Sum up what the text said about the history of the Bank of England.

UNIT 19

THE UNDERGROUND

1. Read and translate the text:

After their visit to the museum of the Bank of England the Group returns to the hotel by underground.

Londoners call their underground train network "the tube". It covers the whole city. It's a fast, convenient and easy way to travel. Stations are never far apart, especially in central London. Each of the eleven lines has its own name and a distinctive color to aid recognition.

There are two kinds of tube tickets: single and return tickets sold at tube stations. Besides they sell Travel cards for the tube, buses and the Docklands Light Railway, or DLR. Travel cards can be bought at underground stations, Travel Information Centers, British Rail stations and selected newsagents. Travel cards are valid either for one day or seven days.

At the tube station the participants buy single tickets and come up to the electronic gate. They put the tickets, magnetic strip down, into the slot machine on the right side of the gate. The gate opens and after removing the ticket each passes the gate. Then they go down by moving stairs.

David: Keep you tickets until your journey is completed.

Sergei: Why is it necessary?

David: Well, you see, sometimes inspectors check them. Besides you have to leave many stations in the same way as you get in. You should put the ticket into the slot machine again to have the gate open. Otherwise you won't be able to leave the station.

Sergei: I see. Thank you.

Ivan: This line on the wall is green. I suppose this corridor will take us to the green line.

David: You are quite right. We are to take the green line to get to Baker Street station.

Vladimir: By the way, can I get to Piccadilly Circus by this line?

David: Let me see, no, I'm afraid not. You'll have to change trains at Charring Cross.

Vladimir: Thank you I'll remember it. Charring Cross.

David: Be careful. Don't be lost

Vladimir: Thank you. I have got a map of London and there is the Underground map here too. I have heard so much about Piccadilly. And I like the song about it. One of our pop stars sings it. The song is fantastic. And 1 should see the street of Piccadilly with my own eyes!

 

2. Underline the answers true to the text:

• By what means of transport did the group return to the hotel? By taxis. By underground. By bus.
• What do Londoners call their underground? The tube. Metro. Network.
• Does it cover the whole city? No, it doesn't. Yes, it does. It covers only the central pen of London.
• How many lines are there in the London tube? Eleven. Twelve. Ten.
• How many types of tube tickets can be bought? One, only single tickets. Two, single and return tickets. One, only Travel cards.
• Where are Travel cards used? For buses only. For the tube only. For railway only. For all the above means of transport.
• Where can Travel cards be bought? Only at tube stations. Only at Travel Information Centers. Only at rail stations. At all the above points.

 

3. Insert articles and prepositions:

• Londoners call their underground train network "____ tube". It covers ____ whole city. It's ____ fast, convenient and easy way to travel. Each of ____ eleven lines has its own name and ____ distinctive color to aid recognition.

• There are two kinds ____ tube tickets: single and return tickets sold ____ tube stations. Besides, they sell Travel cards ____ the tube, buses and DLR. Travel cards can be bought ____ underground stations, Travel Information Centers, British Rail stations and some newsagents. Travel cards are valid either ___ one day or seven days.

 

4. Complete the dialogues:

• – Keep your tickets ____.

– Why ____ necessary?

– Well, you see ____ inspector ____. Besides, you have to leave many stations. You should put ____ slot machine ____ open. Otherwise you won't be able ____.

– ____ thank you.

• – This line on the wall ____. I suppose this corridor ____ green line.

– You are ____. We are to take ____.

• – By the way, can I get ____?

– Let me see ____. You'll have to ____.

– Thank you. I'll ____.

– Be careful. Don't ____.

 

5. Translate into Russian:

We shall keep the tickets until your journey is completed.

We shall go to the Baker Street station.

He will not go to the Baker Street station.

He will change trains at Piccadilly.

He will go to Piccadilly Circus.

He will return to the hotel later.

 

UNIT 20

THE BUSES

1. Read and translate the text:

Londoners are proud of their "big red buses". These days some may not be red but they always carry the red roundel.

On many London buses passengers buy tickets from the driver when they get on. Some buses, however, have a conductor, and the passengers get on the bus and wait for the conductor to ask them where they are going and sell them the tickets.

Travel cards are very popular for bus travel.

One day after the session the participants have free time. Ivan and Sergei decide to go to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. They get out of the hotel and go to the nearest bus stop.

