The man who took notice of all the notices

Ex. 1. Match the English words and phrases in column A with their Russian equivalents in column B.

A	B
to take notice of smth.	контролёр
notice	уборщик
signalman	уходить на пенсию
to run the station (business, etc)	напоминать
to polish	руководить станцией (компанией и т.п.)
ticket collector	начальник
to paint	обращать внимание на что-л.
cleaner	главный
waiting room	объявление, предупреждение
to remind	красить
to retire	зал ожидания
to be strict about the rule	полировать, натирать до блеска
master	строго соблюдать правило
chief	стрелочник, сигнальщик

Ex. 2. Read the sentences and translate them.

1. I didn’t convince (убеждать) the ticket collector that I had lost my ticket only some moments before.

2. The railway plans to modernize its wagon fleet; about 480 passenger coaches will be painted in a new livery (= color), re-painted inside and equipped with new comfortable seats.

3. There was a notice on the announcement board saying the flight had been cancelled.

4. He had run the railway station for 30 years but had to retire on medical grounds.

5. Passengers were reminded that no smoking was allowed on this train.

6. A signalman is a railroad worker responsible for operating signals and switches.

7. Having worked as a cleaner, painter and bus driver, Neil decided to go back to University.

8. After graduating from Edinburgh University, Robert Stephenson, George Stephenson’s only son, ran the Newcastle locomotive works. In 1833, he was appointed chief engineer of the London and Birmingham Railway, the first railway into London.

9. To avoid accidents, both drivers and pedestrians must be strict about the traffic rules.

10. I was so intent (сосредоточенный) on my work that I didn’t take notice of the time.

11. When the train is on motion, the train master communicates with passengers over a public address system.

12. After his demobilization from the Navy, he was accepted by the railway authorities as a signalman.

Ex. 3. Complete the sentences with the words from Ex 1. Several words should be used twice. Mind your grammar!

1. The tickets should not be thrown away as ___ may check them during the trip.

2. China is a vast country and the railways are the chief means of land transport.

3. James had previously worked at the depot as a wagon ___ but then he was promoted to the assistant of mechanic.

4. The station ___ said that no trains had arrived at the station during the night because of the heavy snowstorm in the mountains.

5. I just want to ___ you that your task (задание) must be completed by Friday.

6. A ___ passed by our train, motioning with his green flag.

7. He ___ the piano until the wood shone.

8. All the passengers should ___ of behavior aboard.

9. Employees can ___ at 60 if they choose.

10. At each railway station, there is a ___ where passengers can rest until boarding the train.

11. The ___ engineer ordered these devices to be repaired as fast as possible.

12. The ___ made two passengers get off the train because they didn’t pay fares.

13. We finish work at six, and then the ___ come in.

14. In the UK, men usually ___ in their late 50s or early 60s.

15. On the first railways there were no signals because trains were few and traveled at low speeds. But as trains became more frequent, the railways began to employ men known as ___ to regulate the traffic.