Fill in the gaps in each question. Then ask and answer the questions with a partner.

1) Do you ever go to university ……… bicycle?

2) Do you like ……… a bicycle in cities? Why/ why not?

3) Have you ever got ……… a train without a ticket?

4) When did you last ……… a taxi?

5) Have you ever got ……… a moving train or bus?

6) Have you ever ……… a plane?

 

6. a) Read and translate the mini-texts.

Different ways of travelling from one place to another

The bus passenger

I always take the bus to work. There’s a stop right outside my house, and the buses are very frequent in the rush hour. Usually there’s one every 5 minutes. Most days I can get a seat and read a book or newspaper. Sometimes I see someone I know on the bus, and we have a chat. One thing I don’t like is all the litter. Some people just leave their food all over the floor or on the seats. Another thing is people listening to personal stereos. The noise they make can be really annoying when they have it on very loud.

 

The cyclist

I use my bike because it’s the quickest way to get from A to B in the rush hour. All the cars are stuck in traffic jams, and you can go straight past them. My journey to work usually takes about 20 minutes door-to-door. It’s a good way of getting your daily exercise. The thing I don’t like about cycling is all the pollution. I don’t like breathing in exhaust fumes from cars and buses. It can also be rather dangerous, and you need to watch out for people opening car doors or coming out of junctions without looking.

The car driver

I normally go to work by car. I’d say my average journey time is about 50 minutes. When I’m in my car it’s very comfortable, like being in my own living room. I can turn on the stereo system and listen to my favourite CDs or listen to the car radio. There are some things though I don’t like about driving. The traffic keeps getting worse, and other drivers sometimes behave very badly. I know I should use my car less because it is bad for the environment, but it is much more convenient than public transport.

 

The train passenger

I generally take the train to work. It’s quick and convenient, and I can be in my office in about 35 minutes. In winter the service can be rather erratic, and I sometimes find myself waiting on the platform at the station in freezing cold weather, wishing I was in a nice warm car. The other thing I don’t like is people in my carriage with mobile phones, who talk loudly and say thing like “I’m on the train”. The good thing about taking the train is that someone else does all the driving, and I can just relax and read my newspaper.

 

Travelling by plane

Last week we flew to London. We took the bus to JFK airport. When we arrived at the terminal we went to the check-in desk for our flight. We showed our passports at passport control, and then went through security. We had to wait for a while in the departure lounge. When our flight was called, we went through the departure gate, and got on our plane. After the plane had landed at Heathrow, we went to the baggage reclaim to collect our bags, then went through immigration and customs, and out into the arrivals area.

 

b) Which of these words and word combinations relate to travelling by car? By bike? By bus? By train? By plane? Make up your own sentences.

exhaust fumes get a seat be stuck in traffic gate pollution carriage stop baggage reclaim terminal traffic jam get exercise check-in desk departure lounge platform arrivals junction go through the customs

 

c) Discuss the following questions about travelling.

 

· What is the difference between a one-way ticket and a return ticket?

· What does a customs officer do?

· Does a plane take off at the end of a journey? When does it land?

· What do you do with a boarding card?

· What is the difference between hiring a car and buying a car?

 

d) Which form of transport is …

 

- the safest? - the most expensive?

- the cheapest? - the most convenient?

- the most comfortable? - the fastest?

 

7. a) Read the mini-dialogues in pairs.

At a railway station

 

A: When does the London train leave, please?

B: 9.25. Platform 3.

A: What time does it reach London?

B: You should be there at 11.31, but you may be a bit late.

A: Do I have to change?

B: Yes. You change at East Croydon.

 

The London Underground

 

A: Which way do I go for Queensway, please?

B: Take the Bakerloo to Paddington; the District to Notting Hill and then get the Central.

A: Where do I go now?

B: Take the escalator on your right.

 

b) Read and translate the following sentences. What lines of the mini-dialogues can they replace?

 

At a railway station – Which train do I take to Victoria Station, please? – Which platform for London Bridge, please? – What time’s the next train to Victoria, please? - 9.28. This end of Platform 2. – What time does it arrive? – When do we get there? – It gets there at 11.34. – It takes about two hours, but they’re running late today. – Must I change? – Need I change trains? – Is it necessary to change? – No. There’s no need to change. – No, it’s a through train.

The London Underground – How do I get to Lancaster Gate, please? – Which line do I take for Marble Arch, please? – Can you tell me the best way to get to Bond Street, please? – Catch the Metropolitan to Liverpool Street and then change to the Central line. – That’s easy; it’s the next station down the Central line. – How do I get down to the trains? – Which way do I go first? – Go straight down the stairs, and turn left at the bottom. – Get that lift over there. – Follow those signs. You can’t go wrong.

 

c) Work in pairs. Make up your own mini-dialogues, then role-play them in front of the class.

 

GIVING DIRECTIONS