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Coming to the UK: Getting from A to B

Coming to the UK: Getting from A to B

In this week's Premier Skills English Podcast, Rich is going on a day trip to Brighton from his new house in London. Jack tells him the best way to get there by public transport. The language focus is on the words and phrases that will help you when travelling by public transport in the UK. Your task is to tell us about public transport in your country. Don't forget to listen to the end of the podcast because we have a new football phrase for you to guess, too. Enjoy!

Transcript

If the listening was a bit difficult, you can listen again and read the transcript at the same time.
Read the transcript and listen at the same time.

Welcome - Coming to the UK  - Getting from A to B

Jack: Hello my name’s Jack

Rich: and I’m Rich and welcome to this week’s Premier Skills English podcast

Jack: Where we talk about football and help you with your English.

Rich: We recommend that you listen to this podcast on the Premier Skills English website because that is where we have the transcript, language examples, activities, quizzes and a discussion page to help you understand everything we talk about.

Jack: However, if you’re listening on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, you can leave answers to our questions in the review section. We do read all the reviews and would love to hear from you. 

Rich: In this week’s podcast, we’re going to continue our series of essential things you need to do when you come to the UK to live or study.

Jack: Last week, we spoke about the language you need when getting a mobile phone. We looked at phrases like ‘Do you want a pay monthly deal? , ‘Do you want a pay as you go deal?’ and ‘How do I top up?’.

Rich: We also looked at lots of vocabulary we use when talking about mobile phones such as data limits, networks, add ons and discounts.

Jack: If you want to go back and do this lesson you can find it on the Premier Skills English website by clicking skills > listen>podcasts. If you are on Spotify or Apple Podcasts you’ll find it in the playlist it’s called ‘Coming to the UK - Getting a mobile phone’.

Jack: In this podcast, we are going to talk about the language you need when you’re travelling around the UK.

Rich: That’s right. If you come to work or study in the UK you probably won’t have a car, or not immediately anyway, so you’ll have to use public transport sometimes.

Jack: So, we’re going to look at some of the language you can use when catching the bus, getting the train or going on the underground. 

Rich: We’ll have two roleplays for you. The first will be about deciding which is the best way to get from A to B on public transport and buying tickets.

Jack: And then in the second roleplay, Rich will be trying to get somewhere on time but it’s not going to be easy; he’ll find it a bit problematic.

Rich: There are never any problems with public transport in the UK, are there?

Jack: You should try getting a train on a public holiday!

Rich: After the roleplays, we will also have a task for you to do, which is when we ask you to use your English. This week we’re going to ask you about public transport in your country. Is it the best way to get around?

Jack: And, don’t forget to listen to the end of the podcast because we have another football phrase for you to guess.

Football Phrase 1 

Jack: But, before we look at all that, let’s look at last week’s football phrase. If you didn’t hear it last week we’ll give you one more chance to guess and give you the correct answer at the end of the show when we give you a new football phrase.

Rich: The phrase was  _________. This phrase describes the time, in the middle of the season, with no club football because players are playing for their national sides. There were no Premier League matches last weekend because there was _____________.

Jack: Well done if you got the right answer last week - some of you who got it right were: Idzingirai from Zimbabwe, Liubomyr and Alex from Ukraine, Elghoul and Khaldoun83 from Algeria, Lakerwang from China, Rafael Robson from Brazil and Coreuser from Saudi Arabia - all of you wrote the correct answer on the Premier Skills English website.

Rich: We’ll tell you the answer to this football phrase and we’ll have a new one at the end of the show.

Introduction to Roleplay

Jack: In this week’s podcast, we are going to talk about public transport in the UK. In the UK, there are usually two main options: the bus and the train.

Rich: Or the underground.

Jack: Yes, in some cities like London you can get the tube or the underground. You can also get the underground in Glasgow, Newcastle and Liverpool.

Rich: And there are trams in some cities.

Jack: OK, yes. In some cities like Manchester, you can also catch a tram. You can also get trams in Birmingham, Sheffield, Nottingham and South London.

Rich: To get around a city, you usually use the bus, the underground or tram if it’s available and to go from city to city you usually catch a train.

Jack: Or a coach.

Rich: Yes, you can also catch a coach from city to city or even a plane if you’re feeling flush!

Jack: We are going to do two roleplays. In the first, we’re going to be speaking about the best way to get from one place to another and how and where to get tickets.

Rich: And in the second roleplay, I need to get somewhere but I have a few problems on the way.

Jack: After we finish the roleplays, we will look at some of the language we use but the first thing we want you to do is to answer some questions while you listen.

