Basic English for Engineering Students. Учебное пособие-1

B:I don’t think you’ll be seasick today; the sea is perfectly calm; we’re sure to have a good crossing. I’ll get a couple of deck chairs, to sit up here, in the sun.

C:Oh, I’ll risk it, but if the worst comes to the worst, don’t blame me!

B:Do you travel much?

C:Not more than I can help by sea. I’ve crossed the Channel once before, but frankly speaking, I didn’t enjoy it.

B:Why don’t you fly?

C:I think, I will, one of these days. It couldn’t be possibly worse than a really bad sea crossing, and it is much quicker anyhow.

B:I can see the English coast already, can you?

C:Yes, just.

B:Well, I suppose we’d better get ready for landing.

3. Answer the following questions.

1.Have you ever travelled by sea? When was it? Did you enjoy it? How long did it last? What kind of ship was it?

2.Are you a good sailor? Have you ever suffered from seasickness on board the ship?

3.When do passengers usually become seasick?

4.Have you ever been caught in a storm?

5.What does a modern passenger liner look like? How many decks are there on board a large liner?

6.Have you ever been in a large sea or river port? What does it look like?

7.What safety devices are there on board a ship?

8.Have you ever travelled on a motor boat?

4. Read text 4 and the dialogues and do the tasks below them.

Text 4. AT THE RAILWAY STATION

It’s common knowledge that nowadays people travel a lot. They travel on business and for pleasure, about the country and abroad. Those, who wish to travel, have at their disposal various means of transport: express trains and big ships, cars and jet airliners.

Although we all agree that the future belongs to the air transport, the railway is still one of the most popular means of communication. Of course, if people are short of time and have to travel a long distance they usually travel by air. But if they have time they prefer to go by train.

With a train you have speed, comfort and pleasure combined. From the comfortable corner seat of a carriage you have a splendid view of the countryside. If you are hungry you can have a meal in the dining-car and if the journey is long you can have a comfortable bed in a sleeper.

41

A big railway station is a very busy and interesting place. Let’s imagine that we are at one of them.

There are a lot of platforms at which trains come in and go out. A train is standing at one of the platforms ready to leave. The porters are very busy carrying luggage to the train or pushing it on their trucks. On another platform a train has just come in. Some passengers are getting out, others are getting in. Those who haven’t got their tickets in advance are waiting in queues at the booking-office. At the bookstalls people are choosing books, magazines and newspapers for the journey. At the cloak – room some people are leaving and taking their luggage.

There are a lot of notices in a big railway station. You may see. ENTRANCE and EXIT. There is also a WAITING-ROOM where you can relax until it is time to board your train. If you are hungry or thirsty you’ll go to the REFRESHMENT ROOM.

If you don’t know the number of the platform from which your train leaves, look for the notices ARRIVALS and DEPARTURES. They will tell you the number of the platform. When you arrive in a large town you may leave your heavy luggage at the station. In this case you will look for the CLOAK-ROOM or LEFT LUGGAGE OFFICE. You will also see the notice BOOKING OFFICE. This is where you buy your ticket. If you don’t know the time or the platform your train leaves from you’ll go to the INQUIRY OFFICE or the INFORMATION BUREAU.

TRAVELLING BY TRAIN

Dialogue 1

Passenger: I want a ticket to London, please. Which train must I take? Booking-clerk: If I were you, I should take the 8.35 train.

Passenger: Do I have to change anywhere? Booking-clerk: No, no change, it’s a through train. Passenger: Thank you. A ticket to London, please. Booking-clerk: Single or return?

Passenger: Return, please, first class. Booking-clerk: Here you are.

Passenger: Thank you. What time did you say the train goes? Booking-clerk: 8.35. You’ll have to hurry if you want to register your

luggage.

Passenger: Thanks. (He hurries away)

Dialogue 2

A: Porter, will you see to my luggage, please? P: Where for, sir?

A: I am taking the ten o’clock train for Glasgow. Have this trunk labelled and put it in the luggage van, and two suit-cases can go in the carriage.

42

P: Right, sir. What class?

