List of the Words and Expressions

railway station	ticket to
platform	to take a train
train	to cnange (trains)
to come in	single (ticket)
to go out	return (ticket)
booking-office	train for …
to buy a ticket	carriage
journey	facing the engine
waiting-room	attendant
bookstall	to be due to arrive
porter	to while away the time
to carry luggage	what time does your train start?
to push a truck	to miss the train
trunk	to phone for a taxi
suit-case	the indicator board
luggage van	I wonder …
through train	don't worry
to be due out	to catch a train
to get off the train	to waste time
sleeping-car	fare
stopping train	compartment
express	non-smoker
to stop at the station	to put smth. on the rack
restaurant	to be crowded
to get a light refreshment	to pack
long distance train	to stop at the junction
local train	to make sure
dining-car	to be off
hand luggage	to book a ticket beforehand
to hurry	to wait in a queue
passenger	left-luggage office
to queue up	to travel light
to register the luggage	to see smb. off
late-comer

 

TRAVELLING BY AIR

DIALOGUE 1

On the Plane

A: This aircraft looks very comfortable.

B: Oh, it's bound to be; "Aeroflot" takes good care of their passengers.

A: I'm sure of that. What about these two seats, will they do or would you rather sit nearer the pilot's cabin?

B: I really don't mind whichever you prefer.

A: Then let's sit down here. You must have the seat by the window, of course.

B: Thank you, that's what I like.

A: I say, we're already off.

B: Yes, "No smoking" and "Fasten your belts" have been lighted up over the door to the pilot's cabin, so we must be off, though I hardly feel anything yet.

A: Perhaps we are still on the runway.

B: Yes, that must be. Look here, you haven't done up your safety-belt yet.

A: Oh, thank you, I've forgotten all about it in the excitement of our departure.

B: You musn't, it's dangerous not to fasten your safety-belt when the plane is taking off or landing.

A: I know it is.

B: A friend of mine lost her front teeth that way. It was a rough landing though.

A: Poor girl. So I owe my front teeth to you.

B: Oh, no, we're having a very smooth take-off.

A: Thanks all the same.

B: Here comes a stewardess with a tray. What will you have, some juice or lemonade?

A: Oh, good. My ears are beginning to ache a little. I think I'll have some lemonade. And you?

B: Orange juice, please.

Stewardess: Here you are, madam.

B: Thank you.

 

DIALOGUE 2

John: Hello, Nick. Haven't seen you for ages. Where habe you been, old boy?

Nick: Hello, I've just come from France.

John: Have you really? What were you doing there?

Nick: Oh, it was just a business trip.

John: Did you fly there?

Nick: Yes, I did. And it was very exciting.

John: Where did you get your ticket?

Nick: I went to the Air Company office and fixed up everything in a few minutes. Then I came home, packed my things and got ready for the trip.

John: Did you feel nervous or afraid?

Nick: Not a bit. Just excited.

John: Did you get into the plane straight away?

Nick: Oh, no. First I had to have my luggage weighed and registered. If your luggage weighs more than a certain amount you have to pay extra., if it is underweight you needn't pay anything.

John: And what did you do then?

Nick: I went to the hall to wait for my flight. When it was announced I passed through customs and immigration office and walked to the plane. It was on the runway. Sometimes when the plane is at the farther end of the field passengers are taken there by a special motor coach.

John: Did the stewardess meet you at the gangway?

Nick: Yes, of course. She welcomed us and showed us to our seats. In a few minutes "No smoking" and "Fasten your belts" were lighted up and the pilot began to taxi out into the middle of the airfield.

John: How did you feel in the air? Not airsick?

Nick: No, the flight was very smooth. We didn't hit a single air-pocket.

John: Could you see anything through the porthole?

Nick: Only clouds.

John: How long were you up?

Nick: About three hours.

Nick: Rather. But it saved me a lot of time.

 

Ex. 1.

Answer the following questions.

1. Have you ever flown? Where have you flown? When was it? Did you feel nervous? Was the flight smooth or rough? Were you airsick? 2. Where do we get tickets for airplane? 3. How many airports are there in your town? Are they far from the centre of the city? How can you get there? Is there a special bus service for passengers? 4. Do passengers go straight to the plane? What do they have to do first? In what case do they have to pay extra for their luggage? Are they allowed to take any luggage on board a plane? 5. Who meets passengers at the gangway? Does she show passengers to their seats? 6. When are passengers taken to the plane by a special motor coach? 7. Are flights sometimes put back? When does it happen? Was your flight ever put back? By how long? 8. Why is it ntcessary to do up a safety-belt during take-off and landing? 9. Is smoking allowed on board a plane? Why is it not allowed? 10. What information is usually given to the passengers on board a plane? 11. What services does a stewardess offer them? 12. At what speed and altitude do modern aircrafts fly? 13. On what flights do they serve meals? 14. When do students and schoolchildren pay reduced prices for tickets? 15. Is travelling by air more expensive than railway travel? 16. What are advantages and disadvantages of air travelling?

Ex. 2.

Find in the dialogues the English equivalents for the following and use them in sentences of your own.

Заботиться о пассажирах, взлететь, быть на взлётной полосе, застегнуть ремень, болят уши, взвесить и зарегестрировать багаж, весить больше (меньше) положенного, показать место, выруливать на середину взлётного поля, спокойный полёт, попасть в воздушную яму, сэкономить время.

 

Ex. 3.

What will you do if:

you want to fly to your native place when you have holidays; your flight is put back by half an hour; you want to have something to read on board a plane; you are afraid of getting airstick; "No smoking" and "Fasten your belts" are lighted up; your flight is called (announced); your luggage is overweight; you want to take your brief-case with you; you missed your plane; you came to see your friend off but her flight is put back; you want to send a telegram from the airport; you want to know when the plane from Sochi arrives; you want to know why the plane from Moscow is late.

 

Ex. 4.

Complete the following sentences.

1. Your luggage is overweight, you'll have …. 2. The announcer has called our flight, let's …. 3. Flight 242 to Odessa is delayed, because …. 4. The airport doesn't take planes because …. 5. Fasten your belts, the plane …. 6. I didn't see anything through the porthole …. 7. Passengers must have their luggage …. 8. No, you won't have to pay extra, your luggage …. 9. The flight was …. 10. This motor coach will take us …. 11. We are flying at …. 12. I'd rather sit …. 13. If your ears are aching, you'd better …. 14. Visibility was …. 15. Modern airplanes fly …. 16. I fastened my belt when …. 17. When the plane hit an air-pocket …. 18. The plane taxied out into the middle of the field and …. 19. Travelling by air saves us …. 20. A thunderstorm was promised, so ….

 

Ex. 5.

Ask questions so that the sentences given below were the answers.

1. The airport doesn't take planes because of the weather. 2. The flight is put back bacause the plane from Odessa hasn't arrived yet. 3. You have to pay 70 roubles extra for your luggage. 4. No, you can't have this bag with you, you must have it registered. 5. Our plane is on the runway already. 6. The announcer has called flight 451. 7. We are flying at speed of 800 km. 8. The flight was very smooth. 9. No, I wasn't airsick, though the flight was rather rough. 10. The plane was late because it had to make a forced landing. 11. Visibility was very good and I could see for miles through the porthole. 12. The temperature overboard was 15 degrees below zero. 13. Smoking was not allowed.

 

Ex. 6.

Insert prepositions and postverbial adverbs where necessary.

1. Flying is quite safe and very convenient as "Aeroflot" takes a good care … their passengers. 2. I think the plane is going to take …, you'd better put … your cigarette. 3."No smoking" and "Fasten your belts" have been lighted … … the pilot's cabin. 4. The plane is taxing.. the middle … the field. 5. How long shall we be …? 6. First you must have your luggage weighed and registered and then a motor coach will take you … the plane. 7. When you fly abroad you must pass … customs. 8. The stewardess greeted the passengers and showed them … their seats. 9. If the weather keeps nasty, I am afraid our flight will be put … or cancelled. 10. Passengers are not allowed to have bulky and heavy luggage … board a plane. 11. Meals are usually served … flights which last more than 3 hours. 12. … October … May students and schoolchildren can travel … half fare.

 

Ex. 7.

Compose your own dialogues.

1. You are planning to fly to the Crimea in summer. Discuss with your friend the advantages and disadvantages of travelling by air and by train.

2. You’ve just arrived from N. Your friend has come to meet you at the airport. Talk to her about your flight and stay at N.

3. You’ve come to the booking-office to get a ticket for a plane. What will you talk with the clerk about?

 

Ex. 8.

Translate into English.

1. Моя подруга собиралась лететь в Крым. Поскольку это было её первое воздушное путешествие, она очень волновалась. Я спросила, её почему она не хочет ехать поездом, если лететь страшно. Она сказала, что ей не хочется тратить много времени на дорогу, ей хотелось бы подольше побыть в Крыму. 2. В день отъезда мы поехали в аэропорт. Катя зарегестрировала билет и багаж, и мы пошли в буфет выпить чашку кофе. Погода была не очень обнадёживающая. Шёл небольшой дождь. По радио объявили, что рейс 237 на Симферополь задерживается на полчаса. Катя начала нервничать. Я сказала, что иногда такие вещи случаются. Через полчаса пассажиров на рейс 237 пригласили пройти к самолету. Мы попрощались, и Катя побежала. 3. У трапа пассажиров встречала стюардесса. Через несколько минут самолёт вырулил на взлётную полосу. Над кабиной пилота зажглись надписи: "Не курить!" и "Пристегнуть ремни!" 4. Пассажиры сидели в своих креслах, просматривали газеты, разговаривали. Многоие смотрели в иллюминаторы. День был безоблачный, и видимость отличная. Стюардесса сообщила, на какой высоте и с какой скоростью летит самолёт. Когда самолет пошёл на снижение, снова вспыхнули надписи: "Не курить!", "Пристегнуть ремни!". Через несколько минут самолёт уже бежал по взлётной дорожке.