Ex. 5. Choose the best alternative to complete the sentences.

1. The bridge ___ the island to the mainland.

a) is connecting b) connects c) is connected d) was being connected

2. The movement of trains was stopped on that section of the line because it ___.

a) is being repaired b) will repair c) was being repaired d) repairs

3. Passengers want to know what rail companies ___ to improve services.

a) are doing b) does c) were done d) are being done

4. Such materials as reinforced concrete (железобетон) and steel ___ for the construction of modern bridges.

a) use b) were being used c) will be used d) are used

5. Within five years, the railway ___ over seven million passengers a year.

a) carry b) was carrying c) will be carried d) was being carried

6. The train ___ Moscow; let’s start packing.

a) approaches b) is approaching c) will approach d) was approaching

7. A lot of foreign correspondents arrived in Japan when a new maglev train ___.

a) was testing b) tested c) was being tested d) is being tested

8. The train for Boston ___ from track 2.

a) is leaving b) leave c) will be left d) were leaving

9. The cigarette ban (запрет) ___ most troublesome for smokers on long train journeys.

a) are b) were c) will be d) isn't

10. The conductor ___ on good-naturedly (доброжелательно) about long train journeys but Donna scarcely (едва ли) heard what he said.

a) babbled b) will babble c) is babbling d) was babbling

Ex. 6. Put special questions. Begin with the question-words given in brackets.

1. The “Repin” train departs from St. Petersburg’s Finlandsky terminal. (What terminal)

2. A new railway line is being constructed across the desert now. (Where)

3. The accident happened on the level crossing. (Where)

4. Our train is standing at platform No 4 ready to leave. (What platform)

5. Fast trains stop only at large stations on their way. (What stations)

6. We were going to the railway station along the railway track. (Where)

7. Last year, train fares more than doubled because of inflation. (Why)

8. Passengers wait for the arrivals and departures of their trains in the waiting rooms. (Where)

9. The first-class cars are situated at the front of the trainset. (Where)

10. My elder sister is taking a course to develop her computer skills. (Why)

Ex. 7. Write the comparative and the superlative form of the adjectives below.

· difficult · high · heavy · useful · fast · safe · reliable · busy

· loud · comfortable · slow · cheap · expensive · quick · simple · accessible

· rare · common · low · little · important · simple · easy · deep

· suitable · close · dirty · good · powerful · small · strict · narrow

· bad · dangerous · early · famous · wide · late · convenient · broad

Ex. 8. Read the sentences and translate them, paying attention to the italicized adjectives and adverbs.

1. In the US, people prefer to use motor transport or aircrafts because traveling by train is slower than by plane and tickets are sometimes more expensive.

2. The earliest trains had no sleeping cars. There was no need for them because the railways were short, the longest journey lasted only a few hours, and nearly all trains went in the daytime.

3. In Australia, the traffic is heavier during the winter months, when many tourists travel in passenger trains.

4. The underground railway is the quickest, safest, the most reliable and comfortable means of city transport, which is operating in 80 cities all over the world.

5. It is much more convenient to go by express train because it doesn’t stop at small stations, and it takes you less time to get to your destination.

6. Semaphore used to (раньше) be the most common device of signaling.

7. Petrol engines are lighter and smaller than diesel engines; they are cheaper, less noisy and go faster; that is why they are used in cars and motorbikes. On the other hand diesel engines use less fuel; last longer than petrol engines, this is why larger vehicles such as trucks and trains use them. They are also safer than petrol engines, because there is less danger of fire.

8. The Japan’s fastest trains called Hikari (which means ‘light’) cover the distance of 1,068 km from Tokyo to Hakata in less than 7 hours.

9. George Pullman’s sleeping car was much simpler in design than the sleeping cars of today, but it was much more suitable for long-distance travel than any other kind of cars in use at that time.

10. An electric train is one of the most ecologically friendly kinds of transport because it doesn’t contaminate (загрязнять) environment with exhausted gases.