Swimming in the ocean is better than swimming in a public pool.

Studying grammar is more important than practising conversation

skills.

Television is the leading cause of violence in today's society.

Reading English is more difficult than writing English

The government should pay for post secondary education.

Does the Airline Industry Need to Be Regulated
Again?
Can Air Travel Be Improved in Bad Weather?
Who Benefits When Airlines Merge?
A Code of Conduct for Passengers?
Whats Missing in Airport Security?
Check-In to Bag Claim: Better Ways to Fly
Miracles and Plane Crashes
Are airplanes safe?
Stating an opinion
In my opinion...

The way I see it...

If you want my honest opinion....

According to Lisa...

As far as I'm concerned...

If you ask me...

Asking for an opinon

What's your idea?

What are your thoughts on all of this?

How do you feel about that?

Do you have anything to say about this?

What do you think?

Do you agree?

Wouldn't you say?

Expressing agreement
I agree with you 100 percent.
 I couldn't agree with you more.

That's so true.

That's for sure.

(slang) Tell me about it!

You're absolutely right.

Absolutely.

That's exactly how I feel.

Exactly.

I'm afraid I agree with James.

I have to side with Dad on this one.

No doubt about it.

(agree with negative statement) Me neither.

(weak) I suppose so./I guess so.

You have a point there.

I was just going to say that.

Expressing disagreement
I don't think so.

(strong) No way.

I'm afraid I disagree.

(strong) I totally disagree.

I beg to differ.

(strong) I'd say the exact opposite.

Not necessarily.

That's not always true.

 That's not always the case.

No, I'm not so sure about that.

Interruptions
Can I add something here?

Is it okay if I jump in for a second?

If I might add something...

Can I throw my two cents in?

Sorry to interrupt, but...

(after accidentally interrupting someone) Sorry, go

ahead. OR Sorry, you were saying...

(after being interrupted) You didn't let me finish.

Settling an argument
Let's just move on, shall we?

Let's drop it.

I think we're going to have to agree to disagree.

(sarcastic) Whatever you say./If you say so.

Hypothetical

What would you do if you were late for an important appointment?

What would you do if someone accused you of a crime you didn't commit?

What would you do if you got lost in an unfamiliar city?

What would you do if you left something in a locked building?

What would you do if your best friend stole something from you?
What would you do if you didn't have enough money to pay your bills?

What would you do if your children were caught shoplifting?

What would you do if your car got a flat tire on the freeway?

If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?

If you could change one major historical event, what would it be?

Situation

Someone asks you a question you do not want to answer. What do you say?

You need to borrow some money from a friend. What do you say?

You broke your sister's favorite vase. What do you say?

You forgot your mother's birthday. What do you say when you see her?

You want to buy an item located behind the cashier. What do you say?

You arrive late to a meeting because you couldn't get a taxi. What do you say?

Your friend ?wiped out? while skiing and looks hurt. What do you say?

The man in the seat next to you is smoking. What do you say?

Your child is playing with matches. What do you say?

You need more time to finish an exam. What do you say to the teacher?

Description

Describe a famous park or recreation area in your home country.

Describe an interesting neighbor you have had.

Describe something you could never give away.

Describe a place you will never forget.

Describe a sporting event you attended recently.

Describe a memorable birthday celebration.

Describe a place you go for recreation or exercise.

Describe your childhood home.

Describe someone you respect deeply.

Describe the nightlife in a city you are familiar with.

Narration

Tell about a recent interview.

Tell about a time when you lost something.

Tell about one of your fondest childhood memories.

Tell about a time when you lied to your parents, boss, or teacher.

Tell about a time when you were treated unfairly.

Briefly tell about a movie you saw recently.

Tell about something you made ?from scratch.?

Tell about a ?close call? you had recently.

Tell about something you wish had never happened.

Tell about a time when you inadvertently caused trouble for someone else.
Opinion

What is your opinion about cellular phones?

What is your opinion about women in the military?

What is your opinion about a current politician?

What is your opinion about violence on television?

What is your opinion about fortune telling?

What is your opinion about the tabloids?

What is your opinion about legalizing marijuana?

What is your opinion about the welfare system?

What is your opinion about cloning?

What is your opinion about recycling?

Instructions

Tell how to find something on the Internet.

Tell how to feed family members who drop by unexpectedly.

Tell how to dump a boyfriend/girlfriend.

Tell how to get from your house to the supermarket.

