Travelling
One of these days you may find it possible to visit England. From the moment you go on board the ship that is to take you to an English port, or the airliner that is to fly you to London, you will see signs and notices that will give you useful information and warnings.
Here are some examples and explanations that will help you.
If you come by air, you will see, when you take your seat in the plane, -a
notice that says: NO SMOKING; FASTEN SEAT-BELTS. Smoking is forbidden while the plane is on the ground, while it is taking off, and until it has risen to a good height. Fastened to the sides of your seat are two leather belts or straps. The ends of these must be fastened together so that the belt is across your lap.
When the plane is well up in the air, the light behind this notice is switched off. You are then allowed to smoke and may unfasten your seat-belt. The notice will appear again when the plane is about to touch down.
If you come by steamer, you will see numerous notices. There will perhaps be arrows (-») to show you which parts of the ship are for first-class passengers and which parts are for tourist-class passengers. Large rooms in a ship, are called saloons, so when you see DINING-SALOON you know where to go when it is time for lunch.
You may see a notice TO THE BOAT DECK. This is the deck where you will find the boats that can be lowered to the water if there is any danger of the ship sinking. On the boat deck you may see some steps going up to the bridge, where the ship's officers are on duty. Here there will probably be a notice: PASSENGERS NOT ALLOWED ON THE BRIDGE.
When your steamer gets into harbour at Dover, or Harwich, or Southampton, or any of the other ports to which steamers sail, you will see more notices.
When you land, you will see a notice: TO THE CUSTOMS. When you enter the Customs shed the officer there will give you a printed notice. This will warn you that you must declare to the Customs officer the quantities of tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and alcoholic drinks that you have with you. Unless you are dishonest, the Customs officer will not keep you long. He will chalk your suitcases and bags, and you will pass ortf
There will be a notice telling you where your passport will be examined. Then you can follow the arrow that says, TO THE TRAINS, and you will soon be in the railway station where the train is waiting to take you to London.
There are many notices in a large railway station. You may see ENTRANCE and EXIT, or perhaps WAY IN and WAY OUT. In a large station there will be a WAITING ROOM where you may rest until it is time to board your train. If you want something to eat or drink while you are waiting, you will go to the REFRESHMENT ROOM.
If you do not know the number of the platform from which your train will leave, look for the notices of ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES. These will tell you the number of the platform. In some stations it may be necessary to cross the line. You will probably see a notice, CROSS THE LINE BYTHE BRIDGE. Perhaps you will see PLATFORMS 5,6, 7 and 8 OVER THE BRIDGE.
(from A.S.Horhby)
Word List:
warning — попередження,обережності
explanations — пояснення
Smoking is forbidden — палити заборонено
leather belts — шкіряні паски
quantity — кількість
A Trip to Los Angeles
James Hall has a new job with Orange Computers in Philadelphia. He's 23 and just out of college. As part of his training he has to spend six weeks at company headquarters near Los Angeles. It's his first business trip, and he's packing his suitcase. He lives with his parents, and his mother is helping him.
Mrs.Hall: Jummy, haven't you finished packing yet?
James: No, Mom, but it's all right. There isn't much to do.
Mrs. Hall: Well, I'll give you a hand. Oh. There isn't much room left. Is there anywhere to put your shaving kit?
James: Yeah, sure. It'll go in here. Now, I have three more shirts to pack. They'll go on top, but there's another pair of
shoes to get in. I don't know where to put them.
Mrs.Hall: Put them here, one on each side. There. O.K. I think we can close it now.
James: O.K.Where's the tag?
Mrs. Hall: What tag, dear?
James: The name tag that the airline gave me to put on the suitcase. Oh, here it is.
Mrs. Hall; Now, do you have the key? James: What key?
Mrs.Hall: The key to lock the suitcase, of course.
James: It's in the lock, Mom. Don't make such a production. There's nothing to worry about. There's plenty of time: Mrs.Hall: Have you forgotten anything?
James: I hope not.
Mrs.Hall: And you have a safe pocket for your traveler's checks?
James: Yes, they're in my inside coat pocket.
Mrs.Hall: Do you have a book to read on the plane?
James: Yes, it's in my briefcase.
Mrs.Hall: What about small change to make phone calls?
James: Check. I have a pocketful of coins.
Mrs.Hall: And is everything all arranged?
James: What do you mean?
Mrs.Hall: Well, is there someone to meet you in Los Angeles?
James: No, Mom. I'll rent a car and go to a motel near the Orange office. They suggested the Newport Beach Holiday Inn.
Mrs. Hall: Do you have a reservation?
James: I hope so. I asked them to make it — the motel reservation, I mean. (I reserved the car myself.)
Mrs. Hall: Well, you've taken care of everything. I don't know why I'm worrying. Take care of yourself and be good. Call us tonight.
James: Thanks, Mom. I will.
Mrs.Hall: Oh, I nearly forgot! Here's some gum to chew on the plane — you know, when it's coming down. It's sugarless.
James: Oh, Mom. Don't worry. I'll be all right. I'll see you next month.
(from "American Streamline")
Word List:
lock — замок
there's nothing to worry about — ні про що не хвилюватися
coin — монета
to suggest—запропонувати
surrounding—.середовище ,місцевість_
routine—деякий режим, заведений порядок, рутина
hence — звідси, отже
relaxation —відпочинок від роботи, перепочинок, зменшення напруженості, розваги
to be essential — бути необхідним
to restore—відновлення
railway station — залізничний вокзал
airport — аеропорт
to board a train (ship, etc.) — сісти на потяг(корабель і.т.д)
train — потяг
ship — корабель, судно, пароплав
plane— літак
to be on the safe side — про всяк випадок
to spare oneself the trouble of — позбавити себе від клопоту
to stand in the line — стояти в черзі
in advance — завчасно
to make one's preparations — готуватися ,робити готування
to settle one's business — вирішувати справи
on the eve — напередодні
to pack — вкладати речі, пакуватися
suitcase — валіза
departure — відїзд, відправлення
waiting-room-зал очікування
to announce— повідомляти
passenger — пассажир
carriage — вагон
berth — місце (для лежання)
package— пакетf згорток
rack — сітка
destination—місце призначення; ціль (подорожі)
to be in a hurry —поспішати, квапитися
procedure— процедура
height — висота
for this reason —з цієї причини
to become home-sick —сумувати за домівкою
to feel like returning home — бажати повернутися додому
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