At a railway station
Porter: Porter, madam?
Janet: Yes. Thirty for Liverpool.
Porter: Anything for the van? Any other luggage?
Janet: No. Just these two. I'll have them in the carriage with me.
Porter: Yes, madam.
Janet: Which platform is it?
Porter: Number two, madam.
Janet: I'll see you on the platform, OK? I'll just go and get my ticket.
Porter: Right you are, madam.
Janet: Have you got a seat for me?
Porter: Yes, madam. Just in here.
Janet: How much do I owe you?
Porter: Two shillings, madam.
Janet: Here you are.
TEXT B
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 2000 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 Gate 5." I said good-bye to my friends who came to see me off and with the other passengers went to a special bus which took us to the plane on the runway.
On board the plane the stewardess 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 stewardess 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.
Exercise I
Substitute the words of the opposite meaning for the underlined words:
The jet plane took off exactly on time.
I have come to the airport to meet my friends returning from Moscow.
Before the plane took off the stewardess asked the passengers to fasten the belts.
One by one the passengers were alighting out of the plane.
Our seats were in the rear part of the plane.
The landing was perfect.
We got tickets for the plane on the day of departure.
Exercise II
Describe what is not allowed to do on board the plane:
Мodel: Passengers are not allowed to make a noise on board the plane.
Substitute: to have heavy luggage .
to smoke
to unfasten belts when the plane is taking off or landing
to speak with the pilot
to have a weapon (оружие)
to take strong drinks
to enter the cockpit (кабина в самолете)
Describe services available on board the plane:
Model: Passengers can have (be given) mineral water on board the plane.
Substitute: to have a snack
to ask for a juice or any soft drink
to offer newspapers
to give information about the speed, altitude and the distance covered
to send a telegram from board the plane
to see video films during the flight
to ask a stewardess for a medicine
Exercise III
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. When did the story-teller travel by plane last time?
4. Why must passengers be at the airport more than an hour in advance?
5. Are passengers allowed to have some luggage with them on board the plane?
6. Did the story-teller arrive at the airport in time?
7. Where did his plane go?
8. What notice did the passengers see when the plane took off?
9. What information did they get during the flight?
10. Did the stewardess serve the travellers well?
11. Was the plane late?
Exercise IV
Read the dialogues in pairs and translate them:
BOOKING AIRLINE TICKETS
I
A: Are there any flights to Geneva on Sunday?
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.
В: 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.
UNIT II: STAYING AT THE HOTEL
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