HOW TO TRAVEL BY TRAIN

6) HOW TO TRAVEL BY TRAIN

Trains are a good way to travel around the country.

You can book tickets in advance at a local station or at a rail website. If you want to buy your ticket on the day of travel you will have to queue at the ticket office.

When you get to the station follow signs to get to the platform. Always mind the gap between the train and the platform.

Get on the train! Put your luggage in the overhead racks. Relax. Respect other passengers, don't play your music too loud or don’t talk too loud. When you get to your destination, take your luggage and get off the train.

7) My Journey

I like going by train. It’s fast and comfortable.

Last summer I went to Sotchi. I booked a ticket on the rail web-site in advance, because I don’t like standing in a queue. On the day of the departure I came to the railway station and went through security check. I followed the signs and found my platform easily. The conductor met me at the carriage and checked my ticket and passport. I took my seat, and put my luggage under the seat. There were 3 fellow-passengers in my compartment. On my way to Sotchi I listened to music, read a book and looked through the window. 30 hours later I arrived at my destination and got off the train.

ТЕКСТЫ ДЛЯ ЧТЕНИЯ

Текст 1

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2010/201028-free-school-meals-0l.html

The UK voted against giving children free school lunches in the holidays. There was an idea to give children a $20 food voucher every week. In the summer, a Manchester United footballer got the UK government to U-turn and give school lunches to poorer children. He wants this to happen again.

British people are angry. Many children will not eat lunch in the holidays. The UK leader said he would not U-turn. He said he "totally understands" hunger. People said this was not true because he is rich. People are also angry that COVID-19 workers in the UK get over $8,000 a day, but a child cannot get a free lunch.

Текст 2

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2011/201101-diet-soda-0l.html

People think diet soda is healthier than fizzy drinks. A new study says it can be as bad for our heart. Researchers said people should not drink diet sodas and other artificially sweetened drinks. A heart doctor said it is "fake news" that artificial sweeteners are better than sugar. Sweeteners are linked to weight gain and diabetes.

The researchers studies 100,000 people. They recorded their diet, activity level, and health status. The data showed that artificially sweetened drinks led to a risk of heart disease. A doctor said, "water and more water should be the drink of choice" for children. He said children should not have soda as it causes obesity.

Текст 3

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2010/201012-world-food-programme-0l.html

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) won the Nobel Peace Prize. The judges said it won, "for its efforts to combat hunger" and "for...bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas". The WFP also helped to stop the use of hunger as a weapon. The WFP said it tries to end hunger every day in over 80 countries.

The WFP is the world's biggest humanitarian organization. Last year, it helped 97 million people. Its workers work in dangerous conditions, including in war zones where people are three times more likely to be hungry. COVID-19 will add to global hunger. The UN said the WFP is "the world's first responder" for world hunger.

Текст 4

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2009/200926-richest-man-0l.html

The magazine Bloomberg has named Mr Zhong Shanshan as China's richest man. He is worth $58 billion. He is $2 billion richer than the previous number one. Mr Zhong made his money from his bottled water company. He also makes vaccines. Zhong is 17th on the global rich list. He might move up that list in the future.

Zhong Shanshan, 66, started his water company in 1996. This is when China's bottled water market started. It is big business in China. Most people prefer bottled water to tap water. Zhong's vaccine company is making a vaccine to fight COVID-19. China's media call Mr Zhong a "lone wolf". He is rarely seen in public.

Текст 5

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2009/200914-pringles-packaging-0l.html

Pringles has made its packaging better. Pringles is famous for its potato chips. However, the tube they come in is bad for the environment. It is made of many things. It has a plastic cap, a metal base, an aluminium cover, and foil-lined cardboard. It is difficult to recycle. The BBC called it "a recycler's nightmare".

Pringles made the tube easier to recycle. It promised 100 per cent recyclable packaging by 2025. It wants to reduce its impact on the planet. It said it has "worked hard to come up with this new can, which is widely recyclable". However, the new tube has a plastic lid. This will add to plastic pollution.

Текст 6

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2008/200821-the-tokyo-toilet-0l.html

There are new public toilets in Tokyo, Japan. They have see-through walls. When someone locks the door, people can no longer see in. It is part of "The Tokyo Toilet". Designers made nicer toilets that are easier to use. People can feel comfortable using them. The toilets will be in 17 parks and public spaces.

The designers want to change the bad image of toilets. People think they are dark, dirty, smelly and scary places. People want clean and safe toilets. The first toilets opened in a park this week. Many tourists took photos of them. People can see the toilets and sinks from the outside, but only when they are empty.

