ABOUT YOU
Which is the most exciting form of transport you have been on? Why was it exciting? Which forms of transport have you travelled on alone?
The most exciting form of transport I have been on is an aeroplane. It was exciting because taking off felt very fast and powerful, and looking down at the clouds and miniature cities from the window was amazing. I have travelled alone on the bus, the tram, and the underground to get to school and visit my friends.
VOCABULARY
1 Look at the photos. What forms of transport do they show? What are the different reasons for using them? What other forms of transport can you think of?
The photos show:
- Photo A: an aeroplane (plane), used for fast long-distance business trips or holidays.
- Photo B: a car (SUV), used for road trips, family holidays, and countryside travelling.
- Photo C: a cruise ship, used for holidays, relaxation, and visiting multiple coastal cities.
- Photo D: a high-speed bullet train, used for fast and comfortable travel between different cities.
Other forms of transport include buses, trams, ferries, the underground (subway), bicycles, motorbikes, helicopters, and scooters.
2 Listen to four people talking. Match them to the photos.
- Speaker 1: Photo C (cruise ship)
- Speaker 2: Photo A (plane)
- Speaker 3: Photo B (car)
- Speaker 4: Photo D (high-speed train)
3 Listen again. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in the box.
Speaker 1 1 They’d never been abroad before, so they flew to Venice. 2 They checked in and found their ship waiting in the harbour. 3 They sailed down the Adriatic Sea. 4 They reached Dubrovnik, in Croatia, on the Monday morning.
Speaker 2 5 He sets off from home at 7 am every morning, 6 He lands about an hour later and gets a taxi to his office.
Speaker 3 7 We go away in the summer. Mum plans amazing road trips for us. 8 If we’re in a city, we usually go on a tour with a guide. 9 But as we’re travelling so much, we don’t really ever unpack.
Speaker 4 10 If the train is held up, the rail company gives him a refund.
4 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words from Exercise 3.
1 Josie’s plane lands at 7.28. We should leave now to meet her at the airport. 2 You can sail across the water from one island to another. 3 Some students go abroad for a year to a different country. 4 We’re setting off at 5.30 tomorrow morning, so make sure you set your alarm! 5 We want to go away for a few weeks this summer. 6 Nowadays, you can check in online using the airline’s website or app. 7 It was late at night by the time we reached the hotel. 8 Mum is held up in traffic – she’ll be here in about 30 minutes. 9 I can’t come over now – I have to unpack after my holiday and put everything away. 10 When we go to new cities, we always go on a tour.
5 Discuss the questions.
1 I really enjoy travelling by train because it is comfortable, fast, and I can look out of the window to enjoy the scenery.
2 Yes, I went to Poland last summer with my family, and we travelled there by bus and train.
3 Some people always go away to the same place because they feel comfortable and safe there, and they already know the best places to visit and eat.
READING
1 What things do you have to do before you go on holiday? Make a list. Read the web page and compare your ideas.
Before going on holiday, you have to:
- Check that your passport or ID card is valid.
- Book tickets and accommodation in advance.
- Buy travel insurance in case of emergencies.
- Check the weather forecast for the destination.
- Pack clothes and essential personal items into luggage.
- Arrange how to get to the airport or train station on time.
Comparing these ideas with the web page, the text mentions the same essential steps: checking ID and parental permission letters, arriving at the airport on time, booking a youth hostel that does not close too early, packing lightly using hostel washing facilities, and staying in contact with parents.
2 Match these headings to the paragraphs.
1 What documents to take 2 Flying 3 Where to stay 4 What to pack 5 Contacting home
3 Read the blog post and answer these questions according to the text.
1 When you travel to another country, you always have to take a form of photo ID, such as a passport or a national ID card.
2 You might need a letter from your parents to prove that you have permission to travel alone, otherwise border control might not allow you into the country.
3 You should arrive at the airport at least two hours before most flights, and three hours before if you are flying to the United States.
4 Alice points out that you should not choose accommodation that closes its doors at 8 pm because many cheap flights land late in the evening and you could be locked out.
5 Alice advises packing lightly because you have to carry your own bags, checking the weather forecast in advance, and remembering that hostels have washing machines.
6 You need to post updates on social media and text your parents daily to reassure your family that you are safe and doing well.
4 Match the highlighted words in the article to the meanings.
1 youth hostel (a cheap, simple hotel, especially for young people) 2 research (studying something to find out more information about it) 3 ID (an official document that shows or proves who you are) 4 airline staff (a company / staff that takes people and things to places in planes) 5 besties (an informal word for best friends) 6 stuff (an informal word for objects or things)
TALKING POINTS
Have you ever travelled alone? If so, did you enjoy it? If not, why not? At what age do you think children should be allowed to travel alone? Why? What are the advantages of travelling alone, rather than with your family?
