CONVERSATION PRACTICE

1. Discuss the following situations. Work in twos and be ready to report the answers.

1) You reached the station after the train had left.

2) Someone has taken your seat. It seems the company double booked some seats in the carriage.

3) You have got into the wrong train.

4) You have missed your stop.

5) You can't hear very well what the announcer is saying on the train intercom.

6) You are left behind by the train.

2. Complete the dialogues

a) between a customer (C) and the booking-office clerk (O).

С: ____________________________________ ?

О: The nearest train leaves at 1015.

С: _____________________________________.

О: Two returns and one single. That is 25 roubles, please.

С: _____________________________________ .

О: Here is your change.

С: ______________________________________.

О: You are very welcome. Good-bye.

b) between a guard (G) and a traveler (T).

G: Your ticket, please.

T: ______________________________________.

G: One lower berth and two uppers.

T: _______________________________________.

G: Right you are. One upper and two lowers. Where do you get off?

T: At Brighton. _______________________________________?

G: Six hours and a half.

T: _________________________________________.

3. Read the description of what various people may put into their suitcases when they set off on a journey. Say what you would pack into your bag.

From My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

We all traveled light, taking with us only what we consid­ered to be the bare essentials of life. When we opened our lug­gage for Customs inspection, the contents of our bags were a fair indication of character and interests. Thus Margo's luggage contained a multitude of diaphanous garments, three books on slimming and a regiment of small bottles each containing some elixir guaranteed to cure acne. Leslie's case held a couple of roll-top pullovers and a pair of trousers which were wrapped round two revolvers, an air-pistol, a book called Be Your Own Gunsmith and a large bottle of oil that leaked. Larry was ac­companied by two trunks of books and a briefcase containing his clothes. Mother's luggage was sensibly divided between clothes and various volumes on cooking and gardening. I trav­eled with only those items that I thought necessary to relieve the tedium of a long journey: four books on natural history, a butterfly net, a dog and a jam-jar full of caterpillars all in immi­nent danger of turning into chrysalides. Thus, by our standards fully equipped, we left the clammy shores of England.

4. Read the following dialogue between a travel agent (A) and Mrs. Blackston (B). Make up sentences of your own with the words in bold type. With your partner act out a similar dia­logue.

A: Rainbow Travel Agency. Good morning. Can I help you?

В: Hallo! Could I make a reservation for a flight from Bos­ton to Petersburg?

A: Certainly. Your name, please?

В: Blackston. Mrs. Richard Blackston.

A: What day would you like to travel?

В: On April, 16th. And I want to return in a month, on May 14th. I thought I could get a better fare if I called in advance.

A: Yes, you can. Your ticket will be fifty dollars cheaper.

В: That's fine.

A: Do you have a seating preference?

В: A window seat in a non-smoking section.

A: Good. There is one available. Shall we mail the ticket or will you collect it yourself?

В: I'll pick it up tomorrow.

A: That would be perfect. Tomorrow after 2 p.m.

В: Good-bye, then.

A: Good-bye, Mrs. Blackston.

5. Discuss the following issues. Work in twos and be ready to report the answers.

1) What are good and bad points in traveling by air?

2) What in your opinion is the best way to get from Peters­burg to Moscow - by plane or by train?

3) What qualities are necessary to become a pilot?

4) Do you think women can be pilots?

5) Is there any glamour in the work of air-hostesses or is it just a mundane occupation?

 

6. Discuss the following issues.

1) Tell the class what types of holiday accommodation you know a) in Russia, b) in Britain.

2) You are a travel agent. Describe various kinds of ac­commodation your company provides its customers with in Turkey.

3) Where would you recommend to go on holiday if your friend: a) wants complete rest; b) is interested in under-water life and would like to go snorke­ling, c) wants to relax, to go somewhere with plenty of shops and a good night life; d) is keen on mountain-skiing.

4) Advertise the type of accommodation you like best.

 

7. Work with your partner.

1) Find out if your friend has ever stayed at a hotel. Ask him/her:

where and when it was; what the hotel was like; what its location was; what facilities it offered.

2) You are asked to give advice on where to stay in St.-Petersburg. Give a short characteristic to some major hotels.

3) Check in at a hotel. Fill out the form.

4) Advertise the hotel you have stayed in. Focus your atten­tion on its facilities, location and travel bargains package tour visitors are offered.

8. Read the dialogue and explain the words in bold type. Use them in sentences of your own.

John: This В&В managed to put us up for the night. Only imagine, all the hotels are booked up for the week-end.

Betty: Oh, yes, that’s been a piece of good luck. So, what shall we do now? Hey, I know! We are going on a sightseeing tour.

John: And dinner afterwards at a nice cozy place.

Betty: And we can stay up till all hours of the night and sleep in tomorrow.

John: Great! We are on holiday, aren't we? And what are we doing tonight?

Betty: I don't mind going to the pictures. There's a good movie on.

John: Settled, then. A sightseeing tour, then dinner, and a movie as a special treat afterwards.