What is The Safest Way to Travel?

 

When you travel, there are three modes of transport, by _________, by _________ and by ________, and you choose your pick depending on the place, the distance and the financial aspect. Isn't it? For instance, you take the road __________ if the journey is barely going to take you an hour or two. Even trains offer good commuting __________. If distance is such, that it can be covered by air in less time, you prefer flight. And if you are making a trip to an island and you want to experience your first memorable ___________, then there you go, by ship or a cruiser! But each of the above has its set of __________, which might be overlooked but cannot be avoided, should any situation arise.

 

In the United States, despite high profile plane ___________, air travel is still sought after as a travelling option, considering the fact, that the road route has become ________ (or probably more than) unsafe for travelling, pertaining to the number of road accidents every year. But yes, for most of the road kills, people are responsible themselves as most ignore the driving ____________________, and also consume excess alcohol before driving. Another major ___________, when travelling by road, is mobile phone, which is many a time, one of the major causes of untimely and _____________ deaths. But if you consider travelling by air, I would say, it would be a better ___________ as pilots do not drink before flying and also no one is allowed to use any electronic device (like mobile phones) that transmits signals. Besides, when travelling by air, there is already enough well preparedness and air travel restrictions for facing any issue when flying, should any come across!

 

Also if you take a look at the United States Statistics for 2008, there have been 0.2 _________ accidents per 1 million departures which is substantially ________ than 1.4 accidents per 1 million departures of 1989. Also in the approximately 28 accidents which involved large commercial ___________, out of the 10.8 million flights between 2007-2008, there has not been any significant human casualty, except for material damage. But if one takes a look at the death statistics by road, about 44,000 people have been killed in car accidents, which is definitely one _________ number. But all said and done, despite the fact that flying is one of the safest ways to travel, I would say, safety comes with a ___________ that comes from within, for every person. Considering travel by road, make sure you do not drink and drive. Mobile phones can wait to get your attention. And if your call is that important, then halt by the side of the road and attend to your calls. In public means of transport like flight, pilots should make sure that they do not drink before flying. Also before the flight departure, there is a lot of __________ staff involved in servicing the plane well, before it takes off. So from the above stated, one could draw a conclusion that air travel is probably any time safer than other means of travel.

 

It is quite strange, when people start thinking about safety only when travelling because there is no __________ in this world, without risk and no matter what, events destined to happen, will happen! Some people are afflicted with the fear of flying, which I would say, should not consume them so much, that the fear becomes __________. People, who have been through dicey periods in flying or might have recovered from road accidents or may have barely escaped a _________ cruise, might have the initial fear of travelling, because __________ scars take a longer time to heal, with the __________ injuries meliorating faster. However, it is important to remember in life, fear of flying, or fear of travelling does not _________ that a plethora of dangers may cloud only during travelling. There are times, when even walking from your home till a departmental store can expose you to unexpected dangers on the way, you never know!

 

So if you would ask me about the safest ways to travel, I would say if each of them were safe, then each of them would be equally unsafe, depending on ________ and the _____________. Make sure you have your travel _____________ too, apart from your health being insured. So just keep in mind, 'all's well that ends well'. Think ________ when travelling and put aside your fears! After all, life is too short to waste it in fear and apprehension, when it can be different; ______________ adventure and joy. So, good luck with your travel plans!

By Narayani Karthik

III. Comprehension check. Published: 10/30/2010

Exercise 4. Agree or disagree to the following statements. Read out the sentence from the article to support your idea. Sometimes more than one sentence is needed.

1. Among many people air travel is considered to be the safest means of travelling.
2. Travelling is an activity filled with sorrow, lack of expectations and excitement.
3. When you hear a TV channel blabbing about an air crash, one’s face blushes and one is in two minds about the safety of air travels.
4. Worrying about air travels is fairly good but too much worry will make one distressed and finally may bring one to the fear of flying.
5. In general there are 3 ways of travelling – by air, by land and by water, and one chooses the route according to the destination, length and money one possesses.
6. Trains don’t often suggest appropriate services.
7. Each type of travelling has a certain amount of danger, which can be anticipated but can’t be escaped, if such a situation comes.
8. The number of air crashes prevails over car crashes in the USA.
9. Drivers are not to blame for the road crashes and kills, even if they sometimes ignore traffic rules or consume alcoholic beverages before driving.
10. Mobile phones don’t cause any crashes and unexpected deaths.
11. Air travel can be another variant for getting to the destination as it’s safe because pilots don’t consume alcohol and electronic equipment is forbidden aboard a plane.
12. Considering the numbers of statistics, road deaths are a cause for distress.
13. The safety of flying depends rather on the crew of a plane than on each and every passenger.
14. People who managed to escape death while travelling may have a phobia of travelling on a psychological level.
15. While travelling one’s health condition is more important than travel insurance.

