Travel by Taxi/Rent a Car

A

To find out where you can hire a car, use:

• Can I hire a car here?
• Is there a car-hire firm here?
• With Americans, use the word RENT
• Is there a car-rent firm here?
• Where is the best place to hire/rent a car?
• Where can I hire/rent a car cheaply here?

B

To tell them what you want, use:

• I want a medium/small/large car for (a week).
• I want to hire/rent a car for (next Tuesday).
• I want something cheap/comfortable.
• I need a four-seater.
• I want it (at nine o’clock tomorrow morning).
• I need a car now/immediately.
• I need it for (the weekend).
• I want to go to (Turin).
• Can you deliver it?
• Can I collect it?

C

To ask about costs, use:

• How much do you charge?
• What is the tariff?
• I’d like to see your table of charges
• How much is a (four-door/five-door)?
• Does the charge include mileage (kilometers)?
• What do you charge per day/mile/kilometer?
• Are there any extra charges?

D

To find out about the formalities, use:

• I have (an international license).
• Is a (Swiss) driving license all right?
• Do you want proof of identity?
• How much is the deposit?
• Can I pay with (a Diners Club card)?
• Do I need my passport?
• What insurance is included?
• I’d like a receipt, please.
• Where do I sign?
• Do you want my signature?

E

Going by Taxi: Dialogue

• I need a taxi.
• The taxis are by the entrance.
• Thank you very much.
• You’re welcome.
• Is this taxi taken?
• No. Where are you going?
• I’m going to the Central Secretariat.
• O.K.
• How much is the fare?
• Twenty Rupees and Fifty Paise
• Here. Keep the change.
• Thank you very much.

F

Going by Taxi

• Where are you going now?
• To the hotel.
• Are you going by bus or by taxi?
• Probably by taxi if I can get one.
• It’s raining cats and dogs right now.
• Why don’t we get a taxi?
• That’s a good idea.
• Now, I only hope we can find one.

G

Taking a Trip by Car

• Are you taking a trip today?
• Yes. We’re going to Boston.
• It’s a good day for the trip.
• I’m glad the sun is shining.
• How far is it from here to the coast?
• It’s about 250 miles.
• How long does it take to get there by car?
• It takes about five hours.
• How far is it to the next gas station?
• There’s one two miles from here.
• Is there a place to eat there?
• Yes. There’s a restaurant next to the station.
• What’s the best way to Ocean City?
• The superhighway, but it’s also the longest way.
• How much longer is it that way?
• About 10 to 12 miles.
• Are they going by way of North Plains?
• No. They aren’t taking that route.
• How are they traveling then?
• They’re driving directly to Ocean City.

EXERCISE

1. You’re on holiday in England and have hired a car for one week. When you arrived at the car park in Heathrow Airport, you found a Fiat 126 and not the BMW you ordered by telephone from Italy. Go to the car hire office to demand your original car… and for the same price as the Fiat because of the inconvenience.

2. You are the manager of a car hire company at Heathrow airport. A tourist is complaining about the car you gave them. Explain why there were no BMWs and that you were very considerate in choosing an Italian substitute car for them.

Conversation at the Bank

A.

Conversation

Customer                    : Good morning. Can I cash a cheque here?

Counter clerk              : Please go to the first counter on the left side.

Customer                    : Thank you. Is it the teller system there?

Counter clerk              : Yes, sir. You will get your money instantly there.

Customer                    : (At the first counter) Excuse me. I want to get this cheque cashed.

Counter clerk              : Yes sir, please sign on the back of your cheque.

Customer                    : O.K.! Here you are.

Counter clerk              : Just a minute, sir.

Customer                     : I need thousand rupees notes only.

Counter clerk           : I am sorry; I have only five hundred rupees notes. If you can wait, I will get some thousand rupees notes as well.

Customer                   : Thanks! I won’t like to wait any longer. Five hundred rupees notes are alright with me.

Counter clerk                : Here is your cash, sir. Please ensure that you. Have got exactly the right amount.

Customer                      : Thank you. I shall definitely count my money before I leave.

Counter clerk                : Thank you very much. Have a nice day, sir.

