Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Train, Bus & Road Travel 5

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a minivan to rent for their family holiday.

There are descriptions of eight minivan rental companies.

Decide which minivan rental company would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   The Green family has seven members and wants to explore the countryside on a long road trip. They have a baby, so they need safety seats provided. They are on a tight budget and require a vehicle that is very cheap on fuel.

2   Mr and Mrs Taylor are traveling with their seven children and need space for nine people. They want a vehicle with a built-in map system to find their hotel easily. They also need to collect the vehicle directly at the airport terminal.

3   The Jackson family of seven wants to rent a vehicle for a weekend break. The driver can only operate vehicles with an automatic gearbox. They also want to bring their pet dog along, so the company must allow animals inside.

4   The Roberts family needs a vehicle for nine passengers to drive across the country. They want an economical diesel model to save money at the petrol station. They also need to rent two booster chairs for their young toddlers.

5   The Clark family needs a seven-seater minivan for their summer holiday. The parents want an entertainment screen in the back to keep the kids quiet. Crucially, their twenty-three-year-old son must be allowed to be a registered driver.

Minivan Rental Companies

A Terminal Rentals

Avoid long taxi lines because our office is located right inside the arrivals building, allowing you to collect your vehicle instantly. We offer massive minivans with enough space for nine adults. Every vehicle includes a free satellite navigation system to help you find any destination without getting lost on the road.

B Budget Direct

Our popular seven-passenger family vehicles use highly economical diesel fuel, ensuring your holiday remains completely affordable. Our offices are situated near major train stations for quick collection. Please note that we do not supply any extra equipment like baby chairs, so parents must bring their own safety seats along.

C Eco Group Hire

If you are traveling with a large group of nine people, our biggest minivans are the perfect choice. They are fitted with highly efficient diesel motors, which helps you save a lot of cash on long cross-country trips. Families can also order excellent safety seats for small toddlers and babies.

D Holiday Cruisers

We provide excellent vehicles with room for a family of seven. To keep children happy, our vans come with television screens behind the front seats for watching movies. While many companies require drivers to be older, we gladly welcome young adults aged twenty-one and above to drive our cars.

E Maxi Space

We offer huge passenger vans with nine comfortable seats and large windows. We can easily provide booster seats and infant chairs for your little children upon arrival. However, these large vehicles use traditional petrol engines and can be quite expensive to run, making them less suitable for long distance journeys.

F Value Wheels

Our comfortable seven-seater minivans are ideal for larger families. These vehicles feature modern diesel engines, meaning you will spend far less money on fuel during long journeys. We also supply high-quality baby chairs and booster seats at no extra cost. Book today for a fantastic, low-cost family holiday!

G Easy Move Vehicles

Do you hate changing gears? Our fleet consists entirely of vehicles with simple automatic gearboxes for a relaxing drive. Our standard models have plenty of room for a group of seven passengers. Best of all, we are completely pet-friendly, so your favorite four-legged friend can enjoy the family trip with you.

H Star Minivans

Our beautiful seven-seater vehicles are perfect for family vacations. The back row features excellent entertainment screens for playing video games or watching cartoons. Our rental rates are fully inclusive of insurance. However, due to strict safety rules, all registered drivers must be at least twenty-five years old without exception.

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a historic steam train ride.

There are descriptions of eight steam train rides.

Decide which steam train ride would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Lucas is taking his young son on a train. He wants a short trip so his son doesn’t get bored. They’d like to watch the driver working the steam engine, and need to eat their own homemade sandwiches somewhere.

2   Maria and John want a romantic trip to celebrate their anniversary. They are looking for a ride in comfortable, old-fashioned carriages with beautiful views of the countryside. They also want to be served a traditional afternoon tea while travelling.

3   Sam is a university student who loves railway history. He is looking for a full-day journey that offers cheap tickets for students. He also wants the chance to buy some historical books about trains to take home.

4   The Taylor family want a full day out. They want to combine a steam train ride with a relaxing boat trip. They’d like to learn facts about the local railway history and have a hot lunch included in the ticket.

5   Elena wants to organise a fun evening out with her friends on a train. She is looking for a journey that goes across a famous bridge. She would also love to listen to a live band during the trip.

Heritage Rail Experiences

A The Midnight Express

Join us for an unforgettable night-time journey. The highlight of the trip is travelling high above the water on the historic Iron River Crossing. While you enjoy the spectacular dark sky, a local jazz group will play popular songs to keep everyone entertained throughout the journey. It’s an amazing party experience!

B The Little Steamer

Perfect for families, this quick forty-minute ride won’t tire out little ones. Passengers are welcome to bring their own packed lunches to enjoy on board. Before departure, you can walk up to the front to see the train operators adding coal and making the locomotive move! It’s an unforgettable historical adventure!