A: First. Find me a corner seat facing the engine in a smoker. P: Have you got your ticket, sir?

A: No, not yet. Where’s the booking-office?

P: Come along with me, sir. I’ll show you. Here it is. You take your ticket, sir, and I’ll meet you on the platform.

A: Which platform is it? P: Number 8, over there.

…………………………………………………

P: Here you are, sir. I’ve found you a corner seat next to the corridor. Your carriage is near the dining-car and you can order lunch when the attendant comes along.

A: What time do we get to Glasgow? P: You are due to arrive at 6.15.

A: Thank you, here you are.

P: Thank you, sir. I hope you’ll find the journey comfortable.

A: Well, if I have some minutes left, I should like to go and get myself a book to while away the time during the journey.

P: I’ll bring you a paper, sir.

5. Answer the questions.

1.How many railway stations are there in your city?

2.Where can you buy a ticket for your journey?

3.What are waiting-rooms for?

4.Who can help you with your luggage?

5.Where can one have light refreshment?

6.Do you prefer to book your ticket?

7.What is the left-luggage office for?

8.Do you usually travel light or with a lot of things?

9.Do you like seeing your friends and relatives off?

10.Do you like it when your friends and relatives come to see you off?

6. Translate into English.

1. Сколько железнодорожных вокзалов в Красноярске? 2. Местные поезда подходят к платформе каждые 20 минут. 3. Если вы не заказали би- лет заранее, вы можете купить его в билетной кассе на вокзале. 4. Билет- ные кассы находятся справа от зала ожидания. 5. Носильщики везут те- лежки с багажом к багажному вагону. 6. В каждом поезде дальнего следо- вания есть багажный вагон, вагон-ресторан и спальные вагоны. 7. Она не сдала вещи в камеру хранения, так как не хотела стоять в очереди. 8. Те, кто любит путешествовать налегке, сдают чемоданы в багаж. 9. Вы любите провожать друзей? 10. Дайте мне, пожалуйста, билет до Москвы. 11. До Воронежа нет прямого поезда, вам придется делать пересадку в Москве. 16. Я вам советую взять билет туда и обратно.

43

7. Read text 5 and answer the questions.

Text 5. TRAVELLING BY AIR

Travelling by air is more convenient than by train because it saves you time considerably though it does not save money. Distances more than 2,000 km can now be covered by modern passenger planes on nonstop flights without landing to refuel. Statistics shows that travelling by air is as safe as travelling by train.

Last time I travelled by air two years ago when I was on holiday in the Caucasus. I booked a ticket fifteen days in advance. On the appointed day after packing my luggage, I proceeded to the airport by bus.

In the hall of the airport there were a lot of people waiting for boarding the plane. Before the flight passengers must register at the airport. When registering the passenger is required to have his luggage weighed after which the attendant attaches a special tag to it. Each passenger is allowed twenty kilograms of luggage free of charge. There is no need to worry about your suitcase, it will be looked after.

The registration stopped half an hour before the time of take-off. Soon we heard the voice of the announcer calling the plane going south: “Boarding the plane Flight 217 begins. Passengers are invited to take their places.” I said goodbye to my friends who came to see me off and with the other passengers went to a special motor coach which took us to the plane on the runway.

On board the plane the flight attendant helped everyone get comfortable in the reclining seats adjustable to some positions. I sat back and relaxed. Very soon the plane took off. At that moment we saw a notice “No smoking. Fasten your seat-belts.” In a few minutes we were above the clouds. During the flight we got information of the altitude, speed, the weather and the distance covered. The flight attendant served us mineral water, juice, tea, sweets and sandwiches. Besides, newspapers and magazines were offered to the passengers. Everybody felt comfortable and nobody was airsick. The plane landed exactly on time.

8. Answer the following questions.

1.Have you ever travelled by air? Where did you fly? When was it? Did you feel nervous before the flight? Was the flight smooth or rough? Were you airsick?

2.Where do we get tickets for air trips?

3.Do passengers go straight to the plane? What do they have to do first? In what case do they have to pay extra for their luggage? Are they allowed to take any luggage on board a plane?