Rich: We’ve just got two questions for each roleplay. The questions for the first roleplay are: What’s the best way to the train station? And, what do I need to buy?

Roleplay 1 

Jack: Hi there. Are you settling into the new flat, OK?

Rich: Yeah, I like it. I already know my way around the area quite well. Actually, I’m going to get out of the city this weekend.

Jack: Where are you off to?

Rich: I’ve got tickets for the Brighton match at home to Southampton.

Jack: Brighton. Nice. You can go to the beach, too.

Rich: That’s what I thought, although I’m not that sure how to get there.

Jack: You need to get the train. It only takes about an hour from London Bridge.

Rich: London Bridge? I need to get the bus there, right?

Jack: Yeah, catch the number 57 right outside. It’ll take you all the way to London Bridge but it’ll take ages. You’re better off getting off the 57 at Finchley Road and catching the tube from there. Have you got an Oyster Card?

Rich: No, what’s that?

Jack: It’s a travel card that you can use to pay on the tube and on buses. 

Rich: Where do I get them? 

Jack: You can buy them online or get one at a newsagents or train and tube stations. You put some credit on it, like twenty quid for example, and then top up when you run out. You can’t use cash on buses in London so you should get one.

Rich: Can I use it on the train, too? 

Jack: No, I don’t think so. Not to Brighton anyway. You’ll have to get another ticket. If you’re going tomorrow, it’s probably best to just buy it at the station.

Rich: Thanks for your help. I’ll have your rent next week! 

Jack: Enjoy your trip!

Roleplay 2

Rich: The question for roleplay two is: What problems do I have on my journey?

...

Rich: Jack said the number 57. Here it is.

Jack: Alright.

Rich: Do you go to London Bridge?

Jack: Yep. This service terminates at London Bridge.

Rich: No, sorry. Finchley Road. Do you go there?

Jack: Yep, five stops. 

Rich: OK, I just put my Oyster Card here, there we go.

Rich: Press the bell. Here we are … Finchley Road Station.

Rich: What does this sign say … replacement bus service. What’s all that about?

Jack: Sorry mate. The station’s closed for repairs. You’ve got to catch a bus from around the corner. A replacement bus service.

Rich: OK, right back on the bus then.

Rich: Jack was right. The bus takes ages.

Jack: London Bridge. Everybody off.

Rich: Here at last. Hopefully, the train will be a bit easier.

Jack: How can I help you?

Rich: Yes, I’d like a ticket to Brighton, please.

Jack: For travel today.

Rich: Err … yes. Today.

Jack: Single or return?

Rich: Just one ticket, please.

Jack: Sorry? No, would you like a single ticket or a return. There and back?

Rich: Ahh! Yes, a return, please. Coming back today.

Jack: So, that’s an off-peak day return. That’ll be £22.50, please.

Rich: Can I pay by card?

Jack: Sure. The next train is at 950 from platform five.

Rich: Platform five. Thanks.

Rich: Here we are. Platform five. Five minutes to spare. Easy.

Jack: This is a platform alteration announcement. The 950 train to Brighton will now depart from platform seven.

Rich: What was that? Platform seven. I’d better go quickly.

Rich: Phew. Just made it I think.

Jack: The 950 to Brighton has been delayed by approximately 25 minutes. We apologise for the inconvenience. 

Rich: Maybe I should sit down for a bit.

Roleplay Questions 

Jack: Before we take a look at the language we used in the roleplay, let’s give you the answers to those questions we asked.

Rich: The questions in the first roleplay were: What’s the best way to the train station? And, what did I need to buy?

Jack: Well, the best way to the station was catching the bus and then taking the underground. You could have got the bus all the way but that would have taken a long time.

Rich: And the thing I needed to buy was an Oyster card because you can’t use cash on buses in London.

Jack: And in the second roleplay the question was: What problems did Rich have on his journey?

Rich: Well, I had to take a bus when I wanted to get the train, I had to change platforms and then the train was late.

Jack: Now, let’s look at some of the language we used in the roleplays.

Language Focus

Jack: We used lots of words and phrases about public transport in the UK in the roleplays. 

Rich: Let’s start by looking at some of the general language we use to talk about travelling by public transport and then we’ll look at some of the specific phrases we can use and hear at the station.

Jack: There are different types of transport in the UK. In London, you’ll find buses, trains and the underground. The underground in London is also called the tube.

Rich: In the roleplay, Jack said ‘You’re better off getting off the 57 at Finchley Road and getting the tube from there’.

