Read the information about travelling round the world and do the task given after the text.

UNIT

Memory work:

IN THE VAN

A lady sent in the van: It was caught and put in the van

A bag, Along with the bag and the box,

A box, The divan,

A divan, The hamper,

A hamper, The sampler,

A sampler, The books,

Some books, Instead of the doggy named Snooks.

And a wee little doggy named Snooks.

The lady got out of the train

At the station in Red Banner Street At the station in southern Ukraine.

She was handed a yellow receit She called to a porter, who ran

That listed the things for the van: To bring her the things in the van;

A bag, The bag,

A box, The box,

A divan, The divan,

A hamper, The hamper,

A sampler, The sampler,

Some books, The books,

And a wee little doggy named Snooks. And the dog - that was not named Snooks.

When the luggage was brought to the train, The hound gave a terrible growl,

It was counted all over again, The lady emitted a howl.

And packed away in the van: “You robbers, you rascals!” cried she,

The bag, “This isn’t my dog, can’t you see?”

The box, She tore at the handles and locks,

The divan, She kicked at the bag and the box,

The hamper, The hamper,

The sampler, The sampler,

The books, The books,

And the wee little doggy named Snooks. “I will have my doggy named Snooks!”

But off the wee doggy ran “Just a minute, dear madam, don’t shout,

As soon as the journey began. And don’t throw your luggage about,

And only on reaching the Don It seems that you sent in the van;

Was it found that the doggy was gone. A bag,

All the luggage was safe in the van: A box,

The bag, A divan,

The box, A hamper,

The divan, A sampler,

The hamper, Some books,

The sampler, And a wee little doggy named Snooks.

The books, But the smallest of dogs, as you know,

But - where was the doggy named Snooks? In the course of a journey may grow.”

Just then an enormous black hound

Came over the rails at a bound.

STEP I.

Communicative Functions.

1.1 At the Railway Station (Asking about trains):

a) b)

A: When does the London train leave, please? A; Which train do you take for Victoria,

B: 9.25. Platform 3. please?

A: What time does it reach London? B: 9.28. This end of Platform 2.

B: You should be there at 11.31, but you may A: When does it get in?

be a bit late. B: It gets there at 11.34.

A: Do I have to change? A: Must I change?

B: Yes. You change at Lewes and East Croydon. B: No, it’s a through train.

c) d)

A: Which platform for London Bridge, please? A: What time is the next train to Victoria,

B: 9.27 from Platform 1. please?

A: What time does it arrive? B: 9.26. Platform 4. Right up at the

front.

B: It takes roughly 2 hours. So you arrive just A: When do we get there?

before 11.30. B: It’s due in at 11.35. But they’re

A: Is it necessary to change? running late today.

B: No. There’s no need to change. A: Need I change trains?

B: Yes. Change at East Croydon.

1.2 Booking Airline Tickets:

a) b)

A: I want a flight to Geneva. I don’t know A: I’d like to book a flight to Munich for

about the first. Monday, the 10th.

B: I’ll just see what there is. B: I’ll have a look in the timetable for

A: I want to go economy and I’d prefer the you.

morning. A: I need an economy class, open

return.

B: Luftgansa flight LH 203. Leaves at 09:20. B: KLM’ve got a DC 9 leaving at 09:25.

A: What time do I have to be there? A: What else ought I to know?

B: The coach leaves for the airport at 08:15. B: The latest time of reporting is 08:35

at the airport.

c) d)

A: What flights are there from London to A: Are there any planes to Zurich on a

Vienna tomorrow? Sunday?

B: If you’d like to take a seat I’ll find out for B: If you’ll excuse me for a second, I’ll

you. check.

A: I’d like to travel first class, please. A: By the way, I don’t want a night

B: BEA flight BE 502 takes off from Heathrow flight.

at 09:25 and flies direct. B: There’s a Swiss Air flight out of

A: What time have I got to get there? London at 09:20.

B: You’ll have to be at West London Air A: When am I supposed to check in?

Terminal by 08:10 at the latest. B: If you’re going to the airport you

must be there before 08:35.

1.3 Dealing with money:

A: I’d like to change these roubles, please.

B: Yes, sir. How many roubles have you got?

A: 200. What’s the rate of exchange?

B: The current rates are on the notice board.

A: I’d like to buy this coat, but I haven’t got enough cash. Do you take traveller’s cheques?

B: Certainly, sir.

Exercises.

2.1 Use an English-English dictionary. What does a bullet train (a boat train, a jumbo jet, a ferry, a package tour, a berth/ couchette, tourist class) mean?

