of the country. (The distinguishing characteristic is buses are wheeled vehicles, and trolleys travel on rails.)

Public transportation tends to be fairly reliable, with buses arriving within about 5 minutes of the scheduled times. Some cities use numbers to identify routes, some use letters, some use colors, some use the name of the community or street at the end of the line, and some use a combination (e. g.: «D Riverside» in Boston is part of the «Green Line»). The route number will be displayed in or above the front window and side window of the bus.

Bus fares range from $1.00 to $2.00 depending on the city. If you need to change buses, transfers can be purchased for 25 cents in most cities. You give the transfer to the driver on the second bus instead of paying a second fare. Transfers can be used for a return trip, if you will be returning within the time limit (typically three hours).

Bus drivers do not carry change, so you will need to bring exact change with you when you get on the bus. Most cities also sell monthly bus passes, which provide you with unlimited travel for a set fee. Bus passes will save you money only if you take the bus every day. Bus passes can usually be purchased from the local grocery store or supermarket.

Some subway systems use tokens or fare cards, which are sold at the station. Subway fares may depend on the time of day or the distance traveled. For example, the metro system in Washington uses fare cards, with higher fares during rush hour.

Some cities have you pay you get on the bus, some when you get off the bus, and some depend on the time of day. Some will have different rules depending on whether you're headed inbound (to the downtown area) or outbound (away from downtown). Just before the bus reaches your stop, you should alert the driver by activating the "stop requested" signal. Otherwise the driver may skip the stop. You can activate the "stop requested" signal in most buses by pull-on the horizontal wire above the windows. Trolleys don't have such a mechanism because they stop at every station.

Intercity Buses and Trains. If you need to travel from city to another within United States, there are four options:

- Flying an airplane.

- Driving yourself using your own car or a rental car.

- Taking an intercity bus.

- Riding the train.

Taking a bus or a train is usually much cheaper than taking a plane. However, it also takes much longer. For every hour of non-stop air travel, the corresponding road trip will take about five hours.

2. Найдите в тексте английские эквиваленты следующих русских слов и словосочетаний:

Номер маршрута; плата за проезд в автобусе; мелочь без сдачи; садиться в автобус; выходить из автобуса; скидка; неограниченное количество поездок; пересадочный билет; проездной (на автобус); общественный транспорт; электричка; название района; машина, взятая на прокат; направляться в центр города (из центра); час пик; проскочить остановку; расписание поездов; беспересадочный полет (поездка).

3. Найдите ответы на вопросы в тексте:

1. How many forms of are there in the US? 2. How do they identify routes of public transportation? 3. How much are bus fares? 4. How can the transfers be used? 5. Why will you need to bring exact change with you when you get on the bus? 6. What is the bus pass? 7. When do you have pay in bus? 8. How and why should you alert the driver just before the bus reaches your stop? 9. Where can Ameripass be purchased? 10. How can you travel from city to another?

4. Прочитайте и переведите диалоги на русский язык:

I

A: Tell me, please if the buses stop here.

B: Yes, most buses stop at this station.

A: Is this where I can catch the bus for the airport?

B: You can take a D-15 from here.

A: How often does it run?

B: I don't know. It used to leave every 20 minutes but the schedule may have been changed.

A: Thank you.

B: A bus is coming. It's the D-15. Take it, please.

II

A: Do you go to the beach?

B: Yes. Put your 55c in the fare box.

A: Oh... I've got only quarters. Can you change one for me?

B: I dunno. Let me check my pocket... Oh, yeah, here you go. Two dimes and a nickel.

A: Thanks.

B: You're welcome.

III

A: Excuse me. What is the best way to get to the grocery store?

B: Take the subway to the 25th Street, change to the D train and get off after three stops.

A: Where is the nearest subway station?

B: It's three blocks from here. Turn at the corner and go down the street.

IV

A: Which line do I take for Lincoln Center?

B: You can take the D or the A.

A: Which platform is it on?

B: Go straight down these stairs, take the escalator and then go to the right.

V

A: Did you call a cab?

B: Yes, I did.

A: O.K. Where to, sir?

B: Take me to Kennedy Airport, please.

A: Here we are. 9 $, please.

B: Thank you. Here's 10 $. Keep the change.

VI

A: Are you engaged?

B: Yes. Where to?

A: Drive to this address, please (In 10 minutes). Could you stop here for a minute?

B: I can't park here.

A: It's a pity. Drive on.

B: This is it. 6 $, please.

A: Here you are.

VII

A.: Excuse me; I'm going to Bank Street. What bus do I take?

B.: Take Bus 3 to Pine Street. You need to have exact change.

A.: Whom do I give it to?

B.: You give it to the bus driver and get a transfer.

A.: Do I change the bus?

B.: Yes. You change to bus 11. It goes directly to Bank Street.

A.: What shall I do with the transfer?

B.: You will show it to the driver of bus 11. The transfer is valid for two hours.

A.: Thank you very much. You've been very helpful.

B.: You're welcome.

5. Переведите следующие фразы на английский язык:

1. Где мне сесть на автобус до аэропорта? 2. Как часто ходит этот автобус? 3. Автобус отправляется каждые 20 минут. 4. У меня только четвертаки. 5. Не могли бы вы разменять мне 10 центов? 6. Я не знаю. 7. Где ближайшая станция метро? 8. На какой платформе он находится? 9. Какой маршрут мне выбрать, чтобы добраться до Линкольн Центра? 10. Такси вызывали? 11. Идите вниз по этим ступеням и воспользуйтесь эскалатором. 12. Куда едем, сэр? 13. Поехали. 15. Сдачу оставьте себе. 16. Свободен? 17. Довезите меня до университета.