Jack: An important verb connected to public transport is ‘catch’. You can catch the bus, catch the train or catch the tube. It means ‘to travel by’. We can replace ‘catch’ with ‘get’ or ‘take’. For example, you can catch, get or take the bus to the football stadium and they all mean the same.

Rich: ‘Take’ is important when we talk about transport. So, you can ‘take a bus’ but we also use take when we talk about the duration of a journey.

Jack: In the roleplay, you heard me say: ‘it only takes about an hour’ and ‘it’ll take ages’. When something ‘takes ages’ it means that it takes a very long time.

Rich: We spoke about Oyster cards in the roleplay. In most places in the UK, you pay for local transport on a type of travelcard. 

Jack: A travelcard is something you buy once and put a specific amount of credit on it for example £10. When you have no credit left you top it up online, at a cash machine or station or newsagents.

Rich: It works in the same way as a pay as you go mobile phone which we looked at in last week’s podcast.

Jack: Right, let’s have a look at some of the language you might hear or use at the station.

Rich: Let’s start with the easy stuff. You will want a single ticket or return ticket. A single ticket is when you want to only go one way, for example, London to Brighton.

Jack: A return ticket is when you want to come back. London to Brighton and Brighton to London.

Rich: In the roleplay, you heard Jack say ‘an off-peak day return’. That’s a bit more complicated than just ‘return’.

Jack: Yes, in the UK there are lots of different prices on trains and it all depends on when you buy the ticket and what times you are travelling.

Rich: One meaning of ‘peak’ is 'busiest time'. Hotels talk about ‘peak season’ when they are busiest and businesses have ‘peak periods’ when they are busiest.

Jack: Trains have ‘peak periods’. These are in the mornings usually before 930 and then between about four and six in the afternoon.

Rich: When you buy an ‘off-peak’ ticket you have to travel outside of these busy times and then the tickets are cheaper.

Jack: We also used the term ‘day return’. This is when you come back on the same day. This is often cheaper than coming back on a different day, too.

Rich: So, an ‘off-peak day return’ is one of the cheapest tickets you can get?

Jack: Yes, if you buy tickets on the same day you travel but you can also get advance tickets which make them cheaper still.

Rich: Let’s leave prices there. In the roleplay, I had a couple of problems with public transport. Two phrases to look or listen out for are ‘replacement bus service’ and ‘platform alteration’.

Jack: Rich wanted to catch the underground but on weekends there is often repairs to stations and tracks. This sometimes means there are no trains.

Rich: When there are no trains you have to catch the bus instead. This is called a replacement bus service’.

Jack: Rich had to change platforms quickly in the roleplay because there was a platform alteration announcement. This means a train is arriving on a different platform, the places where trains arrive, than was originally said.

Rich: And then that train was delayed. This means that it was late. At least that is better than cancelled which means it is not ever going to arrive.

Jack: Very true. Right, we’ve got lots more vocabulary connected to getting public transport on the Premier Skills English website. Find this lesson on the homepage or in the skills section and you will find lots of activities, the transcript and a quiz to test your understanding.

Rich: And that’s where you can write your answers to this week’s task, too!

Task

Jack: This week’s task is to tell us about public transport in your country. Is it any good?

Rich: Let’s compare the public transport we have in different countries and see which we think is the best and where it can be improved. Here are a few questions to help you.

Jack: One: What types of public transport do you have in your country? Is it more popular than private cars?

Rich: Two: Is public transport reliable in your country? Do buses and trains arrive on time?

Jack: Three: Is public transport expensive? Do you use travelcards or pay in cash?

Rich: Four: How could public transport be improved in your country? Newer buses? An underground system? Cheaper tickets?

Jack: Five: What about you? Do you use public transport a lot? Tell us about a common journey you make by public transport.

Rich: OK, so that’s your task this week. Write your answers in the comments section at the bottom of the page on the Premier Skills English website or in the review section on Apple Podcasts.

This week’s football phrase:

Jack: The final section this week is our football phrase. 

Rich: The football phrase this week is quite difficult. The phrase is ** *** **** *** *****. The phrase means to waste time because you are winning and want to hold on to the lead. A team might take the ball to the corner flag, take a long time about free-kicks and throw-ins, and substitutions will take ages as teams try ** *** **** *** *****. 

Jack:  Let’s see who can get it right! If you know the answer, write it in the comments section at the bottom of the page. We will announce your name in next week’s podcast if you get it right.

Rich: We also need to give you the answer to the football phrase we set at the beginning of the show. The answer as many of you know already was international break.

Jack: Right, that’s all we have time for this week. Bye for now and enjoy your football!

Vocabulary

How much did you understand?

In the podcast, Rich and Jack used some words and phrases that might be new for you. Do you know the words in bold?

