Listen in English - Travel English

Video Preview

Before you watch the video, look at the picture below and answer these questions:
- Where are these two people?
- What is their job?
- What are they doing?
Now watch the video. In what order do the people board the plane?
(5) Brazillian and Italian passengers
(3) Children with small parents
(1) Elderly people
(2) Parents with small children
(7) People who fart a lot
(6) People with large carry-on luggage
(4) X-Men

Video Review

Video Script

Directions: Practice the conversation. (0:31 ~ 2:50) While you read, make sure you know what the underlined expressions mean.

Dave:
And good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Flight Number 3-1-4, with service from Chicago to Dallas. We are now ready to begin boarding.
Carol:
Please take a look at your boarding passes, and listen for your group to be called before approaching the gate.
Wife:
What group are we, Honey?
Husband:
We’re Group Two. We should be on soon.
Carol:
We first want to invite any elderly passengers, or those needing special assistance.
Dave:
Alright, we’ll now begin boarding all parents with small children…
Carol:
And all children traveling with small parents.
Son:
Look, Dad — Plane!
Dad:
I’m sorry, he… He loves planes.
Dave:
We now invite our One World Alliance members, Diamnd Advantage partners.
Carol:
All frequent Flygirls, Air Bud.
Dave:
First Class… X-Men: First Class… and X-Men: Business Class.
Husband:
This is taking a long time.
Wife:
Honey, they’re a commercial airline. I think they know what they’re doing.
Carol:
We’d now like to invite all foreign passengers who have not yet been called… to ignore us any try to board anyway.
Dave:
Once again, we’re asking all Brazilian and Italian passengers to begin pushing and shouting and selectively understanding me.
Dave:
We’d now like to welcome travelers who have carry-ons that have NO chance of fitting into the overhead compartment.
Traveler:
It’ll fit. Oh, it’ll fit! Yeah!
Carol:
And, all business travelers — Please board, so you can begin working on graphs.
Dave:
Once again: All laptop users, please board now and begin working on those urgently-needed GRAPHS!
Carol:
Before we continue, we would like to announce that this is an overbooked flight. If anyone is willing to give up their seat in exchange for the first available flight tomorrow, please approach the desk and explain why your lifestyle permits this.
Dave:
And, at this time, we’d like to welcome aboard all farters. Beginning, of course, with our least —
Dave:
Thank you, Sir.
Carol:
People who clap when the plane has landed…
Carol:
We will NOT board you, because what you do is STUPID!
Dave:
And it looks like we’re just about done with the boarding process.
Husband:
Excuse me, you haven’t boarded us yet!
Carol:
Oh, my goodness. It looks like you two are absolutely right. It looks like there are two seats left.
Dave:
You know what? I’ve actually never been on a plane before.
Carol:
Me, either!
Dave:
Are you thinking what I’m thinking?
Carol:
Dave, are you inviting me to go to Dallas with you?
Dave:
I think I am, Carol. What do you say?
Carol:
Now boarding: All lovers with stars in their eyes.

Key Vocabulary

What do these words mean:

(9) a boarding pass
(1) a scale
(2) a window seat
(4)an aisle seat
(3) a middle seat
(11) a layover
(10) the departure time
(6) check in (a bag)
(5) prior to
(7) one at a time
(8) the gate

1. a machine used to weigh bags/luggage
2. a seat next to the window
3. a seat between the aisle and window seat
4. a seat next to the walkway
5. before
6. not carry on a bag
7. one by one (not at the same time)
8. the place where you enter the airplane
9. the ticket used to enter the airplane
10. the time that the airplane leaves the airport
11. transfer to another airplane

