Text 8. Going through Customs at the Airport

Exercise 1. Roleplay the dialogue.

Customs officer: Good morning. Come this way, please.

Passenger: Yes, thank you.

C.O.: Are these your suitcases, sir?

P.: Yes, that’s right.

C.O.: Do you have goods to declare?

P.: I don’t think I have.

C.O.: Ok, put your bags on the counter, please. Your customs form. Please. Thank you. How long are you planning to stay in the country?

P.: Two months, I think.

C.O.: What’s the purpose of your visit?

P.: I am here on business.

C.O.: I see. And you have nothing to declare?

P.: Pardon?

C.O.: I mean alcohol, cigarettes, medicine..

P.: Oh, no.

C.O.: What’s inside this bag?

P.: Presents for some of my colleagues.

C.O.:Uh-huh. Spirits?

P.: A bottle of red French wine.

C.O.: Any meat?

P.: What?

C.O.: Food, fresh fruit…

P.: Uh, no.

C.O.: No plants?

P.: No. But I have 200 French cigarettes for my friends.

C.O.: You don’t need to declare this. That’s under the limit.

P.: Good.

C.O.: That’s OK. Here’s your form.

P.: Thank you.

C.O.: Welcome to the USA!

Text 9. Part I. Air Travel

Exercise 1. Read, translate and remember the following rules and regulations.

 

Nowadays people mostly travel by air. Here are a few hints on air travel that may be helpful:

1. Passengers are requested to arrive at the airport (air terminal) an hour and a half before departure time on international flights and an hour on domestic flights.
2. Passengers must register their tickets, weigh in and register the luggage (baggage). The economy class limitation is 20 kg. First-class passengers are allowed 30 kg. Excess luggage must be paid for.
3. Passengers are permitted to take only some personal belongings with them into the cabin. These items include handbags, brief-cases, umbrellas, coats and souvenirs bought at the tax-free shops at the airport.
4. Each passenger is given a boarding pass to be shown at the departure gate and again to the stewardess when boarding the plane.
5. Watch the electric sign flashes in the plane. When the “Fasten Seat Belts” sign goes on, do it promptly, and also obey the “No Smoking” signal.
6. Listen to the announcements on the public address system. The captain will welcome you on board, tell you all about the flight and the interesting places you are flying over.
7. Do not forget your personal belongings when leaving the plane.

 

Part II. Passport Regulations and Customs

Landing formalities and customs regulations are about the same in all countries.

1. While still on boar4d the plane the passenger is given an arrival card to fill in, he fills in (in block letters) his name in full, country of residence, permanent address, purpose and length of visit, and address in the country he is visiting.

2. After the passenger has left the plane, officials will examine (check) his passport and visa (to see if they are in order).

3. In some countries they will check the passenger’s certificate of vaccination.

4. When these formalities have been completed the passenger goes to the Customs for an examination of his luggage.

5. The passenger is required to fill in a customs declaration form. He must list all dutiable articles. (Personal belongings may be brought in duty-free). Here is a partial list of prohibited articles (items): firearms, drugs, in some countries – meat products, fresh fruit and vegetables.

6. The Customs inspector may ask you to open your bags for inspection. After you are through with all customs formalities he will put a stamp on each piece of luggage.

 

Exercise 2. Answer the following questions:

I. 1) When are the passengers requested to arrive at the airport? 2) What is the weight limitation in the economy class (first class)? 3) What personal belongings are permitted into the cabin? 4) What does the passenger receive after registering his air ticket? 5) Where must he show his boarding pass? 6) What electric signs should the passenger obey? 7) Who speaks over the public address system on board the plane? 8) What does the captain say to the passengers?

II. 1) What does the passenger fill in while he is still on board the plane? 2) What questions does he have to answer? 3) Does he state the purpose and length of his visit? 4) When do officials check the passenger’s passport and visa? 5) Where is the passenger’s luggage examined? 6) What does the passenger list in the customs declaration form? 7) What articles are usually brought in duty-free?

 

 

Text 10

Exercise 1. Read the text and be ready to do the exercises below the text

Text 11

Dialogues

Exercise 1. Read and translate the dialogue.

Travelling by Train

Passenger: I want a ticket to London, please. Which train must I take?