To get around a city, you usually catch the bus, the underground or tram if there is one. 

You can also catch a coach from city to city or even a plane if you’re feeling flush!

You’re better off getting off the 57 at Finchley Road and catching the tube from there.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this delay.

There were a few more tricky words and phrases in the podcast. Do you know what they all mean? Try the activity below, then, listen to the podcast again to hear how we used the words. This can really help your understanding.

Activity 1

Activity 1: In this activity, try to match the words and phrases to their definitions. All of the words were in this week's podcast.
Can you match the words to the definitions?

Many people catch the bus to get around cities in the UK.

Vocabulary

Public transport

In this week's podcast, Jack gave some advice to Rich about public transport in London. Here are some of the phrases that were used in the roleplay. Do you know the words in bold?

Catch the number 57 right outside. It’ll take you all the way to London Bridge but it’ll take ages.

You can buy Oyster Cards online or get one at a newsagents. You put some credit on it, like twenty quid , and then top up when you run out

This service terminates at London Bridge.

Do you go to Finchley Road? Yep, five stops

Sorry mate. The station’s closed for repairs. You’ve got to catch a bus from around the corner. A replacement bus service.

After listening to the roleplay, what do you think you need to remember about public transport in London. Try to use some of the words in bold above.

Arsenal has its own underground station.

Language

At the train station

In the second roleplay, Rich was at the train station trying to get from London to Brighton. Here are some of the phrases from the podcast:

Single or return?

 A single (ticket) is when you want to only go one way, for example, London to Brighton. A return (ticket) is when you want to come back. London to Brighton and Brighton to London. What did Rich want in the roleplay?

So, that’s an off-peak day return. That’ll be £22.50, please.

This is a bit more complicated but can help you get a cheaper ticket! Trains have ‘peak periods’ which is when they are busiest. These are in the mornings, usually before 930, and then between about four and six in the afternoon When you buy an ‘off-peak’ ticket you have to travel outside of these busy times and the tickets will be cheaper. We also used the term ‘day return’. This is when you come back on the same day. This is often cheaper than coming back on a different day.

This is a platform alteration announcement. The 950 train to Brighton will now depart from platform seven.

The 950 to Brighton has been delayed by approximately 25 minutes. We apologise for the inconvenience. 

What does this sign say … replacement bus service. What's all that about?

Rich had a few problems on his way to Brighton. Look at the sentences above and the words in bold. What was each problem?

Try the activity below, you need to read the dialogue between two people in a shop and write the missing words in each gap. All of the words were used in this podcast.

Activity 2

Activity 2: In this activity, write the correct word in the dialogue. All of the words were in this week's podcast.
Can you remember these important words?

Football fans usually get to matches by public transport.

Quiz

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What's public transport like in your country?

Task

How good is public transport in your country?

This week’s task is to tell us about public transport in your country. Is it good enough?

Let’s compare public transport in different countries and look at some of the differences and similarities across the world. Here are some ideas to help you with this task: 

  1. What types of public transport do you have in your country? Is it more popular than private cars?
  2. Is public transport reliable in your country? Do buses and trains arrive on time?
  3. Is public transport expensive? Do you use travelcards or pay in cash?
  4. How could public transport be improved in your country? Newer buses? An underground system? Cheaper tickets?
  5. What about you? Do you use public transport a lot? Tell us about a common journey you make by public transport.

Write your answers in the comments section below and don't forget to make a guess at our football phrase.

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Comentários

JEFFDCP's picture
JEFFDCP
17/03/2023
CO
89
points

Yes, I've public tranport as transmilenio in Bogotá, I use travelcard you should to buy tickets and then top up when you run out, is most popular than private cars, there are so much improve the public transport should be completed an underground that for many years is being built, Iuse all days the public transport.


JEFFDCP's picture
JEFFDCP
17/03/2023 20:56
Colombia
Arsenal
89

Yes, I've public tranport as transmilenio in Bogotá, I use travelcard you should to buy tickets and then top up when you run out, is most popular than private cars, there are so much improve the public transport should be completed an underground that for many years is being built, Iuse all days the public transport.

Tomáš Sobota
09/02/2022
SK
91
points

Yes we have public transport. Slovakia is small country and this is reason why some small cities don ´t have any public transport. The most popular are buses and Bratislava which is capital city has trams too.

The fact is that we talk about small cities I recomend to use taxi becouse they are fast a they have solid price.

I don´t use it verry often but sometimes it´s good alternative when I want go out of city.