Ivan: Excuse me, what bus can take us to Trafalgar Square, please?

Passer-by: I'm sorry. I'm afraid I don't know.

Ivan asks again.

Ivan: Excuse me. Can you tell me where to get a bus to Trafalgar Square, please?

Policeman: Yes. Cross over the road. Can you see the cinema? The bus stop is just round the corner.

Ivan: Do you know the number of the bus?

Policeman: I think it's a thirteen.

Ivan: Thank you very much.

At the bus stop.

Ivan: Excuse me. Is this the stop for the Trafalgar Square bus?

Man: That's right. It's number 13. It stops at Trafalgar Square and goes on to Liverpool Station. Therefore ask the driver to tell you where to get off.

Ivan: Thank you very much.

On the bus.

Sergei: Two returns to Trafalgar Square.

Bus driver: 1 pound.

Sergei: Can you tell us when we get to Trafalgar Square, please?

Bus driver:OK.

 

2. Underline the answers true to the text:

• Are Londoners proud of their buses? Yes, they are. No, they are not. The text doesn't speak about that.
• Are all the buses red in England? Yes, they are. No, they are not. Some of them are, but all the buses carry red roundel.
• How are bus tickets sold? Only drivers sell them. Only conductors sell them. Either drivers or conductors sell them.
• Are Travel cards valid for bus travels? Yes, they are. No, they are not. It's not quite clear.
• Where did Ivan and Sergei go by bus one day? To Piccadilly Circus. To Trafalgar Square. To Downing Street.
• Do both of them speak English? Yes, they do. Only Ivan speaks English. Only Sergei speaks English.
• What tickets did they buy? Single ones. Return ones. Travel cards.

 

3. Insert articles and prepositions:

• These days some English buses may not be red but they always carry ____ red roundel. On many London buses passengers buy tickets from ____ driver when they get on. Some buses, however, have ____ conductor, and ____ passengers get on ____ and wait for ____ conductor to ask them where they are going and sell them ____ tickets.

• Londoners are proud ____ their "big red buses". Single and return tickets may be bought either ____ drivers or conductors. Travel cards are very popular ____ bus travel.

One day Ivan and Sergei decide to go ____ the National Gallery ____ Trafalgar Square. They get ____ the hotel and go _____ the nearest bus stop.

4. Complete the dialogues:

• – Excuse me, what bus can take ____?

– I'm sorry, I'm afraid ____.

– ____, can you tell me where to get ____?

– Yes. Cross over ____. Can ____ cinema? The bus stop____.

– Do you know the number ____?

– I think____.

– Thank ____.

• – Is this the stop for ____?

– That's right. It's number ____. It stops at _____ and goes on to ____. Therefore ask the driver ____.

• – Two returns to ____.

– One ____.

– Can you tell us ____?

 

5. Translate into Russian:

In a few minutes they'll be in Trafalgar Square. –

They will immediately see the National Gallery. –

It's in the center of the Square. –

I believe they'll spend an hour or so visiting the Gallery. –

 

UNIT 21

CHANGING MONEY

1. Read and translate the text:

In the evening a few participants went to a bureaux de change next to the hotel to change some dollars into pounds.

In London money can be changed either at banks, at bureaux de change or at customers' services desks in big department stores.

Banks are usually open from 9.30 a. m. until 3.30 p. m. Some are open on Saturday, but never on Sunday. They accept plastic cards Visa, Access as well as Eurocheques, traveller's cheques and, of course, cash. Many banks have cash dispensing machine services.

Bureaux de change are usually open for longer hours and every day. They often charge a bigger commission than banks.

The exchange rates are often shown in the running lines placed in the windows or on the walls of the bureaux de change for everybody to see.

Now Sergei comes up to the counter of the bureau de change:

Sergei: Good evening.

Cashier: Good evening, sir. Can I help you?

Sergei: Could I change two hundred dollars into pounds, please?

Cashier: Yes, certainly.

Sergei: How much will it be?

Cashier: About one hundred and twenty pounds.

Sergei: Good. Here you are.

Cashier: Thank you. And how would you like it, in twenties, tens or smaller notes?

Sergei: In tens, please.

Cashier: Fine. Here is the money and your receipt, please.