I have not travelled abroad completely alone yet because my parents feel it is safer to travel together, but I often take trains and buses by myself to visit relatives in other cities. Children should be allowed to travel alone from the age of 14 or 15 on domestic trips and 16 on flights abroad, because by that age they can follow instructions, keep track of their belongings, and handle basic emergencies. The main advantages of travelling alone are gaining independence, learning to manage your time and budget, and being able to choose the activities that interest you most.
GRAMMAR
1 Read the examples. Then complete the rules with the verbs in the examples.
We use: a should and shouldn’t to give advice to someone. b have to to say that something is necessary because of a rule or law. c need to to say that something is important, but not a rule or law. d don’t have to, needn’t or don’t need to to say that something is not necessary.
2 Complete the sentences with the correct verb from Exercise 1.
1 You shouldn’t sit at a computer all day. It’s bad for you. 2 You have to show your passport if an official wants to see it. 3 You need to check the weather before you pack your clothes. 4 If you are travelling alone, you needn’t be scared – the airline will look after you. 5 We have to make sure we catch the last train. 6 You don’t have to worry, Mum. I’ll be fine!
3 Read the sentences. Match the verbs to the meanings below.
1 b (forcing you to do something that you probably don’t want to do) 2 a (giving permission to do something)
4 Choose the correct option.
1 The airline made us switch off our phones for take-off and landing. 2 My parents let me travel alone for the first time when I was 15. 3 When you go through the security control at the airport, they sometimes make you take your shoes off. 4 My friends went on holiday together last year, but my parents didn’t let me go. 5 The driver won’t let you get on the bus without showing your ticket. 6 Airport staff make you show your boarding card at the gate.
5 Complete the sentences with your own ideas.
1 My parents tell me I should spend less time on my phone and read more books. 2 When I stay with my grandma, I don’t have to wake up early or make my bed. 3 Right now I need to finish my homework before I go out with my friends. 4 My teachers never let me use my mobile phone during lessons. 5 Last week, my parents made me clean up my entire bedroom and tidy the garage.
VOCABULARY
1 Read the example. What other phrases do you know with on?
Other common phrases with on include: on foot, on time, on holiday, on purpose, on display, on sale, on my/your/her own, on board, on TV, on the phone, and on the way.
2 Complete the sentences with the phrases in the box.
1 There were lots of posters on display on the walls at the train station. 2 We have to get to the airport on time so that we don’t miss our flight. 3 We went from the domestic terminal to the international one on foot because it wasn’t far. 4 My favourite author’s latest book was on sale at the airport shop. 5 As soon as you get on board, the airline staff want you to fasten your seat belt. 6 ‘I didn’t do it on purpose! It was an accident,’ said the driver. 7 My older sister is very adventurous. Last year she travelled around South America on her own.
3 Work in pairs. Turn to page 136.
Student A: Do you usually go to school on foot or by transport?
Student B: I usually go on foot because my school is only ten minutes away from my house.
Student A: Have you ever travelled anywhere on your own?
Student B: Yes, last summer I went by train to visit my cousins on my own.
Student A: What do you do to ensure you arrive at the train station on time?
Student B: I check the departure timetable online beforehand and leave home fifteen minutes earlier than necessary.
Student A: Did you buy anything that was on sale recently?
Student B: Yes, I bought a new sports hoodie that was on sale with a twenty percent discount.
LISTENING
1 Look at the photos. What might an announcement say in these places? Compare your ideas with your partner.
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At the airport / train station terminal (Photo 1):
An announcement might say: “Attention all passengers on Flight BA 452 to London: boarding has now begun at Gate 14. Please have your passports and boarding passes ready for inspection.” or “The 10:45 train to Manchester is delayed by approximately fifteen minutes due to track maintenance.” -
On board an aeroplane (Photo 2):
An announcement might say: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome on board Flight 218 to San Francisco. Please stow your hand luggage in the overhead lockers, fasten your seat belts, and ensure your electronic devices are switched to aeroplane mode for take-off.”
2 Look at the notes. What kind of information is missing? Share your ideas with your partner.
1 A language (another language spoken by the cabin crew). 2 A time (the time the flight arrives at the destination). 3 A type/genre of TV programme (the category of shows on the new channel). 4 A type of dish/food (the name of the vegetarian meal option). 5 A product/item (items that have a discount on board). 6 A name (the title of the magazine designed for children).
3 You will hear an announcement on board a plane. For each question, write the correct answer in the gap. Write one or two words or a number or a date or a time.
