Writing

Write the dictation “Travelling by Train in Briatin”

LISTENING

Understanding Spoken English 2004 “The Commuter”

HAVE YOUR SAY

1. Read the poem “Riding on a Railroad Train” by Ogden Nash. What are the poet’s objections to travelling by car? Why does he enjoy travelling by train? Learn the poem and recite it in class.

RIDING ON A RAILROAD TRAIN

Some people like to hitch and hike;

They are fond of highway travel;

Their nostrils toil through gas and oil,

They choke on dust and gravel.

Unless they stop for the traffic cop

Their road is a fine-or-jail road.

But wise old I go rocketing by;

I’m riding on the railroad.

Oh, some like trips in luxury ships,

And some in gasoline wagons,

And others swear by the upper air,

And the wings of flying dragons.

Let each make haste to indulge his taste,

Be it beer, champagne or cider;

My private joy, both man and boy,

Is being a railroad rider.

2. What are the advantages and the disadvantages of railway travel?

3. Have you ever travelled by train? Share your experience with the class.

IV

CARS

FOCUS ON VOCABULARY

1. Match the vehicle with their descriptions

1. jeep 2. sedan 3. limousine 4. station wagon 5. sports car 6. van 7. lorry 8. caravan	A) a fast usu. smaller and lighter car with a top that folds back and down
	B) a covered road vehicle for carrying goods and sometimes people
	C) a car with four to seven passengers, with a roof, closed sides, and windows
	D) a vehicle that can be pulled by a car, which contains apparatus for cooking, beds for sleeping, etc. and in which people can live, usu. for holidays
	E) a large car with the driver’s seat separated from the back by a sheet of glass
	F) a type of small car suitable for travelling over rough ground
	G) a large motor vehicle for carrying big goods
	H) a private motor vehicle which carries both people and goods, with folding and removable back seats and doors at the back which can be opened to put bags, cases, etc. inside

2. British English or American English? Classify the words into 2 columns:

BrE	AmE
lorry	truck
.......	........

bonnet, car, caravan, auto, trailer, saloon, station wagon, cab, sedan, trunk, hood, estate car, motor home, gas station, boot, highway, windshield, tyre, petrol station, motorway, windscreen, tire, number plate, rear-view mirror, fender, wing, wing mirror

3. Match the words on the left with words on the right to make compound nouns. Use a dictionary to check the meaning of any unknown words.

1. tail 2. dash 3. wind 4. head 5. rear 6. hub 7. motor 8. express 9. high 10. free 11. pot 12. road

a) shield b) view c) light d) cap e) board f) car g) way h) screen i) side j) hole k) sign

4. Give the appropriate word for different types of high-speed roads.

expressway, turnpike, parkway, beltway, freeway, highway, throughway

• a general term for a high-speed road

• a road without intersections

• a road that goes around a city

• a road without stop lights

• a road that goes through a parkland

• an expressway, esp. if one pays to drive on it

5. Combine the words in the left column with words in the right column to make as many phrases as possible.

1. spare 2. steering 3. passenger 4. glove 5. rear-view 6. gas 7. license 8. seat 9. windshield 10. flat 11. speed 12. traffic 13. filling 14. rush

mirror wheel seat wiper signal limit station hour belt plate light compartment jam tank tire

6. In each set find the odd-one-out. Explain your choice.

1. a. motorist 2. a. roundabout 3. a. to crash 4. a. jack

b. driver b. bypass b. to collide b. wheel

c. chauffeur c. crossroads c. to run over c. brake

d. pedestrian d. intersection d. to skid d. bumper

7. Choose the best way to complete the sentences.

1. Maria is always careful not to get ________ because she has no spare.
a) a puncture	b) a fine	c) a flat tire
2. I will have Carrie fill up the ________ so that you can get an early start.
a) trunk	b) glove compartment	c) gas tank
3. Be sure to have a mechanic ________ the brakes, the engine and the steering before a long trip.
a) service	b) test	c) keep an eye on
4. Because the ________ was dead, the engine would not start.
a) battery	b) speedometer	c) accelerator
5. I’ll have Steven ________ his seat belt if he rides in the passenger seat.
a) tighten	b) fasten	c) wear
6. If you must drive on a rainy night, check the ________, the tires and the brakes.
a) the taillights	b) the radiator	c) windshield wipers
7. You’ll pay a large fine if you are caught ________ on the highway.
a) driving	b) speeding	c) passing