Sergei: Thanks. Excuse me, will you be open tomorrow, on Sunday?

Cashier: Yes. But we work shorter hours on Sundays. We'll close at 7 p. m.

Sergei: Thank you. And one more thing. Can I change these coins of fifty cents each.

Cashier: I'm afraid I can't take small change. We change only notes.

Sergei: Do you believe I can change them somewhere else?

Cashier: I'm afraid you can't. This is a rule with banks and bureaux de change.

Sergei: I see. Thank you.

Cashier: You are welcome.

 

2. Underline the answer true to the text:

• Where did the participants go to change some money? To a bank. To a bureaux de change. To a departments store.
• Where was it located? In the hotel. Near the hotel. Rather far from the hotel
• What money did they want to change? Roubles. Pounds. Dollars.
• How much money did Sergei want to change? 200 roubles. 200 pounds. 200 dollars.
• For what sum did he change that money? 120 roubles. 120 pounds. 120 dollars.
• In what notes did he get the money? In tens. In fives. In twenties.
• Did he also change the coins he had? Yes, he did. No, he didn't.
• Where can small change be changed? At banks. At bureaux de change. Nowhere.
• Was the bureau de change open on Sunday, as the cashier said? Yes, it was open 24 hours. No, it was closed. Yes, it was, but only till 19.00.

 

3. Complete the dialogues and act out similar ones:

• – Good ____.

– Good ____. Can I help ____?

– Could I ____ 200 ____.

– How much ____?

– About 120 ____.

– Good. Here you ____.

– Thank you. And how ____ smaller notes?

– In ____.

– Fine. Here is receipt, please.

– Thank you.

• – Excuse me, will ____ Sunday?

– Yes, but ____ shorter ____. We'll close ____.

• – One more thing. Can I ____ coins ____?

– I'm afraid I can't ____. We ____ notes.

– Do you believe ____ somewhere else?

– I'm afraid ____. This is a rule ____.

 

4. Write down what the text said about:

• exchange rates -

• forms of money to be changed -

• working hours -

• commissions -

• cash dispensing machines -

• place, where money can be changed -

 

5. Find the answers in the text and write them down:

Where can money be changed in London? –

Can only cash be changed? –

Where can exchange rates be seen? –

 

UNIT 22

HOTEL SERVICES

1. Read and translate the text:

During their stay at the hotel the participants of the Group Head a few talks with the hotel staff, that is with the receptionist, waiters, chambermaids, operators etc. Here are some of the talks:

•••

Participant: Excuse me, is there any message for me, please?

Receptionist: What's your room number, sir?

Participant: It's four one two.

Receptionist: Just a minute... Yes, Mr. Brown of Milton & Co telephoned you at three o'clock. And he will call you at eight this evening.

Participant: Thank you for the message.

Receptionist: Welcome.

•••

Waiter: Would you like tea or coffee, madam?

Participant: I don't mind ... Tea, please.

Waiter: Here you are.

Participant: Thank you. May I also have some milk, please?

Waiter: Yes, here you are. And if you wish some sugar it's here on the table. Help yourself, please.

Participant: Thanks a lot.

•••

Participant: Excuse me, is this channel paid?

Chambermaid (making the room): What's the number of the channel?

Participant: It's ten.

Chambermaid: No, it's not paid. Only Channel Twelve is paid.

Participant: Thank you very much. And will you remove these bags, please?

Chambermaid: If you don't need them I'll certainly remove them.

•••

Participant: Excuse me, how can I make a local call from my room, please?

Receptionist: It's very easy. Dial 0 and then the number you want. But please note that all the calls are paid.

Participant: Do you mean all calls in the London area?

Receptionist: Yes, that's a rule practically with every hotel in England.

Participant: I see. When should I pay then?

Receptionist: Any time before you leave.

Participant: Thank you. I'll do that by all means.

Participant: Operator? Good morning? How can I call Moscow?

Operator: Do you mean a long distance call?

Participant: Yes, Moscow, Russia.

Operator: Dial 0 then..... and then your number in Moscow.

Participant: Thank you very much.

Operator: You are welcome.

Participant: Will you call me at 6 o'clock tomorrow morning?

Operator: What's your room number, madam?

Participant: Four three seven.

Operator: Good. Don't worry. Have a good sleep.