Facing a difficulty

• Excuse me, but I've got a problem. My visa has expired and our people can't get through to the Consulate Department on the phone. Could you help us?

• Oh, well, it's bairam now, a kind of Easter. Naturally, no one is available.

• Do you see any way out?

• It's a bit difficult I'm afraid.

• But surely somebody must be working these days?

• You see, all the offices are closed now. It's the time for rejoicing here. Shops, cafes, restaurants are open day and night. Every one's enjoying themselves.

• Hmm ... I see what you mean.

• Actually, it's the time after Ramadan, the ninth month of the Moslem year when people fast from sunrise to sunset. During the fast big shops are open only after sunset. Well, in fact, active life starts late at night. And now as fasting is over, people are happy to mark the occasion. But I'll see what I can do about your visa.

• Thank you very much. And I'm sorry to trouble you.

• Not at all.

Listening and writing

Ex. 1. Fill any Subscription Order Form as in the model.

(Title of newspaper, magazine)

Please, enter a subscription for one year (-issues) by surface mail ($ ______ ) yes, no

Airspeed mail ($ ______ ) yes, no

I enclose cheque for ______________________ (or)

I have sent the sum of _____________ through my local post office

Please write your name and address in capital letters

NAME ________________________

ADDRESS _____________________

ZIP CODE _____________________

COUNTRY ____________________

Today's date ____________________

Please send this order to the ( _______ ) Newspaper, Magazine, Subscription department (address).

Part B

a) You need to get somewhere

Vocabulary File

Words and word combination	Translation
pick up, v way, n lose/find/make one’s ~ on the ~ go all the ~ (to) For your personal vocabulary

Reinforcing Vocabulary

Language Function

Asking the way	Showing the way
– Excuse me, could you tell me the way… show me the way… tell me how to get… direct me to… What is the fastest way to get to…? Am I going in the right direction? Should I go this way? What line do I take to…? Where is the entrance to…?	Yes, certainly, follow this road for 100 yards, turn sharp left, then second right, go down the street. It's on the right. It's round the corner/on the corner/next to. Take a second turn on the left. Go straight ahead for … blocks. The last stop but one. It's about ten minutes walk from here. First right, then left.

Ex. 1. Make up similar dialogues asking someone the right way. Here are some models.

1

• Excuse me, sir. Which is the right/shortest way to Scaryna Avenue/the railway station/the Central post office/the Gorky Park, etc.?

• Go down the street and then turn left/right/round. You'll see it.

2

• Excuse me, can you tell me the way to the Opera and Ballet House, please?

• Have you got a map?

• Oh, yes.

• Right. You are here in Kupala street. Go towards the city hospital. There's a little road on the right. Go down that road, leave M. Bogdanovich monument and behind if you can see the Opera and Ballet house. You can't miss it.

3

• Excuse me, could you help me?

• Yes, of course, what's it?

• I want to catch a 51 bus and I'm trying to find the bus stop. Do you know where is it?

• Oh, yes, right. It's two hundred meters away on the right, outside the book shop.

• Thanks very much.

• That's O.K.

4

• Excuse me, could you help me?

• Yes, of course, what’s it?

• Could you tell me the stop for the 51, please?

• Yes, right. It’s two hundred meters away on the right, near the book shop.

• Thanks a lot.

• That’s OK.

5

• Excuse me, is there a bank in the hotel?

• No, there isn't. But there is one in the next street. Turn left when you leave the hotel and take the first street to the left. The bank is number 27 on the right.

Ex. 2. Explain your friend how to get:

• to 31 Kirov street;

• from the suburbs to the center of your city;

• to the central library;

• from the railway station to the central hotel;

• to the stadium;

• to the airport.

Ex. 3. Complete the dialogues. Use some of the phrases given below.

1. Excuse me, I've lost my way. I'm trying to go to… Which is the right way to… Please, show me the way to… Am I on the right way (road) to…

2. How far is it? Is it possible to walk there? Is there a bus from here to…? Is it much of a walk?

3. Go right to the end of the street, then turn left, go 2 blocks straight ahead and then turn to… Straight on and the second turning to the right. You are going in the opposite direction.

4. What can I do for you? Now, where is it you want to go? It's a long distance off… It's a long (short) way to... It's quite a distance from here.

5. Be careful, the traffic keeps to the left in this country. Look out. It isn't safe to cross here. Be sure not to cross the street (square). One can never be too careful. Wait for the break in the traffic. Don't cross the street when the traffic light has changed to red.

The British always tend to mind their own business. They prefer not to interfere in other people's affairs. They respect privacy. The accepted code of behaviour doesn't allow one to ask other people about their personal matters in a direct way. When the British have to do it they always do it in a sympathetic and apologetic way.

Ex. 4. What do you do or say if…

your passport is lost;

you want to buy some souvenirs;

you need some minor services;

b) You need some banking or postal services

Vocabulary File

Words and word combination	Translation
For your personal vocabulary

Reinforcing Vocabulary

to change, to exchange, to alter

1. Times change. You haven't changed at all. I want to change a 100-rouble note. 2. You can exchange foreign currency in an exchange officer or bank. I got a new passport in exchange for my old me. The exchange rate is steady. 3. She altered her dress. I found her very much altered. That alters things the ease.

Language Function

Asking for detailed (additional) information	Adding more information
– Could you tell me more about …? – Can I find out some details about? – I'd like to know more … . – I'd like to get clear about … . – We should clarity this matter, I think. – Do you know anything else/new about ? – Where (what, whom) should I …? – What told you that? – You mean to say …, don't you? – Do you mean to say that …? – Am I right to understand that … ?	– I'd like to add … . – I'd like to tell something else … . – By the way … . – To tell the truth … . – To be exact … . – To avoid any misunderstanding … . – In connection with … . – You should address (appeal to) … . – As for as … . – To go on with … .

Ask for some detailed information about the following. Use proper expressions from the list.

• what time the bank opens;

• what services the dyer's and dry cleaner's provide;

• if there is a hair-dresser's in this street;

• the exchange rate for the Deutschmark against the pound;

• the shortest way to the your house;

• the time for dinner;

• the exact time;

• the way to the theater;

• if there is an underground (opera) in the city;

• how to get to the station.