Read the text.
Big Red London Buses
What is the best-known symbol of London? Big Ben? St Paul's Cathedral? Can it be the big red London double-decker bus?
It certainly can be. Every day, thousands of Londoners use the big red buses to move around the town. Every tourist knows that a one-day London bus pass can be used on all bus routes. London bus can offer a wonderful way to see the sights of Britain's capital city.
Since 1911 the big red motor bus has been London's 'king of the road'. The idea of the 'double-decker' is much older than the motor bus. Until the 1930s the 'double-decker' bus had no roof. Some passengers sat inside, and the rest travelled on the roof. It was too bad if it was raining! But then all new buses became equipped with roofs over the upper deck.
Today the only open-topped buses are the special tourist buses.
The most popular buses are those from the 'Routemasters' which date from the 1950s and 60s. It is popular because it has an open platform at the back end and passengers can climb on and off when they want, even if the bus is moving (though this is not recommended!). These buses were designed specially for London, by people who knew what London needed. They have served their purpose well!
- Match the English words and expressions with their Russian equivalents.
1) best-known а) оборудовать
2) bus pass b) соответствовать цели
3) route с) пассажиры
4) to offer d) рекомендовать
5) to equip e) хорошо известный
6) to climb on/off f) садиться/сходить (об автобусе и т.п.)
7) sights g) быть созданным
8) passengers h) маршрут, путь
9) to be designed i) достопримечательности
10) to serve the purpose j) автобусный билет the purpose ,
11) to recommend к) предлагать
1) ; 2) ; 3) ; 4) ; 5) ; 6) ; 7) ; 8) ; 9) ; 10) ; 11) .
Choose the right tense in the following sentences:
Some passengers sat inside, and the rest travelled on the roof.
a) The Past Continuous Tense
b) The Past Simple Tense
c) The Present Simple Tense
- Today the only open-topped buses are the special tourist buses.
a) The Present Continuous Tense
b) The Present Simple Tense
c) The Present Perfect Tense
- They have served their purpose well!
a) The Present Simple Tense
b) The Past Simple Tense
c) The Present Perfect Tense
- Choose the right answers.
1) How do the Londoners use the big red buses?
a) They use them to move to another countries.
b) They use them to move around town.
c) They don't use them at all.
2) What kind of a London bus pass offers a wonderful way to see the sights?
a) a one-day bus pass
b) a seven-days bus pass
c) a three-days bus pass
3) How were all new buses equipped?
a) They were equipped with upper decks.
b) They were equipped with roofs.
c) They were equipped with new wheels.
4) How are open-topped buses used?
a) as special tourist buses
b) as special buses for workers
c) as special buses for students
5) Why is the 'Routemaster' the most popular bus?
a) Because it is the fastest bus.
b) Because it is the warmest bus.
c) Because passengers can climb on and off when they want in this bus.
- Are these sentences true (T) or false (F)?
a) Since 1911 the red motor bus has been London's 'king of the road'.
b) Thousands of Londoners use the big red buses to move to other countries.
c) A one-day London bus pass is used only on one bus route.
d) London bus offers a wonderful way to see the sights of Britain's capital.
e) New buses were equipped with floors.
f) The special tourist buses are open-topped.
g) The Routemaster has an open platform at the back end.
h) Passengers can climb on and off the bus only when it is not moving.
- Translate this sentence: These buses were designed specially for London.
- Make up the questions to the following sentences:
a) Every day, thousands of Londoners use the big red buses to move around the town.
How often … ?
b) London bus can offer a wonderful way to see the sights of Britain's capital city.
What way … ?
c) Since 1911 the big red motor bus has been London's 'king of the road'.
How long … ?