C The City Heritage Line

Step aboard our beautifully restored vintage carriages for a wonderful trip through the city’s industrial centre. You will enjoy a lovely afternoon tea of sandwiches and cakes served by our friendly staff. However, the views are mostly of factories, not nature, so it’s best for architecture lovers. A great historical escape.

D The Royal Valley Route

Travel back in time relaxing in our highly comfortable 1920s seating areas. As the train winds through stunning green hills and deep valleys, waiters will bring delicious cakes, sandwiches, and hot drinks directly to your table. It is the absolute perfect way to spend a romantic, peaceful afternoon. Don’t forget your camera!

E The Engine Shed Ride

This brief thirty-minute journey is excellent for anyone wanting to learn about railway history from our expert guides. You can also stand near the driver to see how the engine operates. We do not allow outside food, but our excellent café sells hot meals and snacks for families to enjoy.

F River & Rail Tour

Discover the area’s past with our knowledgeable guides who share fascinating stories about the local transport network. After a morning train ride, you will transfer to a river cruiser. A delicious cooked meal is provided as part of your ticket price, ensuring you stay full on this fantastic day out.

G Heritage Explorer

Join us for an eight-hour adventure across the region. At our main station, explore our fantastic gift shop, which has a huge selection of reading materials about our historic locomotives. We offer special low prices for anyone studying at university or college, making it a great day out! Book online today!

H The Grand Tour

Enjoy a fantastic all-day steam train experience along the coast. Our station store is packed with detailed books about the history of the railway for you to purchase. This is a premium, luxury service, so tickets are quite expensive, and there are absolutely no reduced prices available for younger travellers.

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a public transport travel card.

There are descriptions of eight city passes.

Decide which city pass would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Sarah wants to explore all the different city zones without paying extra. She is staying for exactly one week and hopes to find a pass that gives her cheaper tickets for the local history and art museums.

2   David and Maria only need to travel within the central zone during their seven-day holiday. They love eating out in the evenings and want a card that offers price reductions at popular local restaurants and cafes.

3   Ali is visiting the city for a week. He plans to visit many famous museums but hates waiting in long lines, so he wants priority entry. He only needs unlimited travel on the city’s bus network.

4   The Jones family are staying in the city for a week and want a pass that offers a special family discount. They need unlimited travel to the outer zones because their hotel is located far from the centre.

5   Elena is spending seven days in the city and wants unlimited travel on the river boats to see the sights. She also needs a pass that includes a free return trip on the train to the airport.

City Transport Passes

A The Daily Family Explorer

This ticket provides brilliant group savings for adults and kids travelling together. You can take trains and trams everywhere, including the furthest outer suburbs and districts. However, this ticket must be renewed every morning, as it only lasts for twenty-four hours, making it unsuitable for longer holidays.

B The Waterway Weekender

This tourist pass is valid for a full seven days. It allows you to hop on and off the passenger ferries that travel up and down the river all day. Furthermore, it completely covers the cost of your railway journey from the flight terminal to your hotel and back again.

C The Mega Explorer

This card is perfect for your 7-day holiday. You can ride buses and trains everywhere, from the centre to the furthest suburbs, as much as you like. Showing this card also saves you money on entry fees at the city’s most famous cultural exhibitions and national galleries.

D The Short Stay Culture Pass

This is fantastic if you want to walk right past the waiting crowds at top galleries and exhibitions. You also get unlimited road travel on local buses everywhere. Please note that this card expires after exactly three days, so it is best for quick weekend breaks.

E The City Heart Pass

This excellent card lasts for a full week. It provides endless journeys on underground trains and trams, but strictly within the middle of town. As a special bonus, pass holders receive twenty percent off their meals at over fifty fantastic dining spots, coffee shops, and burger places around the city.

F The Suburban Group Card

Designed for parents travelling with children, this pass offers excellent price reductions for larger groups. Valid for seven days, this ticket gives you endless transport rides, reaching all the way to the edge of the city, so staying far away is never a problem for your holiday.

G The Bus & Art Ticket

Get this card for your one-week stay. This card lets you jump straight to the front of the queue at major historical sites and art exhibitions. It also includes unrestricted journeys on the road transport network, though it cannot be used on trams, ferries, or underground trains.

H The Ultimate Transport Week

This premium card gives you unrestricted access to the entire transport network, from the city centre to the airport and furthest areas, for seven full days. However, this is strictly a travel ticket, so it does not offer any lower prices for sightseeing, exhibitions, or eating out at restaurants.

Exercises:   123456