Travel Problems

Taking a Taxi

Example 1

You  : Excuse me. I'm looking for a book called "ABC"?
Mr.A : Ok sir. The book corner is right over there.
You : Thank you.
A     : You are welcome.

Example 2

You  : Excuse me. Do you know where is the book department?
Mr.A : Sure. Please follow me.
You : Thank you.

Example 3

You : Excuse me. How can I find the book called "ABC"?
Mr.A : Oh. I'm afraid it was sold out.
You  : It's ok. Thank you.

Asking

You  : Excuse me. Is the seat taken?
A     : I don't think so?
You  : Can I sit here?
A     : It's ok for me. 


 You  : Excuse me. Does anyone sit here?
A     : No go ahead.

Weather Forecast

The Story

While we were sailing, my friend tuned in to listen to the weather forecast on a local radio station. Over the airwaves, there was a pause and an audible shuffling of papers, followed by a voice saying, "I'm sorry, I can't find the forecast, but let me look out of the window--Oh! it's a lovely drying day."

Vocabulary Practice

Mark the best choice.

1. To '___' means to adjust a radio to receive a certain program.

• broadcast
• sail
• tune in
• shuffle

2. 'Airwaves' means ___.

• wind
• plane
• radio waves
• light waves

3. 'Forecast' is ___.

• a kind of radio
• statement of future events
• a person reading the news
• a kind of boat

4. To 'shuffle' here means to ___.

• walk heavily towards something
• move around to different positions
• write to somebody
• talk softly to someone

Questions for Discussion

1. What is wrong with such a forecast?
2. What's the weather like today?

Activity

1. Now you tell your friend(s) the story in your own words.

Proverb

"Red Sky at night, sailor's delight.  Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning."

How Are You?

 Steve: How are you?

Jane: I'm very good. Thanks. What about you?

Steve: I'm also very good. Thanks.

Jane: See you!

Steve: Good Bye!

Letter: Neighbor's Complaint

My husband and I have been owner/residents of 53 Blue Court for over fourteen years. During that time, we have never written to complain of the nuisance behavior of any fellow resident. Unfortunately, my husband and I have reached our capacity to deal with the constant level and frequency of noise coming from our next door neighbor at number 41.

The current residents are a young couple who have been there for approximately two months. The young woman is the the adult daughter of the absent owner and the young man is her boyfriend or husband. I believe the owner's name is Rebecca Buckley. I do not have her phone number, or I would have gotten in touch with her weeks ago.

Both day and night, the young man opens his garage door and creates a "wall of noise" with a variety of electric guitars. My husband has taught kids to play guitar for many years, and he informs me that the boy has not the slightest clue of how to play. Not only is it noisy..it does not even fall into the category of music. When he is not providing the "music" himself, he and the girl turn the CD player or radio up so loud that the bass beat reverberates through our house and the plates in the kitchen rattle.

My husband has gone to their door frequently to request that they turn down the noise. The boy nods blankly, and then the next day it begins all over again. The couple have also hosted several loud parties since they moved in keeping my husband, my daughter and myself awake. Needless to say, this has had a deleterious effect on our quality of life.

If you would please contact the owner or assist in any way possible, we would be most appreciative.