Tomáš Sobota
09/02/2022 17:50
Slovakia
Leeds United
91

Yes we have public transport. Slovakia is small country and this is reason why some small cities don ´t have any public transport. The most popular are buses and Bratislava which is capital city has trams too.

The fact is that we talk about small cities I recomend to use taxi becouse they are fast a they have solid price.

I don´t use it verry often but sometimes it´s good alternative when I want go out of city.

hsn's picture
hsn
21/11/2021
TR
5560
points

Task
In my country public transport is good and relaible but not enough it must be spreaded. They generally arrive on time rarely being delay.
In my city bus service is common and popular than private car especially when going to the crowded city center additionally underground is available. It’s a bit expensive, we use travelcard and cash isn’t allowed on the buses. In my opinon underground system should be wider than now. Cheaper tickets should be provided fort he students and low-income people than now. There's a transportation card project which will be used all over the our country as well as being a credit card.
I generally use my private car for commuting, rarely use public transport. Every month I visit my mom who lives another city then I prefer coach service.
Phrases
• This company terminated commercial transactions by itself because of pandemic.
• As far as I understood correctly,Off peak day return tickets provide double cheapness.


hsn's picture
hsn
21/11/2021 18:21
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5560

Task
In my country public transport is good and relaible but not enough it must be spreaded. They generally arrive on time rarely being delay.
In my city bus service is common and popular than private car especially when going to the crowded city center additionally underground is available. It’s a bit expensive, we use travelcard and cash isn’t allowed on the buses. In my opinon underground system should be wider than now. Cheaper tickets should be provided fort he students and low-income people than now. There's a transportation card project which will be used all over the our country as well as being a credit card.
I generally use my private car for commuting, rarely use public transport. Every month I visit my mom who lives another city then I prefer coach service.
Phrases
• This company terminated commercial transactions by itself because of pandemic.
• As far as I understood correctly,Off peak day return tickets provide double cheapness.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
03/06/2020
TR
6539
points

I think this week's football phrase is ( time-wasting in football )


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
03/06/2020 20:33
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

I think this week's football phrase is ( time-wasting in football )

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
03/06/2020
TR
6539
points

Well , we have lots of public transport in Izmir Turkey like we have buses for sure , undergrounds , trams and ferries which is the most exciting tours from the west to the east of the city and vice versa. Transport is more popular than private cars for sure

Public transport is so reliable in Izmir as it's clean , punctual and various so if the bus is late , you can take the tram and so on

We even have bicycles and scooters by cards for short trips by the seaside or around the city centre so it's like you go to your destination and do sports at the same time. I believe the system works properly but it might be a bit cheaper will be amazing

I usually use public transport and as I have mentioned earlier taking a ferry from one area to another is such a lovely journey for example from Konak where I live in Karşıyaka for a private lesson or to meet some friends


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
03/06/2020 20:24
Turkey
Manchester United
6539

Well , we have lots of public transport in Izmir Turkey like we have buses for sure , undergrounds , trams and ferries which is the most exciting tours from the west to the east of the city and vice versa. Transport is more popular than private cars for sure

Public transport is so reliable in Izmir as it's clean , punctual and various so if the bus is late , you can take the tram and so on

We even have bicycles and scooters by cards for short trips by the seaside or around the city centre so it's like you go to your destination and do sports at the same time. I believe the system works properly but it might be a bit cheaper will be amazing

I usually use public transport and as I have mentioned earlier taking a ferry from one area to another is such a lovely journey for example from Konak where I live in Karşıyaka for a private lesson or to meet some friends

Tatiane
22/06/2019
BR
154
points

In Brazil we have different types of transports only in the big cities, there we can find buses, underground, airports, trains and even with all this, we see so many cars on the streets, I think even with many ways to transport, they are not enough capable to carry all these people.
Other problem is that in Brazil public transports are not so cheap, so specially if you need to use this everyday you might pay a big amount.
For all these difficults the most popular transport in my country is still private cars, which is not good, as it results in crazy traffic and more pollucion to the enviroment.


Tatiane
22/06/2019 16:19
Brazil
Everton
154

In Brazil we have different types of transports only in the big cities, there we can find buses, underground, airports, trains and even with all this, we see so many cars on the streets, I think even with many ways to transport, they are not enough capable to carry all these people.
Other problem is that in Brazil public transports are not so cheap, so specially if you need to use this everyday you might pay a big amount.
For all these difficults the most popular transport in my country is still private cars, which is not good, as it results in crazy traffic and more pollucion to the enviroment.

Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
02/04/2019
BR
615
points

1. In most cities in Brazil, the only public transport is the bus, but in the larger cities, like São Paulo or Rio Janeiro, there are also train and metro services available. I think public transport is more popular than private cars for a huge part of the working class.

