The journey by train seemed to take forever. 1) All/Every the passengers looked completely bored. The train had 2) no/none of the luxuries you’d usually expect on an inter-city train. Consequently there was 3) nowhere/anywhere to buy any food or drink. 4) A few/Few passengers had been sensible enough to bring their own packed lunches, and 5) no one/everyone watched enviously as they unwrapped them. At 6) each/both station we stopped, people looked out of the windows hoping to see 7) some/any vendors with 8) something/nothing in the way of refreshment. But, sadly, there were 9) no/none at all. It appeared that 10) most/all people would have to spend 11) all the/the whole time simply dreaming of a cup of coffee or a cheese sandwich! I had taken a couple of magazines with me but 12) neither/either of them held my attention for very long. I had 13) little/ a little interest in 14) something/anything but ending the journey. 15) Few/A few had been as boring or uncomfortable as that one and I felt 16) either/neither refreshed nor relaxed when I finally reached my destination.
Exercise 3. With the following words make up a dialogue with your partner on the subject “Travelling by train”. Discuss advantages and disadvantages; describe one of your journeys.
Listen to the dialogue “The Ticket Inspector” have you ever had funny situations just like the main character? Do many people nowadays travel around without the ticket? Should people pay the fine to the ticket collector or it can go on non-stop?
Railway ticket
Engine
Guards van
Train Departure Board / arrivals and departures board
Information counter
Destination notice
Ticket collector
Ticket barrier
Back or face to the engine
Parcels office
Luggage-in-advance form
To deliver
To state
The place of destination
Railway fare
Day-return ticket
express train/ fast
Slow train
Through train
Passenger train
sleeper train/long distance train
Local train
One-way ticket
Return ticket
Round trip ticket
Reduced fare ticket
Adult fare
Carriage, car
To buy a ticket in advance (beforehand)
To book ticket
Sleeping car
Cancellation
Compartment
Second-class sleeping carriage
Berth
Ticket office
Transfer
To catch the train
Porter, red cap (Am)
Track
Exercise 4. Listen to the dialogue “Railway Travel - Dialogue 1” and take some notes. After the first listening switch on the “Railway Travel - Role Play” and fill in the missing gaps.
Railway travel
A ticket to London, please.
Paul Ryefield: _________________________________________
Railway Station Clerk: — At 16:35, from platform 8.
Paul Ryefield:_________________________________________
Railway Station Clerk: — No, you have to change trains at Birmingham.
Paul Ryefield:_________________________________________
Railway Station Clerk: — Single or return, sir?
Paul Ryefield:_________________________________________
Railway Station Clerk: — 64 pounds, please.
Paul Ryefield:_________________________________________
Railway Station Clerk: — Here´s your ticket and change, sir.