B.

Telephone Banking

Executive                    : Good morning City Bank, This is Customer service Department, How may I help  
                                     you?

Customer                   : Hello. I’d like, some information on the telephone banking services offered by you.

Executive                    : Certainly. What is your account number, sir?

Customer                    : 85 56789000 89548 at the MG Road Branch.

Executive                    : What would you like to know?

Customer                    : Can you tell me how the telephone banking services work?

Executive                    : You can do all your day-to-day banking over the telephone 24 hours a day.

Customer                   : That’s great. How do I access my account?

Executive                    : Just call 80000498, key in your PIN number and listen to the menu of options
                                    available.

Customer                    : How do I choose the option I want?

Executive                    : Just press the number for the service stated by the recording.

Customer                     : What kind of things can I do?

Executive                 : You can check your balance, pay your bills, order a statement, request for cheque book, DD or even transfer money to another bank.

Customer                     : That’s fantastic! Can I trade stocks and bonds?

Executive                     : I’m afraid you will have to have a special account for that.

Customer                     : What about getting help if I have any problems?

Executive                   : There’s an automated answering machine and staff are available 9 to 5 seven days a week.

Customer                     : It all sounds very good to me. I’d like to sign up.

Executive                    : Alright, can you answer a few more questions please?

Customer                    : Certainly…

C.

Useful Vocabulary

24 hours a day.                                  to check your balance.

Account number.                               to key in a PIN number

Automated answering machine.          to order a statement.

Day-to-day banking.                         to pay bills.

Menu of options.                               to sign up.

Telephone banking service.                to trade stocks and bonds.

To access an account.                       to transfer money.

D.

Other useful word group

I want to open an account.

Could you please help me to open an account?

I would like to open a joint account with my wife.

How many specimen signatures do you need?

How much do I have to deposit to open a current account?

I want a cheque book.

I want to encash this cheque.

Are you a customer of this bank?

Yes, I am. Here is my passbook.

Would you like to deposit the cheque for clearance?

It will take about two days, since it is a local Cheque.

But I need the money urgently.

Will they give me the money today?

Using the Post Office

A.

Conversation

Customer         : Please give me ten Five Rupees stamps.

Clerk               : Here they are.

Customer         : How much is that?

Clerk               : Fifty Rupees.

Customer         : I’d like to mail this Letter.

Clerk               : How do you want to send it?

Customer         : By ordinary mail.

Clerk               : That’ll be five rupees per letter.

Customer         : I want to send this letter by Registered post.

Clerk               : All right. I’ll weigh it.

Customer         : How much will it cost to go that way?

Clerk               : It’ll cost Twenty five rupees.

Customer         : What’s the fastest way to send this Letter?

Clerk               : By Speed Post, but it’ll be expensive.

Customer         : How much will it cost to send it by Speed Post?

Clerk               : Just a moment. Let me weigh it.

Customer         : Do you sell envelopes here?

Clerk               : Only envelopes with stamps printed on them.

B.

Locating a post office

• Is there a post office near here?
• Where is the (nearest) post office?
• Where is the main/central post office?
• Where’s the nearest post/mail box?

 C.

Talking about postage

• How much is it for a letter to (Japan)?
• What is the letter rate to (Europe)?
• Is there a special rate for (cards)?
• How much is this by airmail to (Canada)?
• Three to Europe, please (getting stamps).
• I’d like to send this by (parcel post)
• Could I have six stamps for (postcards)?
• When will this get to (Athens)?
• How long does it take (by airmail)?
• When should this reach (London)?

D.

Postage problems

• This arrived damaged/torn.
• I’ve been expecting a package from (Denmark).
• It was posted two weeks ago.
• Could you look into this?
• Can you find out what’s gone wrong?
• Can you check for me?

E.

Special services

• I want to send a telegram.
• What’s the fastest/safest way of sending this?
• I want to send this express to Cairo.
• I want this insured.
• I want this to go registered mail.
• I’d like proof of posting.
• I want to send it “recorded delivery”
• Can I have a customs form, please?

F.