Текст 7

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2008/200817-clean-plate-0l.html

China wants to cut food waste with its new "Clean Plate Campaign". President Xi called the waste "shocking and distressing". There are reports of a food crisis in China. Food production has fallen because of coronavirus and floods. President Xi said people must think carefully about food security and not leave food on their plate.

Restaurants are taking the campaign seriously. One restaurant started weighing customers. It apologised because diners were angry. A Beijing restaurant said: "We remind our guests when they order too much food." Other restaurants say groups of diners must order one fewer dish than the number of people in their group.

Текст 8

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2008/200805-tiktok-0l.html

The on-off talks between Microsoft and TikTok are back on. Microsoft wants to buy part of TikTok. However, Donald Trump said he might ban TikTok in the USA. He changed his mind after the Microsoft CEO phoned him. Microsoft said it would make sure that all private data of US users would stay in the United States.

TikTok is very popular. It has over 800 million users worldwide. Users upload short videos of themselves singing to songs, dancing, making faces or doing other funny things. A Chinese businessman started TikTok in 2012. Microsoft will pay $50 billion for a part of the company. A business website said this was too much.

Текст 9

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2007/200728-smartphone-glass-0l.html

Do you worry about dropping your smartphone? Glass used to make smartphone screens just got stronger. The glass is called Gorilla Glass. It has been used in smartphones for many years. It is now more difficult to scratch, crack or smash. It can also survive drops of up to two metres without any damage.

A company spokesperson said: "Dropped phones can result in broken phones." He said the company wanted to make the new glass stronger for both drops and scratches. It usually focused on making the glass better just for drops or just for scratches. The new glass will debut on Samsung products "in the near future".

Текст 10

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2007/200724-basic-income-0l.html

The UN has a plan for COVID-19. It said poor people should get a basic income. The money would let 2.7 billion people in 132 countries stay at home. This would cut the risk of the virus spreading. It would cost $199 billion per month. The world must take special action because we have not had COVID-19 before.

A basic income would go to people and not big businesses. The UN said the money would help people in lockdown and small businesses. It would also slow down COVID-19. Many people do not have insurance or a contract. There are also many low-paid people. The UN said refugees and disabled people also need help.

Текст 11

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2007/200708-the%20arts-0l.html

The UK will give $2 billion to help its arts industry. This will help theatres, concert halls, galleries, museums and other venues. It will help actors, writers, composers, make-up artists and staff with no jobs because of the coronavirus. The money will help important cultural organisations "hit hard by the pandemic".

The UK is world famous for arts. Millions of tourists go to see the UK's plays, musicals, exhibitions and concerts. The arts are "the beating heart" of the UK. The UK said: "Our arts and culture are the soul of our nation. They make our country great. They are the centre of our world-beating and fast growing creative industries."

Текст 12

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2007/200704-red-light-0l.html

Scientists can help older people to see better. They have a special red light. Looking at it for three minutes a day could help our eyes. A scientist said people should not buy any red light. They need a special one with the right wavelength. The scientists are looking for a partner to make the lights. They will cost around $20.

Researchers did tests on 24 people. They found that vision was worse in older people. The red light helped the older people to see better. Their sight got better by 22 per cent. A doctor said poorer eyesight will be a big problem. He said: "If you can't see clearly... you fall down and break bones."

Текст 13

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2011/201109-kamala-harris-0l.html

Kamala Harris is the U.S. Vice President-elect. Joe Biden won the 2020 election after he won 279 votes in the Electoral College. Ms Harris will be the first woman, the first black American and the first of South Asian descent to be Vice President. Harris, 56, tweeted: "We did it, Joe Biden." She added: "We have a lot of work ahead of us."

Kamala Harris was an attorney general before becoming a US senator. She was Joe Biden's running mate. She will be sworn in as Vice President on January 20, 2021. The Atlantic magazine said her victory was, "a reflection of what's possible....She did something no other black woman has." It said she might one day be President.

Текст 14

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200624-air-bridges-0l.html

The word "air bridge" has a new meaning. It means a way for people to travel safely between countries in the coronavirus pandemic. Countries that feel safe in the coronavirus are making air bridges. The U.K. wants to have them. People travelling to the UK using an air bridge would not need to quarantine.

Travellers to the UK must tell the government their phone number and their address. Anyone who does not quarantine for 14 days will get a fine. The UK wants to open to people from France, Greece, Portugal and Spain. A newspaper said this would be good for the UK economy. The UK also wants an air bridge with Australia.

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