Exercise 5. Answer the questions using the information from the article.

1. What are the characteristic features of travelling?
2. Can news reports on TV prevent a person from flying?
3. Is apprehension admissible while flying?
4. How many types of travel are there? How does a traveller choose one?
5. Do you agree that each mode of transport is risky or dangerous?
6. Do the numbers of air crashes exceed those of car crashes? Which factors contribute to the crashes?
7. Comment on the numbers of the statistics of air and car crashes in the USA.
8. What makes air travels safer from the point of view of the author of the article?
9. Why do people start thinking of safety only on the eve of a travelling?
10. Why is it so difficult to overcome the fear of flying on a psychological level?
11. Is travel insurance important? Why?
12. Why should one put aside one’s fear while travelling?

 

Exercise 6. Express your own attitude towards travelling by air using the following scheme.

To begin with I should say that I... travelling by air.

I find it....

Travelling by plane you are sure to get....

Besides, you should remember that you can take a... flight.

It’s worth noting that among different types of airplanes you can choose a....

On board a plain your safety is guaranteed by...; and you can choose such safety devices as….

Of course travelling by air can be uncomfortable if....

Nowadays you can travel by air to any place you like and/ but it can be....

To prove this I can say that....

So, in sum....

 

 

UNIT 9

 

While travelling people choose different means of transport to get to their destination. The majority of people who prefer safety choose travelling by train. They say that trains are safe but not as quick as planes, and train tickets are cheaper than tickets for the plane. What do you think about travelling by train? Have you ever travelled by it? Was your trip a pleasant or nightmarish one?

Exercise 1. Read the poem written by Ogden Nash. Does the author like to travel by trains? How do you know that?

“The Unwinged Ones” by Ogden Nash

I don’t travel on planes.

I travel on trains.

Once in a while, on trains,

I see people who travel on planes.

 

Every once in a while I’m surrounded

By people whose planes have been grounded

They feel that they have to explain

How they happen to be on a train.

 

They grumble and fume about how

They’d have been in Miami now.

By the time that they’re passing through Rahway

They should be in Havana or Norway,

And they strongly imply that perhaps,

Since they’re late, the world will collapse.

 

Sometimes on the train I’m surrounded

By people whose planes have been grounded.

That’s the trouble with trains:

When it fogs, when it smogs, when it rains,

You get people from planes.

Exercise 2. Look through the table and get ready to speak about the peculiarities of train travel. Read out the words from each column correctly, give their definitions and translate them into Russian.

1. You can choose a … train.

- electric locomotive - steam locomotive - international - Eurocity Express - IC Express (Intercity Express) - express train - fast

- through=direct - passenger - suburban = local - long-distance - mail - freight train = goods, cargo

2. On the train you are provided with some civilized comforts, such as...

- train coach/ carriage/ car - buffet/ restaurant/ dining car - compartment

- corridor - luggage rack - seats

3. I like travelling by train, for I can always use … carriage/car.

- sleeping - reserved seat - first/ second - coach class

- lounge/ club - buffet/ dining - (non)-smoking

4. I hate being late. That’s why every time I go by railway, in order to … a train, I try to be in time at the station.

- catch - set on - get on/ into

- take - board - change

5. I also prefer to book/ reserve tickets…

- beforehand

- in advance

6. I usually travel light and try to carry with me a … only.

- bag - handbag - hat box - basket - backpack/ rucksack - travel bag - briefcase/ suitcase - package

- parcel - valise - satchel - bum bag=fanny pack/ waist pack - string bag - clutch bag - hand luggage with a hotel sticker and luggage label

7. When I have some spare time before the train pulls out of the station, I leave my luggage in the … and go sightseeing.