Example Dialogue

Agent:
Good morning. Can I see your passport please?
|
Passenger:
Good morning. Yes. Here you are .
|
Agent:
You are flying to Vancouver. Is that right?
|
Passenger:
Yes. That's right.
|
Agent:
How many people are you travelling with?
|
Passenger:
Just me. I am traveling alone.
|
Agent:
Would you like a window or an aisle seat?
|
Passenger:
Can I get an aisle seat?
|
Agent:
Alright.
|
Passenger:
Wonderful, thanks.
|
Agent:
Are you checking in any bags?
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Passenger:
Yes, I would like to check in these two bags.
|
Agent:
Please put them on the scale. One at a time , please.
|
Passenger:
Sure. Also, I have a layover in Denver. Do I have to pick up my luggage there?
|
Agent:
No, you will pick up your bags in Vancouver. Here is your boarding pass. You are all set.
|
Agent:
You must be at the gate at least 45 minutes prior to the departure time.
|
Passenger:
Thank you for your help.
|
Agent:
Thank you sir. Have a nice flight.
|

Grammar Preview

Choose one of these words to complete each question.
(am, is, are, do, does )

Am I late?
Are you a Canadian citizen?
Are you ready to board?
Are you traveling alone?
Is Japanese spoken by any of the flight attendants?
Does your husband have any carry on luggage?
Do you want an aisle or a window seat?

1. Why do some questions use "be" and some question use "do"?

Grammar (be vs. do in questions)

IDEA 1 | Be is used as a main verb with nouns and adjectives.

Am I late? (be + S + adjective)
Is that correct? (be + S + adjective)
Are you ready to board? (be + S + adjective)
Why is the flight overbooked? (wh- + be + S + adjective)

Am I a Gold Club member? (be + S + noun)
Is that your bag? (be + S + noun)
Are you an Italian citizen? (be + S + noun)
Where is the gate? (wh- + be + noun)
IDEA 2 | Be is used as a helping (auxiliary) verb with progressive verbs (be + v+ing) and passive verbs (be + p.p.).

Am I leaving soon? (be + S + v+ing)
Is the flight boarding now? (be + S + v+ing)
Are you traveling alone? (be + S + v+ing)
How many bags are you checking in? (wh- + be + S + v+ing)

Is Spanish spoken on this flight? (be + S + p.p.)
Is alcohol served on this flight? (be + S + p.p.)
What are you scared of? (wh- + be + S + p.p.)
IDEA 3 | Do is used as a helping (auxiliary) verb with base form verbs (base verbs, bare infinitives).

Does your husband have any carryon luggage? (do + S + base verb)
Does the flight serve alcohol? (do + S + base verb)
Do you want a window or an aisle seat? (do + S + base verb)
When do you think the flight will depart? (wh- + do + S + base verb)

Grammar Check

Role Play (Partner A)

Role Play 1 | Agent

You are the agent for a flight to Seoul. You are checking in two people traveling together.

There is only one window seat available.
There are many aisle seats available.
Passenger can check only one bag for free.
Additional bags cost $50 each to check.

Role Play 2 | Passenger

You are the passenger. You are checking in for a flight to London. You are late.

You are late because you got lost in the airport.
You don't want to check in your bag.
You want a window seat.

Role Play (Partner B)

Role Play 1 | Passenger

You are the passenger. You and your friend are checking in for a flight to Seoul. Your friend doesn't speak English.

Your friend wants a window seat.
You also want a window seat.
You don't want to sit next to your friend.
You both have two suitcases to check in.

Role Play 2 | Agent

You are the agent for a flight to London. A passenger is checking for a flight that departs in 45 minutes.

Remind the passenger to hurry.
His/Her bag must be checked in. It is too big for carry-on.
There are only middle seats available.

Discussion

you / have / favorite / airline / ? // why / you / like / it / ?
Do you have a favorite airline? Why do you like it?
what / you / usually / do / before / you / go / airport / ?
What do you usually do before you go to the airport?
when / usually / arrive / airport / ? // why / ?
When do you usually arrive at the airport? Why?
you / usually / exchange / your / money / airport / bank / ? // why / ?
Do you usually exchange your money at the airport or at [your/a] bank? Why?
how / many / bag / you / usually / bring / when / you / fly / ?
How many bags do you usually bring when you fly?
you / usually / go / duty / free / shop / ? // what / you / buy / ?
Do you usually go to duty free shops? What do you buy?

At the Aiport