PLANNING A TRIP

Today, millions of travellers are using the Web to learn about destinations, find
last-minute bargains, locate hotels, and plan their adventures. Travel agents can still be
tremendously helpful, particularly for complex international journeys. However, the
Internet puts the tools for trip planning into the hands of average computer users,
enabling them to plan their own trips, at any time of the day or night.
After choosing a destination, travellers can use the Net to find schedules and
fares for airlines, hotels, and rental cars. Then, if they so choose, they can book online.
The most important booking websites let travellers compare rates among hundreds of
airlines, hotel chains, or car rental companies.
While the Web offers remarkable tools for finding bargains and making bookings,
it's much more than a one-way medium. Its inherent beauty is its interactive aspect -- in
other words, through the Net travellers can find others with similar interests and get
advice from them.
The Net is an efficient tool for trip planning, and, under the right circumstances,
an excellent way to save money. Yet the benefits extend far beyond finding good deals
and some people are finding that planning a trip can be almost as enjoyable as the
excursion itself.
QUESTIONS
I. READING COMPREHENSION. (2 POINTS) (0.5 points for each correct answer) Add TRUE or
FALSE and copy the evidence from the text to support your answer.
NO marks are given for only true or false.
1. People must be expert computer users to plan their trips on the Internet.
2. It is possible to compare hotel prices on the Web before making a reservation.
3. The Internet is an interactive medium which offers more than good deals.
4. Planning a trip on the Net is a boring activity for everybody.

B. LEXICON. (1 POINT) (0.25 points for each correct answer)

Find words or phrases in the text that mean the same as these given.
1. The places that someone is going to.
2. Lists that show the times when planes leave or arrive at a particular place.
3. Almost the same.
4. To use less money so that you do not waste any.
C. PHONETICS. (1 POINT) (0.25 points for each correct answer)

1. Write two words from the text that include the same diphthong sound as "take" /e I/. (0.5)
2. Is the s pronounced voiced /z/ or voiceless /s/ in travellers? (0.25)
3. Write a word from the text that includes the same consonant sound as composition" //. (0.25)