Booking-clerk: If I were you, I should take the 8.35 train

Passenger: Do I have to change anywhere?

Booking-clerk: No, no change, it’s a through train.

Passenger: Thank you. A ticket to London, please.

Booking-clerk: Single or return?

Passenger: Return, please, first class.

Booking-clerk: Here you are.

Passenger: Thank you. What time did you say the train goes?

Booking-clerk: 8.35. You’ll have to hurry if you want to register your luggage.

Passenger: Thanks.

 

Exercise 2. Complete the open dialogue.

Passenger: I want a ticket to …

Booking-clerk: If I were you, I should …

Passenger: Do I have to …

Booking-clerk: No, ….

Passenger: Thank you. …

Booking-clerk: Single or return?

Passenger: ….

Booking-clerk: Here you are.

Passenger: Thank you. Can you tell me…

Booking-clerk: ….

Passenger: Thanks a lot.

 

Exercise 3. Translate into English.

- Мне нужно два билета на поезд 10.20 до Ливерпуля. Спальный вагон, пожалуйста.

- Вам билеты туда и обратно, сэр?

- Нет, только в один конец.

- Верхние или нижние места?

- Два нижних, пожалуйста.

- Пожалуйста.

- Спасибо.

 

Exercise 4. Read and translate the dialogue.

At the Airport

Porter: Any luggage, madam?

Mrs Jones: Yes, the two cases here. I’ll keep this brief-case.

Porter: I’ll take your luggage to be weighed, madam. You’ll find the ticket desk straight across the hall.

Mrs Jones: Thank you.

Receptionist: Good morning.

Mrs Jones: Good morning. I have a ticket for flight BEA 987.

Receptionist: May I see your ticket, please?

Mrs Jones: Here it is.

Receptionist: Is this your luggage?

Mrs Jones: That’s right.

Receptionist: Your luggage is underweight. Here is your ticket and this is your luggage label, which you show at your destination when you get your luggage.

Mrs Jones: Thank you. Where do I have to wait?

Receptionist: Will you go upstairs to gate 3 and for the announcement of your flight?

Announcer: British European Airways announce the departure of their flight BEA 987. Passengers travelling on this flight are requested to proceed to gate 3 for customs and immigration formalities.

Receptionist (at gate 3): Have your passport ready. This way, please.

 

Exercise 5. Complete the open dialogue.

1) At the Airport

Mr Brown: Flight BEA 783, tourist class, single, please.

Booking-clerk: Fifty pounds, please.

Mr Brown: …

Booking-clerk: You’ll find the ticket desk further on your left.

Mr Brown: … Porter!

Porter: Is this your luggage, sir?

Mr Brown: …

Receptionist: Good evening. Can I help you?

Mr Brown: …

Receptionist: May I see your ticket, please?

Mr Brown: …

Receptionist: Here is your ticket and your luggage label. Your plane takes off in half an hour. Your flight will be announced soon.

Mr Brown: ….

2) Going through the Customs

Customs official: Which of these bags are yours?

Ivanov: …

Official: Have you got anything to declare?

Ivanov: …

Official: Would you please open your bags?

Ivanov: …..

Official: You are allowed that, and souvenirs are duty-free. Now, let me see your Customs declaration, please.

Ivanov: …….

Official: Thank you, sir. Everything’s all right. Nothing dutiable. Welcome to our country!

Ivanov: ……..

 

Exercise 6. Translate into English.

1) – У меня билет на рейс 103.

- Ваш билет, пожалуйста.

- Вот он.

- Ваш багаж превышает положенный вес. Вам придется заплатить за перевес.

- Пожалуйста.

-Возьмите, пожалуйста, ваш билет и бирку на багаж. Пройдите наверх в зал ожидания. Скоро объявят ваш рейс.

- Спасибо.

2) – Это ваши вещи?

- Да, этот чемодан мой.

- Разрешите их посмотреть? У вас есть что-либо подлежащее обложению пошлиной?

- Мне кажется, что нет. Только сигареты для личного пользования.

- Это разрешается. Все в порядке. Спасибо.

 

Exercise 7. Read and translate the dialogue.

The Voyage

Mary: I say, Nick, I feel rather queer.

Nick: Sea-sick already? Why, we are hardly out at sea yet.

