Travelling
1. People travelling long distances frequently have to decide whether they would prefer to go by land, sea, or air. Hardly anyone can positively enjoy sitting on a train for more than a few hours. Train compartments soon get cramped and stuffy. It is almost impossible to take your mind off the journey. Reading is only a partial solution, for the monotonous rhythm of the wheels clicking on the rails soon lulls you to sleep. During the day, sleep comes in snatches. At night when you really wish to go to sleep, you rarely manage to do so. If you are lucky enough to get couchettes, you spend half the night staring at the small blue light in the ceiling or fumbling to find your passport when you cross a frontier. Inevitably you arrive at your destination almost exhausted.
2. Long car journeys are even less pleasant, for it is quite impossible even to read. On motorways you can at least travel fairly and safely at high speeds, but more often than not, the greater part of the journey is spent in narrow, bumpy roads which are crowded with traffic. By comparison, trips by sea offer a great variety of civilized comforts. You can stretch your legs on the spacious decks, play games, swim, meet interesting people and enjoy good food—always assuming of course, that the sea is calm. If it is not, and you are likely to get sea-sick, no form of transport could be worse. Even if you travel in ideal weather, sea-journeys take a long time. Relatively few people are prepared to sacrifice up to a third of their holidays for the pleasure of travelling on a ship.
3. Aeroplanes have the reputation of being dangerous and even hardened travellers are intimidated by them. They also have the grave disadvantage of being the most expensive form of transport. But nothing can match them for speed and comfort. Travelling at a height of 30,000 feet, far above the clouds, and at over 500 miles an hour is an exhilarating experience. You do not have to devise ways of taking your mind off the journey, for an aeroplane gets you to your destination rapidly. For a few hours, you settle back in a deep armchair to enjoy the flight. The real escapist can watch a free film show and sip a hot or cold drink on some services. But even when such refreshments are not available, there is plenty to keep you occupied. An aeroplane offers you an unusual breathtaking view of the world. You soar effortlessly over high mountains and deep valleys. You really see the shape of the land. If the landscape is hidden from view, you can enjoy the extraordinary sight of unbroken clouds, plains that stretch out for miles before you, while the sun shines brilliantly in a clear sky. The journey is so smooth that there is nothing to prevent you from reading or sleeping. However you decide to spend your time, one thing is certain: you will arrive at your destination fresh and uncrumpled. You will not have to spend the next few days recovering from a long and arduous journey.
Word Meaning:-
1.positively—with complete certainty, truly 2. cramped—without enough room or space. 3. stuffy—not having much fresh air 4. partial—nix complete. 5. snatches—short periods. 6. couchette—bed in a railway carriage which can be folded down to make the back of a scat during the day. 7. rumbling—using the hands awkwardly in searching for something. 8. frontier—the border between two countries 9. Inevitably—certainly, that is sure to happen. 10. motor-ways—wide road with separate lanes for vehicles travelling in opposite directions, for fast-moving traffic. 11. more often than not—very frequently. 12. decks—the floors of a ship. 13. assuming—accepting something as true before there is proof. 14. hardened—less delicate or sensitive. 15. Intimidated-frightened 16. exhilarating—very exciting. 17. devise—invent, think of 18. escapist—one who tries to forget unpleasant realities by means of entertainment 19. breathtaking—very exciting, spectacular. 20. unrumpled—without any creases or wrinkles. 21. arduous—hard
Questions
1.Answer the following questions as briefly as possible:
a) Why is it difficult to read on a train in long distance journeys? Give two reasons.
b) What are the two disadvantages of travelling by sea?
c) What are two disadvantages of travelling by air?
d) What are the pleasures of air-flight, according to the writer?
e) Why does the writer dislike long car journeys?
2. Find words in the above passage which convey a similar meaning to the following:
a) pieces.
b) feel around.
c) causing excitement.
Answers
1.A) First. The train compartments get cramped and stuffy. Secondly, the monotonous rhythm of the wheels soon lulls one to sleep.
b) Sea-journeys take a long time. Also, one can get sea-sickness if the sea is not calm.
c) Air-travel is very costly. It is also thought to be dangerous.
d) Air travel is very quick and comfortable. It also gives us a breathtaking view of the world from above.
e) The writer dislikes long car journeys because they are very uncomfortable.
2.a) snatches.
b) fumbling
c) breathtaking / exhilarating.
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