1 Spanish 2 10.40 pm (or 22:40 / twenty to eleven) 3 comedy 4 tomato pasta 5 sunglasses 6 Explore
SPEAKING
1 Read the questions in Exercise 4. Listen to Luca and Kasia answering some of the questions. Which ones do they answer?
Luca and Kasia answer questions 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6.
- Luca answers question 1 (Which kind of transport do you use most often?), the first part of question 4 (Where do you go on holiday?), and question 5 (Which country would you most like to visit?).
- Kasia answers question 2 (What kind of transport would you like to try?), the second part of question 4 (Are you planning one this year?), and question 6 (What’s been your best holiday?).
2 It’s important to add more information when you answer questions. Match sentences 1–6 with a–f from the recordings. Then listen again and check.
1 e (Actually, I like all kinds of transport but above all I love travelling by train. — You can see loads out of the windows and walk around.) 2 f (I guess it would be a helicopter because they look exciting. — I’d love to go on one in New York and fly between the buildings!) 3 b (I usually stay at home with my family and do fun things. — For example, we go to the pool and go on bike rides and stuff like that.) 4 c (Yes, I’m going to visit my cousin in London for a few days. — I’ve never been before and I can’t wait to see all the famous stuff in the city, like Big Ben and Trafalgar Square.) 5 d (I want to go to Mexico to see the Mayan ruins. — They’re ancient and look really interesting, and the coast is supposed to be gorgeous, too.) 6 a (Last year, we went to Spain to visit my grandparents. — I’d never been abroad before and we spent a lot of time at the beach – it was really hot!)
3 Read the Prepare to speak box, then look at the sentences in Ex. 2 again. Find examples of the phrases and the range of tenses that Luca and Kasia use.
Phrases for adding extra information:
- Actually, … — “Actually, I like all kinds of transport…” (sentence 1)
- above all … — “…but above all I love travelling by train.” (sentence 1)
- because … — “…because they look exciting.” (sentence 2)
- For example, … — “For example, we go to the pool…” (sentence b)
Range of tenses:
- Present simple (routines & preferences): “I usually stay at home…”, “I want to go to Mexico…”, “we go to the pool…” (sentences 3, 5, b)
- Future with be going to (plans): “I’m going to visit my cousin in London…” (sentence 4)
- Past simple (completed past actions): “Last year, we went to Spain…”, “we spent a lot of time at the beach…” (sentences 6, a)
- Present perfect (life experience): “I’ve never been before…” (sentence c)
- Past perfect (experience before a past event): “I’d never been abroad before…” (sentence a)
- Conditional / would (imaginary situations): “I guess it would be…”, “I’d love to go on one…” (sentences 2, f)
4 Ask and answer the questions with a partner. Use phrases from the Prepare to speak box.
1 Which kind of transport do you use most often? What do you like or dislike about it? Actually, I use the bus most often to travel to school and go downtown. I like it because it is cheap and convenient, but above all, I dislike it when it is held up in traffic and gets overcrowded.
2 What kind of transport would you like to try? Why? I want to try travelling by a hot-air balloon because it looks exciting and peaceful. For example, floating above valleys and seeing the scenery from high above would be an amazing experience.
3 What’s been your most interesting journey? Why? Last year, we went to the Carpathian Mountains by an overnight train, which was really memorable. It was fascinating because we could watch the landscape change through the window and fall asleep to the rhythm of the train.
4 Where do you go on holiday? Are you planning one this year? I usually stay near a lake with my family or visit my grandparents in the countryside. This year, I’m going to visit my cousins in another city for a few days to see historical sights.
5 Which country would you most like to visit? Why? I want to visit Japan because I am interested in its modern technology and traditional culture. For example, I would love to ride a bullet train and see ancient temples in Kyoto.
6 What’s been your best holiday? What did you do? Last year, we went to a seaside resort with my family. We spent a lot of time on the beach, tried water sports, and went on guided walking tours around the old town in the evenings.
LIFE SKILLS
1 Ask and answer the questions with a partner.
1 Do you find it hard to make decisions? Why? / Why not? Yes, I sometimes find it hard to make important decisions because I worry about making mistakes and want to consider every detail first.
2 Who do you ask for advice about important decisions? I usually ask my parents and close friends for advice because I trust their opinions and they know me well.
3 Do you sometimes change your mind after you decide? Yes, I sometimes change my mind if I receive new information or realise that another option is better for me.
2 Read the forum posts. Who mentions the following topics?
1 Using exercise to relax — Bryan 2 Reading articles online — Michael 3 Chatting with close friends or relatives — Emily 4 Taking language classes — Jenna