Episode 107 B

EPISODE 107
LEVEL B2

 

READING COMPREHENSION 

 

TRAVEL BUDGET                                                                        

If you have money to burn (= to have a lot of money to spend), you can have a great time in Paris. But if you don’t, then watch out where you drink. A coffee on a terrace of a Champs Elysees café can cost you up to 10 euro. But walk around and you can get a much better deal when you come across (= find by chance) a local café.

London is a great place to see theatre productions. The only thing is normal-price tickets cost an arm and a leg (= cost a lot of money), so unless you’re made of money, it’s a good idea to get seats at affordable prices at the half-price ticket booth in Leicester Square.

Don’t get ripped-off (= to cheat someone by making them pay too much money for something) in restaurants and bars. Make sure you see the prices before you order, and check there are no hidden sales taxes or service charges.

Keep your eyes peeled (= be careful), especially in crowded places like buses and subways. There are lots of dodgy (= dishonest) characters around and losing your money and passport can really mess up your holiday.

Travel light (= travel without much luggage) – that way you don’t have to choose between heaving your backpack around when you’re looking for a cheap hostel or paying an exorbitant (= very high) fee to dump it in a left-luggage locker.

Check out public libraries and the local press for free events and attractions and if you have a student card, it may entitle (= to give someone the right to do or have something) you to discounts on admission fees to tourist attractions and museums. 

 

EXERCISE 1 

Replace the underlined words with the words from the text.

1. Don’t go to that shop. They will overcharge you there. 
2. In France all prices are really high so be prepared to spend much. 
3. If you find a low-cost restaurant, let me know.
4. If you don’t watch out, you may be robbed of your belongings. 

 

ENGLISH IN USE  

Today I’d like to draw your attention tenses. Try to find and correct the mistakes:

Exercise 2

1. We were walking in the park when suddenly he had asked me to marry him. 
2. What have you done last Saturday?
3. He walked down the street when suddenly he slipped on a banana skin.
4. I didn’t want another coffee because I already drank four cups.
5. My teacher was really angry because I haven’t finished my homework.
6. Where had you worked this time last year?
7. As I was driving to work, a dog was running into the road right in front of me.
8. I made some really good friends when I had worked in Aberdeen last year.
9. I didn’t need to post the letter because Sam has already posted it.
10. I have only worked for the company for six months when I was promoted. 

 

IDIOM CLOSE-UP

 

MOVE UP A GEAR = start working more effectively or faster

AT A SNAIL’S PACE = very slowly

 

PHRASAL VERBS CLOSE-UP

 

GO OFF THE RAILS = start behaving in a wild or unacceptable way

DROP SB OFF = stop driving so that a passenger can get out of your car

 

EXERCISE 3 

Fill in the gaps with idioms and phrasal verbs.

1. She has ………..…………recently and I’ve already given him a warning.
2. You know that traffic at this time of the day is heavy and I want you to ………….in the most suitable place.
3. If we want to be on time, we can’t be driving ………………………….
4. I believe that if the company can …………..……we can become on eof the biggest firms in the country.

 

NEWS

HOW TO TRAVEL LIGHT

“Packing light has always been a savvy travel tip, because hauling less weight means you travel with more comfort and freedom. But now, when you consider the baggage fees implemented by most airlines, packing light makes more sense than ever. Most airlines charge per-piece fees for your luggage as well as extra-weight fees for bags over 50 lbs. Regardless of your destination, either type of bag can be packed lightly. Airline passengers are generally allowed to bring aboard 1 personal item and 1 carry-on bag for no charge. There is no federal standard for carry-on bag size, but many airlines define a carry-on bag as no larger than 45 linear inches (length + width + height). It must be able to fit in an overhead compartment or under the seat. Always check with your airline for the latest rules. The limitation of carry-on bags is that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) restricts what you can bring. Some personal items, sporting goods and tools can only be taken if checked.”

 

GLOSSARY:

– savvy-  practical
– hauling – pulling sth heavy
– overhead compartment – overhead locker

 

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