2.2 Match the columns:

CRUISE a short pleasure trip with a group

TRIP visiting different places, often with a guide

TOUR a short journey or a journey made on business

FLIGHT by ship between two ports

CROSSING visiting different places by ship

VOYAGE by air

EXCURSION a short pleasure trip

OUTING a long distance by ship

2.3 Choose the right word:

trip journey tour excursion travel voyage hitch-hiking

1. Do you know, my... to work took over 4 hours this morning.

2. For our holidays next year, we’re going on a ten-day... of the Australian outback.

3. We always go on a day... to France in December to buy Christmas presents.

4. The price of this holiday includes a full-day... to a place of cultural interest.

5. He’s hoping to go on a(n)... to the Himalayas.

6. It was a tiresome 3 weeks’....

7.... gives you a chance to see much without spending anything.

8. Did you enjoy your week-end...?

9. We didn’t stay long in Moscow but we managed.... of it.

10. I’m always sea-sick and I hate the very idea of.....

11. Do you like...?

2.4 Fill in the gaps with the suitable word:

1. I think you’re asking for... if you try to change the car engine yourself.

A problem B trouble C damage D worries

2. It’s worth... if there are any cheap flights to Spain at the weekend.

A find out B finding out C to find out D that you find out

3. As a... rule, July is the hottest month in Britain.

A golden B common C usual D general

4. If the weather stays fine, the plane... land at 9.20 local time.

A must B ought C does D should

5. I’ve always enjoyed travelling. My brother,..., prefers to stay at home.

A but B although C however D even

6. Last summer we went on... holiday to Turkey.

A a packed B a packet C an inclusive D a package

7. Because of heavy winds, our plan had to make an emergency... on a busy motorway.

A landing B land C stop D runway

8. In Britain everyone travelling in a car... wear a seat belt.

A ought B must C always D have

9. What about... for a run at six o’clock tomorrow morning?

A we go B go C to go D going

10. In Britain, it isn’t... to swim in the sea in winter.

A warm enough B enough warm C too warm D warmly

11. Have you ever been on a guided... of Westminster Abbey?

A journey B sightseeing C trip D tour

12. I’ve just come back from a business... to New York.

A trip B journey C excursion D travel

13. Last year, we drove non-stop from Paris to Madrid. This year we’re going to... our

journey in Bordeaux.

A stop B pause C break D interrupt

14. The sea was so rough that the... took nearly six hours.

A voyage B flight C passage D cruise

2.5 How did they travel? Match the names with the forms of transport. Use: in, on, by before the noun. For reference see 2.2 in STEP III.

Example: Yuri Gagarin travelled in a spaceship.

Yuri Gagarin plane

Ferdinand Magellan boat

James Gallagher train

Joshua Slocum sledge

Ranulph Fiennes ship

Garry Sowerby horse

Sir Francis Drake car

Ken Langley foot

lorry

submarine

spaceship

2.6 Complete the following sentences using by, in, off, on, out of.

1. I usually go back home... bus. It’s much cheaper than going... train.

2. It gets so crowded in the rush hour that it’s quicker to go... foot than... car.

3. We can take five people... the car and the others will have to go... the train.

4. It takes about half an hour to get home... my bike and about twenty minutes... the bus.

5. I’ve often travelled... plane but I’ve never been... a jumbo jet.

6. Since I broke my leg I have to travel... bus because I can’t get... the car.

7. I have to get... the train at the next stop.

8. Let me help you get your things... the car.

9. The journey is uphill all the way so it’s very tiring... bike. I prefer to go... foot.

10. We went for a trip up the Nile... a big boat called a felucca.

If the vehicle and the verb can be used together tick the correct space in the table.

Types of car bicycle boat/ship bus motorbike plane taxi train

vehicle

Verbs

catch/miss

get into/

get out of

get on/

get off

ride

take

drive

2.8 Fill in the gaps using the suitable words from the following:

parked; early-morning; drive; plane; backed; take off; swerved; land; overtake; local time; does 10 km to the litre; stranded; wrecked; airport; marooned; delayed; flight; disembark; run on time; dock; change; sets sail

1. It was an....

2. The... was to... at 6 a.m. and... at 7 a.m.....

3. He was... at the... overnight.

4. The plane was... by fog.

5. Trains always.. here.

6. You have to... trains at Crewe.

7. Our ship... at noon.

8. It will... in New York at 6 p.m. and we’ll... as soon as we can.

9. The ship was.... The passengers were... on a desert island.

10. Our car.... We can usually... other cars.

11. The car... into the middle of the road to avoid the cyclist.

12. He... the car into the... and... in front of the house.

2.9. Match the parts of the sentences:

1. When you travel by air, you’ve a)... go to the cabin and lie down.

got to...