Sending and Receiving Letters

• Are you writing a letter?
• Yes. I’m writing to my family.
• Do you write letters very often?
• Yes. I write five or six letters a week.
• No. I hate to write letters.
• Does John get many letters?
• Yes. He gets some everyday.
• Charles wrote me a long letter.
• When did he write to you?
• He sent the letter to me about a week ago.
• He hasn’t even sent me a postcard yet!
• We wrote to Mary’s sister last week.
• Has she written to you yet?
• No, she hasn't.
• She wrote to me a few days ago.
• Have you written to your brother yet?
• Yes, but I haven’t mailed the letter yet.
• Did your friend in Japan write to you?
• Yes. I got a letter from her yesterday.
• Did you write a reply to John’s letter?
• Yes. I wrote one on Tuesday.

Airport Checking In

A.

Passenger                    : Good evening! Can you help me, please?

Flight Assistant           : Good evening, sir! Yes, ofcourse! What can I do for you?

Passenger                    : Here is my ticket! I am booked by your airlines for New York. What am I to do?

Flight Assistant           : It’s all right! Just let me see your passport as well. You may keep your luggage here.

Passenger                    : Here you are. What else?

Flight Assistant           : Please tie this tag on to your hand baggage. Just go right across to the bank to pay your Airport tax. You can collect your foreign exchange as well, there. That’s all.

Passenger                    : Thanks. Need I come back to you again?

Flight Assistant           : You are welcome, sir, Please just relax in the lobby on your left. Your flight is about two hours late. We shall contact you, if required.

Passenger                    : Please do let me know when I am to go for my flight.

Flight Assistant           : Very well, sir. Please don’t worry. We shall let you know.

Passenger                    : Thank you.

Flight Assistant           : Thank you. Sir.

B.

Airport: Checking In

A. Good morning. Can I have your ticket, please?

B. Here you are.

A. Thank you. Would you like smoking or non-smoking?

B. Non-smoking, please.

A. Would you like a window or an aisle seat?

B. An aisle seat, please.

A. Do you any baggage?

B. Yes, this suitcase and this carry-on bag.

A. Here’s your boarding pass. Have a nice flight.

B. Thank you.

C.

Passport control

A. Good morning. Can I see your passport?

B. Here you are.

A. Thank you very much. Are you a tourist or on business?

B. I’m a tourist.

A. That’s fine. Have a pleasant stay.

B. Thank you.

D.

Asking for the check-in

To find where to check in baggage, use:

Where’s the check-in desk?

Where’s the baggage check-in?

Where do I check-in my baggage?

You may need to use:

It’s heavy.

Porter.

Are there any porters here?

I need a porter.

Where can I get a baggage trolley?

Are there any trolleys free?

E.

Checking in baggage

To hand baggage in at the check-in, use:

I want to check-in (these), please.

There are (three) pieces.

I’m taking (this) as hand baggage.

I’m not checking (this) in.

I’m taking (this) with me.

Are they safe like that?

Do I have to pay any extra?

F.

Baggage problems

You may need:

Where’s the baggage office?

Who’s in charge of lost baggage?

I checked-in my baggage in (Paris) and it isn’t here.

My baggage hasn’t been delivered.

I was on the (Miami) flight.

I can’t find my baggage.

My baggage is lost.

It’s damaged/broken.

I’ve lost (some of the things) out of it.

Getting Information at the Airport.

A.

Getting Information at the Airport

Is this Deccan Airways?

Yes. May I help you?

Can you tell me when flight 234 arrives?

One Sec please, I’ll check.

How long is the flight from Bangalore to New Delhi?

Well, supposedly two hours, but it’s sometimes longer.

How often are there flights to New Delhi from Bangalore?

There’s one every hour.

At what time does the next to Kolkota leave?

The next flight 112 at eleven fifty-five.

Which is the one after that?

Flight 121 at one Twenty.

Could I make a reservation for flight 545 to Hyderabad?

I’m sorry, but everything is taken.

How about the next flight-tomorrow at two o’clock?

Yes. I can give you a reservation on that.

I’d like to check in for the flight to Dubai.

Fine. Do you have your ticket and passport?

Yes. Here’s my ticket, and I’ll get out my passport.

