Ex. 3. Read the sentences and translate them, paying attention to the predicates in the Passive form.

1. The program of railway reforms is being carried out now in Russia.

2. When I came to Leningrad in 1957, the first underground line was still being built.

3. Are they ready with the parcel? – No, it is still being packed.

4. The bridge, which is being upgraded now, will be used for the movement of both road and railway traffic.

5. Newspaper correspondents arrived at the aviation plant when the new passenger airplane was being tested.

6. The construction of this high-speed line is being actively supported by the government because the development of heavy industry in this region requires reliable and speedy railway traffic.

7. The business day was in high gear (был в полном разгаре): the mail was being looked through, the documents were being typed, letters were being answered, and talks were being hold.

8. A fleet of 45 300km/h Eurotrains will operate on the 340km Taipei-Kaohsiung high-speed line, which is being constructed now in Taiwan.

 

Ex. 4. Put the verbs into the required tense forms.

1. Two passengers (to appear – Past Simple Active) on the platform too late just as the train (to pull – Past Continuous Active) out.

2. At present 2,500 km of high-speed lines (to construct – Present Continuous Passive) in Europe and Asia.

3. Paul (to catch – Future Simple Active) the train, if he (to hurry – Present Simple Active) up.

4. A lot of people (to wait – Past Continuous Active) for the train arrival on the platform.

5. Decommissioned (списанные) locomotives (to turn – Present Simple Passive) into scrap or (to leave – Present Simple Passive) to rust in a train depot. Some (to end – Present Simple Active) in railway museums or (to buy – Present Simple Passive) by railfans.

6. Steel rails (to use – Past Simple Passive) in the US for the first time in 1863.

7. The experiment (to be – Past Simple Active) very interesting, it (to watch – Past Continuous Passive) with great attention.

8. When the train (to move – Present Continuous Active), the doors of the carriage (to keep /always – Present Simple Passive) locked for securityreasons.

9. At the start of the 1990s, car bodies (to make – Past Simple Passive) mostly of steel but use of aluminum (to increase – Past Continuous Passive) not only for high-speed cars.

10. The dealer (to provide – Future Simple Active) you with a courtesy (бесплатный) car while your vehicle (to repair – Present Continuous Passive).

11. The Tay Bridge (to build – Past Simple Passive)in Scotland in 1878. The bridge (to collapse – Past Simple Active)in 1879 when a train (to cross – Past Continuous Active) it. It (to be – Past Simple Active) one of Britain’s first serious rail disasters. The second rail bridge (to complete – Past Simple Passive) over the River Tay in 1888. It (to use / still – Persent Continuous Passive).

 

Ex. 5. Choose the best alternative to complete the sentences.

1. The bridge ___ the island to the mainland.

a) is connecting b) connects c) is connected d) was being connected

2. The movement of trains was stopped on that section of the line because it ___.

a) is being repaired b) will repair c) was being repaired d) repairs

3. Passengers want to know what rail companies ___ to improve services.

a) are doing b) does c) were done d) are being done

4. Such materials as reinforced concrete (железобетон) and steel ___ for the construction of modern bridges.

a) use b) were being used c) will be used d) are used

5. Within five years, the railway ___ over seven million passengers a year.

a) carry b) was carrying c) will be carried d) was being carried

6. The train ___ Moscow; let’s start packing.

a) approaches b) is approaching c) will approach d) was approaching

7. A lot of foreign correspondents arrived in Japan when a new maglev train ___.

a) was testing b) tested c) was being tested d) is being tested

8. The train for Boston ___ from track 2.

a) is leaving b) leave c) will be left d) were leaving

9. The cigarette ban (запрет) ___ most troublesome for smokers on long train journeys.

a) are b) were c) will be d) isn't

10. The conductor ___ on good-naturedly (доброжелательно) about long train journeys but Donna scarcely (едва ли) heard what he said.

a) babbled b) will babble c) is babbling d) was babbling

Ex. 6. Put special questions. Begin with the question-words given in brackets.

1. The “Repin” train departs from St. Petersburg’s Finlandsky terminal. (What terminal)

2. A new railway line is being constructed across the desert now. (Where)

3. The accident happened on the level crossing. (Where)

4. Our train is standing at the platform №4 ready to leave. (What platform)

5. Fast trains stop only at large stations on their way. (What stations)

6. We were going to the railway station along the railway track. (Where)

7. Last year, train fares more than doubled because of inflation. (Why)

8. Passengers wait for the arrivals and departures of their trains in the waiting rooms. (Where)

9. The first-class cars are situated at the front of the trainset. (Where)

10. She is taking a course to develop her computer skills. (Why)

 

Ex. 7. Write the comparative and the superlative form of these adjectives.

· difficult · high · heavy · useful · fast · safe · reliable · busy

· loud · comfortable · slow · cheap · expensive · quick · simple · accessible

· rare · common · low · little · important · simple · easy · deep

· suitable · close · dirty · good · powerful · small · strict · narrow

· bad · dangerous · early · famous · wide · late · convenient · broad

 

Ex. 8. Read the sentences and translate them, paying attention to the italicized adjectives and adverbs.

1. In the US, people prefer to use motor transport or aircrafts because traveling by train is slower than by plane and tickets are sometimes more expensive.

2. The earliest trains had no sleeping cars. There was no need for them because the railways were short, the longest journey lasted a few hours, and nearly all trains went in the daytime.

3. In Australia, the traffic is heavier during the winter months, when many tourists travel in passenger trains.

4. The underground railway is the quickest, safest, the most reliable and comfortable means of city transport, which is operating in 80 cities all over the world.

5. It is much more convenient to go by express train because it doesn’t stop at small stations, and it takes you less time to get to your destination.

6. Semaphore used to (раньше) be the most common device of signaling.

7. Petrol engines are lighter and smaller than diesel engines; they are cheaper, less noisy and go faster that is why they are used in cars and motorbikes. On the other hand diesel engines use less fuel; last longer than petrol engines, this is why larger vehicles such as trucks and trains use them. They are also safer than petrol engines, because there is less danger of fire.

8. The Japan’s fastest trains called Hikari (‘Light’) cover the distance of 1,068 km from Tokyo to Hakata in less than 7 hours.

9. George Pullman's sleeping car was much simpler in design than the sleeping cars of today, but it was much more suitable for long-distance travel than any other kind of cars in use at that time.

10. An electric train is one of the most ecologically friendly kinds of transport because it doesn’t contaminate (загрязнять) environment with exhausted gases.

 

Ex. 9. Read the sentences, using the italicized adjectives in the comparative or the superlative form.

1. The West Coast Main Line is busy mixed traffic railway in Britain.

2. G. Westinghouse developed a system of air-braking that made travel by train much safe.

3. Quick and accessible form of public transport in London is the London Underground.

4. The rail becomes long when it’s hot and becomes short when it’s cold.

5. Convenient and fast way of door-to-door transport used by railways is the container.

6. The railway construction became easy and quick after the invention of special track-laying machines and other equipment.

7. Early form of railroad signal was simply a flag by day or a lamp at night.

8. In Europe, Asia, and Africa, the railway remains one of important carriers of both passengers and large volumes of heavyweight goods.

9. Although there are now fast and modern means of transport, railways still remain safe and popular form of transport.

10. The world’s long road tunnel links France and Italy under the Europe’s high peak Mont Blanc.