Curs limba engleza - travelling. accomodation

CURS LIMBA ENGLEZA - TRAVELLING. ACCOMODATION

SECTION I

TRAVELLING

A. LEAD IN

1.                How do you travel to and from the faculty? Is it time consuming?

2.                How do you usually travel when you go on holiday?

3.                Do you like flying or are you afraid of it? Say why.

4.                What was your most/ least enjoyable way of travelling? Where were you going?

5.                If you wanted to know a region/ a country better how would you travel?

6.                Think of at least two positive and two negative aspects of travelling a) by land; b) by air; c) by water. Tell them to the rest of the class.

B. READING OBJECTIVE

THE GREATEST ENGINEERING PROJECT EVER

The Channel Tunnel (or, in short, the Chunnel) is not just one tunnel; it consists of three tunnels, each thirty miles (about 50 km) long. It is the second largest tunnel in the world. The longest is the Seikan Tunnel in Japan, but the Channel Tunnel has a longer under-sea section. Fifteen thousand workers participated in the construction (ten died in accidents) and 1,200 companies supplied equipment. It cost ten billion pounds to build.

One team began drilling in France and the other in England. The biggest problem for the builders was ensuring that the tunnels met at exactly the same place under the sea in the middle of the Channel. The drilling machines were the heaviest ever made, each weighing up to 575 tons. In the opinion of Roger Dobson, Director general of the Institute of Civil engineers in the period when the Tunnel was built, it is “the greatest engineering project ever”.

The tunnel itself is an average of 45 m below the sea-bed and has 220 km of railway track. It has the most sophisticated railway control system in the world, and is the busiest railway track in Europe, with one train every three minutes.

Reading Comprehension

1. According to the text, why is the Channel Tunnel so special?

2. Why was it so important for the builders that the two tunnels met at exactly the same place under the sea?

3. How much did the building of the Channel tunnel cost?

4. What do you learn from the text about the railway in the tunnel?

C. VOCABULARY

1. In the following table write down the new words in the text above as well as their meaning (and translation into Romanian, if necessary). Then use these words in sentences of your own.

2. How can you travel if you want to go to:

New York –by __ ____ ____ __

The Island of Crete – by __ ____ ____ __

The castles on the Loire – by __ ____ ____ ___

Your grandparents in the countryside – by __ ____ ____ ____

The supermarket – by __ ____ ____ ___

An unknown place in an unknown city __ ____ ____ ____ __

3. Place the following words in the right cell of the table below:

Words: petrol station, express train, cockpit, coach. duty-free shop, lorry, chopper, quay, van, deck, air traffic controller, ticket collector, freight train, check-in desk, tanker, car, liner, sleeping car, oar, rudder, captain, ferry, garage, runway, departure lounge, gears, fuselage, driver, steering-wheel, yacht, steward, flight attendant.

4. Translate into Romanian: Last week I flew to New York. It was an early-morning flight. The plane was to take off at 6a.m. and land at 7 a.m. local time. I was stranded at the airport overnight as the plane was delayed by fog. The plane will  land in London.

Trains in Japan always run on time. Commuters usually travel by train to the office. A return ticket to Budapest, please. We have to change trains in Warsaw.

Our car does 7 km to the litre. The car swerved into the middle of the road to avoid the cyclist.

5. What means of transport can be associated with the words below?

Romantic __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __

Affordable __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____

Safe __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __

Comfortable __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

Tedious __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___

Pricey __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

Stressful __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

Dangerous __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___

Tiring __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __

6. Use the words below to complete the sentences:

Words: board, fleet, deck, mainland, disembark, harbour, rowing, crew.

a)                The __ ____ _____ was so full that the ship couldn’t leave.

b)                In summer it’s very pleasant to travel on __ ____ ____ __of a ship than to sit inside.

c)                Cruise liners always have a doctor on __ ____ ____ _____ .

d)                He owns a __ ____ ____ __ of oil tankers, that’s why he’s so wealthy.

e)                Both the passengers and the __ ____ ____ __ were rescued.

f)         They stopped __ ____ ____ and let the boat float slowly with the current.

g)                All visitors to the ship are asked to __ ____ ____ __ as the ship will leave the harbour.

h)                We travelled by ferry from the __ ____ ____ __ to the island.

7. Match the words in the two columns to form collocations; then fill in the gaps in the sentences that follow:

cabin   magazine

passport insurance

breathtakinghandler

guided liner

ocean   deck

luggageview

travel   lounge

upper   control

departure tour

in-flight   pressure

a)                The strange guy was stopped at __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ by airport security.

b)                All crew members went to the __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ to meet the captain.

c)                We had a __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ from the window of our room.

d)                The luxurious __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ crossed the Atlantic in four days.

e)                The __ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____ dropped and many passengers felt quite faint.

f)         After passing through security we waited in the __ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____ for our flight.

g)                Our host picked us up from the airport and gave us a __ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____ of the city.

h)                It is advisable to have a __ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____ when you go abroad.

i)          A lot of duty-free items are advertised in this __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __.

j)         My suitcase was lost due to the negligence of the __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___.

8. Circle the most appropriate variant:

a)                Rotterdam is a major European port / harbour.

b)                The children were taken on a(n) journey / excursion by their teacher.

c)                The irrigation channels / canals kept the land fertile in spite of the drought.

d)                Several boats lay at anchor in the port / harbour.

e)                I sailed both across the English Canal / Channel and the Suez Channel / Canal.

f)         A century ago a voyage / trip from Europe to America could last for a few months.

g)                The novels are based on his excursions / travels to India.

h)                A trip / journey is any act of travelling.

i)          The secretary told me that he was gone to London on a business voyage / trip.

D. GRAMMAR

In this unit you are going to learn about a very interesting verb form that does not exist in Romanian, the Present Perfect. You will see that it can be translated into Romanian both by the present or a past tense.

Ex.: I have known her for 10 years = O cunosc de 10 ani. He has just left. = Tocmai a plecat. It has been raining for a few hours. = Ploua de cateva ore.

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

1. Study the first two sentences above. What do the underlined verb forms consist of? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ .

2. Now read the following sentences and discover when you can use the Present Perfect Simple. (The sentences in the Past Simple will help you compare different situations.)

a) I have seen that movie. / I saw it last weekend.

They have been to Greece three times. / They first went there on their honeymoon.

Have you met my cousin John? Actually we have. We met each yesterday at the office. __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____.

b) Oh, I can’t move, I think I’ve broken my leg!

I must stay in bed as I’ve caught a cold.

He’s lost his key and now he cannot enter the house.

c) It has rained a lot this year. / It rained a lot last year.

I haven’t seen her this morning (It’s 11 a.m.) / I didn’t see her this morning. (It’s 5 p.m.)

d) The clock has just rung. We have already studied the article. The English class hasn’t ended yet. I have worked a lot lately/ recently. I’ve been a student for two months/ since October. We quarrelled last week and he hasn’t talked to me ever since/ since then. I have always wanted to spend my holiday on a tropical island. Have you ever seen an alien? I have never eaten seafood.

3. Reply to the following sentences as in the example.

Do your homework! I’ve already done it.

a)     Take your medicine! __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __

b)     When is he leaving? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __

c)     You must pay him. __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___

d)     He’ll have to do it. __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___

e)     Write this exercise! __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___

f)      When will they speak to the manager? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __

g)     Don’t forget to ring her up! __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

h)     Make up your mind! __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____

i)       Think about it! __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __

j)      She will find out. __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____

4. In this exercise you have to read the situation and then write a suitable continuation which comes as a result or consequence. Use the words given.

He doesn’t have his homework with him. (leave at home)

He has left it at home.

a)     Mary is looking for her book. (lose)

b)     David does not buy cigarettes any more. (give up smoking)

c)     My clothes are now clean. (wash)

d)     There’s no more cake in the fridge. (John – eat)

e)     Bill is in hospital. (have an accident)

f)      I haven’t got any money. (spend)

5. Make sentences as in the example.

Mary (return) to the office?

Hasn’t Mary returned to the office yet?

a)     She (come) home? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___

b)     Susan (make) the cake? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___

c)     He (pass) the test? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___

d)     My son (talk) to you? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

e)     She (clean) the clothes? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___

f)      You (make) dinner? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __

g)     Roy (go) to the beach? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

h)     John (catch) the train? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

i)       She (leave) home? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___

j)      He (go) to this house? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

k)     You (see) the baby? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __

l)       You (speak) to them? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____

m)   Mary (call) you? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____

n)     He (drive) to the office? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___

o)     You (repair) the stove? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

p)     The boss (speak) to them? __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____

6. In the following sentences put the verb in brackets in the correct form and complete them with the words below. There may be more than one correct answers in some cases.

Just, already, yet, since, for

a)     The children (not-come) __ ____ ____ ____ back from school __ ____ ____ ___ .

b)     Our neighbour (be) __ ____ ____ _____ill __ ____ ____ ____ several months.

c)     We (see) __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____that film twice.

d)     They (have)__ ____ ____ _____ this house __ ____ ____ __1980.

e)     He (return) __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ from work.

f)      I (not-see) him __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____ a week.

g)     The game (not-finish )__ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ .

h)     He (not-have)__ ____ ____ ____ __ any trouble with the car__ ____ ____ ____ he bought it.

i)       Someone __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ (ring) .

j)      My parents (not be) __ ____ ____ ____ ____abroad __ ____ __ Christmas.

k)     (you have) __ ____ ____ ____ ____ __breakfast __ ____ ____ ____?

l)       His son (be ill) __ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____six months.

m)   Peter (come) __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ in.

n)     Nobody (live) __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ in this house __ ____ ____ __a long time.

o)     “Will you write to him?” “I (write) __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ him six letters”.

p)     It (not-rain)__ ____ ____ ____ ____ at all __ ____ ____ _____ last summer.

q)     We (drive) __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ two hours!

r)      The Hawthornes (be married) __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____ not more than two years.

s)     She (not-do) __ ____ ____ ____ _____the washing__ ____ ____ _____ .

t)      She (not-make) __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___ any progress __ ____ ____ __.March.

7. In the following sentences put been or gone. Remember that the use of have gone implies that the subject hasn’t returned yet while have been means that the subject is now back.

a)     She is not here at the moment. She’s __ ____ __ to the office.

b)     Bill is now in New York. He’s __ ____ ____ everywhere in the United States except Washington DC.

c)     “Hello, John. Are you going to the Post Office?” “No, I’ve already __ ____ _____ there.”

d)     Look at all those wonderful things! Have you __ ____ _____ to the shops again?

e)     Laura has __ ____ ____ to the bakery to get some bread.

f)      He’s already __ ____ ____ __ to Italy, so we have to find another place for our holiday.

g)     He was here a few hours ago but I think he’s __ ____ ____ now.

PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

8. The underlined verb forms in the sentences a) The teacher has been talking for a few minutes. and b) I have been living in Bucharest since I became a student. are called __ ____ ____ ____ .

They are used to express: a) __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____; b)__ ____ ____ ____ __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ _____.

The time expressions used in combination with Present Perfect Progressive are most often introduced by __ _____ and __ _____.

9. Read the situation and respond to it using the words in brackets.

Richard is all wet. (he / walk / in the rain)

He has been walking in the rain.

a)     I’ve got a headache. (I / work hard / all day)

b)     You got here fast. (I / run)

c)     The room is full of smoke. (David / smoke)

d)     What’s that nice smell? (Chris / bake a cake)

e)     His eyes are red. (he / cry)

f)      What’s that nice smell? (Chris / bake a cake)

g)     Mary’s hands are dirty. (she / work / in the garden)

10. Respond as in the example.

So, she is learning English, isn’t she?

Yes, she has been learning English since July.

a)       They are living in that house, aren’t they?

Yes, __ ____ ____ ____ ____ for 11 years.

b)      The police are looking for John, aren’t they?

Yes, __ ____ ____ ____ ____ since he escaped.

c)       The phone is ringing in the house.

Yes, __ ____ ____ ____ ____ for 5 minutes.

d)      Mary is staying at a hotel, isn’t she?

Yes, __ ____ ____ ____ ____ for a week now.

e)      Look! It’s snowing!

Yes, __ ____ ____ ____ ____ since you went to bed.

f)        They are sleeping, aren’t they?

Yes, __ ____ ____ ____ ____ since 7 o’clock.

g)       You are doing your homework, aren’t you?

Yes, __ ____ ____ ____ ____ for more than an hour.

E. LANGUAGE IN USE

1. In an airport. Read the following conversations and together with your desk mate decide where they might take place: a) passport control; b) baggage claim; c) the check in desk; d) the plane; e) the arrival hall; f) the departure lounge.

Conversation 1: __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___

A: Ah!…. MA 348 to Madrid. That’s our flight.

B: Was it gate 6 or 16?

A: I couldn’t hear well either. I think it was 6.

B: Listen, there it is again. It is gate 6.

A: OK, come on!

Conversation 2: __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __

A: Can I see your passport please?

B: Yes, of course. Here you are.

A: Where are you travelling?

B: To London, I’m attending a two-day seminar on market research.

A: It’s OK, Sir. Thank you very much.

Conversation 3: __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __

A: Can I have your ticket please?

B: Yes, of course. Here you are.

A: Do you have just one suitcase? This bag is hand luggage.

B: That’s fine. Smoking or non-smoking?

A: Non-smoking, please.

B: OK, madam. Here is your boarding pass. Have a nice flight.

Conversation 4: __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __

A: Can I have your tray, madam?

B: Yes, here you are.

A: Thank you. And can you fasten your seat belt? We land in ten minutes.

B: Yes, of course.

Conversation 5: __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __

A: Excuse me, I think that’s my suitcase.

B: I’m sorry, my suitcase is red too.

A: Maybe that one is yours?

A: Yes, it is. Thank you very much.

Conversation 6: __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __

A: Hello! Are you Mihai Ionescu from Romania?

B: Yes, I am. And I suppose you are Mr. Smithson from Best Fashion Ltd, aren’t you?

A: Yes, I am. You’re right. Welcome to England, Mr. Ionescu. Was your flight good?

A: Yes, it was, thank you for asking.

B: Let’s go, I’ll see you off at your hotel. The company car is waiting for us outside.

2. Now look over the six dialogues again and in pairs decide who speakers A and B are in each case.

3. Where do you go first when you travel by plane. Put the place enumerated in Exercise 1 above in the correct order. 1 - __ __, 2 - __ __, 3 - __ __, . 4 - __ __, 5 - __ __, 6 - __ __ .

4. Think of some roleplays in an airport or on a plane and build six short dialogues. You can work in groups of two or three.

Calling a taxi. When you go to a foreign country and there is nobody waiting for you, you need to travel from the airport / the railway station to your hotel and the easiest way to do that is by taxi. Also, when visiting a foreign city it is sometimes easier to travel from one museum to another by taxi. Together with your desk mate imagine: a) that you get on a taxi in London and you tell the driver to take you from The Buckingham palace to the Big Ben.; b) that you phone the operator and ask for a taxi in front of the Westminster Abbey.

a)    

b)    

SECTION II

ACCOMODATION

A.                         LEAD IN

1.                Can you enumerate a few hotels in Bucharest? Which would you recommend to a foreign friend and why?

2.                When you reach your destination and want to book in, what exactly do you have to do?

3.                Arrange the following criteria of choosing a hotel in order of their importance for you: location, price, breakfast included, swimming pool, discounts, sightseeing tours, room design, fame.

4.                Imagine you are a hotel receptionist. What would you recommend a foreigner to visit in a one day sightseeing tour of Bucharest? Work in pairs.

5.                As quickly as you can, think about:

something you never travel without;

the thing you miss most about home when you travel;

where you would go for a romantic holiday;

a place you’ve always wanted to visit.

B.                         READING OBJECTIVE

LET’S VISIT EUROPE!

BUDAPEST

Budapest has a population of over two million people. One in every five Hungarians lives there. The River Danube divides the city into two parts. On the west bank there are the woods and hills of Buda and the old town. On the east bank there is the bigger and more modern Pest, the business and shopping centre. From Buda there are wonderful views of Pest and the river. Six bridges join Buda and Pest.

For nearly a thousand years Buda and Pest were two towns. Then in 1873 they joined and became one city, Budapest. Until 1939 Budapest was one of the most important cultural capitals of Europe. Then World War II started. In 1945 the city was in ruins and the Communists took control. In 1956 the people tried to free themselves. They pulled down a statue of Stalin and fought the soldiers, but they were not successful. Communist rule did not end until 1989.

Budapest is very unusual because it has two completely different parts. You can choose the peace and quiet of Buda’s woods or the excitement of Pest where there are good theatres, restaurants, bars and shops.

The public transport system in Budapest is one of the best and cheapest in the world. You can travel easily by underground, bus, tram and taxi.

You can visit the Old City, suspended on a hill and visible from all the parts of the town or Vaci Utca, the most famous commercial street, always full of tourists.

The healthiest thing to do is to visit one of the thirty spa baths and swimming pools. The mineral waters of Budapest are famous and a very popular way to relax.

PRAGUE

Prague has a population of over one million people. It is not the biggest city in Europe but it is certainly one of the most beautiful. It is built on seven hills, on the banks of the river Vltava. Fifteen bridges cross the river. The most famous is Charles Bridge, which joins Prague Castle and the old town. The view of the castle from the river is very famous.

Prague did not become a capital until October 1918, after World War I, when Czechoslovakia became an independent country. Twenty years later, in 1938, it lost its independence again, before World War II. After the war, in 1948, the Communists took control. In 1968, the people tried to free themselves and fought the soldiers in Wenceslas Square, but they were not successful. Communist rule did not end until 1989.

Some people say that Prague is the most beautiful city in the world. They call it “The Golden City” and “The Mother of Cities” because it still has many beautiful medieval buildings and statues. Perhaps the most popular building is The Old Town hall with its amazing 15^th century astronomical clock.

People also call Prague “Europe’s school of music”. There are many concert halls and every May there is a famous music festival: “Prague spring”. There are also theatres and many old pubs, wine bars and restaurants. There is also an underground transport system and the roads have been modernized, but traffic is still a problem. It is often better to walk and feel the atmosphere of the pretty little streets.

Reading comprehension

1. What are, according to the author of the text the main attractions in the two cities?

2. How does their recent history resemble?

3. If you could choose to visit one of the two cities which one would you prefer and why? Base your arguments on information from the text.

C.                          VOCABULARY

1. In the following table write down the new words in the text above as well as their meaning (and translation into Romanian, if necessary). Then use these words in sentences of your own.

2. Find a synonym and an antonym for the following words from the text above:

divide __ ____ ____ ____ ____ / __ ____ ____ ____ _____

join __ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ / __ ____ ____ ____ _____

pull down __ ____ ____ _____ /__ ____ ____ ____ _____

unusual __ ____ ____ ____ ___ / __ ____ ____ ____ _____

famous __ ____ ____ ____ ___ / __ ____ ____ ____ _____

independent __ ____ ____ ___ / __ ____ ____ ____ _____

amazing __ ____ ____ ____ __ / __ ____ ____ ____ _____

3. Towns and cities offer many facilities to their inhabitants, such as those enumerated below. Put them in the correct cell of the table.

Health centre, library, opera house, take-away, tennis court, City hall, department store, car park, college, skating rink, mall, public transport, chemist’s, club, art gallery, park, law court, catering.

4. Suggest three words which would collocate well with the nouns below:

__ ____ _____ / __ ____ _____ / __ ____ _____ museum

__ ____ _____ / __ ____ _____ / __ ____ _____ centre

__ ____ _____ / __ ____ _____ / __ ____ _____ college

__ ____ _____ / __ ____ _____ / __ ____ _____ club

__ ____ _____ / __ ____ _____ / __ ____ _____ court

__ ____ _____ / __ ____ _____ / __ ____ _____ agency

5. Fill in the gaps with the most suitable expression: bed and breakfast, book a room, unpack the luggage, check in, cancel a reservation.

a.                  As soon as we arrived at the hotel, we __ ____ ____ ____ ___ and we went to the beach.

b.                  I’d like to __ ____ ____ _____ for this weekend, please.

c.                  The price includes __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ___.

d.                  I’m really sorry but I have to __ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ ; I’m not travelling to London any more because of some health problems.

e.                  In our hotel __ ____ ____ ____ is always done after 12 o’clock.

D.                         GRAMMAR

1. Choose the appropriate beginnings or endings for the sentences below.

a)     He qualified as a doctor (since 1980 / a few years ago).

b)     I have written a lot of poems (over the last ten years / last year).

c)     (Look! / Last week)  the oil prices have gone up again.

d)     (They have paid the rent / They paid the rent) three days ago.

e)     Jimmy has finished his dinner (a minute ago / already).

f)      She fell asleep (since 2 o’clock / at 2 o’clock).

g)     (Listen! / A moment ago) someone has gone into the house.

h)     She has been in Greece  (since June / in June).

2. Underline the correct alternative.

a)     They (are repairing / have been repairing) the car at the moment.

b)     (He is working / He has been working) for UNESCO since 1980.

c)     (It is snowing / It has been snowing) for days.

d)     (Mary has been sleeping / Mary is sleeping) all afternoon.

e)     They are spending their holidays in Spain (for a week / at the moment).

f)      How long (have you been living / are you living) in London?

g)     The children (are playing / have been playing) now.

h)     The police have been waiting for you (for two hours / now).

i)       Our guests (are leaving / have been leaving) today.

j)      Look! The bus (is coming / has been coming).

3. Put the verbs in brackets into Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive.

a)     She __ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ any letters today. (not-type)

b)     They__ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ than film before. (not see)

c)     I wonder where Peter __ ____ ____ ____ ____ . (be)

d)     His clothes are dirty. He __ ____ ____ ____ _____ to repair the car. (try)

e)     They __ ____ ____ ____ _____ watches for more than twenty years. (sell)

f)      Fire __ ____ ____ ____ _____ out on board of an oil tanker in the Aegean Sea. (break)

g)     She __ ____ ____ ____ ____ spaghetti. (never-eat)

h)     They are tired. They __ ____ ____ ____ ____ all day. (walk)

i)       Mrs. Park __ ____ ____ ____ ____ the pub for seven years now. (run)

j)      Look! My watch __ ____ ____ ____ _____ . (stop)

k)     The line is still busy. She __ ____ ____ ____ ____ __on the phone for hours. (talk)

l)       He __ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ non-stop in the office all day. (work)

m)   We __ ____ ____ ____ ____ __the Browns for many years. (know)

n)     The coach from Athens __ ____ ____ ____ _____ . (just-arrive)

o)     I wonder how long he __ ____ ____ ____ ____ English. He speaks it very well. (learn)

4. Put the verbs in brackets in either the Present Perfect Simple or the Present Perfect Progressive and put in for or since.

a)     How long (you-drive) __ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ this car? __ ____ ____ __ two years.

b)     They (not-have) __ ____ ____ ____ ____ a holiday__ ____ ____ __ their son died.

c)     Although he studies very hard, he (not make) __ ____ ____ ____ __ much progress __ ____ ___ last year.

d)     That dog (lie) __ ____ ____ ____ ___ under the bed __ ____ ___ hours.

e)     We (wait) __ ____ ____ ____ ___ for them__ ____ _____ 10 o’clock this morning, but they (not-turn) __ ____ ____ ____ _____ up yet.

f)      The fire (burn) __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ yesterday morning.

g)     Although he (learn) __ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ __ French __ ____ ___ five years, he can’t speak it very well.

h)     I (not-wind) __ ____ ____ ____ up this watch __ ____ __ ages.

i)       __ ____ ____ ____ he arrived here, he (write) __ ____ ____ ____ _____her four letters.

j)      He (think)__ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ of marriage __ ____ _____ his sister got married.

COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES

5. Read the sentences below and then fill in the blanks:

Adjective: HIGH. Kilimanjaro is a HIGH mountain. The Alps are HIGHER THAN the Carpathians. Everest is THE HIGHEST mountain in the world. This tree is almost AS HIGH AS our house. As far as I know, Mount Omu is LESS HIGH THAN Mount Everest.

Adjective: LARGE. The Balaton is a __ ____ ____ lake in Hungary. An ocean is __ ____ __ than a sea. The Pacific is __ ____ __ ocean in the world. My room is __ ____ __my brother’s; in fact they are identical. Usually, a bedroom is __ ____ ___ a living-room.

Adjective: RICH. This is a district for __ ___ people. The writer J.K. Rowling is __ ____ __ the queen of England. In fact she is __ ____ ___ person in the UK. I wish we were __ _____ Bill Gates! He is __ _____ his brother because he hates work.

Adjective: IMPORTANT. This is an IMPORTANT issue. Is English MORE IMPORTANT THAN other languages? Some people claim it is THE MOST IMPORTANT language in the world. In this company being loyal is AS IMPORTANT AS working hard. Is Physical Education LESS IMPORTANT THAN other school subjects?

