UNIT1: ARRIVALS

1. The train now standing at Platform 5 will be the 10.25 to Exeter St David's, calling at Reading, Pewsey, Westbury and Taunton.

A         Excuse me... Mr. Ward?

B          Yes?

A         I'm Charles Archer, from Continental Computers. How do you do?

B          How do you do? Thank you for coming to meet us.

A         Not at all. Did you have a good trip?

B          Yes, thank you. Oh, I'd like you to meet Philip Mason. He's our sales manager.

A         How do you do?

2. The train now standing at Platform 3 is the 10.20 Inter-City service to Bristol.

C         Sarah!

D         Hi.

C         Hi. I haven't seen you for ages. How's things?

D         All right. And you?

C         Fine. How's work?

D         OK. Do you fancy a coffee?

C         Oh, yes, I'd love one.

3. The train now arriving at Platform 2 is the 9.12 from Oxford.

E          Hello, Dorothy.

F          Hello, Margaret. How are you?

E          Very well, thanks, and you?

F          Oh, I'm fine. How's the family?

E          They're all fine. My car's just outside the station. Shall I take one of your bags?

F          Oh, yes... thank you.

4. The next train leaving from Platform 9 will be the 10.25 Inter-City service to Plymouth and Penzance. The train will be divided at the Plymouth. Passengers for stations to Penzance should take front six carriages.

G         Good morning.

H         Good morning.

G         Single to Exeter, please.

H         £14.70, please.

G         There you are. Thank you... er... what time's the next train?

H         10.25

G         Thank you.

5. The train now arriving at Platform 12 is the 7.10 from Swansea. Trains from Swansea are running approximately 15 minutes late due to maintenance work between Swansea and Cardiff.

I           Hello, there!

J           I beg your pardon?

I           Hello! How are you getting on?

J           Fine, thank you... sorry... do I know you?

I           Yes, it's me, Nick Fowler!

J           Sorry, I don't think I know you.

I           Aren't you Harry Shiner?

J           Er. no... I'm afraid not.

I           Oh, I'm terribly sorry, I thought you were someone else!

Proper names

Mr. Ward, Charles Archer, Philip Mason, Mrs. Bond,  Steven Robson, John Benson, Sarah, Dorothy, Nick Fowler, Harry Shiner, Elton John.

Grammar notes

1. Offer of help

Shall I/We + bare infinitive...?

Ex:   Shall I take your coat?

Shall we carry your cases upstairs, sir?

2. I haven't seen you for ages (an informal way of saying that two or more people have not seen another for really long time)

Similarity:

I haven't seen you for an eternity/ months/ years/ the last few years/ recently/ in recent weeks.

“Long time, no see!” is very, very informal

Expressions                                                                        

There you are

Here you are

I beg your pardon

Do you fancy a coffee?

Yes, I'd love one:

Shall I take one of your bags?

I haven't seen you for ages