Vocabulary

scientific and technological progress — научно-технический прогресс

to exist — существовать

previous - предшествующий

the place of destination — место назначения

to take off — взлетать

altitude — высота над уровнем моря adventurer — искатель приключений coach tours — автобусные туры tour — путешествие, поездка

Checking in.

The first person who meets guests is a doorman, A porter helps the guest to carry their luggage to the front desk, where the guest is met by receptionist. The receptionist works in one of the front offices by the front hall or lobby of a hotel. He has direct personal or telephone contact with the guests.

A hotel res­ervation requests in different ways: by phone, or by telegram, by e-mail. Hotels often ask people who make reservation by telephone to confirm their booking in writing.

Some hotels have computer terminals. These hotels can link their reservation system with other ho­tels, with airline seat reservation system and with terminals in the offices of important travel agents.

The reservation form helps the receptionist to make sure that all the necessary information from the per­son is requested. That means that the information could be found very quickly when required. A reception form is used to record the full name, nationality, home address, and passport number.

Checking in the guest the receptionist first asks about reservation. If the room isn't booked beforehand, the recep­tionist asks the guest about preferences. Then the guest is asked to give the passport, fill in a special form and put the signature. After that the receptionist gives the key of the room. The bellboy helps the guest with the luggage and shows the customer to the guest room.

The staff of the hotel must speak in a polite voice, smile and be pleasant and helpful!

About myself

Let me introduce myself. My full name is Andrei Andreevich Ivanov. I have been named after my father and I am very happy about it. I was born on April 7, 1986, in Moscow. Myparents are office-workers. I am the only child in the family.

I am a pupil of the eleventh form of a secondary school. I am finishing school this year. I want to enter the University of Moscow. That is why I have to study twice as hard as an ordinary pupil. I do not only do my best at school, I take preparatory courses at the University. The courses last for nine months.

We have lectures and seminars three times a week: on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I come to the University at 5 p.m. and leave it at 8 p.m. The lectures on literature, social sciences and history are given in the lecture-rooms. The seminars are held in small groups in the class-rooms. We have classes of English too. During our English classes we read and translate the texts, discuss the books we have read at home, listen to the tape recorder. At the University we learn a lot of useful and interesting things. But most of all I like the subjects of my future speciality.

I am always very busy, but when I am free I like to read books. My favourite writer is Ernest Hemingway. I like to go to the museums and art galleries. My favourite painter is Rembrandt van Rijn. I have a lot of friends, but my best friend is Nick. I like to travel. My parents and I have visited many ancient Russian towns. I am on friendly terms with my parents. I am very happy.