2. It depends on the city. In the average, I think the service is reliable but Brazil is not known for its promptness.

3. The prices are getting more expensive each year. But again the answer depends on the city. It is allowable to pay in cash or using travelcards in most of the cities.

4. In general, the systems could be more organized. In the larger cities, I think the underground system could be expanded and the service could be intensified in the rush time (more trains, more available space for people). There also could exist a train service for long distance travels (which are can be made only by car, bus or plane).

5. I don't use public transport in my city. As I live in a small city, the traffic is usually not heavy, and it is more comfortable to drive my own car. When I go to São Paulo, I use the underground system a lot, avoiding catching 6-8 am and 5-7pm. Another good option nowadays is Uber.

I think the football phrase is "******* out *** *****".


Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
02/04/2019 15:39
Brazil
Tottenham Hotspur
615

1. In most cities in Brazil, the only public transport is the bus, but in the larger cities, like São Paulo or Rio Janeiro, there are also train and metro services available. I think public transport is more popular than private cars for a huge part of the working class.

2. It depends on the city. In the average, I think the service is reliable but Brazil is not known for its promptness.

3. The prices are getting more expensive each year. But again the answer depends on the city. It is allowable to pay in cash or using travelcards in most of the cities.

4. In general, the systems could be more organized. In the larger cities, I think the underground system could be expanded and the service could be intensified in the rush time (more trains, more available space for people). There also could exist a train service for long distance travels (which are can be made only by car, bus or plane).

5. I don't use public transport in my city. As I live in a small city, the traffic is usually not heavy, and it is more comfortable to drive my own car. When I go to São Paulo, I use the underground system a lot, avoiding catching 6-8 am and 5-7pm. Another good option nowadays is Uber.

I think the football phrase is "******* out *** *****".

Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
03/04/2019
BR
615
points

"******* **** *** *****".


Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
03/04/2019 11:46
Brazil
Tottenham Hotspur
615

"******* **** *** *****".

Rich's picture
Rich
03/04/2019
ES
594
points

You've got it this time. Rafael!

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
03/04/2019 14:06
Spain
Liverpool
594

You've got it this time. Rafael!

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

coreuser
02/04/2019
JO
229
points

Answers inline:

What types of public transport do you have in your country? Is it more popular than private cars?
[coreuser] taxes only are available. Do you believe that ? actually this is the only way.

Is public transport reliable in your country? Do buses and trains arrive on time?
[coreuser] taxes are the only way, thanks to UBER, the service is reliable.

Is public transport expensive? Do you use travelcards or pay in cash?
[coreuser] yes it is expensive, actually there are no travelcards, only cash.

How could public transport be improved in your country? Newer buses? An underground system? Cheaper tickets?
[coreuser] the state here is building metro, the work is underway, hopefully it will be live soon.
The service can be improved by a variety of ways, e.g. introduce the metro, buses, offer an affordable prices etc...

What about you? Do you use public transport a lot? Tell us about a common journey you make by public transport.
[coreuser] No I don't use public transport.


coreuser
02/04/2019 05:45
Jordan
Manchester City
229

Answers inline:

What types of public transport do you have in your country? Is it more popular than private cars?
[coreuser] taxes only are available. Do you believe that ? actually this is the only way.

Is public transport reliable in your country? Do buses and trains arrive on time?
[coreuser] taxes are the only way, thanks to UBER, the service is reliable.

Is public transport expensive? Do you use travelcards or pay in cash?
[coreuser] yes it is expensive, actually there are no travelcards, only cash.

How could public transport be improved in your country? Newer buses? An underground system? Cheaper tickets?
[coreuser] the state here is building metro, the work is underway, hopefully it will be live soon.
The service can be improved by a variety of ways, e.g. introduce the metro, buses, offer an affordable prices etc...

What about you? Do you use public transport a lot? Tell us about a common journey you make by public transport.
[coreuser] No I don't use public transport.

Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
02/04/2019
BR
615
points

Hello, coreuser.
It seems quite inconvenient to have only taxis as available transport.


Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
02/04/2019 15:42
Brazil
Tottenham Hotspur
615

Hello, coreuser.
It seems quite inconvenient to have only taxis as available transport.

coreuser
02/04/2019
JO
229
points

The phrase could be "timewasting" or "******* out *** *****" ?


coreuser
02/04/2019 05:20
Jordan
Manchester City
229

The phrase could be "timewasting" or "******* out *** *****" ?

pedrogarcia
02/04/2019
BR
33
points

Football phrase: head for the corner


pedrogarcia
02/04/2019 04:16
Brazil
Fulham
33

Football phrase: head for the corner

pedrogarcia
02/04/2019
BR
33
points

1 . I live in Rio de Janeiro. In the best areas the public transportation works great, however, the tickets are getting very expensive. In Rio it is possible to travel by bus, subway and train, but the train only passes through poor neighborhoods.
2 - There are plenty of buses and subway in my city, but it is not possible to control their arriving time. There is not a regular schedule.
3 - The public transport price is always increasing. Sometimes it is more expensive to catch a bus than to call a Uber. We can pay in cash and also by travel cards. Both options are available.
4 - I live in a very hot city, thus it is very important that the buses do have air conditioner. There are still many buses without air conditioner, which is very unpleasant. In addition the bus\subway tickets are very expensive.
5 - I use public transportation almost every day. I prefer to catch the bus instead of the subway, given the fact that it is emptier, even though the traffic can delay my travel.


pedrogarcia
02/04/2019 04:09
Brazil
Fulham
33

1 . I live in Rio de Janeiro. In the best areas the public transportation works great, however, the tickets are getting very expensive. In Rio it is possible to travel by bus, subway and train, but the train only passes through poor neighborhoods.
2 - There are plenty of buses and subway in my city, but it is not possible to control their arriving time. There is not a regular schedule.
3 - The public transport price is always increasing. Sometimes it is more expensive to catch a bus than to call a Uber. We can pay in cash and also by travel cards. Both options are available.
4 - I live in a very hot city, thus it is very important that the buses do have air conditioner. There are still many buses without air conditioner, which is very unpleasant. In addition the bus\subway tickets are very expensive.
5 - I use public transportation almost every day. I prefer to catch the bus instead of the subway, given the fact that it is emptier, even though the traffic can delay my travel.

Thenext75's picture
Thenext75
31/03/2019
IT
174
points

Football phrase may be to get ball far goals


Thenext75's picture
Thenext75
31/03/2019 14:15
Italy
Chelsea
174

Football phrase may be to get ball far goals

elghoul's picture
elghoul
31/03/2019
DZ
3988
points

1. In Algiers we have been using train and buses for more than a century. This last decade public transport had been enhanced with an underground as well as a tram service.

2. Public transport is somehow reliable these times at Algiers. You have to know some tips in order to use them without time wasting.

3. It is not very expensive. You can paye by cash or buy a monthly paid card.

4. Public transport is very useful and it can be improved with more private buses.

5. As I don't live in Algiers I am not a regular transport public user. Once a week I go to Algiers from Tizi ouzou. I buy a return ticket when using the train which is since fewer than a decade a electrical one with good comfort.


elghoul's picture
elghoul
31/03/2019 13:49
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

1. In Algiers we have been using train and buses for more than a century. This last decade public transport had been enhanced with an underground as well as a tram service.

2. Public transport is somehow reliable these times at Algiers. You have to know some tips in order to use them without time wasting.

3. It is not very expensive. You can paye by cash or buy a monthly paid card.

4. Public transport is very useful and it can be improved with more private buses.

5. As I don't live in Algiers I am not a regular transport public user. Once a week I go to Algiers from Tizi ouzou. I buy a return ticket when using the train which is since fewer than a decade a electrical one with good comfort.

elghoul's picture
elghoul
31/03/2019
DZ
3988
points

Football phrase, to *** **** *** *****.


elghoul's picture
elghoul
31/03/2019 13:30
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

Football phrase, to *** **** *** *****.

ldzingirai's picture
ldzingirai
30/03/2019
ZW
1749
points

Task

Public Transport in Zimbabwe

1. Over eighty percent of public transport in Zimbabwe are buses and the other twenty percent represent the other forms of transport (taxis,trains). Diesel powered trains travel at night ;these trains link our two largest cities Harare and Bulawayo and some other towns.There are no day trains.

2.Yes and no answer.Buses do travel on/in time so are taxis but not with trains.It takes about two hours to move Harare to Mutare by bus; the same distance by train takes over eighty hours.Buses are well mantained, but trains constantly break down or run out fuel in the middle of nowhere.

3. The are two forms of paying for transport: cash and mobile money transfer.No bank cards.I think our transport is affordable and fares are reasonable.Tickets fares are monitored and reviewed from time to time by government.

4. We need to modernise our transport system.There are no two ways about it.There is need to buy more train coaches and open new tracks that link the other towns and the rest of the country.

5.Yes I use public transport quite a lot.Every end of month I travel to Harare from Marondera (a distance of 76 km).It costs US$2 by bus and US$0.50.

