Describing places'

The word place can describe a building, an area, a town, or country:

Bruges is a lovely place (= town) and we found a really nice place (= hotel) to stay.

The town is full of interesting places. (= areas/buildings)

Venice is beautiful but it's always packed (= very crowded) with tourists. New York is very cosmopolitan. (= full of people from different countries and cultures) St Petersburg has lots of historic monuments. (= important places built a long time ago) Many beautiful cities are now very touristy. (= a negative word: 'too much tourism') Sao Paolo is a really lively place (= full of life and activity) and the nightlife is fantastic.

Task 1.

Finds words or expressions in the Topical Vocabulary which mean the same as:

• a trip of considerable length, wholly or mainly by land;

• a long journey including the visiting of a number of places in sequence;

• a long journey especially in distant or foreign places;

• a short business or pleasure journey;

• a travel by water or air usually for a long distance;

• a journey in a boat/ship from one side of a lake, river, or sea to the other

• a journey in a car;

• a journey in a plane;

• a very popular place to travel;

• to travel by asking for free rides in other people's cars;

• a long, hard walk, especially in the mountains;

• a wide fast road that takes traffic into and out of a big city.

• a person who lives in the area the traveller is visiting;

• the time when most people travel. I

Task 2.

Choose the most suitable word of the two underlined in each sentence.

1. We managed to complete our journey ahead of/in front of schedule.

2. On our way to York, we divided/broke our journey in Peterborough.

3. As I wasn't coming back by train, I asked for a single/simple ticket.

4. The two coaches collided, but luckily no one was injured/wounded.

5. We drove to the town centre and stopped at the library in the way/on the way.

6. My car skidded off the road and crashed/hit a tree.

7. The train was packed, and there was standing place/room only.

8. When her bike hit the rock, Jane was thrown over the handlebars/saddle.

9. The police accused Donald of breaking the speed limit/restriction.

10. My plane arrived in Paris dead/way on time.

Task 3.

Complete each sentence with one of the words given.

book, change, direct, hail, pick, bring, come, grind, hitch, set.

1. Jim walked down the street trving to … a taxi, but none would stop.

2. We heard the old bus slowly …. to a halt outside.

3. Fifty extra policemen were called in to ... the traffic outside the stadium.

4. The mayor promised to ... the new buses into operation without delay.

5. My old car takes quite a long time to ... up speed.

6. The school bus always used to ... the children down opposite the church.

7. When her car broke down, Julie had to ... a ride to the nearest phone, h) When I went to ... a ticket to Athens, I found that the flight was full, i) This car is an automatic, so you don't have to … gear all the time.

8. j) As our ship rounded the headland, we watched the town ... into view

Task 4.

Choose the most suitable word or phrase out of the four in each sentence.

1. The horse stopped suddenly and its rider was ... to the ground.

A) dropped B.) flung C) launched D) tripped

2. After its engine railed, the small boat... with the current. A) waved B) tossed C) hastened D) drifted

3. The only means of ... to the station is through a dark subway. A) arrival B) admission C) access D) approaching

4. When I inquired about the times of trains, I was given a .... A) schedule B) programme C) itinerary D) timetable

5. I suddenly noticed that the runaway bus was hurtling ... me! A) over B) nearby C) towards D) without

6. The plane's engines cutout, but it ... in to land safely. A) floated B) glided C) swept D) fluttered

7. There are roadworks at Junction 63 and long ... are expected. A) delays B) halts C) intervals D) pauses

h) The next train at platform three ... at Gatwick Airport only. a) arrives B) terminates C) calls D) alights

i) I was running low on petrol so started looking for a filling . A) station B) garage C) stop D) area

j) Only a mechanic could appreciate the true ... of the damage to the car. A) extent B) rate C) amount D) affect

Task 5.

Replace the words underlined in each sentence with a form of one of the words given. It may be necessary to use a plural or a particular tense form.

accelerate, ascend, collide, fasten, alight, board, disembark, endanger, reverse.

1. Ann got off her horse and picked up her riding hat.

2. As the plane went faster down the runway, David began to sweat nervously.

3. Without realising it, Jim drove backwards into a lamp post.

4. In thick fog, the two ships ran into each/other outside the harbour.

e) Passengers who wish to get off at Hove should travel in the front two coaches.

6. Please do up your safety belt before we begin the journey.

7. All visitors to the ship must get off immediately as we are about to sail.

h) The captain refused to put at risk the safety of the other members of the crew.