Tell what to do in an earthquake.

Tell how to get someone to fall in love with you.

Tell how to make a paper airplane.

Tell how to get a good table at a restaurant.

Tell how to get a discount on an expensive item.

Tell how to discipline an unruly child.

1) What springs to mind when you hear the word airplane'?

2) How important are airplanes?

3) What do you know about the history of airplanes?

4) What different kinds of airplane are there?

5) How have airplanes changed over the years?

6) Would you like your own plane?

7) What is the best airplane in the world?

8) Is it better to travel by airplane or by cruise ship? Why?

9) What do you think when you see an airplane in the sky?

10) Would you like to work on an airplane?

1) How do airplanes work?

2) How dangerous are airplanes?

3) What will airplanes be like in the future?

4) Which is better, Boeing or Airbus?

5) What movies have you seen about airplanes?

6) Would you like to fly (pilot) an airplane? Why?

7) What effect do airplanes have on the environment?

8) How do airplanes get off the ground and fly?

9) How cool are airplanes?

10) What three adjectives describe airplanes?

1) What images spring to mind when you hear the word terrorism?

2) Has your life changed in any way due to terrorism?

3) Is the name war on terror a correct name?

4) If a country repeatedly kills innocent civilians while trying to kill terrorists, does t
take part in terrorism?

5) Do you think news stations are neutral when they report on terrorism?

6) Do you think terrorism is here to stay?

7) What three adjectives would you choose to describe terrorism?

8) Which is worse, terrorism or climate change?

9) What do you think of the fact that trillions of dollars are spent fighting in Iraq an
Afghanistan, but only millions are spent on killer diseases like malaria and AIDs?

10) What do governments learn from terrorism?

1) What is terrorism?

2) Do you worry about terrorism?

3) When did terrorism first start in the world?

4) What countries around the world have terrorist attacks within their borders?

5) Is there a difference between a freedom fighter and a terrorist?

6) Is there a difference between a countrys national hero, who may have killed inno
his countrys independence, and a terrorist?

7) Do you think terror groups will one day get hold of nuclear and chemical weapon

8) What is state sponsored terrorism?

9) Is it better (and cheaper) to tackle the roots of terrorism rather than fight unbeli
expensive wars?

10) What do you understand by the term cyber-terrorism? How dangerous is it?

1) Do you like travelling?

2) What is travel for you?

3) What different kinds of travelling are there?

4) Whats the best place youve ever been to?

5) Would you like to go travelling for a few years non-stop?

6) What are the good and bad things about travelling?

7) Where do you want to travel to before you die?

8) Is it better to travel or to arrive?

9) Lin Yutang said: "No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes hom
his head on his old, familiar pillow." Do you agree?

10) Elizabeth Drew said: "Too often travel, instead of broadening the mind, merely le
conversation." What does this mean? Do you agree?

1) What springs to mind when you hear the word travel?

2) Are you a traveller?

3) Is travel an education?

4) Would you like to travel in space or to the moon?

5) Would you like to work in the travel industry?

6) What are the pros and cons of traveling first class and backpacking?
7) Is travel helping the world?

8) What would make you wiser travelling around the world for ten years or readin
books?

9) Mason Cooley said: "Travelers never think that they are the foreigners." Do you a

10) St. Augustine said: "The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only
What does this mean? Do you agree?

1) What comes to mind when you hear the word transportation?

2) What's you favourite method of transportation?

3) What transportation problems are there in your country?

4) What will the transportation of the future be like?

5) What would life be like if all public transportation in your country stopped?

6) Are you happy with transportation services in your country?

7) What do you think of the transportation in other countries?

8) How many different kinds of transportation have you been on?

9) Will the quality of transportation in your country get better or worse?

10) What was transportation like when you were a kid?

1) If life is a highway, what mode of transportation are you using?

2) What do you think is the most dangerous form of transportation and why?

3) Which transportation do you prefer air, sea or road?

4) If you were a mode of transportation, what would you be?

5) What form of transport is worst for the environment?

6) What mode of transportation would you like someone to invent?

7) How has international transportation changed in the past few decades?

8) What are the transportation needs of your country?

9) Do you think we are spoilt for choice these days with all the different transportat

10) What do you think will be the next big breakthrough in transportation?

1) What comes to mind when you hear the word pilot?

2) Would you like to be a pilot?

3) What do you think the life of a pilot is like?