- cloak-room/ checkroom

- left-luggage room

8. Sometimes I stay in a station concourse to wait for my train and there I am sure to find...

- arrivals and departures board - information office - left luggage lockers - left luggage (office) - railway map

- station restaurant - ticket machine - ticket office - timetable - waiting room

9. On the platform you can also see...

- crossing - departure time indicator - platform clock - platform number

- rail - track - trolley

10.You can take a … ticket.

- one-way/ single - return - children’s

- lower berth - upper berth

11. In a train I usually ask a … to bring me the bedding and tea.

- guard

- conductor

- attendant

12. And finally when the train … I take my seat and wave those who came to see me off.

- departs for/ from (some place) - gets off - goes off - pulls out of the station

- leaves for (some place) - starts a journey - sets off on a journey

Have a nice and calm journey by train!!!

Exercise 3. Answer the questions using the information from the table.

1. Which types of trains are known to you?

2. Which civilized comforts are provided aboard a train?

3. Which types of carriages are there on a train?

4. Which verbs are used to describe the process of entering the carriage?

5. What can people take along with them while travelling?

6. Where can people leave their luggage? What’s the difference between the words?

7. What can people find in the station concourse?

8. What can people see on the platform?

9. Which types of tickets can passengers get to go by train?

10. Who work on trains?

11. Which verbs are used to describe the process of departure?

Exercise 4. Translate the following sentences using the words from the table.

1. Вы не могли бы секунду присмотреть за моими вещами?

2. Вы не могли бы мне сказать, с какого перрона отъезжает этот поезд?

3. Вы не знаете, есть ли вагон-ресторан в этом поезде?

4. Вы не возражаете, если я передвину вашу сумку?

5. Вы не имеете ничего против, если я открою окно?

6. Я хотел бы билет на скорый поезд в Глазго туда и обратно.

7. Когда поезд прибывает в Глазго?

8. Вы не могли бы позвать проводника?

Exercise 5. Choose the appropriate answer and prove your choice.

1: 'I'd like to buy a __________ ticket to London please. I'm leaving today and coming back next Monday.'

• go-and-come-back
• there-and-back
• return
• two-way

2: 'I'm here to meet my friends on the 12:15 from Edinburgh. Can you tell me if the train left Edinburgh __________?'

• on time
• at time
• in time
• of time

3: Rose was hungry on the train journey from Leeds to Manchester so she went to the __________ to get something to eat.

• cafe
• restaurant
• dining room
• buffet car

4: Our train is leaving from __________ 14 at 10 o'clock.

• track
• stand
• place
• platform

5: There were so many people on the train that the seats were full and there was __________ only.

• standing place
• standing spot
• standing room
• standing space

6: 'We are sorry to have to announce that the Leeds train that was due to arrive at 12:20 __________ by one hour and will now arrive at 13:20.'

• delays
• delayed
• is late
• has been delayed

Exercise 6. Listen to the dialogue about travelling by train and fill in the missing words.

Katerina: Hey, Joel. Have you ever travelled by train?

Joel: Only once, and that was a long time ago when I lived in Orlando. I’m not even sure where the __________________ is in this city. Why do you ask?

 

Katerina: I need to go to San Francisco at the end of May for a friend’s wedding, and I’m thinking about taking a ________ instead of flying.

 

Joel: That’s a long _______ from Chicago, with a lot of stops. How many days does it take to get there?

 

Katerina: I just printed out the _________. Let me see... It looks like it’ll take about four- and- a-half days. I would __________, say, on Tuesday morning and __________ on Saturday afternoon.

 

Joel: Can I see that? It looks like there are good on-board services, with a ___________ and a __________ on each train.

 

Katerina: Yeah, I like that. I don’t know if I should go ________ or _________ class. I suppose that’ll depend on the ________. I’ve heard that the _____________ cars are pretty comfortable, too, so I’m glad about that.

 

Joel: What day of the week do you have to leave?

 

Katerina: Let me look at the days of operation. This service runs _____________, so that’s convenient. I’m going to look online to see how much it’ll cost. It’ll be nice to take a train for a change.