6. The balloon rose up gracefully into the summer sky.

7. The sooner the passengers get on the aircraft, the sooner it can tak

Task 6 Match each person with one of the comments. Use each comment once only.

hitchhiker, conductor, passenger, driver, traffic warden, commuter, steward, seer-by, pedestrian, rambler.

1. I love wandering through the countryside along deserted footpaths, h

2. I'll bring you your drink in just a minute, madam.

3. I've been waiting all morning at this roundabout fof someone to stop. tv.'

4. I was just walking down the street opposite the bank when I saw it happen.

5. I've spent the last half an hour looking for a spot. It's hopeless.

6. I'll ring the bell for you, love, when it's time to get off.

7. The sign clearly says two hours only and you've been here all day.

8. It's just impossible getting across the road here. We need a subway.

9. Do you think you could go a little more slowly, I'm a bit nervous.

10. This train is late every morning. It has been for years.

Task 7 Supply the words asked for in the clues.

1What 5-letter verb beginning with P means to 'drive' a plane?

2. What verb describes what we do when we get on a plane? - В - - - D

3. What noun is the name of a shop on a train where you can buy food over the counter? - В - - - - T

4. What verb describes what people do when they leave their country to live in another country - E E

5. What noun beginning with S goes in front of belt to describe what you have to wear on a car journey?

6. What noun (6 letters) beginning with A goes after travel to describe an office which provides travel services?

7. What noun beginning with С and ending in H is the name of a bus for long distance travelling? (5 letters)

8. What adverb beginning with A is the general word which means 'outside this country'? (6 letters)

9. What noun beginning with S is the name of a special compartment in a train in which you can sleep?

10. What noun beginning with P and ending in N describes a person getting around on foot? (10 letters)

11. What 4-letter adjective beginning with S describes what you feel when you are suffering from nausea?

12. What 5-letter adjective beginning with V and ending in D describes a passport or a ticket that can be legally used?

13. What 6-letter verb beginning with E and ending in К means to begin a journey on a ship?

14. What 4-letter verb beginning with M describes failure to be on time for the departure of a train, bus, etc.? '

15. What verb beginning with С describes what an official does when he or she looks at your passport?

16. A sea-journey = V–-

17. What 5-letter noun beginning with С describes, the sleeping accommodation you get on a ship?

18. What noun beginning with F and ending in R describes the line that separates one country from another? (8 letters)

19. What verb I E describes entering a country which is not your own in order to live there?

20 England is separated from France by a stretch of water called the English С–-

Task 8. Use the word in brackets to form a word which fits in the gap.

To celebrate our (a) _______________(engage), Suzanne and I decided to have a holiday. At the airport, the plane was delayed and we had to wait in the (b)____________(depart) lounge. After four hours, we were looking for something to do to relieve the (c)______________(bored). Then, a very (d)______________ (friend) young boy came over and started chatting to us. He talked and talked, but a lot of what he said was completely (e)________________ (meaning). But he was a funny kid, and we laughed as he talked. Then suddenly, and to our (f)______________ (amaze), he hit me hard on the head. His mother then appeared, apologized and explained that her son was (g)___________ (emotion) unstable, that since his father died he was always looking for attention, but got upset if people laughed at him. We apologized for laughing at him, and Suzanne gave him a kiss when the flight was called. Later in the day, we saw the boy and his mother on the (h)___________________(connect) flight from Madrid. He came over, smiled and hit me on the side of my head.

Task 9. Complete the sentences with a word from the box.

dream deal luck stretch eye head break board never price

a) He's made a fortune on the Stock Exchange but one of these days his ___________is going to run out.

b) I've always hoped that one day I'll be able to live out my ___________of studying in America.

3. I think it's time we took a ___________. and did something else.

4. The house was on sale at a very reasonable __________

e) There were people in all directions as far as the ___________could see.

3. We got there late and had to_____ flight immediately.

4. Whatever you do, don't lose your __________- it's important to stay very calm.

5. You've got to decide immediately - it's now or ___________.

6. On busy summer weekends, the traffic jams _________for miles and miles.

7. Let's make a ___________- pay in cash and I'll take 20% off.

Task 10. Complete the words or phrases below using words from the box.

Control number desk card baggage lounge luggage reclaim locker

• boarding

• flight

• baggage .

• excess

• overhead

• passport

• check-in

• departure

• hand

Task 11. What do you call these?

