BOOKING AIRLINE TICKETS

PRACTICE YOUR ENGLISH

 

Методические указания по английскому языку

для работы над устными экзаменационными темами

 

Part II

 

 

Самара2006

 

 

Составители: Е.В. Шипанова, Э.Р. Хафиятуллина

Методические указания по устным экзаменационным темам для студентов II курса всех специальностей (английский язык)/Сост.: Е.В. Шипанова, Э.Р. Хафиятуллина; Самарск. Гос. арх.-строит. ун-т. Самара,2006.

 

 

Данные методические указания по английскому языку предназначены для студентов II курса всех специальностей и содержат тематические разделы для отработки устных экзаменационных тем. Пособие содержит список слов и словосочетаний, комплекс упражнений и диалогов.

 

 

Предназначена для студентов II курса всех специальностей

 

 

Рецензент: доктор филологических наук, профессор Е.Г. Вышкин

 

UNIT I: TRAVELLING

TEXT A

Vocabulary

explorer-исследователь to discover-открывать

wealth-богатство dangerous- опасный

convenient- удобный ruins-руины

ancient –древний picturesque -живописный

to change— изменять scene-пейзаж

rhythm -ритм means-вид, средство

hike- поход, экскурсия, путешествие пешком to belong to-принадлежать

advantage- преимущество dust- пыль

thrilling- волнующий remote-отдаленный

stewardess-стюардесса to serve -обслуживать, подавать

snack- легкая закуска splendid- рос­кошный

view-вид to be nervous- нервничать experience- опыт (жизненный) air-crash- воздушная катастрофа

to be air-sick- страдать от воздуш­ной болезни to prefer- предпочитать

to depend on-зависеть condition- условие

cruise -морское путешествие on board- на корабле, на борту

 

 

TRAVELLING

People began to travel ages ago. The first trav­ellers were explorers who wanted to discover new lands and to find wealth. Their journeys were very dangerous. Nowadays travelling is not that dangerous and much more comfortable.

Millions of people all over the world travel every day. They travel to see other countries and con­tinents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns. They travel to enjoy picturesque places just for a change of scene. It is always interesting to discover new things, different ways of life, to meet different people, to try different food, to listen to different musical rhythms.

You can choose the means of transport you like: plane, train, ship, bicycle or you can go hiking.

Of course, travelling by plane is the fastest, but it is also the most expensive. We all agree that the future belongs to the air transport because it's more comfortable and more convenient than other ways of travelling. There are a lot of advantages of travelling by air. Besides, flying is a thrill­ing thing. Although planes do not take us to small remote places, but only planes take us to other continents. If you are hungry you can have a meal on board the plane. A stewardess serves snacks and drinks. Besides, from the comfortable seat in a plane you can have a splendid view of the beautiful cloudy sky. But many people say that there are a lot of disadvan­tages of travelling by air. Planes make them nerv­ous. And they are quite right because flying is not a good experience if you are air-sick. Besides, nowadays we have a lot of air-crashes. As you know flying depends on the weather conditions. If the weather is cloudy airliners cannot fly. And travelling by air can cost a lot.

Travelling by train is one of the most popular means of travelling. Trains go slower than planes, but you can see much more interesting places of the country you are travelling through. Travel­ling by train is cheaper. Modern trains are very comfortable and you can enjoy a splendid view of the countryside. If you are hungry you can have a meal in the dining-car.

Travelling by sea is usually called a voyage or a cruise. On board large ships people can visit for­eign countries and see their own country.

Travelling by bus is one of the cheapest means of travelling. Modern buses have comfortable seats, video and phone. You can have hot tea or coffee, drinks and snacks there. You can have a trip not far from your home or visit foreign coun­tries.

Many people prefer travelling by car. They don't have to buy tickets. They don't have to carry heavy luggage. They can stop wherever they wish and spend as much time as they like at any place.

But some peоple like to travel on foot or by bike. It isn't the most comfortable means of travelling, but it is the cheapest.

I think travelling is the best way to spend your holidays. When we travel we can see and learn a lot of things that we can never see or learn at home.

 

Exercise I

Answer the questions:

1. When did people begin to travel?

2. Who were the first travellers?

3. It was very dangerous to travel ages ago, wasn't it? What about nowadays?

4. Why do people travel nowadays? What do they want to see?

5. In your opinion, why is it interesting to travel? Do you like to travel?

6. What means of travelling do you know?

7. What is your favourite way of travelling?

8. What is the fastest way of travelling?

9. Some people say that the future belongs to the air transport, don't they? Do you agree? Why not?

10. What are the advantages of travelling by air?

11. What are the disadvantages of travelling by air?

12. What way of travelling is cheaper than travelling by air and popular, too?

13. Why do many people often choose to travel by train?

14. What is the most comfortable and expensive means of travelling?

15. What is one of the cheapest means of travelling?

16. What are the advantages and disadvantages of travelling by bus?

17. Why do many people prefer travelling by car?

18. Have you ever travelled on foot or by bike? Where? With whom?

 

Exercise II

Read the dialogue and translate it:

At a railway station

Porter:Porter, madam?

