IX. Перепишите и переведите текст.

VIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESS (VRE)

VRE is a commuter train handling passenger traffic to and from Washington. Talk to any rider on the train and you are likely to hear comments such as those of Curt Mason, VRE’s first passenger: “The fare is reasonable, the schedule is convenient, and it is always in time.”

One year ago people working in Washington but living in its suburbs had to go by cars or fight for railway tickets. Now they often make a choice in favor of VREbecause it provides a reliable, comfortable, cost-effective alternative to driving, eliminating the inconvenience and stress caused by highway gridlocks.*

VREridership and revenues are steadily growing, and the prevailing opinion among management, crews and passengers is that the system works and works very well.VRE officials attribute the railroad’s success to three important factors: careful planning, cooperation and communication.

Much attention is paid to the improvement of passenger service. Tom Waldron,VRE’s director of operations**, says: “Our customers are our bread and butter. We make every effort to meet their requirements.” Every week there is a “station day” whenVRE’s officials talk to people on the platforms and on the trains. It helps to understand customers’ needs and to take measures if necessary. The innovations do not stop at a “station day”. New automated ticket vending machines were installed, eliminating on board ticket collection. It enabled the railway to reduce the price of tickets and the cases of fare evasion.*** Besides,VREoffers “free ride certificates”**** for passengers whose trains are delayed or annulled. Coaches and locomotives are washed every day. Train crewmembers are instructed on the optimum distance they should be from the microphone as they are talking to passengers on the public address system, so as not to be too loud or too soft.

“Details make perfection,” Waldron notes, “and we are striving for perfection. We know we’ll never achieve it, but we’ll come damn close.”

Notes: *highway gridlock – “пробка” на дороге

**director of operations – коммерческий директор

***fare evasion – неуплата за проезд

****free ride certificate – билет на бесплатный проезд

X. Составьте утверждения, выбрав правильный вариант согласно тексту.

1. VRE handles passenger traffic...

a) to New York. b) to Washington. c) to and from Washington.

2. The fare is reasonable, the schedule is convenient and the trains are…

a) sometimes delayed. b) always in time. c) often annulled.

3. Tom Waldron said: “Our customers are…

a) our bread and salt.” b) our bread and water.” c) our bread and butter.”

4. During a “station day” VRE officials talk to…

a) people on the trains and on the platforms. b) conductors. c) locomotive drivers.

5. The installation of new ticket vending machines enabled the railway…

a) to increase the price of tickets. b) to reduce the cases of fare evasion. c) to improve passenger service.

Вариант 4

I. Перепишите и переведите предложения, обращая внимание на употребление времён групп Indefinite, Continuous, Perfect в действительном и страдательном залогах. Выпишите сказуемые и укажите их видовременные формы.

1. The first bridge at Niagara Falls was built by Samuel Keeferbut it was completely destroyed by wind action in 7 months after completion. 2. This express train will proceed to the final destination without any stops. 3. Steel sleepers are particularly valued in desert and tropical regions because great variations in day and night temperatures do not affect them. 4. Japanese Railways has banned the passengers to use their cellular telephones on its commuter trains. The railway company has recently received a lot of complains because passengers speaking on their mobile telephones are shouting too loud and disturbing others.

II. Перепишите и переведите предложения, обращая внимание на употребление эквивалентов модальных глаголов (to be allowed to; to be able to; to be to; to have to). Подчеркните эквиваленты модальных глаголов в английских предложениях и в переводе.

1. We missed the last commuter train and had to go by bus. 2. We are not able to wait for them any longer, we are to ring them up and find out what has happened. 3. If you buy railway tickets in advance, you have to pay some extra money. 4. Passengers were not allowed to get off the carriage because the stop of the train lasted only 2 minutes. 5. Since the tape-recorder is still under guarantee, I will not have to pay for the repairs.