COMMUNICATION: INTRODUCTIONS
TEXT. AIR TRAVEL
When travelling by air you have to get to the airport early in order to check in about an hour before your flight. If you have a lot of luggage, you can put it on a trolley and push it to the check-in desk where someone will check your ticket and weigh your luggage. If you have excess luggage, it can be expensive. Your heavy luggage is put on a conveyer belt and carried away. A light bag is classified as hand luggage and you can take it with you on the plane. An immigration officer looks at your passport and a security guard checks your hand luggage before you go into the departure lounge to wait till your flight is called. If you want to, you can buy some cheap duty free goods here. Then you see on the departures board or hear an announcement that you must board your plane. You go through the departure gate, then there is sometimes a security check before you actually enter the plane When all {he passengers are on board and when the captain and his crew are ready in the cockpit, the plane begins to taxi to the end of the runway. Finally, permission is received from the control tower and the plane moves faster and faster in order to take off.
Flying is fun. I like being in a big airliner with the cabin crew (stewards and stewardesses) looking after me. They walk up and down the aisle bringing meals and drinks; and if the flight is going through some turbulence, they warn everybody that it might be a bit bumpy and ask us to fasten our seat-belts. On a long flight I like listening to music through the headphones available to all passengers, and sometimes I have a sleep. I enjoy it all so much that I never want the plane to land.
Comprehension
/. Listen to the text and answer the questions:
Why do passengers have to come to the airport an hour before the departure? What does a passenger do if he/she has a lot of luggage? What do you have to do if you have excess luggage? Where do passengers wait for their plane? What happens when all the passengers are on board? Does the writer like travelling by air? Why? How does he while away the time during the flight?
//. Read the text and analyse its language peculiarities. Do some exercises in the next section to remember them.
Special Difficulties
/. Respond to the following:
e.g. A: He learnt to cook in Paris. Were you surprised?
B: No. He went to Paris to learn to cook, (slight stress on "went") or B: No. He went to Paris in order to learn to cook, (slight stress
on "order")
He... Were you surprised?
1. met Bill in Edinburgh 2. sold his pictures in London 3. opened a bank account in Switzerland 4. painted a portrait in Rome 5. learnt to fly in Australia 6. played tennis in Florida 7. climbed mountains in Wales 8. skied in Norway 9. watched the penguins in the Antarctic 10. dived for treasure in the Mediterranean 11. had an eye operation in Russia 12. gave a concert in Munich 13. studied judo in Japan 14. wrote a book in Seville 15. photographed lions in Africa.
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e.g. A: I had a lovely time yesterday. I wrote letters all day. B: Do you really enjoy writing letters? I had a lovely time yesterday. I... all day. 1. washed windows 2. peeled potatoes 3. mended socks 4, ironed shirts 5. polished the silver 6. played with the children 7. practised the piano 8. worked in the garden 9. cooked 10. baked 11. watched cricket
e.g. A (in tones of sympathy): You have to make beds, I suppose. B: Yes, but I like making beds! You have to... 1 suppose.
1. do housework 2. live economically 3. shop around 4. look after the children 5. help them with their homework 6. read to them 7. answer their questions 8. attend their school concerts 9. give children's parties
e.g. A: Do you want to make a speech? B: No, I want you to make a speech. Do you want to...
1. lead the deputation 2. receive the mayor 3. speak first 4. introduce the speakers 5. sign the cheque 6. attend the conference 7. give a talk 8. make the arrangements 9. fix a date 10. organize the reception 11. open the champagne
Text Exercises
/ Ask questions on the text. II. Retell the text.
///. When did you last travel by air? Where did you fly? When did you come to the airport for registration? What was the registration like? Did the plane take off on time? Did you have a good flight? How did you while away the time during the flight? How long did your flight last? When did the plane land at X?
Conversation Practice
/. Listen to the conversations, ask and answer questions, role-play the conversations:
Booking Airline Tickets
I want to fly to Geneva on or about the first.
I'll just see what there is.
I want to go economy and I'd prefer the morning.
Lufthansa Flight LH 203 leaves at 9.20.
What time do I have to be there?
The coach leaves for the airport at 8.15.