4) Do you think pilots like travelling?

5) Do you think pilots ever worry about making mistakes?

6) Why do you think people become fighter pilots?

7) Do you think pilots ever get bored of flying?

8) Do you have what it takes to be a pilot?

9) Do you always listen to what the pilot says in the airplane?

10) Would you feel safer if the pilot of your airplane was male or female?

1) What do you think of the job of a pilot?

2) Would you rather be an airplane pilot or a helicopter pilot?

3) Would you accept a job as a test pilot if the money was really good?

4) How do you think pilots feel when they walk through airports in their uniforms?

5) Do you think a pilot is always excited about flying and going to work?

6) What do pilots do if they switch careers?

7) If you were a pilot, which airline would you like to fly for and why?

8) Are you ever on automatic pilot?

9) What are the pros and cons of being a pilot?

10) Will we need pilots in the future?

1) What images spring to mind when you hear the word passport?

2) Do you like your passport?

3) Are there many stamps and visas in your passport?

4) Would you worry if you lost your passport while overseas?

5) If you could have an additional passport from another country, what would it be?

6) Is the passport from your country more or less useful than passports from other

7) Do you like your passport photo?

8) What do you think passports will be like in the future?

9) What do you do to keep your passport safe in other countries?

10) Should we change the name of passports? We rarely travel through ports nowada

1) Is it easy to get a passport in your country?

2) What are the dangers to passports?

3) Do you think there is a system that is better than everyone having to carry a pas
time they travel?

4) Do you ever get nervous going through passport control at airports or border cro

5) How much is a passport in your country? Do you think they should be free?
6) What do you think about the new biometric passports?

7) Do you ever get tired of filling out your passport details?

8) Whats the passport application process like in your country?

9) Are there any personal documents more important than a passport?

10) Would you prefer an American or British passport?

1) What springs to mind when you hear the word flying?

2) What are the best things about flying?

3) Can you remember the first time you flew?

4) Do you think flying has got better or worse over the years?

5) Do you prefer flying or taking the train?

6) Do you have an airplane routine or in-flight habits when you fly?

7) Do you think flight attendants like flying?

8) Which airlines would you recommend (or not) and why?

9) How safe do you think flying is?

10) Do you think well be flying to the Moon and Mars one day?
 Do you like flying?

1)

2) What are the worst things about flying?

3) Do you think well be using flying cars one day?

4) Would you like to learn to fly?

5) Which is better, flying in an airplane or helicopter?

6) What does it mean if youre flying in your dreams?

7) Would you like to be able to fly like a bird?

8) Do you think the skies of the future will have traffic jams?

9) Do you ever think or worry about the plane crashing when youre flying somewhe

10) Where would you like to fly to right now?

Have you ever flown in a plane?

How old were you the first time you took a plane?

Do you like flying? Why, why not?

Where do you prefer to sit on a plane? Towards to nose or the tail? In a window seat, an aisle seat
or in the middle?

What are the best and worst things about travelling by plane?
 What is the longest flight you have taken? Did you enjoy it?

What is your opinion of the meals you are served on board?

What sort of things do you do to pass the time while flying?

Have you ever travelled first class? How does it differ from tourist class?

Have you tried flying on a budget airline? How does it differ from a regular airline?

Some US airlines charge large people for two seats. What is your opinion of this practice?

Would you like to work as part of the aircrew? What would be the positive and negative aspects?

Should air travel be restricted in order to save the environment?

It is possible to "offset" the carbon generated by your flight. Do you do this? Why? Why not?
Safety[edit]

Do you watch the safety instruction at the start of the flight or do you think it is boring? What are
you typically told?

Do you ever get afraid when you are flying? How do you get over it?

Have you ever had a hard landing?

Have you ever had a frightening experience when flying? What happened?

Have you experienced turbulence? How did you feel?

It is said that flying is safer than driving. What is your opinion?

Do you usually take out travel insurance? Why, why not?

Do you think too much attention is given to security issues over safety issues? In some cases the
concerns overlap, such as carrying aerosol cans, but what about cigarette lighters?
Airports[edit]

Have you ever had any problems at an airport?

Have you ever had your baggage lost or delayed? How was it resolved? How would/did you feel?

Have you ever had your flight cancelled? How would/did you feel?
 What security measures are now in place in airports?

How efficient are the local airports in your country?

