The high
price of low-cost airlines
No
plans yet for the weekend? Berlin-Madrid for 19 euros! Low-cost
airlines are conquering the European travel market with competitive
prices, and the aeroplane is fast becoming an everyday means of
transport. But this has dramatic consequences for the environment as
no other form of transport has such a damaging ecological effect as
the aeroplane.
The
recent growth in air travel is above all due to the success of budget
airlines. At first sight, they do not seem to have a worse ecological
effect than conventional airlines, thanks to near-full capacity
usage. The root of the problem lies in the acquisition of a new,
wider type of customer through aggressive prices. A two-day shopping
trip to London or a relaxing weekend in Majorca would remain a luxury
that few could afford without these carriers.
So,
for the moment, it is still the traveller’s individual
responsibility to resist frequent flying. Those who cannot, or will
not, stop flying have the possibility to compensate for the negative
effects of travelling by donating money to climate protection
projects. It is obvious that such voluntary initiatives will only be
supported by a minority of environmentally conscious European
citizens and can represent no real or credible alternative to a
political solution. The coming months will show if EU states take the
Kyoto protocol seriously and put a stop to cheap flights which are so
costly to the environment.
1. WRITE A COMPOSITION
(120 WORDS). CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS. SPECIFY YOUR
OPTION.
a) Where, outside Spain, would you like
to go to on a short pleasure trip? Give reasons.
b) Attracting more tourists is
essential for the Spanish economy. Discuss.
2. ANSWER QUESTIONS 1-2 ACCORDING TO
THE INFORMATION GIVEN IN THE TEXT. USE YOUR OWN WORDS. (1 point per
answer)
1 According to the writer, why are
low-cost airlines so dangerous for the environment?
2 Following the author's opinion stated
in the text, can travellers radically solve the environmental
problem? Why?
ARE THESE STATEMENTS TRUE OR FALSE?
JUSTIFY YOUR ANSWERS WITH THE PRECISE WORDS OR PHRASES FROM THE TEXT.
In one sense, low-cost airlines are
more efficient than conventional ones.
Many people can now afford short
pleasure trips thanks to low-cost airlines.
It is up to travellers to stop flying
so frequently.
3. COMMUNICATION
Imagine a friend of yours doesn't
want to travel by plane because he is afraid to fly. Give him reasons
to take a flight to Amsterdam with you.
4. GRAMMAR
TURN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE INTO THE
PASSIVE VOICE:
“They never gave me instructions”
REWRITE THE SENTENCE WITHOUT
CHANGING ITS MEANING. BEGIN AS INDICATED:
“The ticket was too expensive for
him to pay”. | “The ticket was not ...”.
FILL IN THE GAPS WITH A CORRECT FORM
OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS:
“If he (BRING) .......... his
passport, he would not have had trouble at the airport”.
GIVE A QUESTION FOR THE UNDERLINED
WORDS:
“Peter lost his wife’s
luggage at the airport two days ago”.
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