4.Who meets passengers at the gangway? Does she show passengers to their seats?

5.When are passengers taken to the plane by a special motor coach? 7

6.What information is usually given to the passengers on board a plane?

44

7.At what speed and altitude do modern aircrafts fly?

8.On what flights do they serve meals?

9.Is travelling by air more expensive than railway travel?

10.What are the advantages and disadvantages of air travelling?

9. Read the short dialogues in pairs and make up similar ones.

Dialogues. BOOKING AIRLINE TICKETS

I

A:I want to fly to Geneva.

B:I’ll just see what there is.

A:I want to go economy, and I’d prefer the morning.

B:Lufthansa Flight LH 203 leaves at 9.20.

A:What time do I have to be there?

B:The coach leaves for the airport at 8.15.

II

A:I’d like to book a flight to Munich for Monday the tenth.

B:I’ll have a look in the time-table for you.

A:I’ll need an economy class open return.

B:KLM have got a DC-9 leaving at 9.25.

A:What else ought I to know?

B:The latest time of reporting is 8.35 at the airport.

III

A:What flights are there from London to Vienna tomorrow?

B:If you’d like to take a seat, I’ll find out for you.

A:I’d like to travel first class, please.

B:BEA Flight BE 502 takes off from Heathrow at 9.25 and flies direct.

A:What time have I got to get there?

B:You’ll have to be at West London Air Terminal by 8.10 as the latest.

IV

A:Are there any planes to Zurich on a Sunday?

B:If you excuse me for a second, I’ll check.

A:By the way, I don’t want a night flight.

B:There is a Swissair Trident out of London at 9.10.

A:When am I supposed to check in?

B:If you are going to the airport, you must be there before 8.25.

10. Make up sentences using the suggested models.

You want to fly to another city. Ask about the flight.

Model: Is there any flight to Los Angeles on Sunday?

45

The Place of destination is:

Vienna, London, Paris, Rome, Moscow, New York

Say what flight you prefer.

Model: I need an economy class and I prefer a morning flight. You want:

a first class – a night flight

a business class – a morning flight an economy class – an evening flight

a first class, open return – an afternoon flight a tourist class – a morning flight

The clerk is giving you information about tickets. Thank him and say that it is just what you want.

Model:

–There are two tickets for the morning flight Lufthansa Company.

–Oh, thank you. That’s just what I need (want).

The Information:

a ticket for the first class Pan American Company a ticket for the morning flight BEA

three tickets for the business class Aeroflot

two tickets for the economy class, the morning flight Lufthansa

11. Read the dialogue in pairs.

John: Hello, Nick. Haven’t seen you for ages. Where have you been? Nick: Hello, I’ve just come back from France.

John: Have you, really? What were you doing there? Nick: Oh, it was just a business trip.

John: Did you fly there?

Nick: Yes, I did. And it was very exciting. John: Where did you get your ticket?

Nick: I went to the Air Company office and fixed up everything in a few minutes. Then I came home, packed my things and got ready for the trip.

John: Did you feel nervous? Nick: Not a bit. Just excited.

John: Did you get into the plane straight away?

Nick: Oh, no. First I had to check in my luggage. If your luggage is overweight you have to pay extra, if it is underweight you needn’t pay anything.

John: And what did you do then?

Nick: I went to the departure lounge to wait for my flight. When it was announced I passed through customs and immigration office and walked to the plane. It was on the runway. Sometimes when the plane is at the far end of the field passengers are taken there by a special motor-coach.

46

John: Did the flight attendants meet you at the gangway?

Nick: Sure they did. They welcomed us and showed us to our seats. In a few minutes “No smoking” and “Fasten your belts” were lighted up and the pilot began to taxi out into the middle of the air-field.

John: How did you feel in the air? Not airsick?

Nick: No, the flight was very smooth. We didn’t hit a single air-pocket. John: Could you see anything through the porthole?

Nick: Only clouds.

John: How long were you up? Nick: About three hours. John: Was it very expensive?