2. If one is a poor sailor, one should... b)... go to the gate.

3. Not to get sea-sick one should... c)... goes through the customs.

4. When you hear your flight called you d)... have your luggage registered (weighed

should... and labelled).

5. When one arrives in a foreign country, e)... take some medicine.

one...

6. The customs officer usually says... f)... “Have you got anything to declare?”

2.10. Correct the mistakes:

1. I’m often seasick on board of a cargo-ship.

2. Where can I change to Berlin in this city?

3. A guard is a person who helps you do the sights.

4. When does “Titanic” leave for America?

5. Do you often have to travel to abroad?

6. Unfortunately, hitch-hiking you have to spend a lot of money.

7. A sleeper is a seat where you can sleep in your compartment.

8. I prefer travelling on feet to going by liner.

9. Though I’m a bad sailor the sight of Black Sea impressed me greatly.

10. Very few of us preferred taking a tour about that city.

2.11. Restore the dialogues:

1)

A: Good morning. I’d like an air ticket.

B:......................................?

A: Oh! To San Francisco. Economy class, not first class. It’s too expensive.

B: Economy class..........................?

A: Return. I’m going on holiday.

B: Well, if you’re going on holiday, there are many different kinds of cheaper tickets.

Night flights, excursion tickets.............................?

A: The day after tomorrow.

B:...................................................?

A: Not long. About three weeks.

B: Have an excursion ticket then. You can’t come back before you’ve been away ten days

or after you’ve been away forty days. You said you were staying three weeks.

A: Yes.

B: Well, that’s all right then.

A:.........................................?

B: Half price. The normal return fare to San Francisco is 36 but the excursion ticket only

costs 18.

A: Wonderful! What flights are there?

B: There’s a flight leaving here at 10:00 and arriving in San Francisco at 12:00 or there’s

another one that leaves here at 13:00, 1 o’clock in the afternoon and arrives in...

A: Now, I’ll take the first one, the ten o’clock flight.

B: Fine. Your name, please.

A: Madigan. Mrs. Madigan.

B: Thank you. Check in at the airport at least 45 minutes before the take-off, before 9.15.

A:...................................?

B: By bus. There’s a special airport bus from the terminal in Museum Square.

A:...................................?

B: Oh, no. There aren’t any check-in facilities at the terminal, only at the airport. Have a

good flight, Mrs. Madigan.

A:...........................

2)

A: Can I buy tickets for the boat-train to Britain here?

B: Yes.

A: What’s the fare?

B:.................?

A: Dover.

B:....................?

A: Return.

B: Going on holiday?

A: Yes.

B: Well, take the tourist return then. That only costs 10.20. The normal fare is 15.

A: How long is it valid?

B: Two months from the day of issue.

A:.............................

B: Well, two months from today then.

A:.............................?

B: 4 o’clock. Now, how many do you want? Other people are waiting.

A: Two and two couchettes.

B: The reservation office is next door. That’ll be 20.40. Next!

***

C:........................?

A: I’d like to reserve two couchettes on the 4 o’clock to Dover.

C:..........................?

A: Yes.

C: Sorry, couchettes must be booked at least two days in advance.

A: Well, can I reserve seats?

C:......................................?

A: Two.

C: Can I have your tickets, please?

A:........................

C: Thank you. Facing the engine or back to the engine?

A:....................................................?

C: No. Seats on the boat cannot be reserved. But there’s plenty of room.

A: Good.

C: Keep this seat ticket with your train ticket. It’s not valid without it.

2.12. Guided dialogues:

a) A; asks about the departure of his train.

B: tells A the time and the platform.

A: wants to know the arrival time.

B: answers; adds the train can be late.

A: wonders if he is to change.

B: thinks it’s unnecessary.

b) A: wants to book a flight to some place.

B: gives the information about the options.

A: chooses the variant he likes best;

says he wants to travel economy

class.

B: tells A when he is supposed to be at the

airport.

A: thanks B.

B: wishes A a pleasant flight.

Think of stimulating phrases to which those could be the replies.

1) Yes. You change at Paddington. 2) 10 o’clock every morning. 3) Platform 4. This way.

4) I’ll see what they’ve got. 5) It’ll be $ 30. 6) The current rates are over there. 7) I’ll take the 9 o’clock one. 8) There’s a special bus from the terminal. 9) The reservation office is next door. 10) It’s much more expensive.

2.14. Choose a person in your group and prepare 5 special questions to interview him/her on their travelling.

2.15. Work in pairs. Prepare and practise a conversation for one of these situations (or a

different one if you prefer). The words in brackets may be of help.

