Unit 2: City Transportation

Developing Tactics for Listening, 3rd Edition » Unit 2: City Transportation

Word List

air-conditioned
carefully
convenient
dangerously
emergency
expensive
fare
ferry
flight
passenger
reasonable
rude
safe
subway
taxi
ticket
uncomfortable
as soon as you can
Are you free?
be in a hurry
catch a train
dining car
good/poor condition
Hop in!
just me
not very often
seat belts
shuttle flight
snack bar
Where to?

Vocabulary Worksheet

‣ Part 1: Match the words and phrases on the left to their definitions on the right.

in a hurry _____
fare _____
reasonable _____
ticket _____
emergency _____
ferry _____
expensive _____
passenger _____
rude _____
safe _____

a. a boat that transports people regularly
b. a piece of paper that you buy to travel on public transportation
c. someone on a p lane, train, bus, etc.
d. moving fast; rushing
e. fair; acceptable
f. a serious or dangerous situation
g. costing a lot of money
h. not polite
i. the price of a train, subway, or bus ride
j. not dangerous

‣ Part 2: Use the words or phrases from Part 1 to complete sentences below.

She paid the _____ to ride the subway.
I bought a _____ to travel by train.
He always takes the _____ across the bay.
I drove to my cousins' house, because flying was too _____.
We were late and _____ to catch the train.
The _____ asked the flight attendant for a glass of water.
I thought the price was very _____, so I bought a ticket.
They quickly called the police about the _____.
Although many people are afraid of air travel, it is actually very _____.
The customs official was _____ when he spoke.

a. a boat that transports people regularly
b. a piece of paper that you buy to travel on public transportation
c. someone on a p lane, train, bus, etc.
d. moving fast; rushing
e. fair; acceptable
f. a serious or dangerous situation
g. costing a lot of money
h. not polite
i. the price of a train, subway, or bus ride
j. not dangerous

Answer Key

Check (x) your own answers to the question below and compare them with a partner.

How often do you use taxis?

_____ every day
_____ about once or twice a week
_____ not very often
_____ other: ___

When do you usually use taxis?

_____ when I am in a hurry
_____ when there isn't any other way to get somewhere
_____ when it is raining
_____ other: ___

How is the taxi service in your city?

_____ excellent
_____ very good
_____ okay
_____ poor

Listening 1

‣ People are talking about transportation. Listen and number the pictures.

_____
_____
_____
_____
_____

Listening 2

‣ Task 1

Four hotel guests are calling for a taxi. Are these statements true or false? Listen and check (x) the correct answer.

	True	False
1. The caller's flight leaves in four hours.	⁽¹⁾	⁽²⁾
2. The caller wants to go to another hotel.	⁽³⁾_____	⁽⁴⁾_____
3. The caller needs to catch a train.	⁽⁵⁾_____	⁽⁶⁾_____
4. The caller's friend is going to have a baby soon.	⁽⁷⁾_____	⁽⁸⁾_____

‣ Task 2

Listen again. How much will each ride cost? Circle the correct answer.

- a. $14
- b. $40
- a. $12
- b. $20
- a. $15
- b. $50
- a. $18
- b. $80

Listening 3

‣ Task 1

Visitors are talking about taxis. Listen and check (x) their opinions about taxi service.

	Good	Okay	Not good
1.	⁽¹⁾	⁽²⁾	⁽³⁾
2.	⁽⁴⁾_____	⁽⁵⁾_____	⁽⁶⁾_____
3 .	⁽⁷⁾_____	⁽⁸⁾_____	⁽⁹⁾_____
4.	⁽¹⁰⁾_____	⁽¹¹⁾_____	⁽¹²⁾_____

‣ Task 2

Listen again. Circle the correct answer.

The thing she hates the most is that the _____.
- a. taxis aren't air-conditioned
- b. drivers drive too fast
- c. drivers are rude
The thing he likes the most is _____.
- a. the prices
- b. that the taxis are clean
- c. the drivers
The thing he hates the most is that the _____.
- a. taxis are too expensive
- b. drivers don't speak English very well
- c. taxis are not very safe
The thing she likes the most is that the _____.
- a. taxis are comfortable
- b. drivers speak English well
- c. drivers take credit cards

✺ Pronunciation

Intonation of Wh- questions

Pronunciation Help

Use falling intonation for Wh- questions.

‣ Task 1

Listen and repeat.

1. When does^→ the^→ train^→ leave?^↘
2. How far^→ is^→ it?^↘
3. Where do you^→ get^→ the^→ bus?^↘
4. How much^→ is^→ the^→ fare?^↘
5. What time^→ is^→ your^→ train?^↘
6. How long^→ is^→ the^→ flight?^↘

‣ Task 2

Read the questions to a partner. Be sure to use the correct intonation.

✺ Dictation

‣ Task 1

Listen to the conversation. Write the missing words.

A: Where do you get the bus ⁽¹⁾_____ ⁽²⁾_____?
B: I don't take the bus.
A: Oh. How do you ⁽³⁾_____ ⁽⁴⁾_____ ⁽⁵⁾_____?
B: I take the subway.
A: How often do you ⁽⁶⁾_____ ⁽⁷⁾_____?
B: I take it every day.
A: How much ⁽⁸⁾_____ ⁽⁹⁾_____ ⁽¹⁰⁾_____?
B: It costs about $50 a month.

‣ Task 2

Practice the conversation with a partner. Be sure to use the correct intonation.

✺ Conversation

Work in pairs. Think about how you get to school. Ask each other about the ways you get to school.

Answer Key

Favorite Books

Basic Tactics for Listening, 3rd Edition

Tactics for Listening Third Edition is an activity-rich listening course with proven success in building skills in listening and conversation. Now with Tactics for Testing, it provides plenty of practice in testing and exam techniques. The result is confident listeners - and exam success.

Expanding Tactics for Listening, 3rd Edition

Table of Contents