TRANSPORT IN BRITAIN

           You can reach England either by plane, by train, by car or by ship. The fastest way is by plane. London has three interna­tional airports: Heathrow, the largest, connected to the city by underground; Gatwick, south of London, with a frequent train service; Luton, the smallest, used for charter flights.

           If you go to England by train or by car you have to cross the Channel. There is a frequent service of steamers and ferry-boats which connect the continent to the south-east of England.

           People in Britain drive on the left and generally overtake on the right. The speed limit is 30 miles per hour (50 km/h) in towns and cities and 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) on motorways.

           When you are in London you can choose from four differ­ent means of transport: bus, train, underground or taxi. The typical bus in London is a red double-decker. The first London bus started running between Paddington and the City in 1829. It carried 40 passengers and cost a shilling for six кms.

           The next to arrive were the trains; now there are twelve railway stations in London. The world’s first underground line was opened between Baker St. and the City in 1863. Now there are ten underground lines and 273 underground stations in use. The London underground is also called the Tube, because of the circular shape of its deep tunnels.

QUESTIONS:

1. What is the fastest way of traveling?

2. How many airports are there in London?

3. What kind of service helps to cross the Channel?

4. What are some «rules» of driving in Britain?

5. What does typical bus in London look like?

6. Where was the first underground opened?

7. Why is London underground called the Tube?

VOCABULARY:

to reach — достигать

underground — метро

charter flight — чартерный рейс

steamer — пароход

ferry-boat — паром

to overtake — обгонять

shilling — шиллинг

shape — форма