Read, translate the text – прочитайте и переведите текст, подчеркнутый текст переведите письменно, составьте и запишите 5 вопросов к тексту

Modern life is impossible without travelling. The scientific and technological progress of the 20^th century has allowed people to overcome time and distance. The whole world is open now. 

To begin with most of us in big cities travel every day to our schools, offices and factories. They go by underground, they change to a bus or they take a taxi. From time to time we have to go to another city or country on business. Then after a year’s work people go on holiday and they do not like to spend it at home.

Millions of people all over the world spend their holidays travelling. They travel to see other countries and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns, they travel to enjoy picturesque places or just for a change of scene. It is always interesting to discover new things, to see different ways of life, to meet different people, to try different food, to listen to different musical rhythms.

Those who live in the country like to go to a big city and spend their time visiting museums and art galleries, looking at shop windows and dining at exotic restaurants. City dwellers usually like a quiet holiday by the sea or on the mountains, with nothing to do but walk and bathe and lie in the sun.

People who wish to travel either for pleasure or on business have at their disposal various means of transport. If you want to get somewhere as quickly as possible the best way is to travel by plane. It is better to book tickets in advance. On the appointed day you go to the airport by car. Soon you’ll be boarding the big airliner and it will carry you to new lands. When on the plane you may look around. In front of you in the cockpit you’ll see the pilot and his crew.

Travelling by train is slower than by plane but it has its advantages. When on the train you can always see the countryside around you. To have a good trip by train you must book the tickets in advance. When the day of your departure comes, you go to the railway station. The porter helps you with your luggage. You go to your carriage and find out if you have a lower or upper berth in your compartment. Each compartment has its own window, a table, a place for your suitcases and, of course, four berths.

Travelling by sea is mostly for those who are going on holiday and want a pleasant voyage. On board a large cruise ship people traverse oceans and visit other countries. The ship stops for a day or two in different ports and people go ashore on excursions. The only drawback is seasickness.

Many people prefer travelling by car. This way you can explore the nearby towns and cities. The greatest advantage is that you can stop whenever you like and that you are not bound by any schedule.

Coach tours are not expensive and very popular. They are planned as holidays and there is a chance to do a lot of sightseeing and have a good rest at the same time.

One of the cheapest and the most popular ways of travelling is hiking. Walking through the wood or along the river, having a rest on the shore of a forest lake, climbing a mountain, you feel yourself a part of nature.

All means of travel have their advantages and disadvantages. People choose one according to their plans and destination. When travelling we see and learn a lot of things that we can never see or learn at home.

3. Answer the questions:

1. When do you usually travel?

2. Where do you go?

3. What places would you like to visit?

4. What do you like better, to travel along or in a group? Why?

5. How are you going to spend your next vacation? Are you going to go anywhere? How long are you going to be on vacation? What are you going to do? Is anyone going to travel with you?

6. When did you last travel by railroad?

7. Do you prefer a lower or an upper berth? Why?

8. Are you fond of travelling?

9. Why do people travel?

10. Do you like to travel by train? What are its disadvantages?

11. Would you like to go on a big ocean cruise?

12. Why can it be convenient to travel by car?

13. Have you ever been on a coach tour?

14. If you could spend a hiking holiday wherever you like, what place would you choose?

Exercises

4. Find in the text the English equivalents for the following (найдите в тексте и запишите в тетрадь):

преодолевать время и расстояние; весь мир; ездить на метро; брать такси; командировка; открывать/обнаруживать; делать пересадку; ради удовольствия; средства транспорта; располагать чем-нибудь; заказать билеты заранее; пересекать океаны; расписание/график; автобусные туры; ходить в поход; цель путешествия; преимущества.