15. Asking about the Swimming Pool

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

swim station	место для плавания
a treadmill	тренажёр, беговая дорожка
That sounds really neat.	Это звучит действительно здорово.
to conserve electricity	в целях экономии электроэнергии
to operate	работать
a deep bathtub	глубокая ванна
against a current	против течения
to change into trunks	переодеться в плавки
It's a great workout.	Это отличная тренировка.
Holy cow!	чудеса да и только!
to be explicit	быть поточнее, выражаться ясно

Exercise 2 Learn the following dialogues

1

A: Is there a swimming pool in this hotel? B: We don't have a full-sized swimming pool, but we do have individual swim stations. A: What exactly does that mean? B: Basically, a swim station is like a treadmill, except instead of running, you swim. A: That sounds really neat. Is there an extra charge for these swim stations? B: If you're a registered guest, you have free access to our swim stations. A: Are the swim stations open 24 hours, like the rest of the gym? B: To conserve electricity, the stations operate only from 7:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m.  A: I'll go down there as soon as I can! B: I don't think you'll be disappointed. People really seem to like the swim stations. 2

A: Does this hotel have a pool? B: I'm sorry, sir, we don't have one. However, in our gym, we do have swim stations. A: I'm not sure I understand. B: Think of a deep bathtub that you can swim in, but against a current. A: Cool. What will they think of next? How much are they? B: Sir, guests pay nothing to use the stations. A: Excellent! Now what are the hours? B: The gym is open 24/7, but the stations are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. only. A: I'm going to change into my trunks right now! B: I think you'll like the experience, sir. It's a great workout. 3

 A: Do you have a swimming pool in this hotel? B: We don't have a pool, sir, but we do have swim stations in the gym. A: I never heard of a swim station. Is that like a train or bus station? B: It's just a deep bathtub with a current of water that you swim against. A: Holy cow! I never heard of such a thing. How much do they cost? B: As a guest, sir, you pay nothing. A: This sounds better every second. Now, when can I use the stations? B: If you want to swim, you can visit the gym any day between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.  A: Oh, boy! This is going to be great. I'm going to the gym right now! B: I'm sure you'll enjoy your workout, sir. Everyone seems to like the swim stations.

4

A: I think I've looked everywhere, but I haven't seen a swimming pool here. B: This hotel has no full-size pool, but we do have swim stations in our gym. A: Swim stations? Whoever heard of such a thing? B: You swim in a swim station just like you run on a treadmill. A: All that exercise in a little pool! Do I have to pay anything? B: The swim stations are available to all guests for no charge. A: Very good. Now can you tell me the hours of operation? B: They're available anytime between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., seven days a week. A: Wow! I can't wait to change into my trunks! B: The swim stations are very popular, sir. I hope you don't find a line down there. 5

A: I've been looking for a swimming pool, but I haven't found one yet. B: We have no pool, sir, but we do have swim stations in our gym. A: Swim stations? Could you be a little more explicit? B: You know how you run on a treadmill but don't go anywhere? Well, it's the same thing. A: Gee, that's a great idea. Now, how much do I have to pay? B: The stations are absolutely free to guests, sir. A: Great! Now, when can I go down there and use the stations? B: The swim stations are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. A: Boy, oh boy! I can't wait to change into my swim trunks. B: Be warned, sir. At certain hours the swim stations are very crowded.

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) – Does this hotel have a pool?

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2) – Do I have to pay anything?

–…………………………….

3) – Now what are the hours?

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