A good driving record

Learn "A Good Driving Record" by heart. Tell the con­tents of the dialogue in the narrative.

Mr Brown: How did you come here; today, Miss Diener?

Miss Diener: I drove in by car.

Mr Brown: That’s very nice. Do you find any difficulty in

driving in London traffic?

Miss Diener: Oh, no! I’m quite accustomed to it now. I used to feel nervous at first when I had a stream of traf­fic on either side of me, and was always afraid that someone was going to bump into me, but I’ve got over that now.

Mr Brown: How do you find driving here compared with

driving in Germany?

Miss Diener: Of course, at first it seems much more difficult, but when you get used to the vastly heavier traf­fic and the “keep-to-the-left” rule of the road you prefer driving here.

Mr Brown: Is that so? Why i$ it, do you think?

Miss Diener: Well, your roads are so good. I have motored al­most all over England and Scotland now and have hardly ever found a bad road. Then they are so well marked.

Mr Brown: What do you mean?

Miss Diener: Why, with signposts telling you the direction and distance to the next town, white lines at the dan­gerous comers, notices to steep hills and traffic lights at almost every difficult crossing.

Mr Brown: Have you ever had any accidents while you have

been driving?

Miss Diener: No, nothing serious so far. I once backed the car into a wall and damaged the mudguard a little and once I forgot that I had no water in my radiator until, after I had gone some miles, I smelt a ter­rible smell of hot oil and saw steam hissing out of the radiator cap. Luckily, I stopped in time, and no harm was done. But that is all in ten years’ driving.

Mr Brown: Well, that’s a good record; I congratulate you.

TEXT 4 ■■-■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

TOURING BY CAR IN BRITAIN

With its good road and motorway network, Britain is ideally suited for driving tours. Road numbers and destinations are clearly signposted and even smaller country roads are well sur­faced. For quick point-to-point travel the motorway system is best, but to discover the real Britain get off the main roads and explore quiet rural lanes and hidden-away villages. When trav­elling around, look out for the white-on-brown signposts which indicate nearby tourist attractions.

Renting a car means that you are free to go where you choose and visit places off the beaten track.

All companies offer standard rental with unlimited mileage, large companies offer one-way rental, too. Cars can be rented at most principal railway stations via a British Rail scheme; you can make a reservation just before starting your journey and your car will be waiting on your arrival.

With so many car hire companies, it’s worth shopping around to get a good value deal. Use your credit card. If you want a car with automatic transmission you must specify it at the time of booking.

Conditions of car rental vary: most companies will not rent to those aged under 21 or 25 or aged over 70 or 75 and they usu­ally require a visitor to have held a full driving licence for at least 12 months. It is customary for the rental charge to be paid in advance.

DIALOGUE 3 ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

Mary Almar is going to hire a ear so that she and her hus­band can go on a trip to Delphi. She is at the Self-Drive car Rental Company.

Mary: Good afternoon.

Assistant: Good afternoon, madam.

Mary: I want to hire a car tomorrow. Do you have any avail­

able?

Assistant: We have a Fiat 124.

Mary: How much would that cost?

Assistant: It’s $12 a day plus 12 cents a kilometre.

Mary: And that includes insurance, presumably.

Assistant: Yes, insurance is included.

Mary: But I have to pay extra for the petrol, don’t 1?

Assistant: Yes, you buy your own petrol, but we check the car and put some oil in before you start.

Mary: Do I have to pay a deposit?

Assistant: Yes, we require a deposit of 20$.

Mary: And do you accept American Express?

Assistant: Yes, that’ll be ail right. And we need to see your driv­ing licence.

Mary: Right. Can I see the car, please?

Assistant: Certainly, madam. This way, please.

DIALOGUE 4 ■*■■■■■

Read, memorize and dramatise the dialogue.

AT A GARAGE

Mechanic: Can I help you?»

Motorist: Yes, there’s something wrong with my car.

Mechanic: What’s the matter with it?

Motorist: Well, it won’t go very fast and the engine makes a

coughing noise all the time.

Mechanic: You’ve probably got dirt in the carburettor. I’ll have a look at it for you.

Motorist: You can look at it now, can’t you?

Mechanic: Yes, in a few minutes.

Motorist: Can I wait here, please?

Mechanic: Yes, take a seat.

Motorist: Thank you.

DIALOGUE5 ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

Read, memorize and dramatise the dialogue.

AT A PETROL STATION

Motorist: Might I have a full tank, please?

Clerk: What kind of petrol do you need? Regular, unleaded

or premium? ' P г /' it-’, w - Motorist: Unleaded, please. Here is the key to the tank. Clerk: Would you like me to check the oil for you?

Motorist: Yes, please. And the tyres, will you?

Clerk: Certainly, madam. Might I ask you to open the hood

for me?

Motorist: Oh, I’m not sure if I can do it.

Clerk: There’s a lever inside there... thanks. Now — the ty­

res... they are a bit low on air, I’m afraid...

Motorist: How much do I owe you? . v Clerk: That’ll be 18 pounds worth.

Motorist: Here you are.

Clerk: Thank you. Happy journey.

Terms and Conditions

1. Client pays for all petrol used.

2. Cars are to be returned to renting station.

3. State or local taxes are not included.

4. Driver must have a valid Driving Licence. Minimum age — 21 years. For drivers under 25 years of age, please, refer to insurance section.

5. Rates are subject to change without notice.

6. Insurance — Public Liability, Property Damage, $250,00 Deductible Collision, Fire and Theft is included, provid­ed Rental Terms are not violated. Drivers under 25 years of age must pay an additional $2,50 per day for insurance coverage providing $500,00 Deductible Collision protec­tion.

7. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) can be purchased by drivers 25 and over, relieving them of the responsibility

7. Заказ № 2789

of the first $250,00 damage. CDW is available at $2,00 per day.

Questions

1. Can you hire a car in one town and leave it in another town?

2. Which of these is not included in the rates given here?

1. Taxes.

2. Public liability insurance.

3. If you are over 25 and do not buy extra insurance, what is the most you will have to pay for accident damage?

4. How much extra does it cost per day if you do not want to pay for any accident damage?

5. Does the Ford Fiesta have automatic gear change?

6. How much does it cost to hire a Ford Mustang for 10 days in August?

7. How much the Ford Futura have air-conditioning?

8. How much does it cost to hire a Ford Mustang for 10 days in August?

DIALOGUE 6