Mary: Well, this rolling motion of the ship affects me somewhat.

Nick: I wouldn’t say you are much of a sailor then. Want to go down?

Mary: I’d rather not.

Nick: Hold on to the rail. Isn’t it a nice breeze?

Mary: Yes, it is. Look here, Nick, are there any life-belts and life-boats on this ship?

Nick: What! Don’t you trust the captain and the ship?

Mary: I don’t know. We are in for a storm, I suppose. The sea is getting rough.

Nick: You’d better not look down, Mary. You’ll get giddy. Here, take this deck-chair and sit down for a while.

Mary: No, I think I’ll go down after all.

Nick: Be careful, I’ll take you to your cabin. You’ll be all right in the morning.

Mary: I hope so.

 

Exercise 8. Insert missing parts of the dialogue.

Jane: It’s very nice of you to come and see me off, Peter.

Peter: (Wishes her a pleasant voyage).

Jane: Thank you. I hope I’ll enjoy it. You see, it is my first sea voyage and I feel a bit nervous.

Peter: (Asks her how many passengers there will be in her cabin).

Jane: It’s a second class cabin and I think there will be three more passengers besides me.

Peter: (Asks her where her cabin is).

Jane: It is on the second deck, near the stern.

Peter: (asks when the ship starts).

Jane: At 2.15 according to the schedule. I think it’s time to say good-bye and pass up the gangway.

Peter: (Wishes her good luck and a pleasant voyage).

 

Exercise 9. Make up similar dialogues.

 

Text 12. At the Hotel

Exercise 1. Read the text.

When travelling it is convenient to stay in a hotel. The best way is to reserve a room in advance. Those who travel much know that sometimes tourists experience certain difficulties with booking a room at a suitable hotel. At the height of the season a sign “No Vacancies” can be often seen at the desk-clerk.

But if you are lucky with booking a room you will enjoy your rest. In this case you must first go through some formalities. The receptionist will hand you an arrival card which all guests are required to fill in. The following information is required:

1. Full name
2. Place of permanent residence
3. Passport No.

After filling in the arrival card you must pay for all accommodation. The price depends on the duration of your staying at the hotel and the number of rooms booked. When all the formalities are over the receptionist hands you the key and you may go upstairs to occupy the room. At the hotel you will find rooms with or without bath, single rooms, double rooms and complete suits consisting of two or more rooms.

Once you decide to stay in the hotel you are referred to as a “guest”. You will find notices everywhere reminding guests to leave their keys at the desk when going out. All the keys are hung on a special keyrack.

In the lobby you will usually find a newspaper stall and stalls where souvenirs are sold. Most of hotels have snack bars, coffee-bars and restaurants.

The receptionist will answer all your questions and give you any information you need. Many hotels run a special laundry service for their guests. You can have your laundry done and your clothes ironed. The maid does your room every morning so you needn’t even make your bed. At the entrance of the hotel there stands a doorman whose duty is opening the door for those who enter or leave the hotel, hailing taxicabs, calling a porter and so on.

Guests are required to notify the clerk in advance about leaving so that he could have the bill ready for them in time.

Exercise 2. Answer the questions.

1. Why do travelers usually reserve rooms at the hotels in advance?
2. Is it easy to reserve a room at the hotel in your city?
3. What are the duties of a receptionist?
4. What services do hotels usually run?
5. What information is required for filling in the arrival card?
6. What kinds of rooms are available at the hotels?

 

Text 13. Hotel Service

Execise 1. Read the text and choose the most suitable hotel for you.

Hotels in the UK may be divided into several categories. The most expensive ones are the Luxe hotels, only millionaires can afford to live there. The next category is the Charming Town House hotels combing good service with relatively inexpensive price (in comparison with the first category). The third category includes relatively cheap hotels located mainly near major railway stations. The fourth category comprises Boarding Houses, Bed and Breakfast (B&B) and inns. The cheapest hotels to live in are Youth Hostels, Youth Holiday Centres, Country Guest Houses. In Great Britain the cost of staying in the hotel often includes the cost of breakfast. There are two variants: continental breakfast (tea or coffee and bread with butter or jam) and English breakfast (flakes with milk, juice, bacon and eggs, tomatoes, white bread and others).