A town

A town is a large number of houses, schools, hospitals, theatres, factories, shops and other buildings built near each other. All these buildings are divided into blocks by streets. Short narrow streets that join larger ones together are called lanes. On one side of the streets the buildings have even numbers, on the other – odd numbers. The streets are usually paved with asphalt.

In the streets, roads and squares of the town we see people walking and vehicles driving. The vehicles are trams, buses, trolley-buses, motor-cycles, taxis, minibuses, motor-scooters, cars, bicycles. We can’t imagine life without traffic. They connect the centre with the suburbs. During the morning rush hour the transport system is usually overcrowded. During the evening rush hour, with everyone hurrying home it carries the greatest amount of passengers too.

On both sides of the street there are pavements where people walk. People usually cross the streets at special places called crossings. When the traffic is heavy the policeman on point duty has to stop the never-ending stream by raising one hand, thus affording the pedestrians a chance to cross the street. At the corners of the streets there are traffic lights.

When the red light is switched on the traffic stops, when the green light is switched on the vehicles drive on. In any case, before crossing the road take care to look to the left and when you reach the middle of the road, look to the right. At big crossroads in large towns and cities there are underground crossings for pedestrians.

In England vehicles drive on the left. In Ukraine the traffic drives on the right. In very large towns which are called cities the fastest and the most convenient means of transport is the Metro. You can get from one end of a city to another in no time. In the Metro you find signs showing you where to change for other lines.

In the centre and the important parts of a large town, there are squares, parks and market places.

A town is generally situated near or on a river across which bridges are built. In all towns there are places of interest, which a stranger would be invited to see - monuments, cathedrals, museums, and so on.

A town is governed by a council, the head of which is styled the mayor. The police maintain public order, control the traffic and protect the people from different criminal individuals.

Ex.5. Answer the questions:

1. What do we call short narrow streets that join larger ones together?

2. What are vehicles?

3. What do we call hours when the city transport system carries the greatest amount of passengers?

4. Where should one cross the street?

5. What are the things the pedestrians must remember to be safe and sound?

6. On which side do vehicles drive in England?

7. What do we call the underground railways in Kyiv, London, New York?

8. What means of transport do you prefer?

9. Have you ever used the underground in London or other cities abroad?