Text 2. Traffic problems

1) It was rush hour, and there was a long tailback (=a line of slow or stopped traffic) on the motorway.

2) There was a pile-up (=crash between several or many cars) involving ten cars, because of the fog, so the road was closed and we were diverted (=directed away from our road) onto a narrow country lane.

3) I had stupidly parked in a tow away zone (=area where your car may be taken away if you park illegally) and came back to find my car had gone!

4) I just parked for a few minutes outside the station, but when I came out, my car had been clamped (=fitted with a metal device on the wheel to prevent it from moving).

5) I saw two men fighting next to their cars. I think it was a case of road rage. (=anger or violence between drivers because of difficult driving conditions)

6) The road was wet and I skidded (=lost control of the steering) on the bend and almost crashed.

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2.6. Complete the sentences with the correct word or word combination

from the previous activity.

) There was ahead-on collision (=two vehicles hitting each other directly in the front) on the main road between here and the next village last night. Luckily, both cars had air bags and the drivers survived.

1. We can’t park here; it’s a __________ zone.

2. There was a five-mile _______ on the motorway because of road works.

3. Fog caused a number of _______, one of which involved 15 cars.

4. If it’s a _________ sign, you don’t have to stop if the road is clear, but if it’s a stop sign, then you must always stop.

5. Who has the __________ at the corner in your country? Cars or pedestrians?

6. It was a ________ accident, but the police have a description of the car.

7. The permitted level of __________ is to be lowered in an attempt to reduce air pollution in big cities.

8. He was given a __________ test and it was discovered he had consumed a huge amount of alcohol. He was charged with ________ and fined £500.

9. In some countries drivers _________ their _________ just because they get frustrated. As a result, the city streets are incredibly noisy.

2.7. A) Put each of the following words or phrases in its correct place in the

passage.

b) What kinds of transport are common in your city/village? In Russia?

Which of them do you prefer? Why?

sliding doors platform conductor fare crew cab

double-decker bus stop rush hour tube metro lift

destination inspector subway hail check tip

single-decker taxi-rank driver coach mind meter rack escalator

A taxi, sometimes called a (a)______, is the most comfortable way to travel. You

simply (b) ______ the taxi in the street or go to a (c) ______, where there are

several taxis waiting, for example at a station. At the end of your journey, you can

see how much the (d)______ is by looking at the (e)______. You add a (f) ______ to this, and that's it. Very simple. But expensive!

What about taking a bus? If it has two floors, it's called a (g) ______and you can

get a good view from the top. If it has only one floor, it's called a (h) ______. Most

buses have a two-person (i) ______: the (j) ______, who drives, of course, and the

(k) ______, who takes your money. Keep your ticket because an (l) ______might

want to (m) ______it. You catch a bus by waiting at a (n) ______. You can see

where a bus is going because the (o) ______is written on the front. But try to avoid the (p)______.

Quicker than the bus is the underground (called the (q) ______ in London, the

(r) ______ in New York and the (s) ______in Paris and many other cities). You buy your ticket at the ticket-office. Go down to the (t) ______ on the (u) ______ or in the (v) ______. The train comes. The (w) ______ open. You get on. You look at the map of the underground system. Very simple. When you hear “(x) _____ the doors!” it signals that the train is about to depart. So be careful.

For longer distances take a train or a long distance bus, usually called a (y) ______,