- having a car repaired;

(steering, brakes, engine, plugs, backfire, exhaust, silencer, tyres, puncture,

windscreen wipers, wiper motor, check the brakes/steering/plugs, tighten the

brakes/steering, change the plugs/oil, rust service);

- an enquiry about air travel;

- train enquiry;

- being stopped by the police.

(What speed were you going? How fast were you going? Is this your vehicle?

Overtake, lights, traffic lights, stop sign, speed limit, speeding, driving licence,

registration book, certificate of insurance, Have you been drinking? Blow into

this.)

2.16. Speak on the following:

1. Advantages and disadvantages of hitch-hiking.

2. My most terrible/pleasant trip.

2.17. Game. Role-playing.

The class is divided into 3 or 4 groups acting as families going to travel. After

consulting each other they speak about their family members, their destination,

method of travelling, its length, possible luggage, tickets, seats. They also express

their attitude to the coming adventure.

STEP II.

Dialogue.

A FLYING VISIT

Mum: Hello, mike. Did you enjoy the weekend in Paris?

Mike: Yes, it was great, Mum. Look, I’ve brought you back some wine and here are some cigarettes for Dad.

Mum: Thank you, dear. That’s lovely. But you needn’t have gone to that expense.

Mike: Well, I don’t often buy you presents, but I don’t often go to Paris either.

Mum: Tell me about it. What did you do with yourself?

Mike: Well, we had quite a good flight, and we got to the hotel at about seven o’clock. We

had a super dinner, and then Clive, Tim and I went to a nightclub.

Mum: Didn’t anyone else go with you?

Mike: No, no one else wanted to come. All the others were too tired. Then on Saturday

Morning we did some shopping, and of course we watched the international rugby

match in the afternoon. The match was drawn, but England were lucky not to lose.

Mum: Where else did you go? Didn’t you look round the Louver?

Mike: Yes, but it was a lightning visit. And we went up the Eiffel Tower too, of course.

But we didn’t have time for much else. We were told we were not to be late for

check-in at the airport and we had to rush like mad. When we got there, though, we

found we needn’t have hurried because take-off had been delayed for an hour.

Mum: What else did you buy then?

(From Intermediate)

Exercises.

Listen to the dialogue. Mark the stress and intonation.

Get ready to read the dialogue in class. Imitate the intonation.

Retell the dialogue in indirect speech.

Make a brief summary of the dialogue.

Learn the dialogue by heart.

2.6. Translate into English:

1) Где он сошел с поезда? 2) Как вы себя чувствовали, когда самолет взлетал? 3) Мы уже обменяли свои чеки. 4) Я заказал одно место по ходу поезда в вагоне для некурящих. 5) Только на борту корабля я понял, что плохо переношу море. 6) Некоторые думают, что до Америки можно добраться автостопом. 7) Как можно путешествовать вторым классом да еще и спиной к ходу движения поезда? 8) Давайте отправимся в турне по Европе. - Звучит заманчиво, только мы любим дома сидеть.

9) Чтобы пересечь Ла-Манш нужно пересесть с автобуса на паром. 10) Багаж незнакомки состоял из кошелька и собачки. 11) Снизят ли когда-нибудь плату за проезд? 12) Моя мечта отправиться в морское путешествие через Атлантический океан. 13) Обычно в спальных вагонах проводники дружелюбны. 14) Свое первое путешествие он совершил на борту старого грузового судна, направлявшегося в Европу. 15) Надо купить билеты. Бегом в кассу! 16) Я бы с удовольствием поехал, но мне всегда плохо в дороге. 17) Пожалуйста, билет туда и обратно. 18) Я с детства привыкла летать самолетом. 19) В Москве вы пересядете в поезд на Санкт-Петербург. 20) Возьмем Элис на пикник? - Ну ее, ее невозможно вытащить из дома. 21) Было бы хорошо занять купе вчетвером. 22) Надо зарегистрировать багаж.

2.7 Translate the story into English:

Мистер Твистер должен был сесть на самолет из Лондона в Париж. Он встал очень рано, сложил багаж в машину и попытался завести двигатель. Тот никак не заводился. Мистер Твистер тут же позвонил в местный сервис и попросил прислать механика. К счастью, у них был свободный человек и он приехал через 10 минут. Механик быстро разобрался в чем была проблема. У мистера Твистера просто кончился бензин. Глупая ситуация. Как бы то ни было, наш герой добрался до аэропорта, зарегистрировался и прошел в зал отправлений почитать газеты в ожидании. Вскоре мистер Твистер услышал, что все рейсы в Париж и из него задерживаются из-за сильного снегопада. “И почему я не поехал поездом?” подумал он. ”Это было бы гораздо быстрее. Даже если б я почувствовал себя неважно на пароме, было бы приятно посидеть в шезлонге, наблюдая за чайками и другими пассажирами. К тому же, на корабле гораздо лучше кормят.”

