29 travel
words departure(lounge) arrival(hall) destination airport train(station) private car 
taxi/cab bus(temp3inal) subway/underground passport visa driver’s license ticket one-way round-trip baggage take off land leave arrive customs duty-free international domestic drive lay over 
phrases 
to purchase a ticket 
to take a plane/taxi/bus 
to pack a suitcase 
to go on a vacation 
all expenses paid 
to check your passport 
to get on/off the bus 
to pick someone up 
to drop someone off 
beginner 
a: hi, mark! Long time no see! 
B: hi, alex! 
A: where have you been? 
B; I just got back from London. 
A; how was your flight? 
B; it was OK. There was a lot of turbulence, though. 
A: that’s too bad . how long was the flight? 
B: it was 10 hours. 
A; did you have a layover? 
B: yes, in paris, France. 
A: did you buy anything in the duty-free stores? 
B; yes. I bought two boxed of chocolate – one for me and one for you! 
A: oh, you didn’t have to … 
B: it was nothing. 
Intemp3ediate 
A: how can I help you? 
B: I seem to have lost my train ticket. 
A; what’s your destination? 
B: I’m supposed to be going to ShangHai. 
A: ok. When is your train supposed to leave? 
B: it’s supposed to leave in 30 minutes. 
A: OH, dear. What’s your last name, please? 
B; S M I T H. 
A; and your passport number? 
B: Z3264356. 
A; let me see…it doesn’t look like we have any infomp3ation about your ticket here. 
B; is there anything you can do for me? If I don’t make it to ShangHai in time, my wife is going go kill me. 
A; oh dear. I’m really sorry , sir. But you don’t have any proof of purchase. You’ll simply have to purchase another ticket. 
B: how much is that going to cost me? 
A; it depends on how you want to travel. If you want a soft sleeper, it will cost 610 RMB; if you want a hard seat, it will only cost 100RMB. 
B; I can’t possibly travel on a hard seat for 10 hour! 
A: looks like you might like the soft sleeper then. 
B: yes, fine. Let me see how much money I have I my wallet. 
A: …sir? 
B: where’s my wallet? Someone has stolen my wallet! 
A; perhaps it’s in your other pocket. 
B: you’re right. It is. Let me have a look. I have 419.6RMB. is that enough? 
A: you’re just 4 mao short for the hard sleeper, but I’ll let it go. Anything for love! 
B; thanks, ma’am. You’re a lifesaver!