For foreign visitors,it's a good idea to fly to Heathrow Airport and then catch a coach.There are direct coaches from the airport bus station every half hour.The journey only takes an hour and it's cheaper and faster than the train.You can buy your ticket from the driver.Remember,a return fare is cheaper than a single and you can use it any time.If you fly into Gatwick Airport,there are direct coaches every hour.However,at rush hour,there are traffic jams on the ring road so it's a good idea to catch the train to Oxford.

　　If you are coming from London,you can take the train from Paddington Station.Alternatively,there are coaches every hour from central London.Avoid road transport at rush hour.When you get to Oxford,there are taxis at the central coach station and railway station.

　　The city is old and there are many narrow streets.The best way to visit it is on foot.It's also worth going on a tour on a double-decker bus.But make sure you sit upstairs!

　　1.A Chinese business person arriving at Heathrow Airport and going to Oxford for four days,then flying home from Heathrow.

　　2.A person arriving at Gatwick Airport at 17:30 on a Tuesday and going to Oxford.

　　3.A person who lives in London and wants to spend the day in Oxford.

　　4.A tourist who wants to visit Oxford on a rainy day.

　　Suggested answers:

　　1.Take a direct coach to Oxford./Buy a return fare because it is cheaper.

　　2.Catch the train to Oxford because of the rush hour traffic.

　　3.Take the train from Paddington station or catch a bus from a coach station.

　　4.Go on a double-decker bus tour.

　　Step 2 Cultural corner

　　T:So much for the check up.As we all know,problems will arise if a city has two much traffic.London,as one of the biggest cities in the world,suffers a heavy traffic.Just suppose you are the mayor of London,what measures will you take to solve the traffic problems caused by too much traffic?

　　S:If I were the mayor of London,I think I will build more roads in the sky.

　　T:Any other volunteer?

　　S:In my opinion,it is a good idea to find more policemen to direct the traffic.

　　T:Good ideas.Now let's read the passage to find what measures the London mayor take to solve the problems.While reading,try to answer the following questions.

　　(Show the following on the screen.)

　　1.What's a congestion charge?

　　A.A tax for cars entering the center of the city.

　　B.A tax for taxes only.

　　C.A fine for those who don't obey the traffic rules.

　　D.A tax which is very expensive.

　　2.Which word can replace the word "as" in paragraph 3?

　　A.Where.

　　B.Because.

C.When.