Richard and Victor are in Washington. They are in the hotel now.

— So we are in Washington, D. C.

— D. C? What does the D. C. stand for?

— District of Columbia. It's a special federal district.

— Is it part of the state of Washington?

— No, it doesn't belong to any of the fifty states. Washington State is very far from the capital.

— I see. I'd like know what the neighboring states are.

— The neighboring states are Maryland and Virginia.

— Oh, yes. I read about it in one of the magazines. But I don't remember how large the District is.

— It isn't very large. And the buildings aren't very tall.

— No skyscrapers?

— No. No structure is allowed to be taller than the Capitol.

— Ah, that's why our hotel isn't tall.

— How do you like it?

— It's great. The Ramada Inn is a first-class hotel.

— Well, it isn't really first class, but it's not bad.

— But I don't know anything about tipping yet.

— You have a tipping guide in the Amtrak timetable. It's a very useful thing to have, even for Americans.

— What's this guide for?

— Tips differ from place to place. Some places are very expensive and you give larger tips. Some are cheap and give smaller tips for services.

— I guess the tipping guide is really useful!

 

***

-I like Washington more than New York. -I want to visit the Smith­sonian Institution. -I don't want to stay here too long. -I can't attend the lecture in the afternoon. -I don't want to spend another day sightseeing. -I can't stand any more mu­seums.

-So do I. -I do too. -I don't either/ neither do I. -Neither can I. -I do. (А я хочу) -I can. (А я могу)

                                              

***

— I like Mr. Robertson. I think he's very intelligent and sin­cere (искренний) — I like his wife. I think she's very modest and friendly. — Have you seen their house? I like it - it's probably not very modern, but it looks okay. — I don't like Mr. Fisher. He doesn't seem sincere. Do you like him?

— Yes, I like him too. I think he's very nice. — Yes, I like her too. She's nice.   — Yes, I like it too. You always feel welcome there.   — No, I don't. I don't like insincere people either.

 

At a Hotel

Be sure not to miss the breakfast in an English hotel. If you are touring, you may not have to stop for lunch after a good English breakfast.

A. I wonder whether you have any vacancies for tonight.

В. Yes, I can offer you Room 24 on the first floor.¹

A. How much is it?

В. £ 27.50 a night excluding service.

A. Can I see it, please?

В. Certainly. Would you take a seat for a moment?  

¹first floor: the floor above street level.

 

***

— Have you a single room two nights?

— Yes, but only on the top floor.

— What price is it?

— £ 34 with service and TV.

— Fair enough. Can you show me the room, please?

— Of course. Would you like to follow me?

                                             

***

— Can I book a double room from now until Friday?          

— You can have Room 33, overlooking the sea.

— What's the price?

— £ 28.75 not counting the service.  

— Can I have a look at it please?

— Yes, of course. Come this way.

***

— Have you got a twin bedded room for one night?

— I can let you have a room at the back.

— What does it cost?

— With a private bath, £ 31, service included.                                   

— Can you show me something a little cheaper?

— Yes, of course. I won't keep you a moment.

Finding a Room

When inquiring about a room it is always a good idea to ask at the beginning whether laundry and heating are included in the price.

If you want to share a flat, look in the 'flats to let' column of an evening paper for advertisements like: 4th Girl shr. s/c Hampstead fit. 01-134 2343 evenings. This means that a fourth girl is required to share a self-contained flat in Hampstead, and that enquiries should be made by telephone in the evenings.

 

A. I believe you take in foreign students.  

В. Yes, if you don't mind sharing. 

A. How much is it?

B. £ 39 per week including heating.   

A. Do you think I could have a look at it, please?  

B. We're having it decorated at the moment. Will Friday do? ¹ 

¹will Friday do?: will Friday be all right?             

 

***

— I've been told you might have a vacant room. 

— Yes, I've got a spare single.

— What are your terms?

— £ 37 for bed and breakfast.  

— Could I have a look at the room, please?                          

— It's a bit awkward just now. Could you come tomorrow?     

 

***

— A friend told me I might find some accommodation here.

— Yes, I'll have a room free after the weekend.

— What's the price of the room?

— £ 36 a week, but I can't do heating.

— Do you mind if I come in?

— Come in by all means, but it's in a terrible mess.   

 

***

— I wonder if you can help me. I'm looking for a room.

— I have got a vacancy, yes.

— What are your terms?

— £ 40 a week excluding laundry.

— Would it be convenient to see the room?

— Can you call back later? We're right in the middle of lunch.

Complaining

The English are reluctant to complain, and when they do so it is often in a somewhat apologetic manner. All the examples given here are rather strong.

A. I wish you wouldn't have your TV so loud.

В. Sorry! Were you trying to sleep?

A. Yes, and while I think of it - please ask when you borrow the iron.

В. I really ought to have known better. Sorry!

 

***

— Do you think you could keep the noise down a bit?

— Sorry! Have I been keeping you awake?

— Yes, and another thing - would you mind not using my toothpaste?

— I'm sorry. I thought you didn't mind.

 

***

— That radio's terribly loud. Could you turn it down a fraction?

— Sorry! Is it disturbing you?       

— Yes, and something else - wouldn't it be an idea to buy your own soap?

— Sorry! I didn't realize you felt so strongly about it.

Комментарии

Перевод.

Cab является синонимом слова taxi. От него образуется слово cabbie — таксист.

Within walking distance — в пределах досягаемости пешком. Ср. within sight из предыдущего урока.

Fare означает плата за проезд.

Tip — чаевые.

To tip — давать на чай. Если Вы даете на чай, то скажете по-русски: «сдачи не надо», а по-английски " keep the change ".

Suite  — обратите внимание на произношение (это фран­цузское заимствование читается не по правилам) и на значение (мы это слово тоже позаимствовали у французов, и значения свита и сюита у него есть и в английском, но в английском оно значит также гостиничный номер из нескольких комнат, номер-люкс).

To stand for something (букв, стоять вместо чего-то) —означать что-то. Так говорят, когда что-то называется не напрямую, а, напри­мер, через сокращения: «D. С.» stands for District of Columbia.

To belong to — принадлежать (кому-то, чему-то). Обратите вни­мание, что в русском предлога нет, а по-английски после этого глаго­ла обязательно употребления предлога to.

Free значит не только свободный, но и бесплатный.

In what way? значит каким образом?, в чем?

Речевые формулы

AGREEMENT DISAGREEMENT	СОГЛАСИЕ НЕСОГЛАСИЕ
So do I. I do too.	Я тоже.
I don't.	Я — нет.
I don't either. Neither do I.	И я — нет.
Neither can I.	И я не могу.
I do.	А я — (хочу, люблю…)
I can.	А я — могу.

 

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