In the Hall of the Airport
Simon: Excuse me.
Mr Gibson: Yes?
Simon: It's Gibson, isn't it?
Mr Gibson: Yes, that's right.
Simon: So glad to meet you. I'm Simon Steel. How do you do?
Mr Gibson: How do you do? It was nice of you to meet us.
Simon: It's a pleasure.
Mr Gibson: And this is my wife Sally.
Mrs Gibson: How do you do, Mr Steel?
Simon: How do you do? Did you have a good flight?
Mrs Gibson: Yes, pretty good, thanks. But I must say I don't think
I'll ever get used to flying. Simon: Well, if you'd like to follow me, I've got a car waiting
outside.
Mr Gibson: Yes, certainly. Thank you.
Simon: Now, let me help you with your bags, Mrs Gibson.
Mrs Gibson: Thank you. They are a bit heavy. Simon: Right. This way. It's not very far.
Questions: Who met the Gibsons at the airport? How did Mrs Gibson like the flight? What did Simon offer her?
//. Act out the following situations:
1. You are in the foyer of the airport. Suddenly you hear an announcement that your flight is delayed. Act out a conversation with an airport official. Find out why there is a delay and how long you are going to wait. Ask what the airline is going to do about
meals and hotel accomodation if the plane is delayed for a long time.
2. You are asked to meet Jonathan Williams, an American journalist. You've never met him before, you've only seen a photograph of his. The plane has just landed and you approach someone who looks like Williams. But you address the wrong man. At last you notice him. You introduce yourself and ask him about the journey. You've got a car waiting and take Mr Williams to the hotel.
Listening What a Way to Start a Holiday!
When Wilson got to the airport, his flight was already being called over the loudspeakers. The day before he had cancelled his ticket for a morning flight and had booked an afternoon flight instead. He had to go to the reservations desk to collect his new ticket.
He apologized for being late. The reservations clerk smiled and began to look through the reservations in front of her. Then her smile disappeared and she began to look worried.
"Your ticket doesn't seem to be here," she said. "Let me check it with the computer."
The computer clicked and whirred and lights began to flash. Just then, his flight was called a second time. Wilson became very nervous. Finally the girl looked up.
"There's been a mistake. Your new ticket was sent to you by post. That's why it isn't here," she said. It took her only a short time to write out a new one. Wilson managed to catch the plane just before it took off. "What a way to start a holiday!" he thought.
Questions: What was happening when Wilson got to the airport? What had he done the day before? Why did the clerk begin to look worried? What happened then? Why wasn't Wilson's ticket there? What happened at the end?
First Flight
Five tourists walked slowly across the airfield where a very small aircraft was waiting for them. The plane was used on local flights and had only two engines.
The passengers got into the plane and sat down.
"Fasten your seat belts, please," the air hostess said. An old lady turned to the air hostess. "Please help me with the belt," she asked "I have never been on an aeroplane before and I feel rather nervous."
"Don't worry," -the air hostess said kindly. "These planes are the safest in the world " Then the hostess went round with a tray of sweets. She offered a sweet to each of the passengers. "Take one of these," she said to the old lady. "It will help you to swallow."
Suddenly the plane began to shake and to rattle. It moved quickly down the runway and slowly climbed into the air. When the plane was in the air, the hostess went to the old lady again. "Didn't the sweet help you to swallow?" she asked.
"No, I'm afraid it didn't," the old lady answered. "But it took my mind off the plane. May I have another one, please?"
Questions: How many tourists were going to travel? What did the air hostess tell the passengers to do? Why couldn't the old lady fasten her seat belt? What did the hostess give each passenger? Why did the air hostess give sweets to the passengers? How did the sweet help the lady?
A Smuggler
Sam Lewis was a customs officer. He used to work in a small border town. It wasn't a busy town and there wasn't much work. The road was usually very quiet and there weren't many travellers. It wasn't a very interesting job, but Sam liked an easy life. About once a week he used to meet an old man. His name was Draper. He always used to arrive at the border early in the morning in a big truck. The truck was always empty. After a while Sam became suspicious. He often used to search the truck but he never found anything. One day he asked Draper about his job. Draper laughed and said: "I'm a smuggler."
Last year Sam retired. He spent his savings on an expensive holiday. He flew to Bermuda and stayed in a luxury hotel. One day he was sitting by the pool and opposite him he saw Draper drinking champagne. Sam walked over to him. Sam: Hello, there! Draper: Hi!
Sam: Do you remember me? Draper: Yes... of course I do. You're a customs officer. Sam: I used to be, but I'm not any more. I retired last month.
I often used to search your truck... Draper: But you never found anything. Sam: No, I didn't. Can I ask you something? Draper: Of course you can. Sam: Were you a smuggler? Draper: Of course I was.
Sam: But... the truck was always empty. What were you smuggling?
Draper: Trucks!
Questions: What was Sam's job? Where did he work? Was his, job interesting? Who did he use to meet once a week? Why did Sam become suspicious? What did he ask Draper one day? What did Sam do last year? Where did he spend his holiday? Who did he meet at the hotel? What did he learn?
Reading But You Said...
Marion: Good afternoon.
Travel
Agent: Good afternoon, madam.
Marion: I'm interested in the holiday in Saint Cuthbert.
Agent: Ah, yes... the Caribbean! I can recommend it highly.
Marion: Can you tell me a little more about it?
Agent: Of course, madam. It's an excellent package holiday. You'll travel on a scheduled flight. You'll be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. You won't have to pay airport taxes. They are included in the price. The hotel is very near the beach, and it's got a swimming pool and a discotheque. It's a very modern hotel, it was built last year. The restaurant's superb, and drinks are very cheap in Saint Cuthbert. Oh, and you can walk to the sea in two minutes.
