Text 6. Travelling by Air.

Exercise 1. Read and translate the text.

As for me there is nothing like travel by air, it is more comfortable, more convenient and, of course, far quicker than by any other means of transport. A taxi or a bus of the Airline Service takes you to the airport. There on the runway you can see a jet-propelled passenger plane ready to carry you to your place of destination.

When the formalities of registering yourself and weighing your baggage are over, you get up the gangway and board the plane. If you are travelling for the first time, you may apply to the stewardess and she will see you to your seat and give you all the information you need, for ex., how to fasten the belt, how to adjust the seat and so on. Soon the plane takes off. At that moment you can see a notice “No smoking. Fasten your seat-belts”. During the flight you can get information of the altitude, speed, the weather and the distance covered. The stewardess serves you mineral water, juice, tea, sweets and sandwiches. If you feel hungry, you will be provided with an excellent lunch. Besides, newspapers and magazines are offered to the passengers. Usually everybody feels comfortable, but if you are airsick, you will be given some help.

Exercise 2. Quote the sentences with the following words and phrases:

Means of transport; a passenger plane; to board the plane; to fasten the seat belt; to take off; the altitude, speed, weather and the distance covered; to serve; to be offered; to be airsick.

Exercise 3. Give the short summary of the text.

Text 7. At the Customs

Exercise 1. Read the text.

Every day many people travel throughout the world either on business or for pleasure. Those who cross the frontier of the state have to go through customs.

The customs service is designed for carrying out customs control to regulate import and export of goods and currency. The place where customs or duties are paid is called a customs house.

Every country has its own customs legislation, and if you are going abroad you are supposed to learn the rules of leaving and entering the foreign state. To be on the safe side, you should know what is allowed or prohibited to be brought in or taken out. Before packing your luggage consult the prohibited articles list which is available at the customs.

Among the articles that are prohibited for taking out of the country in accordance with customs legislation of all the states you will find works of art, different types of prints, manuscripts, valuable musical instruments, securities, numismatics, stamps and other articles of artistic, historical and cultural value.

Though strict prohibition applies to antiques, you may be allowed to take some original painting or drawing out provided you got a special licence for it and paid duties.

The list of prohibited commodities both for bringing in and taking out also includes arms, explosives, military equipment and narcotics.

Everybody leaving for a foreign country ought to know that there can be articles liable to duty and duty free. As a rule, personal belongings, gifts and souvenirs (the cost of the latter must not exceed a certain limit stipulated by the customs regulation) are duty free.

When the passenger enters or leaves the country, he must fill in an entry or exit declaration which is to be produced to the customs officer. The passenger is to fill in his name, citizenship, country of residence, permanent address, purpose and duration of his visit in block letters. He must also declare all dutiable articles.

To make a trip to most countries every traveler must have a visa, single, multiple or transit, which is issued by the foreign Embassy or Consulate. The visa may be prolonged in case of necessity, but the time for which it is valid must not expire, otherwise the traveler will not be allowed to leave the country. The overseas passport is also necessary. All the documents are carefully studied by the customs officer.

To go through customs means to have your luggage inspected by customs men. The traveler puts his bags and suitcases on the moving conveyer belt for checking. To prevent smuggling, modern methods and techniques have been developed which help customs officers examine the inside of the luggage. TV-cameras and monitors are installed everywhere at the customs house.

In the UK there is a system of red and green symbols in operation at big airports. If you have nothing more than the allowances and no prohibited or restricted goods or goods for commercial purpose, go straight through the channel indicated by the green symbol unless the officer on duty asks you to stop. If you have more than the allowances or if you carry prohibited or restricted goods or goods for commercial purpose, go to the channel indicated by the red symbol.

So, if you follow the customs instructions and if you do not break any law, you will enjoy your trip abroad.

Exercise 2. Go on with enumerating.

1. Articles that are duty free are personal belongings, …

2. The following papers are needed for going through customs: a visa,…

3. A visa can be issued as single,…

4. In the prohibited articles list one can find antiques,…

5. Among the articles liable to duty passengers can find original painting,…

6. In the declaration form a traveler must write down a country visited, …

7. A conveyer belt, .. are installed at the customs house to search the tourist’s luggage.

Exercise 3. Speak about filling in a declaration form. These questions will help you.

1. What items are included in a declaration form?

2. Why are two kinds of declaration used: entry and exit?

3. How ought a form to be filled in, in handwriting or typewriting?

4. What things must be declared? And how about currency?

5. What other documents or papers besides a declaration form does a traveler need?

Exercise 4. Speak about the system of red and green symbols at the customs house at big airports of the UK.