Nick: Rather. But it saved me a lot a time.

12. Express the same idea with the other structure.

Model: The attendant weighed our luggage.

Our luggage was weighed by the attendant.

1.We booked tickets in advance.

2.During the flight the flight attendant offered newspapers and magazines to the passengers.

3.On the appointed day we packed our luggage.

4.The flight attendant served mineral water and juice.

5.Soon we heard over the radio that they cancelled (to cancel – отме- нять) the flight.

6.They have just announced boarding the plane.

7.When the plane took off, they switched on the notice “No smoking. Fasten the belts.”

8.The plane will cover the distance over 1,000 km.

13. Say what is not allowed to do (to have) on board the plane.

Model: Passengers are not allowed to make a noise on board the plane.

to have heavy luggage to smoke

to unfasten belts when the plane is taking off or landing to speak with the pilot

to take strong drinks to enter the cockpit

to have sharp objects and liquids over 100 ml

14. Describe services available on board the plane.

Model: Passengers can have (be given) mineral water on board the plane.

to have a snack

47

to ask for a juice or any soft drink to offer newspapers

to give information about the speed, altitude and the distance covered to see video films during the flight

to ask a flight attendant for a medicine

15. Match the words on the left (1–6) with those on the right (a–f) to make

16. Fill in the gaps using the words from the box.

passport control hand luggage boarding pass information desk check-in desk departure lounge duty free shop

The last time I came to the airport, I lost my passport. I was nice and early so there were no queues at the (1) _______ . I checked in my (2) _______, got my (3) _______ and went through (4) _______ all very quickly. Then, because I had so much time, instead of just sitting in the (5) _______, I decided to do some shopping. I wanted to get a present, so I was trying all the different perfumes in the (6) _______ . I don’t know how it happened but I must have dropped my passport there. I went to the gate to board the plane and then realized that I couldn’t find my passport. At that moment, they called me over the loudspeaker. “Will passenger Martinez travelling to Madrid please contact the (7) _______?” I felt so embarrassed!

17. Answer the questions.

1.Do you think that travelling by air is more convenient than by train? Why?

2.Have you ever travelled by air? When was it?

3.Why must passengers be at the airport more than an hour in advance?

4.Are passengers allowed to have some luggage with them on board the

plane?

5.What notice do the passengers see when the plane takes off?

6.What information do the passengers get during the flight?

7.Which of the following is most the important to you when choosing which airline to fly with to go on holiday?

48

Explain your choice.

8. What are the advantages and disadvantages of flying? Try to think about three advantages and three disadvantages.

18. Fill in the table and give your arguments for and against different ways of travelling.

19. Give a talk about travelling.

1.Why do people like travelling?

2.What are the most popular places to travel to?

3.What are the ways of travelling? What are their advantages and disadvantages?

4.Talk about your last travelling.

Unit 6

FAMOUS SCIENTISTS AND INVENTORS

Vocabulary. Read and remember the following words.

49

1. Read text 1 and do the tasks below.

Text 1. SOFIA KOVALEVSKAYA

An extraordinary woman, Sofia Kovalevskaya was not only a great mathematician, but also a writer and advocate of women’s rights in the 19th century. It was her struggle to obtain the best education available which began to open doors at universities to women. In addition, her groundbreaking work in mathematics made her male counterparts reconsider their archaic notions of women’s inferiority to men in such scientific arenas.

Sofia Krukovsky Kovalevskaya was born in 1850. As the child of a Russian family of minor nobility, Sofia was raised in plush surroundings. She was not a typically happy child, though. She felt very neglected as the middle child in the family.

For much of her childhood she was also under the care of a very strict governess who made it her personal duty to turn Sofia into a young lady. As a

result, Sofia became fairly nervous and withdrawn-traits which were evident throughout her lifetime.

Sofia’s exposure to mathematics began at a very young age. She claims to have studied her father’s old calculus notes that were papered on her nursery wall in replacement for a shortage of wallpaper. Sofia credits her uncle Peter for first sparking her curiosity in mathematics. He took an interest in Sofia and

50