Marion: Hmm... it sounds good. I'd like to make a reservation.
Agent: One moment, madam and I'll get you a booking form. Marion paid a deposit and booked the holiday. Two months
later she was in Saint Cuthbert. But she was disappointed. When
she returned to England, she went to see the travel agent.
Agent: Ah! It's Miss Ward. Did you have a good holiday?
Marion: No, I certainly did not have a good holiday.
Agent: Oh, I'm very sorry to hear that. What was wrong?
Marion: Well, when I arrived in Saint Cuthbert, I had to spend four hours at the airport... you said that we would be met, and we weren't. You also said we would be taken to the hotel. We weren't and the taxi cost about £12. You told me that airport taxes were included. In fact I had to pa\ £10.
Agent: Oh, dear... you had a very bad start. But the hotel was nice, wasn't it?
Marion: No, it was not! You said it was very modern. You were quite right. They hadn't finished building it! We couldn't sleep because the workmen were working all night. . on
our balcony! You said it had got a swimming pool. It had... but it was empty. And the restaurant. . the restaurant served fish every night.
Agent: Oh, dear ..
Marion: You said that the hotel was near the beach, and that we could walk to the sea in two minutes.
Agent: Couldn't you?
Marion: Well, yes... we could... but there was an oil refinery between the hotel and the beach, and it took half an hour to walk round it.
Agent: Oh, I'm really terribly sorry. We really didn't know... I'm afraid we're unable to give you a refund, but we can give you a ten per cent discount on next year's holiday... .
Marion: Next year! Next year I'm staying in England!
Self check
/. Use the proper tense forms:
Yesterday afternoon I (go) to the airport to meet Pierre who . (come) to Paris to spend a few days with me. I (arrive) at the airport at two o'clock, (go) to a waiting room and (sit) down. When it (announce) that the plane (be) an hour late, I (decide) to go for a walk. I (just, walk) away from the building, when I (see) an old friend coming towards me. We (talk) for a moment, then (go) to the bar, where we (have) a few drinks. Suddenly I (remember) Pierre. We (rush) to the information desk. I (tell) that the plane from Paris (arrive) 40 minutes earlier. I (hurry) out of the building, (get) into my car and (drive) away quickly. When I (arrive) home I (find) Pierre sitting on his suitcase outside my front door.
//. Translate into English:
— Доброе утро! Скажите, пожалуйста, есть ли рейс на Лондон 25 октября?
— Да, есть два рейса —утром и вечером.
— Когда утренний рейс?
— В 6 часов утра.
— Нет, это слишком рано. У меня будет бессонная ночь, если я полечу этим самолетом. Когда вечерний рейс?
— В 8 часов вечера.
— Когда самолет прибывает в Лондон?
— В 10 часов.
. — Это время меня устраивает. Есть ли билеты на этот рейс?
— Да, есть несколько билетов первого класса.
— Пожалуйста, один билет туда и обратно. Я возвращаюсь 30 октября.
Fluency
/. Answer the questions:
Do you like travelling by air? Why/Why not? Is there an airport in your native city/town? Is it far from the city/town? How can you get there? How long does it take you to get there? What is the airport like? What do you like or dislike about it? When do passengers have to arrive at the airport for registration? What is registration like? How much luggage can a passenger take without extra pay? Who informs passengers about flights? Are flights often cancelled in this country? Can you say why? Is there a security check before you board the plane? Who takes you on board the plane? What are the duties of a stewardess? When are passengers requested to fasten their seat belts? Do they serve meals on board the plane? Can passengers smoke during the flight? Do you get airsick when on a plane?
When did you last travel by plane? Where did you fly? How did you get to the airport? When did registration begin? What was it like? Did you have excess luggage? Was your flight cancelled? What did you do after you had registered your ticket and luggage? Was your journey pleasant? When did your plane land in X? What did you do on your arrival in X?
Have you ever travelled abroad? Where/When? What is the procedure of going through immigration and customs? Did you have any dutiable articles? Did you declare them? Did the customs officials examine your luggage? Did you enjoy your trip? Why/ Why not? How long did your trip last?
//. Speak on:
a) your last flight
b) your trip to a foreign country
c) the local airport
d) your experience of booking a flight
///. Travelling by train and travelling by air. Their advantages and disadvantages. Discuss.
IV. Act out the following situations:
1. Your friend has just returned from his/her trip abroad. Ask him/her about the journey and the usual routine at the customs.
2. You are on board a TU-134 to Dehli. The stewardess is ready to answer your questions about the flight.
3. You are in Washington on business for your firm. You want to go to New York to take part in an exhibition there. You've just come to the booking agency to book a train ticket, but there are no
train tickets available. You don't like flying but you'll have to travel by plane. There is a morning and a late flight to New York.
Writing I. Report the information from the letter:
One morning Mrs Morrison received a letter from her sister who lives in Melbourne, in Australia, telling her about plans to visit England:
My dear Mabel,
Just a short note to tell you that I have decided to come over to England to spend a few weeks in the old country. It will be marvellous to see you and little Margaret again. (I suppose she must be really grown up now!)
My plans-are as follows: I'm taking a flight from Sydney on November 20th. It's the night flight on Thursday evening and I'm flying with Air India. I don't know the exact time of arrival at London airport but I'll send you a telegram as soon as I find out.
I have arranged to stay at the Royal Tower Hotel which is in Knightsbridge, near Harrods.
I really am looking forward to seeing you both. Love,
Alice.
//. Write a similar letter.
HI. Write about an air trip you enjoyed.
LI N IT 19