Listening Exercises A2 – Airports

1.

A:   Could you tell me where Departure Gate 5 is, please?

B:   Yes, just take the escalator up to the next level and turn right. All the gates are upstairs.

A:   Thanks.

2.

A:   Excuse me. Where’s the baggage claim area?

B:   It’s downstairs. Take the escalator over there, near the currency exchange. Go down to Level 1. You can get your bags there.

3.

A:   Where are the restrooms, please?

B:   Just go straight. They’re on the left. Just across from the check-in counters.

A:   Thanks. Oh, dear. I think I’d better hurry. I need to change this baby right away.

4.

A:   Excuse me. How can I get a shuttle bus to the parking lot area for Terminal B?

B:   Buses and taxis are on the next level. Just go up those stairs over there and turn right. The shuttle comes every five minutes.

1.

A:   Excuse me. This is Terminal A, isn’t it?

B:   That’s right.

A:   Can you tell me how I get from here to Terminal B?

B:   Yes, go out the main entrance and turn right. Go over the foot bridge to the baggage claim and wait there for the bus to Terminal B. There’s one every five minutes.

A:   Do I need to buy a ticket?

B:   No, it’s free.

2.

A:   Excuse me. Do you know what time the flight from Tokyo arrives?

B:   You can check it on one of the monitors over there, but let me see if I can find it for you.

A:   Thanks.

B:   Hmm. It looks like it’s delayed.

A:   Oh, so do you know what time it’s arriving?

B:   They haven’t announced the arrival time yet, so why don’t you check again on the monitor in about 15 minutes?

A:   Okay. Thanks again.

3.

A:   Excuse me. How can I get to the Wilson Hotel from the airport?

B:   Check at the information counter on Level 1. They have maps there. Are you driving? Car rentals are on Level 1 as well.

A:   No. I’d like to get a bus if possible.

B:   I think there’s a shuttle bus to the hotel in front of the airport.

A:   Oh, thanks. Do you know if the hotel is very far from here?

B:   Actually, it’s really close. It’s about a ten-minute ride.

4.

A:   Is it possible to buy souvenirs and gifts here?

B:   Yes, go to Level 2. There’s only one store – a duty free shop in the departure area.

A:   Do I need to go through customs and immigration first?

B:   Yes. You’ll find the shop right in front of you after you go through.

A:   And do you know if they take credit cards or do I need to use cash?

B:   Either is fine, but I’m not sure which cards they accept.

1.

A:   What’s the airport like in your town?

B:   Well, it’s only a short distance from the center of town, so that’s good.

A:   Yes.

B:   And it’s pretty easy to get there. It only costs about $5 by taxi. Or you can take a bus from most of the hotels.

A:   Is it a big airport?

B:   It’s fairly big, but it’s not a very pleasant place to spend time.

A:   How come?

B:   There isn’t much to do there. They really should put in some stores and cafes.

A:   That would help.

B:   Luckily, you don’t have to spend much time there because it usually only takes about five minutes to check in and go through customs and immigration.

2.

A:   What’s the new airport like?

B:   It’s fantastic. Much better than the old one.

A:   Is it far from town?

B:   Not really. It’s only about 20 kilometers from the city, so it doesn’t take long to get there.

A:   That’s good.

B:   Yes, now I can get out there on a fast train, which makes the trip very comfortable.

A:   How nice! What are the facilities like at the airport?

B:   It’s almost like a big shopping mall. There are department stores, shops, a game center, and even a gym/

A:   It sounds great.

B:   Yeah, it is. The only trouble is it’s always very crowded, so it can take a while to get through check-in. They really need to add some more check-in counters to speed things up.

3.

A:   Is the new airport close to town?

B:   Yeah. Really close!

A:   Does it take long to get to the airport?

B:   Well, you have to go by taxi or train, so it depends on how long it takes you to get a taxi. There are never enough taxis that will go to the airports so you have to wait for a while. You can go by train, but it’s not very easy to get on when you’re carrying bags. There really should be a bus service into town.

A:   I agree.

B:   Yeah, but once you get there it’s okay. There are lots of good duty free stores, and the restaurants are pretty good. Try the Italian restaurant there. It’s excellent.

A:   Does it take long to check in?

B:   No. Check-in usually goes pretty quickly.

4.

A:   What do you think of the airport?

B:   Well, it’s far from downtown and when the traffic is bad, it can take an hour and a half to get there. The city really needs to build a new airport that is closer to the city.

A:   Do you usually drive to the airport?

B:   No. I usually take the airport bus. The bus is pretty nice. It’s clean and comfortable, and it’s a lot cheaper than driving because you don’t have to pay for parking.

A:   Is there much to do there while you wait for your flight?

B:   Sure. There are a couple of stores that sell souvenirs and magazines. There are also a couple of fast-food places, and they’re fine for coffee and a sandwich.

A:   How long does it take to check in?

B:   It doesn’t take long. They’re pretty efficient.

1 b   2 c   3 a   4 a   5 c

Transcript

1.   Excuse me, do you know where I can buy some magazines?

2.   Can you tell me where I can pick up my suitcases?

3.   Excuse me. Where can I meet someone who is arriving on flight 66?

4.   I need some help. Can you tell me where I can change some money?

5.   I’m in the wrong terminal. How do I get to the International Terminal?

Pleased: 1, 2, 3

Not pleased: 4, 5

Transcript

Our new airport just opened and it’s really wonderful. It’s very close to town, which is great. It’s about a 15­minute taxi ride. Or, if you’re staying in a hotel, you can take a free shuttle bus. The building is very modern, with lots of glass everywhere. It is very exciting just to stand inside this huge building and watch airplanes take off and touch down all around you. And they have lots of cafes and restaurants and bookstores. And restrooms, too. You never have to wait in line to use the restroom. Check-in still takes a while. I guess it does everywhere. You do have to stand in line and wait for them to check your bags and look at your boarding pass.

There are never enough people working at the check-in counters. And parking is still a problem. There aren’t enough spaces, and it’s very expensive. It’s better to just take a taxi or a bus to the airport and leave your car at home.