Conversation Starters
Choose some questions below that interest you and ask your friends. If you are studying by
yourself, think about how you would answer these questions, using full sentences as much as
possible.
1. Do you ever travel by plane?

2. Do you enjoy travelling by airplane? Why or why not?

3. How old were you the first time you flew?

4. Were you afraid the first time you were on an airplane?

5. What was the longest flight you have taken?

6. Do you prefer window seats or aisle seats?

7. What do you like to do during long flights?

8. Can you sleep on an airplane?

Discussion Questions
Ask these questions to your friends and be ready to continue the conversation by asking
follow up questions.
1. What are the advantages of traveling by airplane? What are the disadvantages?

2. Do you know someone who is afraid of flying in an airplane?

3. What advice can you give to someone who is afraid of flying?

4. Would you like to be a pilot? What might be some of the requirements for the job?

5. Would you like to be a flight attendant? Why might it be a good job? Why might it be a
challenging job?

6. What are some ways that airlines could improve the flying experience for passengers?

Questions you may need to ask at an airport

There are many questions you may need to ask at an airport.

Where is the check-in counter for _______ Airlines?

 Is my flight on time?

How long is my flight delayed?

(delayed = late; In other words, your flight is not going to arrive on time.)

Where is the bathroom?

Where is the Internet lounge?

Where is the smoker's lounger?

Can I get a window seat?

Can I get an aisle seat?

Where can I find a taxi?

Where can I find a bus?

Where is the baggage claim?

(Where can I collect my luggage/baggage?)

When should I be at the departure gate?

Where is the departure gate?

Is my connecting flight on time?

(A connecting flight is when you take at least two different airplanes to get to
your destination. You are asking if the second flight is going to be on-time. If it is
late, you might have a long wait at the second airport. If it is early, you might
miss the flight because you didn't get to the second airport on time.)

Questions you may hear at an airport check-in

counter
These are some common questions you may hear at the check-in counter.

May I see your ticket?

(The worker may also say, "Ticket, please.")

 What's your purpose for traveling?

(What is your reason for traveling? The worker wants to know if you are traveling
for business or pleasure.)

Do you have a photo-ID?

(driver's license, passport)

Are you checking any bags?

(These are larger bags that the airline will store under the plane for you.)

How many bags are you checking?

Do you have a carry-on bag?

(This is a small bag you take with you on the plane such as a purse, small
suitcase, or laptop bag.)

Do you require any special assistance?

(Do you require a wheelchair, help carrying your bags, or other help?)

Did you pack these bags yourself?

Did you, at any time, leave your bag unattended?

(Did you leave your bag by itself. This is a security risk because someone could
put something in your bag. So, the airline wants to be sure you know what is in
your bag.)

Are you traveling with any liquids?

(Do you have any liquids in your bags such as shampoo, deodorant, or drinks?)

Is there anything fragile in your bags?

(fragile = breakable)

What is your final destination?

Would you like a window seat or an aisle seat?

Do you have any special eating requirements?

 Problems at the check-in counter
Sometimes, there are problems at the check-in counter. Here are some problems you
might hear at the airport check-in counter.

Your luggage/baggage is too heavy.

(You have to remove some items to make it lighter.)

Your bag is too large.

Your carry-on bag is too large.

Your flight is delayed.

(It is late.)

Your connecting flight is delayed.

Your passport has expired.

(expired = The date has passed. You need a new passport.)

Your ID (identification) has expired.

Your flight has been canceled.

(If your flight is canceled, you have to book a new flight.)

Your connecting flight is canceled.

Your ticket has expired.

Issues we can and can't help you with

 We can help with complaints about

Most common

Flight delays, cancellations, missed connections, schedule changes

Note: Airlines usually don't offer you compensation if:

o the situation was unavoidable (weather conditions or force majeure)

o you missed a connection and your itinerary involved multiple tickets

Baggage

For example:

o lost, damaged or delayed baggage

o baggage charges and size limits

o transportation of pets as baggage

Tickets, reservations, air fares or charges

For example:

o making changes to your itinerary (changing flights, dates, times or

destinations)

o lost or expired tickets and travel vouchers

o cancelled reservations

o non-delivery of pre-selected seats

Getting bumped due to overbooking

For example:

o bumping with confirmed reservation

 o the amount of compensation

Refusal to transport

For example:

o based upon check-in time

o improper travel documents

o cancellation of reservation

Problems related to a disability or health issue

If your complaint is related to a disability or health issue, you can submit an

accessibility complaint.