Would you please put your baggage on the scales?

At what time does the next plane to London leave?

The next one is flight 12 at eleven fifty-five.

What’s the next one after that?

How often is there a flight to Paris?

We have flights to Paris every hour.

Are they nonstop flights?

Could I make a reservation for flight 10 to Tokyo?

I’m sorry, but everything is taken.

How about the next flight-tomorrow at two o’clock?

Yes. I can give you a reservation on that.

I’d like to check in for the flight to New York.

Fine, Do you have your ticket and passport?

Yes. Here’s my ticket and I’ll get my passport.

Would you please put your baggage on the scales?

How long is the flight from New York to Washington?

Well, supposedly an hour, but it’s sometimes longer.

How often are there flights to Washington from New York?

There’s one every hour.

B.

Meeting at the Airport

Where will you meet your friends?

I’ll meet them at the airport.

When will they get there?

I don’t know yet.

When are you meeting your friends?

I’m meeting them at eight o’clock tomorrow night.

How are they getting here?

They’re coming by air.

Is this Southwestern Airline?

Yes. May I help you?

Can you tell me when flight 439 will arrive?

One moment, please. I’ll check.

All the incoming flights are listed on that board.

I see they expect Bill’s flight to be twenty minutes late.

Do they have an arrival gate listed?

No. They’ll probably list it about ten minutes before arrival.

Well! How was your trip?

It was very smooth and fast.

Could you see the mountains from the plane?

Yes. The visibility was excellent all the way.

C.

EXERCISE

A.

You are at Mumbai Airport and have lost your bag which contained many important things including all your holiday photos and all the presents you bought for your family and friends. Demand some action and, if possible, some compensation.

B.

You work at Rajeevi Gandhi International Airport and must explain to the tourist that it’s perfectly normal for a bag to go missing for a few hours and there is no problem at all. And…. Tourists should never put anything too valuable in their bags.

Identifying Things & People

            Read the following word groups aloud several times. Please don’t try to learn by-heart. Your sub-conscious mind will do that job, even without your knowledge, and rush onto your tongue whenever required. Yes, your job is just to read these word groups aloud several times.

A.

Identifying Things

What’s the name of that furniture?

I beg your pardon.

Can you tell me what is the name of that piece of furniture?

Sorry, I don’t know myself.

Which is your house?

Ours is the last one on the block.

Is yours the red one or the blue one?

The blue one on the right side of the street.

Which one of these are you going to choose?

I like the red one with the blue stripes.

The one over there with black edges is nice too.

But the one we looked at first may be the best choice.

What’s the name of that book John referred to?

It’s slipped my mind for the moment.

Who did he say was the author?

Someone whose name starts with an M.

The car over there by the streetlight is John’s.

Which one do you mean-the old one or the new red one?

Neither. I mean the streetlight on your left.

Oh. Then the one with the convertible top must be his.

B.

Identifying People

Are you Mr. John?

No. that tall fellow is Mr. John.

Do you mean the one over there with glasses?

Yes, the one with white hair.

Who’s that very handsome man?

What did you say?

Do you know who that man over there is?

If you mean the thin, rather dark man, that’s Mr. Noble.

Do you recognize the girl talking to Mr. Noble?

Of course, I know the girl he’s talking to.

Well then, whom is he talking to?

That’s Diane.

What’s that man’s name – the man that’s holding the briefcase?

I know, but I can’t remember it right now.

Where does he come from – Greece or Turkey perhaps?

One of the two, I think.

Do you know the man over there by the door?

I do, but I can’t remember his name at the moment.

Isn’t he a famous musician?

He’s either a musician or a painter.

C.

Asking about identity

Are you Mr. Venkat?

Are you A Teacher?

Who’s he talking to?

What sort of CD is it?

Do you have some ID with you?

See that Lady? Who’s she?

Which of these books is yours?

Is that you, John?

What type of facial cream do you use?

May I know who you are?

Isn’t that your umbrella?

Do you recognize that lady in a blue jacket>

Who are you?

That’s your brother, isn’t it?

Who’s that lady over there?

Do you know who he is?

Who’re those people?