TOPICAL VOCABULARY

General expressions:

to travel by train/plane/car, on foot; to take a tour of some place, to get into/on, to get out of/off, to arrive in/at, to leave, to catch/miss smth, to ride, to take a bus, to drive, to park, to be due, to be sea-sick/air-sick/ travel sick;

travel, journey, tour, crossing, voyage, trip, excursion, outing, round trip, package tour, cruise;

ticket (single/one way, return), fare, to be valid;

luggage/baggage (Am), to change for smth, to change from train to plane, to travel first/second/business/economy/tourist class, to go through the customs, hitch-hiking.

At an Airport:

jumbo jet, flight number, to check in, to delay, standby, a take-off, to land, a boarding card, smoking/non-smoking, stop over, hand baggage, insurance, to make a reservation, air terminal, the gate, to have one’s luggage registered/ weighed and labelled.

At a Railway Station:

What time...? The next train for..., Which platform...?, seat reservation, berth/couchette, to run on time, facing the engine, back to the engine, a guard, a porter, bullet train, boat train, fast train, direct train, sleeper.

Words at sea:

ferry, to be stranded/wrecked/marooned; to disembark, to dock, to set sail, to be a poor/bad sailor, cabin, to be on board a ship/plane.

Travelling by car: to back, to swerve, to overtake.

Dealing with money: to change money, the rate of exchange, traveller’s cheques.

STEP III.

Reading.

1.1 Read the following texts. Pick out words and phrases you would like to add to your Topical Vocabulary.

TEXT A

The sense of freedom offered by rail travel is unrivalled by any other except perhaps the less safe option of hitch-hiking. Trains are also a great way to meet local people and, compared with other long-distance models of transport, the Greenest you can get. Rail travel allows you to explore the hidden corners of the continent, especially areas where rural lines are still open and trains are still the most common form of public transport. It’s also a relaxing way to travel, whether you’re using it as a cheap bed for the night, or as a ring-side seat for series of stunning views.

The first step before you go is to choose one of the Eurorail schemes available. After that, there are a few tips to bear in mind before you leave. Budgeting always causes headaches and it’s worth finding out which are the “expensive” and the “cheap” countries. It’s sensible to take some cash, but you should take most of your money in traveller’s cheques. Choose a well-known brand and buy small denominations.

Your most important piece of equipment is your backpack, and it’s worth while choosing one that’s comfortable and light, sits just above your hips, and is “high” rather than “wide” when full. A day-pack is useful for sightseeing, and a pair of comfortable walking shoes is vital, along with dark, hard-wearing clothes. As a general rule, put out everything you want to take - then halve it. Some things, however, should not be left behind. An alarm clock (so you don’t miss those early trains); a scarf to cover your shoulders or legs for visits to churches or mosques; photocopies of all your important documents - best packed separately or given to a travelling companion; toilet paper, soap and a universal plug; a Swiss army penknife; numerous plastic bags; a water bottle and a small first aid kit.

The fun really starts once you’re out there, of course - hunting for a hostel at 10 p.m., being ripped off by a taxi driver who claims there are no buses to your campsite or being turned away from a famous tourist attraction for wearing shorts. There are compensations for these frustrations (which make the best stories afterwards, anyway!), but many problems can be avoided if you’re aware of the potential pitfalls before you leave.

The golden rule is not to try to cram too much into the time available. Trying to see the whole of Europe in a month, by spending every night on a train and an afternoon in each capital city, will result in an unsatisfactory blur of shallow impressions. It is also a recipe for disaster, as you will be tired, grumpy and unreceptive for most of your trip. Instead, try to vary your route, mixing visits to cities with relaxing spells on the beach or in the countryside.

Each year a few unlucky travellers have their valuables stolen. The best way to prevent this is to carry them with you at all times, preferably in a money belt or a neck pouch. This is especially important on night trains, where most thefts occur. Another sensible precaution is not to sleep rough - you are just asking for trouble. Watch out for conmen at stations: they’ll try to persuade you to accept a room, tempting you with glamorous pictures of a hotel which turns out to be awful and whose price will have doubled by the time you reach it. Far better to go and see accommodation yourself before accepting it. And, if you’re on a tight budget, it’s always worth asking if they’ve got anything cheaper.

TEXT B

SMOKING ON BOARD

You will have been asked at check-in whether or not you wish to smoke. Should you discover that you are sitting in the wrong section of the aircraft, wait until you have been airborne for about ten minutes and then ask the crew if you may move to another seat, if any is available in an equivalent non-smoking section.