Janet:Yes. Thirty for Liverpool.

Porter:Anything for the van? Any other luggage?

Janet:No. Just these two. I'll have them in the carriage with me.

Porter: Yes, madam.

Janet:Which platform is it?

Porter:Number two, madam.

Janet:I'll see you on the platform, OK? I'll just go and get my ticket.

Porter:Right you are, madam.

Janet:Have you got a seat for me?

Porter:Yes, madam. Just in here.

Janet:How much do I owe you?

Porter: Two shillings, madam.

Janet:Here you are.

 

 

TEXT B

TRAVELLING BY AIR

Travelling by air is more convenient than by train because it saves you time considerably though it does not save money. Distances more than 2000 km can now be covered by modern passenger planes on nonstop flights without landing to refuel. Statistics shows that travelling by air is as safe as travelling by train. Last time I travelled by air two years ago when I was on holiday in the Caucasus. I booked a ticket fifteen days in advance. On the appointed day after packing my luggage, I proceeded to the airport by bus. In the hall of the airport there were a lot of people waiting for boarding the plane. Before, the flight passengers must register at the airport. When registering the passenger is required to have his luggage weighed after which the attendant attaches a special tag to it. Each passenger is allowed twenty kilograms of luggage free of charge. There is no need to worry about your suitcase, it will be looked after.

The registration stopped half an hour before the time of take-off. Soon we heard the voice of the announcer calling the plane going south. "Boarding the plane Flight 217 begins. Passengers are invited to Gate 5." I said good-bye to my friends who came to see me off and with the other passengers went to a special bus which took us to the plane on the runway.

On board the plane the stewardess helped everyone get comfortable in the reclining seats adjustable to some positions. I sat back and relaxed. Very soon the plane took off. At that moment we saw a notice "No smoking. Fasten your seat-belts." In a few minutes we were above the clouds. During the flight we got information of the altitude, speed, the weather and the distance covered. The stewardess served us mineral water, juice, tea, sweets and sandwiches. Besides, newspapers and magazines were offered to the passengers. Everybody felt comfortable and nobody was airsick. The plane landed exactly on time.

 

Exercise I

Substitute the words of the opposite meaning for the underlined words:

 

1.The jet plane took off exactly on time.

2.I have come to the airport to meet my friends returning from
Moscow.

3.Before the plane took off the stewardess asked the passengers to
fasten the belts.

4.One by one the passengers were alighting out of the plane.

5.Our seats were in the rear part of the plane.

6.The landing was perfect.

7.We got tickets for the plane on the day of departure.

Exercise II

Describe what is not allowed to do on board the plane:

Мodel:Passengers are not allowed to make a noise on board the plane.

Substitute: to have heavy luggage .

to smoke

to unfasten belts when the plane is taking off or landing

to speak with the pilot

to have a weapon (оружие)

to take strong drinks

to enter the cockpit (кабина в самолете)

 

Describe services available on board the plane:

Model: Passengers can have (be given) mineral water on board the plane.

Substitute: to have a snack

to ask for a juice or any soft drink

to offer newspapers

to give information about the speed, altitude and the distance covered

to send a telegram from board the plane

to see video films during the flight

to ask a stewardess for a medicine

 

Exercise III

Answer the questions:

 

1. Do you think that travelling by air is more convenient than by train? Why?

2. Have you ever travelled by air? When was it?

3. When did the story-teller travel by plane last time?

4. Why must passengers be at the airport more than an hour in advance?

5. Are passengers allowed to have some luggage with them on board the plane?

6. Did the story-teller arrive at the airport in time?

7. Where did his plane go?

8. What notice did the passengers see when the plane took off?

9. What information did they get during the flight?

10. Did the stewardess serve the travellers well?

11. Was the plane late?

 

Exercise IV

Read the dialogues in pairs and translate them:

 

BOOKING AIRLINE TICKETS

I

A: Are there any flights to Geneva on Sunday?

B: I'll just see what there is.

A: I want to go economy, and I'd prefer the morning.

B: Lufthansa Flight LH 203 leaves at 9.20.

A: What time do I have to be there?

B: The coach leaves for the airport at 8.15.

II

A: I'd like to book a flight to Munich for Monday the tenth.

В: I'll have a look in the time-table for you.

A: I'll need an economy class open return.

B: KLM have got a DC-9 leaving at 9.25.

A: What else ought I to know?

B: The latest time of reporting is 8.35 at the airport.

III

A: What flights are there from London to Vienna tomorrow?

B: If you'd like to take a seat, I'll find out for you.

A: I'd like to travel first class, please.

B: BEA Flight BE 502 takes off from Heathrow at 9.25 and flies direct.

A: What time have I got to get there?

B: You'll have to be at West London Air Terminal by 8.10 as the latest.