What in the world is it?

Who on earth told you that?

Do you know that lady standing over there?

See that thing there? What is it?

Isn’t that your mother?

Do you know what is that?

Who are you going to meet?

What on earth is that thing in your bag?

What kind of calculator is it? A scientific one?

D.

Not identifying

I don’t recognize…

I’m afraid I’ve no idea.

I don’t know who it is.

I’ve no idea what it is.

Mmm’… he just reminds me of someone.

But I can’t put a name to his face.

I haven’t the faintest idea.

I have no idea who that is.

No. I don’t think so.

I haven’t a clue.

God knows.

I’m not sure.

Using Expressions of Time and the Calendar.

A.

Dialogue

Speaker 1        :           I’m afraid we’re going to be late.

Speaker 2        :           How much time is left?

Speaker 1        :           We’ve got about thirty or forty minutes.

Speaker 2        :           That should be plenty of time.

Speaker 1        :           Whom are you waiting for?

Speaker 2        :           We’re waiting for our friend.

Speaker 1        :           What are you looking so angry for?

Speaker 2        :           Because she’s twenty minutes late already.

Speaker 1        :           Aren’t we going to be late for the meeting?

Speaker 2        :           No. I think we’ll be on time.

Speaker 1        :           Well, I want to be there in time to get a good seat.

Speaker 2        :           The meeting doesn’t start for another twenty minutes.

Speaker 1        :           Are we late or not?

Speaker 2        :           No. In fact we’re early according to my watch.

Speaker 1        :           Hadn’t we better go inside?

Speaker 2        :           All right, but we’re really about a half an hour early.

B.

Conversation

When is your first class?

When do you get back here, then?

He will be back in ten or fifteen minutes.

How long has he been out of his cabin?

He’s been out since ten o’clock.

Then he’s been out for an hour or more.

I got to the cafeteria around noon.

I was there, but I didn’t see you.

I think I left a few minutes after twelve.

I must have just missed you, then.

Our friends will meet us here.

Will they come here right after lunch?

No. They won’t be here until three o’clock.

Then I’ll come a little before three.

Let’s call Mary.

Let’s not call her right now.

May be this is a bad time to call.

Let’s wait until seven or seven thirty.

Were you at home last night?

No, but I was at home the night before last.

Will you be at home tomorrow night?

No, but I’ll be at home the next night.

Didn’t your friends leave the week before last?

Right, they left just two weeks ago.

Will they get back next week?

Yes. According to them, they’ll arrive a week from today.

Did Mary get back last week?

Yes. She got back on Thursday.

How long was she away?

She was out of town for ten days.

When did George arrive in town?

He flew in last Thursday afternoon.

John has been here since that last Thursday too.

Both of them plan to leave the day after tomorrow.

How long have you been here?

I’ve been here for two months.

How often do you get here?

I get to this city about twice a year.

C.

Dates and Periods of Time

I’ve worked here since March.

How long ago did you finish school?

I finished school three years ago.

Didn’t you study English in school?

Yes, but that was many years ago.

How many years ago was it?

At least six.

Did your friends arrive here in the fall?

Yes, they did. They got here in October.

Do you know the exact date they arrived?

Yes, I do, they got back on October eleventh.

Have you been living here very long?

No. I’ve only been here since last spring.

Are you going to stay until Christmas?

No. I’ll probably leave for France in a month or two.

I worked on my report until midnight last night.

Do you expect to finish the work by tomorrow night?

Well, I certainly can’t finish it before that time.

D.

Time and the Calendar

When does February have twenty-nine days?

In a leap year.

How often is there a leap year?

Every four years.

How many days are there in leap year?

There are three hundred and sixty six.

How many weeks are there in a year?

There are fifty-two weeks in a year.

What are the seasons in this country?

Winter, spring, summer and fall.

How many months to each season?

There are three months in each season.

Today is the first day of spring.

I didn’t realize it.

Aren’t you glad it’s here?

I’m always glad when winter is over.

The weather is perfect today, isn’t it?

Yes. I like this season of the year very much.

Most people like this season best of all, don’t they?

Well. I’m sure a lot of people do.