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by Kevin Caballero

​Tips for travelling alone

​Travelling alone seems scary if it’s the first time you are going to leave the comfort of home. You will probably think about the potential risks or difficult situations. What happens if I get ill, or have an accident? Isn’t it dangerous to go out alone at night? What happens if I get attacked? Isn’t it strange to eat at restaurants alone all the time?

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Most travellers have these worries and more before their first trip alone, but all these fears disappear when they see all the benefits of this great experience. Here I’m going to give you 3 tips on how to travel alone and have a good time.

Speak the language​

​Humans are sociable creatures. We all need to talk to other people. If you are travelling alone, it’s a good idea to go somewhere you speak the language.

​Sleep with the locals

​Hotels are comfortable but very lonely, and hostels are perfect for people who travel alone, but you will only speak with other tourists. Try to rent a room in an apartment. This will give you a connection with local residents and they can give you a lot of tips on what you can do.

​Don't be shy

​Don’t be afraid of asking. Ask for directions in the street, or ask about the place, the culture or the customs to the local people that you find in bars, parks, etc. You will be surprised how much people like to talk about their town or their culture. Remember you are alone. Asking can be an effective way to start a conversation and meet new people.

Multiple Choice

The writer thinks that travelling alone is..

• worse than staying at your comfortable home.

• dangerous

• a good idea

Multiple Choice

The writer wants to...

• help people who want to travel alone.

• talk about the possible risks of travelling alone.

• talk about his or her experiences travelling.

Multiple Choice

If you travel alone, it’s a good idea...

• to learn the language of the place before you go there.

• to go to a place where you can speak their language.

• to speak to other tourists.

Multiple Choice

The writer thinks that if you travel alone, hostels are...

• the best option.

• very good but not the best option.

• worse than hotels.

Multiple Choice

The local residents can help you...

• to find a good hotel or hostel.

• giving you ideas for your trip.

• to find a cheap room that you can rent.

Multiple Choice

The best thing about asking is that...

• you get the information you need.

• you can find the places where you are going.

• you can talk to the local people.

​Online shopping

​My name is Sara, and I love shopping online. I prefer mobile phone apps, but sometimes I use my computer. The phone is more convenient for me, and I can even do my shopping from bed!

I love shopping so much that I buy everything I need at home. I get food, electronics, books, and even large pieces of furniture like my sofa and bookshelves all online! But I still prefer getting clothes from a store so I can try them on to be sure they fit me fine.

​Yesterday, I bought a birthday present for my mother, and it arrived today! That saves me a lot of time. I am a very busy person, and I am a little forgetful too. If I think of something I need, then it is wonderful that I can buy it at that moment.

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My friends aren’t as comfortable with buying things online as I am because they think that it can be dangerous. Of course, bad things sometimes happen, but I am very careful with all of my personal details. I think the biggest fear that people have with using their credit cards online is that someone will steal their number. It is important to be sure that the web page is secure. You can see this if the address has got an “s” in it, like https://. That “s” means it is safe.

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People should not be afraid of shopping online. I think it will be the only way we will do our shopping in the future!

Multiple Choice

What is Sara’s favourite way of shopping?

• On a computer.

• On her phone.

• In a shop.

Multiple Choice

What doesn’t Sara buy online?

• Food.

• Furniture.

• Clothes.

Multiple Choice

What does the word ‘it’ refer to in paragraph 3?

• Shopping on line.

• A present.

• Her mother's birthday.

Multiple Choice

Why does Sara think online shopping is very convenient?

• It's fast.

• It's cheap.

• It's good quality.

Multiple Choice

What does ‘steal’ mean in paragraph 4?

• To make public.

• To take without permission.

• To use something that is not yours.

Multiple Choice

Sarah thinks that shopping online ...

• is often dangerous.

• is always safe.

• is safe if you are careful.

Multiple Choice

Sara’s thinks that in the future ...

• online shopping will be safer.

• a lot of people will shop online.

• everybody will only shop online.