2. I'd like to book a flight to Munich for Monday the tenth.
I'll have a look in the time-table for you.
I'll need an economy class open return.
KLM have got a DC-9 leaving at 9.25.
What else ought I to know?
The latest time of reporting is 8.35 at the airport.
3. What flights are there from London to Vienna tomorrow?
If you'd like to take a seat, I'll find out for you.
I'd like to travel first class, please.
- BEA flight BE 502 takes off from Heathrow at 9.25 and flies direct.
What time have I got to get there?
You'll have to be at West London Air Terminal by 8.10 at the latest.
4. Are there any planes to Zurich on Sunday?
If you'll excuse me for a second, I'll check.
By the way, I don't want a night flight.
There's a plane at 9.20.
When am I supposed to check in?
You must be at the airport before 8.35.
Situations: 1. You've come to the booking-office to book a flight to Moscow. The clerk is ready to help you. 2. You want to fly to London at the end of the month. You are phoning the booking-office to inquire about the time-table and tickets.
Checking in
1. Mr Dobson: Can I check here for the British Airways flight to
New York?
Clerk: Yes, sir. May I see your ticket and passport?
Mr Dobson: Here you are.
Clerk: That's fine. Can you put your suitcase on the
scales, please?
Mr Dobson- Of course. How much does it weigh?
Clerk: 23 kilos. I'm sorry, but you'll have to pay excess
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baggage charge.
Mr Dobson: Oh! It's only three kilos overweight.
Clerk: Yes, sir... that's £6... Thank you. Would you like to
go through to the departure lounge?
Questions: Where is Mr Dobson flying? What does the clerk ask him to do? How much does Mr Dobson's luggage weigh? How much does he have to pay for the excess luggage?
2. Mr Nelson: Is this Mercury Airlines counter? Clerk: Yes, it is. May I help you?
Mr Nelson: I'd like to check my reservation for today's flight to Mexico City.
Clerk: May I see your ticket and passport?
Mr Nelson: Is eveiything in order?
Clerk: Yes, it is. Where is your baggage?
Mr Nelson: It's over there.
Clerk: Very well. It weighs exactly thirty pounds.
Mr Nelson: Do I get a baggage check?
Clerk: Yes, you do. Here it is. Now go to gate number se-
ven. Your flight number is 326.
Mr Nelson: What time does the plane leave?
Clerk: At 4 30.
Mr Nelson: Excuse rne. Is this gate seven?
Official: Yes, it is. We are boarding the plane at any moment.
Mr Nelson: Why! I'm right on time!
Mr Nelson: May I take any seat?
Stewardess: Yes, any seat not marked "reserved".
Mr Nelson: When do we take off?
Stewardess: In about five minutes No smoking, please.
Mr Nelson: Miss! Do we land in Washington? Are we landing now?
Stewardess: Yes, we are. Please, fasten your belts.
Here, let me help you. There! Mr Nelson: Thank you.
Stewardess: You are welcome. Well, here we are. Questions: What place does Mr Nelson want to check his reservation to? Are his ticket and passport in order? How much does his baggage weigh? What time does the plane leave? What seat did the stewardess tell him to take? Where did they land?
Situation: You are registering for the 10 o'clock flight to Washington at Sheremetyevo Airport.
In the Departure Lounge
("British Airways Flight 179 to New York is now boarding at
Gate 4")
Mr Dobson: Excuse me...
Woman: Yes?
Mr Dobson: I didn't hear that announcement. Which flight did
they call?
Woman: Flight 179 to New York... are you going there? Mr Dobson: Yes. Woman: So am I... Gate 4 is this way... follow me!
Security Check
Officer: May I search you, sir? It's just a security check.
Mr Dobson: Of course.
Officer: Thank you. Oh, what's this in your pocket?
Mr Dobson: Oh, yes... I'm sorry. It's just a metal comb.
Oficcer: Hmm... May I see it, sir?
Mr Dobson: Certainly.
At the Customs
Officer: Are these two bags al! you have, sir?
Mr Green: Yes, they are all I have.
Officer: Have you anything to declare?
Mr Green: I am sorry but I don't know what I am allowed.
Officer: Will you read this notice carefully?... Well, have you got anything to declare?
