Listening Practice Through Dictation Level 2 – Topic: Travel and Transport

W:   I’m so excited! I just got back from the travel agency.
M:   Travel agency? Where are you going?
W:   I’m planning to go to Canada on vacation.
M:   Canada! How exciting! How long are you going for?
W:   I’m going for a month. I want to see as much as I can!
M:   You are so lucky! What places are you going to visit?
W:   First, I’ll spend a few days in Vancouver. Then I’ll take a train through the Rocky Mountains.
M:   Oh, you’re riding through the Rockies! That’s really exciting!
W:   Then I’ll fly to Toronto, and take a bus to Niagara Falls. Did you know that you can actually take a boat under that huge waterfall? It’s called Maid of the Mist.
M:   Wow! That’s an amazing thing to do! You’re so lucky!
W:   Well, I hope I don’t get seasick! I’ll finish my trip in Nova Scotia. I want to eat lobster for dinner every night. And I’d like to bike around some small fishing villages, too.
M:   Have a great time, and take lots of pictures!

G :   Where are you going on vacation this year, Andre?
B :   I’m going to Europe with my parents. We’re going to take a tour of France, Italy, and Germany.
G :   Oh! That will be such fun! How long will you be gone?
B :   Three weeks. We’re going in the summer, so I won’t miss any school.
G :   What will you do there?
B :   We’re going to visit historical sites, like the Coliseum in Rome. We’ll also see famous museums, like the Louvre in Paris. And, of course, we’re going to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
G :   How will you travel from one country to another?
B :   There’s a famous train that goes all over Europe. It’s called the Eurorail.
G :   I wish I could go with you! My family is going to the seashore again, just like last year. I’d like to go somewhere I’ve never been.
B :   Don’t worry, Julie. I will take lots of pictures, and I’ll buy you a souvenir.
G :   Thank you! I’ll collect some seashells from the beach for you.
B :   Thanks!

B :   Hi, I haven’t seen you for two whole weeks! Where did you go on your vacation?
G :   I visited my cousin in New Mexico. I had a great time!
B :   Mexico? I thought you went to the US.
G :   I did. New Mexico is a state in the southwestern US. It’s between Texas and Arizona. Guess what? A lot of Americans don’t know that New Mexico is a state. The license plates on cars in New Mexico also say “USA.” This is so that people don’t get confused and think the driver is from Mexico.
B :   That’s funny! So, tell me what you did in New Mexico.
G :   My favorite part was visiting Carlsbad Caverns. There are 30 miles of caves! In one cave, we had to wear hats with lights on them so we could see in the dark. Sometimes we had to crawl through very narrow tunnels on our hands and knees.
B :   Weren’t you scared?
G :   No, it was a lot of fun! I’m going to visit my cousin again next year. You should come with me!

M:   Traveling is a good hobby. If you have very little money, backpacking is a good way to travel. Many students like to backpack. They can travel cheaply. They can travel to many places. These travelers carry their belongings in large backpacks. They are called backpackers.
Backpackers take buses or trains to save money. They camp outdoors to sleep. If they stay in a city, they may go to a hostel. A hostel is like a hotel. Hotels are not cheap. Hostels are very cheap. Travelers often share rooms at hostels. There are only a few toilets and baths. People share them, too.
Hostels are a good place to meet other travelers. You can make friends. They can tell you about fun things to do in the area. Many hostels have kitchens. These kitchens have stoves. Some have toasters. You can buy your food from a store. Then, you can cook at the hostel. This is cheaper than eating out. Just remember to clean up when you are done!

W:   Welcome on board the TGV 740. We are now leaving Paris. We will arrive in Marseilles at 3:00 p.m.
We offer free beverages in each car. Please have as much coffee, tea, or soft drinks as you wish. There is a restaurant on the train. You may purchase a meal there during the trip. The restaurant is in car 11.
We will make two stops on this trip. We will pick up passengers in Provence and Dijon. Passengers changing trains can ask the attendant for a free timetable. This will help you with your onward trip.
Please note that smoking is only permitted in cars 15 and 23. Newspapers are given to all passengers. Mobile phones and the Internet may be used in cars 18 and 25. If you need assistance, please press the button near your seat to contact a cabin attendant.
Please sit back, relax, and enjoy the trip. We are pleased to have you on board. We look forward to serving you again in the future.