Episode 253

EPISODE 253
LEVEL A1.2/A2.1

READING COMPREHENSION

 

ON THE PLANE

Let’s continue our lessons about air travel. When we board (= get on) the plane, we are greeted by flight attendants (= stewards and stewardesses) who help us find our seat. Everybody must remember to put their hand luggage (= luggage we can take with us on board) in the overhead locker (= a special cupboard where we keep our bags during the flight) and fasten (= fix together) their seatbelts when a plane takes off (= leaves the ground). It is very important to be safe on the plane. If there are some problems during the flight (= a trip by plane), the plane can be delayed (= late). Before the plane lands, we need to fasten our seatbelts again and put our seat in the upright position (= a position in which we can only sit). Now we are ready to finish our flight safely.

 

More contexts for the new words:

This is private land. Keep away!
(= This area belongs to a private person)
We have no time for delay!
(= We cannot be late)

 

EXERCISE 1
Use the words from the text to complete the sentences.

1. If you want a drink on the flight, you have to call the flight ………………………………
2. Please put your seat in the …………………………… position before we land.
3. I will take the camera with me on the plane – as ……………………………… luggage.
4. Please fasten your ………………………………
5. The plane is ready to take ……………………. – it will leave the ground any minute now.
6. Please put your bags in the overhead …………………………..

 

EXERCISE 2
Match phrases from the two columns to make questions and then answer them.

1. Do you always fasten                             a. takes off?
2. How much hand luggage                     b. your seatbelts on a plane?
3. Are you worried when a plane           c. a flight is delayed?
4. How do you feel when                         d. do you usually have?

 

ENGLISH IN USE

 

Let’s look again at PASSIVE VOICE with a modal verb. We already know that in this case we need a modal verb, „be” and a past participle.
Now look at a sentence from the text and some more examples:

The plane can be delayed.
Tea can be drunk hot or cold.
In Poland water can’t be drunk from a tap.

 

 

IDIOM CLOSE-UP

 

A/ Do you like Paulo Coelho’s books?
B/ No, not really, too many FLIGHTS OF FANCY.

A flight of fancy (or a flight of imagination) is an idea that is unusual and exciting or fun, but silly or not practical.

 

 

PHRASAL VERBS CLOSE-UP

 

1. If something GETS you DOWN, it makes you feel worried or depressed.

It really gets me down when a plane is delayed.
Take-offs always get me down.

2. If something CHEERS you UP, it makes you feel happy, especially when before that you felt sad.

If I’m fed up with work, travelling to a hot country always cheers me up.
You look so depressed! Have a chocolate – it will surely cheer you up!

 

 

EXERCISE 3
Complete the conversation with words from the idiom/phrasal verbs you’re learned.

Anna: How are you feeling?
Bob: Oh, terrible. Travelling by plane always gets me (1)…………………….
A: Oh, that’s too bad. Here, try this muffin I’ve made. It will surely cheer you (2)……………………….
B: What’s that? A muffin with bananas and tomatoes? What a strange idea!
A: Yes, well, just a flight of (3)………………………, I suppose.

 

 

NEWS

NO TOILETS

One of the cheap airlines has announced recently that, in an attempt to maximize profits and increase the number of seats that can fit on a plane, they are considering getting rid of toilets on their planes. As a result, eight more passengers might be able to travel on each of the altered machines. The airline spokesperson assures the travelers that only short-distance flights will be affected, as most people are able to hold their biological needs for an hour or so. So, don’t drink too much before the flight!

 

GLOSSARY
– to maximize profits – to make more money
– to get rid of sth – to throw sth away
– altered – changed
– a spokesperson – a person whose job it is to talk to the media

 

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