6. Переведите диалог на английский язык.

1) A.: Такси! Здравствуйте, мне нужно доехать до садов в Кенсингтоне (Kensington Gardens), пожалуйста.

B.: Хорошо.

A.: Сколько примерно это будет стоить?

B.: Я думаю, это будет 7 или 8 евро отсюда. Не должно быть больше.

A.: Хорошо. Вы можете остановиться здесь? Сколько я вам должен?

B.: 7.30, пожалуйста.

А.: Хорошо, вот … всё в порядке? Можете оставить сдачу себе.

В.: Спасибо, до свидания.

2) F: Вы не скáжите как добраться до Трафальгарской Площади?

L: Трафальгарская площадь. Так… Думаю, вам лучше всего сесть на автобус номер 9. Он останавливается на этом углу.

F: Спасибо. Сколько мне нужно времени, чтобы добраться туда?

L: Пожалуй, не больше пятнадцати минут, Это не так далеко отсюда.

F: Спасибо за разъяснение.

L: Пожалуйста… А вот и ваш автобус. В нем как раз не очень много народу. Садитесь!

3) F: Этот автобус идет до железнодорожного вокзала, не так ли?

С: Нет, он сейчас туда не идёт. Вы сели не на тот автобус. Вам лучше сесть на автобус номер 23. (Через некоторое время).

F: Этот автобус идет до железнодорожного вокзала?

С: Да, сэр… Проходите быстрее, пожалуйста… Оплачивайте проезд, пожалуйста…

F: Один до железнодорожного вокзала.

С: Пять пенсов, пожалуйста.

F: Скажите, когда мы будем там?

С: Хорошо, сэр… Кто ещё не брал билеты?... (Через некоторое время).

F: Следующая остановка ваша, сэр – железнодорожный вокзал… Вам здесь выходить.

7. Разыграйте диалоги по следующим ситуациям:

1. Вы спрашиваете, на каком автобусе лучше всего добраться до Линкольн-центра. Вам придется пройти два квартала, сесть в автобус Д-15, затем сделать пересадку и проехать еще две остановки.

2. Вы не знаете, в какую электричку, на какой платформе вам садиться и спрашиваете об этом.

3. Вы сели на автобус, но у вас нет точной суммы, чтобы оплатить проезд, поэтому вам приходится просить водителя разменять 25 центов.

4. На стоянке такси вы спрашиваете, свободен ли таксист, и говорите, куда надо ехать.

Дополнительные задания.

8. Составьте рассказ по картинкам:

a) The rush hour on the underground

b) The traffic problem

UNIT 6

AT THE HOTEL

New Words:

h otel – гостиница room service – обслуживание в номере

inn receptionist – администратор в отеле

guest – постоялец bell-boy – посыльный

r oom – номер (в гостинице) clerk [klɑ:k] – служащий

apartment valet

en suite room – номер со всеми удобствами (chamber)maid – горничная

single room – одноместный номер to tip – давать на чай

suite – номер люкс facilities – удобства

double room – двухместный номер breakfast order – заказ на завтрак

to fill in – заполнять free – бесплатно

arrival card (form) – карточка приезжего at least – по крайней мере

to check in the hotel – въезжать в гостиницу to be quiet – быть тихим

t o check out the hotel – выезжать из гостиницы to settle an account

to sign a hotel register – регистрироваться to pay a bill – оплачивать счет

to extend a stay – продлить проживание to sign a bill – подписывать счет

to stay at a hotel – останавливаться (проживать) porter – носильщик

r oom with a private bathroom – номер с ванной baggage – багаж

look out – окна выходят на … luggage

room at the back – номер с окнами во двор I’d rather … – Я бы, пожалуй

front room looking over the street – номер с окнами, выходящими на улицу

to charge an extra % – взимать дополнительный процент

charge a night – плата за ночь (в сутки)

1. Прочитайте текст:

AT THE HOTEL

The «Golden Ring» hotel is located downtown in Moscow. The hotel has a modern building. It is not far from foreign embassies, foreign companies offices and from the Exhibitions Center.

Friendly staff and high standards of service make the stay in the «Golden Ring» hotel pleasant and enjoyable. The hotel has spacious comfortably furnished apartments including double and single rooms, and luxurious suites.

The hotel offers the most sophisticated security system. The guests are provided with in-room safety-deposit boxes, satellite TV and telephone lines, air conditioners.

We are in the entrance hall of the hotel. The reception clerk is behind the reception desk. He gives the guests the keys to their apartments. Modern hotels have electronic locks on the doors. They are opened with a plastic card with a magnetic code. The codes are usually changed every day.

Large hotels usually offer their guests different kinds of services. There is the inquiry office where they will answer all your questions and give you all the information you want. At the laundry you can have your things washed and pressed. At the dry cleaner's you can clean your clothes. At the shoes repairs' you can have your shoes mended and polished. At the service bureau you can order a taxi or rent a car, book in advance train and air tickets. There are also hairdresser's, barber's and beauty saloon.

There is a small banking office in the entrance hall. You can cash traveler's checks and change currency there.

If you need to leave your suitcases for a while you can use the left-luggage office. The hotel porters will help you to carry your luggage.

2. Ответьте на вопросы по тексту:

1. Where is the hotel located? 2. What building has a hotel? 3 What does make the stay in the hotel pleasant and enjoyable? 4. What apartments have this hotel? 5. What is the sophisticated security system? 6. What locks have the modern hotels? 7. What kinds of services do large hotels offer to their guest? 8. What can the guest find in the entrance hall?

3. Перескажите текст.

4. Прочитайте диалоги. Выучите наизусть: