Travelling by train

When I go on business, I decide what kind of transport to choose and make all travel arrangements. It's rather difficult to gettickets on the day of departure and I book a ticket at least week in advance. As I prefer travelling by train I get to Minsk railway terminal. There are crowds of people there: at the time table, at the inquiry-office, at the booking-office, waiting for trains at the platforms, having a snack at a cafeteria, seeing off their friends and relatives. They are in a hurry not to miss their trains. I get all the necessary information at the inquiry office before buying or booking tickets. Usually I prefer a return ticket to a single one, a lower berth to an upper one. I like to travel by an express train as it's more comfortable than a passenger train. The fares are reasonable and the trains are always in time. They leave and arrive without delay. When I get on the train I go to my compartment. Here I put my luggage on the luggage-track and make myself comfortable. I always have a nice trip by train.

Travelling by air

Very often I go on business to London by air as it is the fastest way of travelling. I ask my secretary to check flights to London as I want to take the earliest flight I can. She finds out the time of flights to London and reserves me a seat. Usually it's a direct non-stop flight, business class, non-smoking. The secretary arranges everything for me (makes all necessary reservations for the flight) and I go home to pack a bag. I can't waste my time because passengers must arrive at the airport two hours before departure time on international flights and an hour on domestic flights. There must be enough time for them to complete all necessary airport formalities. Passengers must check in for flights: register tickets, weigh and register their luggage. My secretary also arranges for a car to take me to the Airport Terminal and phones me to inform about the latest check-in time. At the check-in desk I put my luggage on the scales and pay an extra charge if it's necessary. Together with other passengers I wait at the departure lounge on hearing the announcement about the flight. I collect my hand luggage and go to gate. I show my boarding pass to the stewardess and get on the plane.

Study the words, read the text that follows them and get ready to retell it.

reserve accommodation – заказать номер

reasonable – приемлемый

tip – чаевые

receptionist – служащий отеля

charges – плата

porter – портье, носильщик

maid – горничная

miss – пропустить

include – включать

key – ключ

single – единственный