DURING THE FLIGHT

Bar service is available. In both First Class and Club cabins, you will find a selection of magazines and newspapers. Slipperettes and eye-shades are provided on inter-continental flights, which also carry children’s games, babies’ requisites, stationery, blankets and toiletries.

COMFORT HINTS

Because flying has a dehydrating effect, it’s wise to drink reasonable quantities of non-alcoholic liquids. On 747s, DC10s and Tri-Stars, you’ll find water fountains. During climb and descent, you can relieve any discomfort in your ears by yawning or swallowing. Because feet tend to swell on longer flights it is often a good idea not to remove tight-fitting shoes. Should you need any common pharmaceutical requisites, please ask the cabin crew.

(British Airways)

***

AMSTERDAM AIRPORT SCHIPHOL

Trouble-free arrival

To get to the main airport building from your arrival pier follow the yellow EXIT signs. You’ll pass through the passport control on your way to baggage claim and customs.

If you need to change any currency you’ll find two bank offices in the baggage claim area.

After you’ve claimed your baggage and cleared customs you enter the public section of the Arrival Hall. There you’ll find KLM’s Hotel Reservation desk, the Car Rental desks, the Airport Information desk, and the Check-in for NLM-CityHoppers domestic flights. In front of the Arrival Hall is everything you need to continue your journey. For those travelling locally, there’s a taxi rank and a shuttle bus service to nearby airport hotels.

The railway station is also in front of the Arrival Hall, and is best reached by an underpass from the hall itself. From there you can go direct to Amsterdam Central Station, Leiden and The Hague (trains leave every 15 minutes) and Rotterdam (every 30 minutes); there are also connections to most major cities in the Netherlands. In addition, there are hourly services to Antwerp and Brussels in Belgium, and to Rheine, Osnabruck and Hannover in Germany. Please check the timetables which are in the Arrival Hall or the station for exact information.

TEXT C

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

You’ll have no difficulty getting around Britain. It’s a compact country, where travelling from one place of interest to another is quick and simple.

MONEY

There are 100 pence in a pound. People sometimes say “p” instead of “pence”, for example - 80 “p”. Not all banks change foreign money but you can find at least one bank in each town that will do so.

MEDICAL CARE

If you get ill or have an accident while you are in Britain, and you must be treated before you return home, you can get free medical care. Your country may have an agreement with Britain for other medical care, too; ask at British embassy or consulate before you live. You may need a special paper from your country’s national health service. If your country does not have an agreement with Britain, you may want to take out health insurance for the journey.

DRIVING IN BRITAIN

Drive on the left and overtake on the right is the rule to remember. The wearing of seat belts is compulsory for the driver and front-seat passengers. For full details of Britain’s road regulations, a copy of the Highway code can be obtained. Petrol stations are provided at regular intervals on most motorways and are generally open 24 hours a day. But on country trips make sure your tank is well filled before starting out, especially at night or on Sundays. Speed limits unless signs indicate otherwise:

30 miles per hour (48kph) in built-up areas;

60 miles per hour (97kph) on single carriageways;

70 miles per hour (113kph) on motorways or dual carriageways.

Combined with rail and air travel, renting a car gives you maximum flexibility. Rental companies all operate a rent-it-here-leave-it-there scheme, with offices throughout the country.

GETTING AROUND

National Express coaches use the high-speed motorway and trunk routes and are a quick and economical way of getting around the country. The Rapide service, with hostess-served refreshments on board, offers non-stop journeys from London to more than 250 towns and cities. Daily inter-city services with cheap fares are also offered by other coach companies, many of which also organise special sightseeing tours. There are also local buses.

Britain has a very extensive network of internal air routes. This internal air service is operated by many different airlines. For information on schedules and fares, contact local travel agents or the airline direct.

Trains are fairly good in Britain. If you are under 24 or over 65, or if you are travelling with a family, ask about “railcards” for cheaper fares on the train. Overseas visitors to Britain who buy their ticket before leaving home are entitled to one of the best rail travel bargains to be found anywhere. This is the BritRail Pass, which gives unlimited travel on British Rail’s scheduled services for periods of 4, 8, 15 and 22 days or one month.

Remember though, that all BritRail Passes must be bought before you arrive in the country as they are not sold in Britain.

WHERE TO STAY

Hotels are very expensive in Britain. A cheaper solution is a “bed and breakfast” in someone’s home. You can stay a night or two in a friendly family atmosphere, from as little as 8.50 pounds a night.

There are guesthouses that offer comfortable good-value accommodation, together with breakfast and evening meal, for overnight, weekend, or longer holidays.

