17. Ground Transportation

Exercise 1 Practice reading the following words and word combinations. Be sure in their pronunciation. Learn them by heart.

ground transportation	наземный транспорт
to rent a car	арендовать автомобиль
to figure out	выяснять
best bet	лучший выбор
a car rental agency	агентство по прокату автомобилей
baggage claim	зона получения багажа
the designated shuttle	автобус специального назначения
options for ground transportation	варианты наземного транспорта
to grab a taxicab	поймать такси
walk down the hallway	идти по коридору
moving sidewalk system	система движущихся транспортеров

Exercise 2 Learn the following dialogues

1

A: I just arrived and need help getting transportation to my hotel. B: There are shuttles, taxis, and buses that go all over the city. A: Which one is the best form of transportation? B: It depends on where you want to go. If you are going to a well-known hotel, they have their own shuttles that drop you right off at the door. A: Where can I catch a cab? B: All ground transportation leaves from the island as you walk out the arrivals gate. A: Where can I rent a car? B: The car rental agencies are against the wall as you exit. A: Are there any subways in this town? B: We have a subway system, but you need to take a shuttle to get to the station. 2

A: I need help figuring out how to get to my friend's house in the city. B: You may take a shuttle, a taxi, or a bus to get wherever you need to go. A: Which form of transportation is preferable? B: It depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking to travel inexpensively, a bus might be your best bet. A: Where do the buses pick you up? B: The ground transportation center is right outside the exit leading to the street. A: Is there a car rental place around here? B: You can find a car rental agency just outside of baggage claim. A: Is there a subway in this city? B: Our subway station is a mile outside of the airport. I would suggest you take the designated shuttle to get there. 3

A: I need information about my options for ground transportation. B: This city has many taxis, shuttles, or buses to transport you to your destination. A: Is one form of transportation better than another? B: It depends on where you are traveling. If your destination is close by, you might want to just grab a taxicab. A: Where are the shuttle pick-up points? B: When you pick up your luggage, walk out of the door and you will see the transportation kiosk. A: Where are the car rental agencies? B: You will see the car rental agencies as you walk down the hallway as you exit. A: I heard that you have a very good light rail system in this city. B: We have a subway station in the airport. The in-airport moving sidewalk system will take you to it.

Exercise 3 Render the contents of the dialogue in indirect speech with the use of the highlighted words.

Exercise 4 Give all possible answers to the given phrases:

1) – I need information about my options for ground transportation.

–............................................

2) – Which form of transportation is preferable?

–…………………………….

3) – Where can I rent a car?

–…………………………….

4) – Is there a subway in this city? –…………………………….