Mr Green: Yes, I've got some presents. I've got a bottle of brandy and some cigarettes.
Officer: Will you show them to me?
Mr Green: Yes, here they are.
Officer: Oh, yes, only a bottle of brandy. You are allowed that. Now these boxes of cigarettes. That's more than I can allow you free. I'm afraid you'll have to pay some duty on them. I'll tell you how much in a moment. But first let me see rnside your bags.
Mr Green: Here they are.
Officer: Thank you, sir. Everything's all right. Nothing is more dutiable. Welcome to our country!
Mr Green: Thank you.
Questions: How many bags has Mr Green got? Has he got anything to declare? What will he have to do? 2. Officer: Okay, bags on the table, please... uh-huh. How long are you planning to stay?
Tourist: Four weeks.
Officer: Do you have anything to declare?
Tourist: What?
Officer: Alcohol, cigarettes,...
Tourist: No.
Officer: Any meat, fresh fruit, plants?
Tourist: Uh, no.
Officer: Open your suitcase, please. Any gifts?
Tourist: Excuse me?
Officer: Are you bringing any gifts into the country?
Tourist: No, huh-uh.
Officer: Uh-huh. What's in the bottle?
Tourist: Uh, hand lotion.
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Officer: Okay, that'll be okay. Here's your form.
Tourist: Uh, what should I do with it?
Officer: See that officer over there by the gate? He'll take it.
Tourist: Thank you very much.
Questions: What does the customs officer ask the tourist to do? What questions does he ask? Does the tourist have anything to declare? How long is he going to stay in the country?
Situation: You are flying to Washington. At the moment you are going through the customs inspection.
On Board the Plane
1. "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Captain Gibson and his crew welcome you aboard British Airways Flight 178 to New York. We're now flying at a height of 30 000 feet. Our speed is approximately 600 miles an hour. We'll land in New York in five and a half hours. The temperature in New York is now minus 3 C. In a few minutes you'll be able to see the Irish Coast. Our stewards and stewardesses will serve lunch in half an hour."
Questions: Who welcomes the passengers on board the plane? At what height and speed are they flying? When will the plane land in New York? When will lunch be served?
2. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of Captain Sonnleitner and his crew I should like to welcome you aboard this
Swissair DC-9 aircraft. Our flying time to Geneva will be approximately an hour and twenty minutes during which we shall be serving you with light refreshments. Please place your light hand luggage in the overhead rack, observe the no smoking signs, fasten your seat belts and ensure that your seats are in the vertical position for the take off. For your safety and comfort during the flight you are requested to read the safety instructions which you will find in front of your seat."
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please. In a few minutes we shall be arriving at Geneva airport. Will you please return to your seats, place them in the vertical position, fasten your seat belts and observe the no smoking signs. Please, remain seated until the aircraft has come to a complete halt and remember to take all your hand luggage with you. We hope you have had a pleasant flight and that we shall soon have the pleasure of welcoming you aboard again. Thank you."
Down to Earth
"Your attention, please! British Airways regrets to announce the cancellation of Flight BA 564 to London due to technical difficulties. Will all the passengers now awaiting the departure of this flight please contact the British Airways ground hostess at the information desk in the transit lounge. Will passengers who are booked on this flight from Geneva and are now waiting in the departure lounge, also go to the information desk in the transit area. A ground hostess is waiting by Gate No I to escort you. Thank you!"
Socializing (Introductions)
a) How to approach the person you are meeting:
It's (Mr Brown), isn't it?
(Mr/Mrs/Miss Smith)?
Excuse me, are you (Mr Thompson)?
b) How to reply:
Yes, that's right.
Yes?
Yes, that's right. And you must be (Mr Williams).
c) How to introduce yourself:
I'm (Charles Brown). My name's (Sally Kent).
I'm so pleased to meet you.
I've been looking forward to meeting you. I'm (Tom Smith).
So glad to meet you.
d) How to respond and reply to an introduction:
How do you do. (formal) Hello, (less formal)
e) How to introduce someone who is with you:
May I introduce my girlfriend/boyfriend, Janet/James.
And this is my wife/husband.
Meet my business colleague, Tom Williams.
/. Listen to the conversation, ask and answer questions, role-play the conversation:
