5. Arriving in London

(Mr. and Mrs. Gunther from Germany)

Mr. G: Well, here we are in London.

Mrs. G: Yes, isn't it thrilling? - • - _: -V - • ■■■ /

Mr. G: The boat train from Dover was very comfortable and right on time.

Mrs.G: I hope you have all the luggage.

Mr. G: The porter is carrying most of the luggage. I am sure we forgot noth­ing

Mrs.G: Have you got a tip for the porter? Mr. G: Yes, I have a shilling for him. _vv

Mrs.G: ! hope Mr. and Mrs. Brown will be waiting for us at the barrier. Mr. G: They should be waiting because I sent a telegram to them from Do­ver, saying what time we would be arriving. Mrs.G: The customs inspection at Dover did not take long, did it?

Mr. G: No, they simply looked at our passports and asked if we had anything to declare.

Mrs.G: They could see that we were tourists and only had our personal be- longings. , ;

Mr. G: They are only, interested in capturing' professional smugglers and

they are very coUrteouslowards visitors to the country. Mrs. G: I thought that there might have been trouble over your camera.

Mr. G: No, the customs official realized that we had only brought it to take photos, not to sell it here.

IV Exercises

I. Make sentences using the following expressions:

I. to catch a train, 2. to miss a train, 3. booking office, 4. inquiry office, 5. to be booked up, 6. compartment, 7. to travel light, 8. ticket inspector, 9. to charge, 10. personal belongings, 11. luggage rack, 12. to be due at, 13. to change trains. г t ■ -

II. Make up questions with the expressions

1. to leave the place, 2. to take a train, 3. to change at, 4. a first class ticket, 5. an express train, 6. from platform, 7. extra fare, 8. to book a ticket, 9. to hold good, 10. to be due in, 11. to let down the window, 12. personal be­longing, 13. to get in, 14. to arrive in, 15. platform ticket, 16. return ticket.

III. Complete the sentences:

1. When does the train ...? 2. It's due at.... 3. Shall I... ? 4. Is there any extra fare ... ? 5. Can you tell me where.... 6. Where do I have to... ? 7. Will you see to ...? 8. Hey, porter... ? 9. Do you happen to know when ... ? 10. He gave his ticket to the... 11.1 need a ... 12. I'd like.... 13. How long does it take us ... ? 14. Can I book...? 15. We shan't have to change,... 16. When the train arrives ... 17. On many trains there is .... 18. May I... ?

IV. Role-play «At the Inquiry Office»

You want to travel to Germany. Ask as many questions as possible about your trip.

V. Roie-piav «Booking Train Tickets»

You want to travel from London Paddington station to Edinburgh. You phone the railway booking-office and inquire about the time-table and tickets.

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V

ье-

I. Act out the following situations:

1. An English colleague of yours wants to go to Moscow to take part in an exhibition. He/she asks you about trains to Moscow. You've been to Moscow many times and give him/her all the necessary information.

2. You are on business in London. Soon you are going to return to your native country. You phone the railway-booking agency to inquire about the time-table and tickets.

3. You are on board the train Minsk-Moscow. There is an Englishman/ Englishwoman in your compartment. In an hour you are busy talking.

VII. Answer the questions:

How often do you travel by train? Do you enjoy travelling by train? Why/

Why not? What do you like or dislike about large stations? When did youjast travel by train? Where did you go? Did you book ticket in ad-vance? How much did it cost? Did you travel by an express or a stopping train? You didn't have to change trains did you? What time did the train leave? When did you arrive at the station? Did you travel light or heavy? What did you do after you boarded the train? Did you have a lower or an upper berth? Which berth do you prefer? How much did the bedding cost? How did you spend the time during the journey? Did you like the conduc­tor? Was he/she very helpful? Did you get off the train on your way to X? When did the train arrive in X? How long did you stay in X? What was your journey back like?

VIII. Speak on:

1. your last journey by train

2. the local railway station.

TRAVELLING BY AIR