1. The place where you go when you arrive at the airport with your luggage.

2. The card they give you with the seat number on it.

3. What you have to pay if your luggage is very heavy.

4. The bags you carry onto the plane with you.

5. The place above your head where you can put these bags.

6. The part of the airport where the plane accelerates and takes off.

7. The people who look after you on the plane.

8. Another verb used to say 'rent' a car.

Task 12. Complete these sentences with a suitable word.

1. There was a mechanical problem, and we ended up with a two-hour

2. Several passengers had to fill in, landing

3. I went through passport control and sat in the departure

4. If you have nothing to declare, you follow the green sign when you go through…………..

1. A woman at the check-in desk weighed my

2. I looked for our flight number on the departures………………

Task 13. Answer these questions. If you don't fly very much, try to ask someone who does.

• What is the most interesting part of the flight, and what is the most boring part?

• Where do you often have delays, and why?

• What do you usually do during the flight?

• Do you always eat the food they give you? Do you ever drink alcohol on the flight?

Task 14. Underline the correct word in brackets in these sentences.

• You mustn’t (ride/drive) a motorbike without a crash helmet in the UK.

• She told him to (get in/get on) the car and fasten his seat belt.

• The bus (fare/ticket) is cheaper than the train.

• Trains to the airport (travel/run) every half hour.

• The pilot couldn’t (drive/fly) the plane in such bad weather.

• Have a look at the train (schedule/timetable) to see when the next one is due.

• We were late, so we had to (get/catch) a taxi.

• They left a bit late and (lost/missed) the bus.

Task 15. . Fill the gaps with the correct word.

• Our train leaves from…seven in ten minutes.

• I waited at the…..for ten minutes, and then two buses arrived at the same time.

• I couldn't get on the first bus because it was……

• After we took off, the…..told us a bit about the plane and the journey.

• Buses are not very…..Sometimes they come every five minutes, then other times you have to wait for 40 minutes.

• When I got to the bus stop there was a long…..of people.

• The flight was fine but we had a terrible….from the airport to our hotel.

• I think the next train is…..to arrive in about ten minutes

Task 16. Fill in the gaps in the text with suitable words

At the airport
1 Put each of the	following words or phrases in its correct		place in the
passage below.
departure lounge	immigration officer	check	runway
departure gate	security guard	board	on board
departures board	excess baggage	check in	duty free
hand luggage	conveyor belt	taxi	passengers
announcement	check-in desk	trolley	take off
security check

When you travel by air you have to get to the airport early in order to (a) about an hour before your flight. If you have a lot of luggage, you can put it in a (b) and push it to the (c) , where someone will (d)______________your ticket and weigh your luggage. If you have (e)____________, it can be expensive. Your heavy luggage is put on a (f)_______________and carried away. A light bag is classed as (g)____________and you can take it with you on to the plane An (h) looks at your passport and a (i) checks your hand luggage before you go into the (j) to wait till your flight is called. If you want to, you can buy some cheap (k) goods here. Then you see on the (I) or you hear an (m) that you must (n) your plane. You go through the (o) , then there is sometimes a (p) before you actually enter the plane. When all the (q) are (r) , and when the captain and his crew are ready in the cockpit, the plane begins to (s) to the end of the (t) . Finally, permission is received from the control tower and the plane moves faster and faster in order to (u) .

Task 17.Complete the sentences with a word from the list below .

headphones seat belts aisle land

turbulence cabin crew airliner

Flying is fun. I like being in a big (a) with the (b) (stewards and stewardesses) looking after me. They walk up and down the (c) bringing meals and drinks; and if the flight is going through some (d) , they warn everybody that it might be bit bumpy and ask us to fasten our (e) . On a long flight I like listening to music through the (f) availale to all passengers, and sometimes I have a sleep. I enjoy it all so much that I never want the plane to (g)

Task 18. Put one of the following words in each space in the sentences below.

through at to off in on for by

1. We decided to go…….. plane.

2. When do we take…….?

3. First you must go……. customs and immigration.

4. You'd better ask ……. the information desk.

5. His friend went…… the airport with him to see him……

6. You must check…..at 10.30.

7. Put your luggage…… a trolley

8. He looked…… my passport.

Task 19. Put the words below into the following categories.

Airport	aisle	beach
Capital	hills	breath-taking
Traffic	peaks	flight
Gorgeous	jams	fields
Picturesque	sandy	spectacular
Surf	check-in	waves

Words connected with cities __________________________________________

Words connected with the seaside _____________________________________

Words connected with air travel _______________________________________

Words connected with the countryside __________________________________