Lesson 19

Travelling by train

1. Read the dialogues and prepare the presentation.

Dialogue 1
Passenger: I want a ticket to London, please. Which train must I take?
Booking-clerk: If I were you, I should take the 8.35 train.
Passenger: Do I have to change anywhere?
Booking-clerk: No, no change, it's a through train.
Passenger: Thank you. A ticket to London, please.
Booking-clerk: Single or return?
Passenger: Return, please, first class.
Booking-clerk: Here you are.
Passenger: Thank you. What time did you say the train goes?
Booking-clerk: 8.35. You'll have to hurry if you want to have your luggage registered.
Passenger: Thanks. (He hurries away)

Dialogue 2
Passenger: Porter, will you see to my luggage, please?
Porter: Where for, sir?
Passenger: I am taking the ten o'clock train for Glasgow. Have this trunk labelled
and put it in the lug gage van, and two suit-cases can go in the carriage.
Porter: Right, sir. What class?
Passenger: First. Find me a corner seat facing the engine in a smoker.
Porter: Have you got your ticket, sir?
Passenger: No, not yet. Where's the booking-office?
Porter: Come along with me, sir. I'll show you. Here it is. You take your ticket,
sir, and I'll meet you on the platform.
Passenger: Which platform is it?
Porter: Number 8, over there.
Porter: Here you are, sir. I've found you a corner seat next to the corridor.
Your carriage is near the dining-car and you can order lunch when the
attendant comes along.
Passenger: What time do we get to Glasgow?
Porter: You are due to arrive at 6.15.
Passenger: Thank you, here you are.
Porter: Thank you, sir. I hope you'll find the journey comfortable.
Passenger: Well, if I have some minutes left, I should like to go and get myself a
book to while away the time during the journey.

1
Porter: I'll bring you a paper, sir.

2. Answer the following questions:

1. Where do trains come in and go out?

2. Where can you buy a ticket for your journey?

3. What is the fare to Moscow? How much is the return ticket to Moscow?

4. What are waiting-rooms for?

5. Who can help you with your luggage?

6. In what way do porters carry luggage?

7. What is a luggage van?

8. What kinds of trains do you know? What trains do you prefer? Why?

9. Where can one have a light refreshment?

10.What trains have dining-cars?

11.Do you prefer to book your ticket beforehand or to queue up at the booking-office?

12.What is the left-luggage office?

13.What do the people who prefer to travel light do with their luggage?

14.Do you usually travel light or with a lot of things?

15.Where can you buy a newspaper at the railway station?

16.Do you like seeing your friends and relatives off?

17.Do you like it when your friends and relatives come to see you off?

18.What does a big railway station look like?

19.Where can one get information about the time of arrival and departure of trains?

3. Make up dialogues of your own on "Travelling by Train". Roles suggested:

a booking-clerk and a passenger;

two passengers sharing a compartment;

two friends discussing the advantages and disadvantages of travelling by train;

a passenger and a clerk in the inquiry-office.

4. Write a letter of complaint about your travelling or accommodation.