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Getting Ready

Check (✓) your own answers to the questions below and compare them with a partner.

How often do you use taxis?

every day

about once or twice a week

not very often

other: …………….

When do you usually use taxis?

when I am in a hurry

when there isn’t any other way to get somewhere

when it is raining

other: …………….

How is the taxi service in your city?

excellent very good okay poor
Answer

your own answers

Listening 1

People are talking about transportation. Listen and number the pictures.

Answer & Transcript

A 2   B 1   C 4   D 5   E F 3

Transcript

1

A:   Are all your subways this nice?

B:   Yeah. The city replaced all the subway cars last year.

A:   Wow!

2

A:   How much is the fare?

B:   It’s $2.50. Just put your money in the box right there.

A:   Oh, do you have change?

B:   No, you need the exact change.

3

A:   Are you free?

B:   Sure. Hop in. Where to?

A:   The Central Hotel. Do you know where that is?

B:   Yeah. It’s not far from here. About a 10-minute ride.

A:   Okay.

4

A:   One ticket to Chicago, please.

B:   Yeah. Okay. That’s $120.

A:   Does this one have a dining car?

B:   Yeah, there’s a dining car and a snack bar. Here’s your change.

A:   Thanks.

5

A:   What time is the next shuttle flight to Boston?

B:   It leaves in 30 minutes.

A:   Is it too late to get a ticket?

B:   No, you still have plenty of time to make it.

A:   Great. And how long is the flight?

B:   It’s about 45 minutes.

6

A:   Is that our ferry?

B:   I think so.

A:   Wow! I didn’t think it would be so big.

B:   Neither did I.

Listening 2

Task 1

Four hotel guests are calling for a taxi. Are these statements true or false? Listen and check (✓) the correct answer.

 

True

False

1   The caller’s flight leaves in four hours.

2   The caller wants to go to another hotel.

3   The caller needs to catch a train.

4   The caller’s friend is going to have a baby soon.

Answer

1 False   2 False   3 True   4 False

Task 2

Listen again. How much will each ride cost? Circle the correct answer.

1   a   $14

     b   $40

2   a   $12

     b   $20

3   a   $15

     b   $50

4   a   $18

     b   $80

Answer & Transcript

1 b   2 b   3 a   4 a

Transcript

1

A:   City Cabs.

B:   Yes, I’d like a taxi to the airport, please. I’m at 421 Evergreen Street.

A:   Certainly. For how many passengers?

B:   Just one. About how much will it cost?

A:   It’s $40. Your taxi number is 6889.

B:   6889. Thanks. And will the taxi be here soon? I’m in a hurry because my flight leaves in two hours.

A:   It’ll be in front of your hotel in five minutes.

B:   Thanks.

2

A:   City Cabs.

B:   Could I have a taxi to the National Museum, please?

A:   Sure. How many passengers are there?

B:   There are three of us.

A:   Okay.

B:   And about how much is it to the museum from my hotel – the American Inn, on Fourth Street?

A:   It’ll be about $20.

B:   That’s fine. And will it take long to get there? I’m in a hurry because the museum closes in two hours.

A:   No problem. We’ll have you there by 3:30.

B:   Great.

A:   And let me give you your taxi number: 3556

B:   Thanks.

3

A:   City Cabs.

B:   Yes. I need a taxi to the train station, please. I’m at 817 Iowa Avenue.

A:   For how many passengers?

B:   Just me.

A:   Sure. And do you want it right now?

B:   Yes. As soon as you can, please. I’m in a hurry. I have to catch a train.

A:   What time is your train?

B:   It’s at three o’clock.

A:   No problem.

B:   Oh, And how much is it from here by taxi?

A:   It will be about $15.

B:   Thanks.

A:   And your taxi number will be 49178.

4

A:   City Cabs.

B:   Yes I’d like a cab to the hospital, please.

A:   Sure. Do you have an emergency?

B:   No, but I need to get there in a hurry. My friend has just had a baby. I want to take her some flowers.

A:   It won’t take long to get there. Is there just one passenger?

B:   Yes, that’s right. Oh, and I’m at 120 First Avenue.

A:   Okay. There’ll be a taxi at your door in three minutes. The taxi number is 5399.

B:   Thanks. And about how much is the fare?

A:   It’ll cost you about $18.

B:   Thanks.

Listening 3

Task 1

Visitors are talking about taxis. Listen and check (✓) their opinions about taxi service.

 

Good

Okay

Not good

1

2

3

4

Answer

1 Not good   2 Good   3 Okay   4 Okay

Task 2

Listen again. Circle the correct answer.

1   The thing she hates the most is that the ………………… .

     a   taxis aren’t air-conditioned

     b   drivers drive too fast

     c   drivers are rude

2   The thing he likes the most is ………………… .

     a   the prices

     b   that the taxis are clean

     c   the drivers

3   The thing he hates the most is that the ………………… .

     a   taxis are too expensive

     b   drivers don’t speak English very well

     c   taxis are not very safe

4   The thing she likes the most is that the ………………… .

     a   taxis are comfortable

     b   drivers speak English well

     c   drivers take credit cards

Answer & Transcript

1 a   2 c   3 b   4 c

Transcript

1

I hate using taxis here. The drivers drive too fast and really dangerously. And they’re often rude. The cars are mostly in pretty poor condition. But what I hate the most is that they aren’t air-conditioned. It’s so hot here. They really need air-conditioned taxis. By the time I arrive somewhere, I feel really hot and uncomfortable.

2

I’ve taken quite a few taxi rides recently. I’ve never had any big problems using taxis here. They’re usually clean, and the cars are pretty new. The prices are good, too. The thing I like most, though, is the drivers. They drive very carefully, and I think that’s very important.

3

I find that taxis here are okay. They’re pretty comfortable. Most of the cars they use are new, and they keep them pretty clean. They’re a little expensive, though. I paid $75 to come from the airport. That’s too expensive. I guess the thing I hate the most, though, is that the drivers don’t speak English very well. It’s very difficult to explain to them where you want to go.

4

The taxis here are okay, I guess. The drivers take credit cards. That’s the thing I like most about them. It’s really convenient. But the taxis are pretty old, so they’re not very comfortable. Half of them don’t have seat belts or air conditioning.

Conversation Corner: Asking about transportation

Task 1

Listen to the conversation. Write the missing words.

A:   Where do you get the bus ……………… ………………?

B:   I don’t take the bus.

A:   Oh. How do you ……………… ……………… ………………?

B:   I take the subway.

A:   How often do you ……………… ………………?

B:   I take it every day.

A:   How much ……………… ……………… ………………?

B:   It costs about $50 a month.

Task 2

Practice the conversation with a partner. Be sure to use the correct intonation.

Answer & Transcript

A:   Where do you get the bus to school?

B:   I don’t take the bus.

A:   Oh. How do you get to school?

B:   I take the subway.

A:   How often do you take it?

B:   I take it every day.

A:   How much does it cost?

B:   It costs about $50 a month.

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