Other

Children

For example:

o care of unaccompanied minors

o non-delivery of selected seats

Cargo

For example:

o domestic or international rates

o terms and conditions of cargo carriage

o damaged, delayed, or lost cargo (including pets and animals)

Unlicensed carriers

Any air operator offering service to the public for passengers or goods within, to or
from Canada must have a valid licence from the Agency.
 If you have concerns about your air operator or know about an aircraft being used
illegally, you can contact us. You do not have to identify yourself. Learn more.

Loyalty programs operated by the airline

For example:

o missing points

o redeeming points

o reservations

Monopoly routes

You can submit a complaint about an air carrier's fares or rates on domestic routes
that have little or no competition. We may review the fares or rates to see if they
are reasonable or if the range of fares or rates offered is adequate. Learn more.

Failure to give notice when reducing service to a community

You can submit a complaint about an airline failing to give notice of reduced or
discontinued service to a community. This only applies to domestic routes in
certain situations. Learn more.

We can't help with complaints about

Level or quality of customer service

Contact the airline's customer service department.

Complaints about customer service (for example: the behaviour or attitude of

employees, the quality of food) are the responsibility of airline management.

Independent loyalty programs

Contact your provincial or territorial government authority for consumers.

 Loyalty programs, such as Air Miles or Aeroplan, are run by independent
corporations. We can only resolve complaints about loyalty programs that are
owned by an airline.

Travel agents or tour operators

Contact your provincial or territorial government authority for consumers.

Safety, security or noise on aircraft

Contact Transport Canada.

Airport terminal or security problems

For problems related to security: Contact the Canadian Air Transport Security
Authority, unless you complaint is related to an accessibility problem for a person
with a disability. You can submit an accessibility complaint.

For problems related to the terminal: Contact the airport authority directly,
unless you complaint is related to an accessibility problem for a person with a
disability. You can submit an accessibility complaint.

Unfair competitive practices

Contact the Competition Bureau about unfair competitive practices, mergers or

acquisitions, or the predatory behaviour of air carriers operating in Canada.

Bilingual service

Only Air Canada and its affiliates must follow Canada's Official Languages Act. For
language complaints against Air Canada or its affiliates, please contact the airline
directly. If you are not satisfied, you can contact the Commissioner of Official
Languages.

For language complaints for any other airline, contact their customer service
department.
 Travel Arrangements - Flights
Mixed-up Sentence Exercise
reservation.
I'd
a
like
to make
flight

Match the items on the right to the items on the left by dragging them over. Your score is calculated by
adding up the scores for all the questions that have been answered so far (correct and wrong tries),
and changing the result into a percentage.

Check
She wants to ___________ a taxi from the airport instead of a bus.
What is your ____________ on this trip?
You will need to ___________ to a different plane in Miami.
Be sure to be at the gate at least 30 minutes before ____________.
Are there are any seats _____________ on an earlier flight?
departure
destination
available
transfer
catch

Travel Agent: Freedom Travel. How may I help you?

Caller: Yes, I'd like to make a flight (1) for the twenty-third of this

month.

Travel Agent: Okay. What is your (2) ?

Caller: Well. I'm flying to Helsinki, Finland.

Travel Agent: Okay. Let me check what flights are (3) ? [Okay]

And when will you be returning?

Caller: Uh, I'd like to (4) a return flight on the twenty-ninth. Oh,

and I'd like the cheapest flight available.

Travel Agent: Okay. Let me see. Um, hmm . . .

Caller: Yeah?

Travel Agent: Well, the price for the flight is almost (5) the price

you would pay if you leave the day before.

Caller: Whoo. Let's go with the cheaper flight. By the way, how much is it?

Travel Agent: It's only $980.

Caller: Alright. Let's go with that.

Travel Agent: Okay. That's flight 1070 from Salt Lake City to New York,
Kennedy Airport, transferring to flight 90 from Kennedy to Helsinki.

Caller: And what are the (6) and arrival times for each of those

flights?

Travel Agent: It leaves Salt Lake City at 10:00 AM, arriving in New York at
4:35 PM, then transferring to flight 90 at 5:55 PM, and (7) in

Helsinki at 8:30 AM the next day.

Caller: Alright. And, uh, I'd like to (8) a vegetarian (9) .

Travel Agent: Sure no (10) . And could I have you name please?

flight1.wax