Getting Around Town Text 3.

As in most capitals cities, the quickest way in London is often by Underground. There are more than 250 Underground stations in London and its suburbs. In the centre of London you are never likely to be more than a few minutes walk from one of them. Stations are indicated by an illuminated London Transport symbol.

Trains run frequently until about 00.15. The passengers get their tickets either from a ticket machine or the ticket office. The ticket takes you right to your destination, and you don’t need to rebook it at interchanges. Fares vary with the distance traveled: within one zone the fare is fifty pence, whereas the fare from the centre to the suburbs may be as high as one pound fifty pence.

The passengers follow the signs for the line they want, and at all stations there are maps to help them. It is necessary to keep the ticket to the end of the journey and then give it up to the ticket collector.

Most of London’s buses are the world-famous red double-deckers. The number and destination of the bus is shown on the front. Many bus stops show which bus numbers stop there, give details of these routs. If you are still not sure which bus to catch, other people in the queue will probably be able to help you. (And people in London do queue up, British style, when waiting for the bus.)

When you get on the bus, the conductor will tell you when to get off if you ask him. For safety’s sake, standing is never allowed on the platform or on the upper deck of a double-deck bus.

Double-deckers are convenient transport for sightseeing. Even if the traffic is slow, you can see the landmarks of London – the busy streets of the West End and City, the famous Piccadilly and Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road and Trafalgar Square busy with city life and lined with some of the world’s fine monuments and great public buildings.

Ответьте на вопросы, используя слова и выражения из текста.

1. What means of transport do we understand under the word “underground”?

2. How many Underground stations there are in London and its suburbs?

3. How can you indicate the Underground stations in London?

4. Where can you buy the tickets for the Underground?

5. What right does the ticket at the Underground take the passengers?

6. What means of transportation in London is the world’s famous one?

7. Where are the numbers and destinations of the buses shown?

8. Can you find at the bus stops details of these routs?

9. In what way do the British people wait usually for a bus?

10. Are the double-deckers convenient for sightseeing in London?

Найдите в тексте английские эквиваленты для следующих слов и выражений:

«подземка»

предместье

обозначать

регулярно (с одинаковыми интервалами), часто

давать право на нужный кому-то маршрут (поездку)

покупать заново

пересадка по маршруту

оплата за проезд

коллектор для использованных билетов

двухэтажный автобус

маршрут

стоять в очереди (соблюдать очередь)

не вздумайте (что-то делать)

нижняя площадка (ступенька)

удобный

достопримечательность

общественное здание