Everyday Dialogues

Hailing a Taxi

1. Dialogue Reading

Read the dialogue with your partner a few times. Take turns being
each character. Practice your intonation and pronunciation.

(At the Airport Taxi Stand)

Taxi Driver: Would you like a taxi, sir?
Gentleman: Yes, I would.
Taxi Driver: Do you have just the one suitcase?

Gentleman: Yes, thats it. Im going downtown. Is there a at

rate or do you use the meter?

(The taxi driver picks up the suitcase and carries it to the trunk).
Taxi Driver: I use the meter.
Find New Expressions
(In the Taxi)
Taxi Driver: Where would you like to go? Write down any useful or new expressions and
words in the elds below.
Gentleman: Im going to the Claremont Hotel on 5th and
Broadway.
Taxi Driver: Okay. New Words List
Gentleman: About how long will it take to get there?

Taxi Driver: Oh, at this time of day, it wont take long about
fteen or twenty minutes.
Gentleman: What do you think the fare will be?
Taxi Driver: Probably around twenty ve dollars.

(Fifteen minutes later)

Taxi Driver: Here we are.
Gentleman: How much is that?
Taxi Driver: Thatll be $22.00.

Gentleman: Heres twenty ve. Keep the change.

Taxi Driver: Thank you. Ill get the suitcase for you.

(The taxi driver opens the trunk.)

Taxi Driver: Here you go. Have a nice day.
Gentleman: Thank you.

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 Everyday Dialogues
Hailing a Taxi

2. Practice

Work with your partner. Role-play the dialogue, substituting the different expressions below. Then reverse roles.

Would you like a taxi, sir? Yes, I would.

Do you want a taxi, sir? Yes, I do.
Would you like a cab? Yes, thanks.
Do you need a taxi? Yes, I do.
Are you waiting for a taxi? Yes, I am.

Do you have just the one suitcase? Yes, thats it.

Do you have any luggage? No. Just my computer. Ill keep it with me.
Do you have any bags? Yes. I have these two.

Is there a at rate or do you use the meter? Where would you like to go?
Is there a set rate or do you use the meter? Where are you going?
Is there a xed rate or do you use the meter? Where to?
Is there a xed fare or do you use the meter?

Youll receive your new bank cards in about two weeks. About how long will it take to get there?
Youll get your new bank cards ..... Is it far?
Well send you your new bank cards... How long a trip is it?
How long does it take?

At this time of day, it wont take long ...about 15 or 20 minutes.

The trafc is light now, so it shouldnt take long.
The trafc is quite heavy, so it may take awhile.

What do you think the fare will be? Probably around twenty-ve
dollars.
What do you think it will cost? Itll probably be about.
How much do you think it will be? It might be about

How much is that? Thatll be $22.00. Heres twenty-ve.

How much is it? Its $22.00. Here you are.
Whats the fare? Thats $22.00. Here you go.

Here we are. Ill get the suitcase.

Here you are. Ill get your bag.
This is it. Ill get the luggage.
Okay. Were here.

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 Everyday Dialogues
Hailing a Taxi

3. Expand Your Vocabulary

A. Odd One Out - Underline the word or expression in each group that does not belong and explain why.

1. taxi, bus, elevator, subway

2. bag, cart, suitcase, luggage
3. automobile, boat, car, vehicle
4. fare, cost, rate, expensive
5. xed rate, set rate, variable rate, at rate

B. Fill in the Blanks - Choose the correct word from the list below to complete the sentences.

meter - tip - passenger - stand - trunk - fare - luggage

1. I gave the taxi driver a big __________________ because he was very nice.
2. The airline will only allow you to take two pieces of __________________.
3. You cant park your car there. It is a taxi __________________.
4. The taxi driver told the __________________ to put on his seat belt.
5. The taxi driver turned on the __________________ as soon as he started to drive away from the house.
6. It is a long way from the airport to the center of the city, so the taxi __________________ will be very
expensive.
7. Our new car has a big __________________, so we can take a lot of suitcases.

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 Everyday Dialogues
Hailing a Taxi

4. Dialogue Building

Complete the dialogue below with the appropriate expressions.

(At the Airport Taxi Stand)

Taxi Driver: _________________________________________________ ?
Gentleman: Yes, I am.
Taxi Driver: _________________________________________________ ?
Gentleman: Yes, ______________________________________________.
(The taxi driver picks up the suitcase and carries it to the trunk.)
Im going downtown. Is there a __________________ or do you use the meter?
Taxi Driver: I use the meter.
(In the Taxi)
Taxi Driver: _________________________________________________ ?
Passenger: Im going to the Claremont Hotel on 5th and Broadway.
Taxi Driver: Okay.
Passenger: _________________________________________________ ?
Taxi Driver: Oh, _________________________________________, so it might take awhile.
Passenger: _________________________________________________ ?
Taxi Driver: Probably around twenty ve dollars.
(Fifteen minutes later.)
Taxi driver: Here we are.
Passenger: __________________________________________________?
Taxi Driver: ______________________________________$22.00.
Passenger _______________________________. Keep the change.
Taxi Driver: Thank you. Ill get __________________________ for you.
(The taxi driver opens the trunk.)
Here you go. Have a nice day.
Passenger: Thank you.

5. Write your own dialogue

Work with a partner and write your own new dialogue using any phrases from page 2. Then practice the
dialogue and present it to your class.