Adjective: INTERESTING. Meeting new people is really __ ____ _____. Studying marketing is __ ____ ____ ____ than I expected. He is __ ____ ____ ____ person I have ever met. The critics say his new book is __ ____ ____ ___ the previous one. The Economics course is __ ____ ____ __ than the Accounting one; maybe because it’s too theoretical.

Adjective: BEAUTIFUL. Everybody considers her a __ ____ _____ woman. This dress is __ ____ ____ ___ than the one you bought. She won the beauty contest although she was not __ ____ ____ _____ participant. She is __ ____ _____ her mother. Sorry, you look __ ____ ____ __ with this new haircut.

6. The following adjectives have irregular comparison. Read them and then try to translate the sentences into English:

good – better – the best

bad – worse – the worst

far – farther / further – the farthest / the furthest

much / many – more – the most

little – less – the least

near – nearer – the nearest / the next

old – older / elder – the oldest / the eldest

a)     Fratele meu mai mare studiaza marketingul.

b)     Din pacate am luat cea mai proasta decizie.

c)     Cel mai bun mod de a invata o limba straina este sa petreci mai mult timp in tara unde este vorbita.

d)     Acesta este cel mai putin interesant curs la care am fost vreodata.

e)     Bunicul este cel mai in varsta membru al familiei.

E. LANGUAGE IN USE

At the reception desk. Checking in / out. Complaining.

Unscramble the lines below to obtain a conversation at the Reception Desk of a hotel.

__ __ Certainly. A single room or a double?

__ __ Just this one bag.

__ __ Yes, sure. Do you want my address, too?

__ __ Here is your key. Your room number is 213.I hope you’ll enjoy your stay.

__ __ Single, please.

__ __ Good evening. Can I help you?

__ __ A shower. How much is the room?

__ __ Yes, please. Could I have a room for the night?

__ __ No, thanks. Just breakfast. Can I pay by credit card?

__ __ No, just a signature. Do you have any luggage?

__ __ Yes, Visa and access. Could you sign the register, please?

__ __ Would you like a room with a shower or a bath?

__ __ $59 for the room and breakfast. Would you like an evening meal as well?

__ __ Thank you.

2. Now look at the requests of a hotel guest. Complete them using Could I / Could you and also try to guess where they can take place.

a)     __ ____ ____ ___ have the menu, please?

b)     __ ____ ____ ___ give me the bill?

c)     __ ____ ____ ___ have some coffee, please?

d)     __ ____ ____ ___ have breakfast in my room, please?

e)     __ ____ ____ ___ clean my shirts?

f)      __ ____ ____ ___ wake me up at 6.00 tomorrow morning?

g)     __ ____ ____ ___ change some traveller’s cheques?

h)     __ ____ ____ ___recommend a good restaurant?

3. Complaints.

A direct complaint in English often sounds very rude indeed. To be polite we usually “break it gently” and use expressions like these before we actually come to the point:

I wonder if you could help me …

Look, I’m sorry to trouble you, but …

I’ve got a bit of a problem here, you see …

I’m sorry to have to say this, but …

It is usually better to break it gently like this than to say, for example:

Look here! I don’t like my room, it’s noisy and dirty.

OR         I’ve just about had enough of the food in your hotel.

It is often not enough to just say “Sorry” and promise it won’t happen again. You may need to apologise more profusely, like this:

Oh dear, I’m most awfully sorry.

I can’t tell you how sorry I am.

I’m so sorry, I didn’t realise.

I just don’t know what to say.

I’m ever so sorry

Tasks:

1. Complain about the fact that a) the hot water tap in your room is out of order ; b) the maid has not changed your towels for two days already; c) the receptionist has forgotten to call the taxi you ordered twenty minutes ago.

2. You are staying in a hotel and a lot of things have gone wrong. Build conversations like this from the prompts below, using the expressions presented above.

Guest: Excuse me, I wonder if you can help me.

Manager: What seems to be the trouble, sir?

Guest: Well, you see, there doesn’t seem to be any hot water in my room.

Manager: Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll have it seen to at once.

Guest: Thanks very much.

hot water, soup, heating, steak, pillows, coffee, TV  , no ice, draught, slow service

F.WRITING. DISCUSSION

Write an e-mail to the Shakespeare Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, to find out about their prices, discounts and facilities. You are thinking of spending a fortnight there together with your family. Also imagine a reply e-mail.