 

Joel: Let me know what you find out and what you decide. Maybe I’ll look into it for my ______ to Washington in September.

Exercise 6. Read the opinions about travelling by train and say if the people speaking like it. Say whose opinion you share.

Nancy is speaking:

Do you like to travel by train? I do. With a train you have speed, comfort and pleasure combined. Besides, travelling by train is not very expensive: the ticket fare is rather low.

If you want to make a journey you can take a through train and there will be nothing to worry about: trains are usually on time, as they don’t depend on weather.

You get into your upper berth of a sleeper and watch the beautiful scenes that fly past you until you come to your destination. If you are hungry, you can have a meal in the dining car.

And then, do you know any place that is more interesting than a big railway station? The crowd at the booking office, passengers hurrying to board the train, the shouts of the porters … Oh, I love it all!

Sandra is speaking:

I prefer travelling by train. There are some reasons why people choose railroad. Trains are much better than planes: they’re cheaper, safer, and more comfortable. You can walk around in a train and open the windows. Stations are more convenient than airports, because you can get on and off in the middle of cities. If you miss a train, you can always catch another one later. Yes, trains are slower, but speed isn’t everything. Staying alive and enjoying yourself is more important.

If you are going to travel by train you’d better book seats beforehand because if it is summer outside it will be better to think of your trip before the vacation starts.

Agatha is speaking:

Travelling by train is an ideal way to cover vast distances in a short time. That means you’ll see more, learn more and experience more without sacrificing on the quality of your trip. You’ll have time to appreciate the majestic scenery as you’re whisked away to exotic locations and world-renowned attractions. But that’s not all. You’ll also be working at a selection of worthwhile projects, helping to make a difference to the lives of local people and fragile ecosystems. It’s always up to you to decide where to go and what to do.

Linda is speaking:

Of course the fastest way of travelling is by plane. But many people make their choice on travelling by train. Travelling by train is of course slower than by air but it also has its advantages. If you are going to travel by train you'd better book seats beforehand because many people are fond of travelling by train. There are some reasons why people choose railroad. Train is a cheap means of travelling. If it is summer outside it will be better to think of your trip before the vocation starts. To understand how true this is, you only have to go to a railway station. There you will see hundreds of people hurrying to catch a train. You'll waste a lot of time standing near the booking-office trying to buy a ticket. Modern trains have very comfortable seats in all passenger cars, and there are sleeping-cars and dining-cars which make even the longest journey enjoyable. You can buy first-class, second-class and third-class sleepers in a separate compartment. If you are early before the train starts you can leave your suitcases in the compartment and walk up and down the platform. Some people forget when and from which platform and track their train will be off. They can always ask for the track, platform and train numbers at the railroad station information bureau and also get information about next trains and their schedules. There are express, slow and long-distance trains. If you want to go somewhere and get there as quickly as possible you'd better know that express trains only stop at the largest stations while slow trains stop at all stations. You can get to far countries only by a long-distance train. Once you are in your compartment you have to ask the guide to bring in the bedding. There are usually two lower and two upper berths in a third-class sleeper compartment. Some people like to occupy upper berths because it is more convenient and exciting to travel. During your way on the train you can read newspapers, books, look out of the window, drink tea, and communicate with your neighbours or sleep. I prefer to look out of the window, because you can see the country you are passing through, and not only the clouds as when you are flying. You can have something to eat at the stations when the train makes stops. Though we all seem to agree that the future belongs to air transport, the railroads today still carry a lot of passengers and goods.

 

Exercise 7. Look through the opinions and find the English equivalents for the following word combinations.

плата за билет; носильщики; проехать долгие расстояния; грандиозные пейзажи; быстро удаляться; экзотические места; знаменитые на весь мир достопримечательности; проекты, приносящие результат; хрупкие эко-системы

 

I. Pre-reading activity.

Exercise 8. For better comprehension check the pronunciation, the meaning and the translation of the following words.

To disembark, carry-on, to erase, to whir, a bookworm, to jot sth down, handy, compulsory, a no-brainer, an outlet, a pashmina, snug, a kit, ATM, culinary, to crave for sth, a pitfall, to keep at bay, to hog, paperwork

 

II. Listening section.

Exercise 9. Listen to the speaker and fill in the missing words.