Шевелева С.А. Деловой английский. Ускоренный курс. Шевелева С. А. Ш37 Деловой английский. Ускоренный курс Учебник
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Unit forty oneLondon taxisText One day after an external visit Vladimir Antonov one of the participants of the Programme decided to go sightseeing by himself. Just to economise time, he decided to go by taxi. The famous London black taxi cabs can be hailed in the street. Some cabs are now painted different colours and carry limited advertising, but are still bound by the same strict regulations. They are available for hire if the yellow light above the windscreen is lit. All these taxis have meters which the driver must use on all journeys within the Metropolitan Police District. The District covers most of Greater London and goes out to the Heathrow Airport. For longer journeys the price is usually negotiated with the driver beforehand. There is also a minimum payable charge which is shown on the meter when you hire the cab. Passengers are expected to pay extra for large luggage, journeys between 20.00—06.00, at weekends and holidays. There are over 500 ranks throughout London, including all major hotels and British Rail stations. Besides black cabs there are mini-cabs which practically render similar services. But they cannot be hailed in the street, they are indistinguishable from private cars. Unlike the black cabs they are not licensed and their drivers do not take the same stringent tests. They are cheaper than black cabs. Usually they are ordered by telephone. They are listed in Yellow Pages. When Vladimir saw a cab with a yellow light he signaled it to halt: Vladimir: Excuse me, could you take me to Westminster Bridge? Driver: Yes, certainly. Get in please. .... Where do you want me to stop? Vladimir: Near Big Ben or just opposite the Houses of Parliament. Driver: Good..... Here you are. Vladimir: How much is it? Driver: The meter says three forty. Vladimir: Here it is... Keep the small change. Driver: Thank you. Good-bye. Enjoy the sights. Words and expressions
Exercises 1. Insert prepositions: Vladimir decided to go sightseeing... taxi. He hailed a taxi... the street. The charge is usually shown... the meter. Mini-cab companies are mainly listed... Yellow Pages. Mini-cabs are usually ordered... telephone. Could you take me... Westminster Bridge, please? Will you stop... Big Ben just... the Houses... Parliament? 2. Insert articles: ... famous London taxi cabs can be hailed in... street. They are bound by... same strict regulations. They are available for hire if... yellow light above... windscreen is lit. ... driver must use meters on all... journeys within... Metropolitan Police District. ... District covers most of Greater London and goes out to... Heathrow Airport. There is... minimum payable charge which is shown on .. meter when you hire. . cab. 3. Underline the verbs in the Passive Voice and translate the sentences into Russian: • The famous London black cabs can be hailed in the street. Some cabs are now painted different colours. They are bound by the same strict regulations. They are available for hire if the yellow light above the wind screen is lit. For longer journeys the price is usually negotiated. • The minimum payable charge is shown on the meter when you hire the cab. Passengers are expected to pay extra for large luggage. Mini-cabs cannot be hailed in the street. Mini-cabs are not licensed. They are usually ordered by telephone. 4. Find the answers in the text: • What place of interest did Vladimir want to see that day? Did he hire a taxi cab or a mini-cab? Can taxi cabs be hired only in the street in London? How many taxi ranks are there in London, approximately? Where are they located mostly? What colour are they? • Do they usually carry advertising? What helps people to distinguish a free taxi? What is the function of meters? Are the prices or fares negotiated with the driver? Must the driver always use the meter? When are passengers expected to pay extra? 5. Complete as in the text: Besides black... there are mini... which.. render similar... But they cannot... in the street. They are indistinguishable from... Unlike the black cabs they are not... and their drivers do not... stringent... They are cheaper... Usually they are ordered... They are listed in... 6. Sum up what the text said about: the famous London black cabs mini-cab services in London. 7. Read the following: where what when why Wednesday want wish well winter Westminster Could you take me to Westminstel Bridge, please? Excuse me, how can I get to Westminster Bridge, please? 8. Complete the dialogue and act out a similar one: — Excuse me, could you... — Yes.. Get.. Where do you want me... — Near... just opposite... — Good. Here... — How much... — The meter says.. — Here it is. Keep.. — Thank you. Good-bye. Enjoy... 9. Make short dialogues as in the examples:
10. Role play. Imagine you are speaking with an English businessman. Tell him about taxi services in your town. |