Read the following text attentively

        Travelling in the old days was more dangerous and eventful than now. People would travel on horseback or stage-coaches. All roads were not safe. Robberies were frequent and travellers were often attacked by highwaymen. And only few travellers escaped without being robbed of their purses.

        Nowadays, cars, buses and other means of transportation have replaced stage-coaches and ply between all large towns. Thanks to the evolution of technology. Tokyo becomes only six hours far from the furthest town in the world. Trains of great speed and huge planes besides ships and lorries as well as trains make it possible to carry not only passengers but also furniture and any other luggage whatever weighty it might be.

        However traveling is now so easy and comfortable that everybody young or very old can go everywhere and at any time. Some people favour conducted tours, and apply to a travel agency. Others prefer to organize their own journeys and choose their own route. Nevertheless all these means are costly. So tourists who are short of money prefer hiking and always argue that the cheapest way of traveling is walking .. even if it is a little bit slow.

A/ Match the underlined words from the text with their appropriate meanings:  

1.   Robberies	a.   thieves
2.   highwaymen	b.   expensive
3.   weighty	c.   thefts
4.   costly	d.   heavy

B/ Are these sentences True or False? Justify:  

1. People in the past seemed to enjoy travelling.
   
2. The means of travel can carry people and things.
   
3. Hiking is the least expensive way of travelling.
   

C/ Complete these sentences with ideas from the text:  

1. In the past, travelling on horseback was dangerous because....
   
2. Nowadays everybody can travel easily thanks to ....
   

D/ Answer these questions.  

1. How did people in the past use to travel?
   
2. Why were roads not safe in the past?
   
3. How can tourists travel in conducted tours?
   

II. LANGUAGE:

A- Choose the correct answer:  

1. We   thought of alternative sources of energy before now.
   1. have
   2. will have
   3. should have

1. Those people were worse    driving big cars.
   1. in
   2. at
   3. for

B- What is the appropriate expression?  
        WALKER: Can you give me a lift to the next village, please?
        DRIVER:  .

C- Rewrite the following sentences as indicated:  

1. They have never thought of a means of travel as suitable for future needs as a flying saucer.
   - The flying saucer is
2. If you don't go by train, you won't arrive on time.
   - Unless
3. Cowboys keep their horses in the stable.
   - Cowboys' horses
4. The helicopter is not as cheap as a bicycle.
   - We wish the helicopter

III. WRITING:

Write about the advantages and disadvantages of the modern means of travel.

SUGGESTIONS:

• Speed / comfort / economy / etc
• Pollution / accidents / etc