When you have prepared your notes, work with a partner and interview each other
· Where was the journey from and where was it to?
· What form of transport did you use?
· Who did you go with?
· How much time did you spend preparing for it?
· What did you take with you?
· What was the weather like?
· How long did it take you?
· How many times did you stop en route? What for?
· Did anything unusual or unexpected happen?
· Would you go on the same journey again? Why/why not?
Lesson 3. Buying a ticket
Warm up
I. Discuss with your partner.
1. Do you like flying or are you afraid of it? Say why.
2. If you might choose which means of transport would you go by?
3. What was your most or least enjoyable journey?
4. What is the most important for you?
· safety
· comfort
· exact departures and arrivals
· good food and drinks
· price of the tickets/discounts
· attentive staff
Active vocabulary
Modern business often involves international travel. When booking a flight, what questions do you need to ask? Imagine you are booking a flight and a hotel over the phone. What words and expressions do you use?
I. Translate the words and phrases and try to pronounce them correctly.
| I’d like to enquire about flights | Is there a discount rate? |
| Could you tell me about the flight availability? | Do you mind if I book it provisionally? |
| Do you want to go economy, business or first class? | I’ll call you back later to confirm |
| How many of you will be travelling? | a deposit |
| Does that include airport tax? | a return ticket |
| Could you check if the hotel has any rooms free? | an open-date ticket |
| Can I book that, then? | to depart |
| I’d like to book a hotel room | to arrive |
II. Read the dialogue in pairs.
Dolores: Hello! Dolores speaking_______
Tim: Ah yes, hello. I’d like to enquire about flights to Hong Kong from
Kennedy Airport in New York, please. I’m off to a conference at the end of
the month Thursday 22nd until Tuesday 27th. Could you tell me about the
flight availability and prices?
Dolores: Certainly. Do you want to go economy, business or first class?
Tim: Well, I’d like to go first class, but unfortunately I’ll have to go economy
company rules, you see.
Dolores: Yes, sure, I understand. How many of you will be travelling?
Tim: Ah, it’s just me.
Dolores: Okay, so that’s one seat -economy -New York - Kennedy to Hong
Kong Airport.
Tim: And how much will that be?
Dolores: Let me see … to qualify for the discount rate, you need to stay over a
Saturday, which you are doing …Yes, that’ll be $830.
Tim: Right, and does that include airport tax?
Dolores: No, tax is another $70 on top of that.
Tim: Okay. Can I book that, then?
Dolores: Certainly. Can I help you with anything else?
Tim: Yes, I’d like to book a hotel room too, for the full five nights. Could you
check if the Regency Hotel has any rooms free?
Dolores: Yes, they do.
Tim: And is there a discount rate for conference delegates?
Dolores: Yes, there is. I think it’s 10% but I can check that for you.
Tim: Okay, do you mind if I book it provisionally for now and I’ll call you back
later to confirm? I just need to check one or two details.
Dolores: That’s fine, sir. Can I help you with anything else?
Tim: No, that’s all for now. As I said, I’ll call you back.
BBC Learning English
III. Complete the dialogue
Reservations clerk: Northwind Airways, good morning. May I help you?
You: _______________________________________________________
Reservations clerk: One moment, please. Yes. There’s a flight at 16:45 and one at 18:00.
You: ______________________________________________________
Reservations clerk:Economy, business class or first class ticket?
You: ______________________________________________________
Reservations clerk: That would be €346.
You: ______________________________________________________
Reservations clerk: Certainly. Which flight would you like?
You: ___________________________________________________
Reservations clerk: Could I have your name, please?
You: ___________________________________________________
Reservations clerk: How would you like to pay, Ms. Jones?
You: ____________________________________________________
Reservations clerk: Yes, but you will have to confirm this reservation at least two hours before departure time.
You: ____________________________________________________
Reservations clerk: Now you have been booked, Ms. Jones. The flight leaves at 16:45, and your arrival in Sydney will be at 9:25 a.m., local time. The flight number is NWA 476.
You: ____________________________________________________
Listening
I. Imagine you are going on a business trip. What should you do beforehand?
1. Mike and Sarah work for a printing company near Manchester, England. Listen to them discuss Mike’s travel arrangements, and complete the table below.
| date of meeting? |
| place |
| length of meeting? |
2. Now Sarah phones Four Seasons Travel to book Mike’s trip.