For young people, families and those on budget holidays, Britain also has an excellent network of Youth Hostels. Accommodation is usually simple, but prices are extremely low (from 3.90 pounds to 9 pounds bed and breakfast per night for adults; less if you are under 21 years old.)

EATING OUT

Restaurants are often expensive, and you can be sure the food will be good. But Indian and Chinese restaurants usually serve good meals at lower prices. Pubs sometimes cook good inexpensive food. Fast food shops - fish and chip shops, hamburger shops - are cheap, but the food is not always very good.

TEXT D

LONE CROONER

I was on vacation with my parents, and they wanted to go on some lame tour, so I left to look for a nice private beach instead. After driving down a long dirt road, I found an empty strip of sand. I laid out my towel, popped a No Doubt tape in my Walkman and sang along at the top of my lungs to “Just A Girl”. After butchering the song with my tone-deaf voice for a few minutes, I opened my eyes to see a group of hot surfer guys. They had arrived right after me, and I hadn’t noticed them. I just picked up my things and drove away, trying to act casual. But as I got in the car, I heard them laughing. I felt like the biggest loser.

BIKINI AFLOAT

For spring break I went to Florida with my family. We had been warned that man-of-wars often wash ashore on the beaches. One day the waves were great and I was way out, having the time of my life. Then I spotted a blue bubble floating near me. I immediately screamed “man-of-war!” and swam as fast as I could to the shore. Once I was out of the water, I realized everyone on the beach was giving me strange looks and laughing. Then I realized that the “man-of-war” was actually my blue bikini top, which had untied and floated off.

(From Seventeen, July 1998)

TEXT E

“Tourism is wearing out the planet.” Sheldrake delved into his silvery attache case again and brought out a sheaf of press-cuttings marked with yellow highlighter. He flipped through them. “The footpaths in the Lake District have become trenches. The frescoes in the Sistine Chapel are being damaged by the breath and body heat of spectators. A hundred and eight people enter Notre Dame every minute: their feet are eroiding the floor and the buses that bring them there are rotting the stonework with exhaust fumes. Pollution from cars queuing to get to Alpine ski resorts is killing the trees and causing avalanches and landslides. The Mediterranean is like a toilet without a chain: you have one in six chance of getting an infection if you swim in it. In 1987 they had to close Venice one day because it was full. In 1963 forty-four people went down the Colorado river on a raft, now there are a thousand trips a day. In 1939 a million people travelled abroad; last year it was four hundred million. By the year two thousand there could be six hundred and fifty million international travellers, and five times as many people travelling in their own countries. The mere consumption of energy entailed is stupendous.”

“My goodness,” said Bernard. “The only way to put a stop to it, short of legislation, is to demonstrate to people that they aren’t enjoying themselves when they go on holiday, but are engaging in a superstitious ritual. It’s no coincidence that tourism arose just as religion went into decline. It’s the new opium of the people, and must be exposed as such.”

(from Paradise News by David Lodge)

Exercises.

2.1. Read the information about several trips or tours offered by Explore Worldwide. Which one appeals to you most? Why?

EASY/MODERATE HIKING

Many trips include a few days’ easy walking through open countryside, based on tented or hotel accommodation; also village-to-village hiking which involves some trail walking with the prospect of overnighting along the way in private houses or basic village huts. You’ll find such trips in Spain’s Sierra Nevada, in Crete, Corsica, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Nepal, and many other Explore Worldwide destinations. On long distance walks involving more than one day, all your main luggage is transported by a separate vehicle, or carried by porters or pack animals. You simply bring a daypack for your personal gear.

MAJOR TREKS

A limited number of major treks are offered for strong mountain walkers. These sometimes involve walking at elevations over 10,000 feet, with substantial altitude gains and losses during a single day. We may lodge with the local people or rough-camp in the world’s great mountain ranges like the Himalayas and Andes. Or we use a mixture of well-appointed camp-sites and alpine chalets in more sophisticated mountain areas such as the Alps. Such trips usually involve support vehicles, porterage or pack animals. We rarely backpack or carry heavy gear.

SAILTREKS/SEATREKS

These are among the most original and relaxing holidays in our brochure. We charter local boats and journey by traditional felucca sailboat through Upper Egypt; we utilise gulets (wooden motor yachts) in Turkey and island-to-island ferries in countries like Greece and Thailand. Our 2-masted schooner explores the islands of the Indonesian Archipelago, while a small motor yacht is charted to cruise among the unique wildlife habitats of the Galapagos.

RAFT AND RIVER JOURNEYS

River journeys can last from a few hours to several days, and range from 2-person inflatables which participants paddle themselves (on the Dordogne River, for example) to all the fun, thrills and excitement of whitewater rafting navigated by skilled oarsmen. No previous experience is necessary and the appropriate safety skills are quickly learned. Our river trips in India, Africa and the Amazon offer us a unique insight into the fertile margins and exotic jungles.

Read the information about travelling round the world and do the task given after the text.

The first people to travel round the world went by sea. They were eighteen sailors from Spain. They were the only survivors of Ferdinand Magellan’s crew. Magellan himself did not return to Europe. He was killed by local tribesmen in the Philippines. Nearly sixteen years later, the English captain, Francis Drake, repeated Magellan’s voyage in his ship called “the Golden Hind”.

The first solo circumnavigation was made by the American, Captain Joshua Slocum at the end of the nineteenth century. He sailed 46,000 miles (74,000 kilometres). Yet Captain Slocum could not swim.

The first people to fly non-stop round the world were Captain James Gallagher and his crew. They completed the flight on the 2nd of March 1949. Their plane was a USAF Boeinh B-50 bomber. The flight took 94 hours 1 minute.

Two Canadians, Garry Sowerby and Ken Langley, drove round the world in a Volvo 245 DL car in 1980.

Most circumnavigators have travelled round the Equator. Sir Ranulph Fiennes and his companions did it the hard way. Between 1979 and 1982 they travelled round the world via the North and South Poles.

Since Magellan’s time people have travelled round the world on foot and by all forms of transport. Some have ridden on bicycles, horses, motorcycles and trains. Others have travelled on sledges, in cars, lorries, submarines and all sorts of ships, boats and planes. In the sixteenth century, it took Magellan’s men three years to travel round the world. In 1961 Yuri Gagarin orbited the Earth in 89.34 minutes.

Right, wrong or don’t know?

a) All the men in Magellan’s crew were Spanish.

b) Magellan was the first man to travel round the world.

c) Magellan’s ship was called “the Golden Hind”.

d) Captain Scolum sailed round the world with his wife.

e) Captain James Gallagher was an American pilot.

f) Ranulph Fiennes and his companions travelled North-South instead of East-West.

g) Langley and Sowerby began their journey in Canada.

h) Nobody has travelled round the world faster than Yuri Gagarin.

2.3. If you travel to America you might want to know these equivalents of some British words:

American British

gasoline petrol

truck lorry

baggage luggage

sidewalk pavement

trunk (of car) boot

hood (of car) bonnet

cab taxi

freeway motorway

round trip return

railway car railway carriage

engineer (on train) engine driver

Now make the following sentences American:

1) I’m afraid we’ve run out of petrol.

2) Oh, what’s there on your bonnet? Is it a puppy?

3) Where can I have my luggage registered?

4) Taxi! Elm Street, please.

5) There were about 15 carriages in the train.

6) What’s your Dad? - He’s a lorry-driver.

7) I think we should choose this motorway. It’s shorter.

8) It was hot and stuffy. The pavement was covered with dust.

9) Where is my flash-light? - It’s in a boot.

10) My Grandad used to be an engine driver.

2.4. Study the table and act out a dialogue between a passenger using this or that type of transport and a person working there (e.g. a mechanic, a captain). You want to get more information about some vehicle or the work of the people you’re talking to. Don’t forget to use words from the table.

Transport Different kinds Parts of People Associated

Type of vehicle vehicle working with it facilities

road sports car, estate boot, engine, driver, mechanic, petrol station,

car, bus, coach, gears, steering- chauffeur, bus- garage, service-

tram, van, lorry wheel, brakes, conductor station

tyres

rail passenger train, sleeping car, engine-driver, waiting room,

freight train, buffet, restau- ticket collector, ticket office,

local train, express rant car, guard, porter signal box

compartment

sea yacht, rowing- boat, engine-room, captain, skipper, port, buoy, quay,

fishing boat, liner, deck, bridge, purser, docker, customs shed,

ferry, trawler gangplank, steward(ess) light-house,

companionway docks

air aeroplane, jet, cockpit, nose, pilot, ground duty-free shop,

helicopter, super- tail, wings, fuse- staff, steward, departure lounge,

sonic aircraft lage, joystick air traffic hangar, runway

controller

2.5. Invent your own means of travelling and describe it.

2.6. Correct the contradictions in the passage:

How about a holiday in San Antonio, the newest resort on the Costa Brighton? The beaches with sand as soft as concrete, skating in the warm sea and running through the pine forests have been popular with our regular visitors for over 400 years. The cafes, hospitals and hoverports offer real Russian dancing, authentic flamenco and fandango accompanied by throbbing chess-playing and singing to fill your mind with memories to be treasured for minutes.

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