Phrase

delaying tactic


ldzingirai's picture
ldzingirai
30/03/2019 19:53
Zimbabwe
Chelsea
1749

Task

Public Transport in Zimbabwe

1. Over eighty percent of public transport in Zimbabwe are buses and the other twenty percent represent the other forms of transport (taxis,trains). Diesel powered trains travel at night ;these trains link our two largest cities Harare and Bulawayo and some other towns.There are no day trains.

2.Yes and no answer.Buses do travel on/in time so are taxis but not with trains.It takes about two hours to move Harare to Mutare by bus; the same distance by train takes over eighty hours.Buses are well mantained, but trains constantly break down or run out fuel in the middle of nowhere.

3. The are two forms of paying for transport: cash and mobile money transfer.No bank cards.I think our transport is affordable and fares are reasonable.Tickets fares are monitored and reviewed from time to time by government.

4. We need to modernise our transport system.There are no two ways about it.There is need to buy more train coaches and open new tracks that link the other towns and the rest of the country.

5.Yes I use public transport quite a lot.Every end of month I travel to Harare from Marondera (a distance of 76 km).It costs US$2 by bus and US$0.50.

Phrase

delaying tactic

Thenext75's picture
Thenext75
30/03/2019
IT
174
points

in Italy the most popular means of transport is unfortunately private car, just because all the others means of transport are sometime unreliable(all they are often in late). in Italy you can catch the underground that we call "metropolitana" in Milan, Rome, Naples and since 2015 in Brescia.
All the pubblic means of transport are cheaper than private car except airplane, further in Rome you can get the "Rome pass" as well as in London you can get the "London pass". You can buy also a daily ticket in order to travel on bus and underground for a whole day and get some saving. About me I live in countryside and bus service in unavaiable so i have to use my car to get work.


Thenext75's picture
Thenext75
30/03/2019 19:21
Italy
Chelsea
174

in Italy the most popular means of transport is unfortunately private car, just because all the others means of transport are sometime unreliable(all they are often in late). in Italy you can catch the underground that we call "metropolitana" in Milan, Rome, Naples and since 2015 in Brescia.
All the pubblic means of transport are cheaper than private car except airplane, further in Rome you can get the "Rome pass" as well as in London you can get the "London pass". You can buy also a daily ticket in order to travel on bus and underground for a whole day and get some saving. About me I live in countryside and bus service in unavaiable so i have to use my car to get work.

Liubomyr's picture
Liubomyr
01/04/2019
UA
4417
points

Hi Thenext75,
You mentioned that Milan, Rome, Naples and Brescia have metro- systems. But what about Catania, Turin and Genoa? It seems that these cities also have similar systems.


Liubomyr's picture
Liubomyr
01/04/2019 09:38
Ukraine
Watford
4417

Hi Thenext75,
You mentioned that Milan, Rome, Naples and Brescia have metro- systems. But what about Catania, Turin and Genoa? It seems that these cities also have similar systems.

Khaldoun83's picture
Khaldoun83
30/03/2019
DZ
325
points

A

In Algeria there are a plenty of choices when it comes to puplic transport in the biggest cities. Unfortunately, the small towns don't have the same variety, as I mentioned before in biggest cities there are trains, tramways, private cars, buses as well as telepherique, the underground service remain previlege for the capital's habitants.

When it comes to reliability of puplic transport I can say that we suffer from this problem because even air transportation, this last is not only lack the reliabilty but it is also very expensive not like other means of transportation which consider a bit cheaper. Most people here in our country use cash when they travel, we believe that we could build a rail network to connect the whole cities of country to make the tranportation of people and goods easier and cheaper.

For me I don't use puplic transportation frequently because I work near my home so I don#t need the transport at all. 

Since you mentioned the corner flag, I think that the football phrase is The corner flag attraction.


Khaldoun83's picture
Khaldoun83
30/03/2019 17:07
Algeria
Liverpool
325

A

In Algeria there are a plenty of choices when it comes to puplic transport in the biggest cities. Unfortunately, the small towns don't have the same variety, as I mentioned before in biggest cities there are trains, tramways, private cars, buses as well as telepherique, the underground service remain previlege for the capital's habitants.

When it comes to reliability of puplic transport I can say that we suffer from this problem because even air transportation, this last is not only lack the reliabilty but it is also very expensive not like other means of transportation which consider a bit cheaper. Most people here in our country use cash when they travel, we believe that we could build a rail network to connect the whole cities of country to make the tranportation of people and goods easier and cheaper.

For me I don't use puplic transportation frequently because I work near my home so I don#t need the transport at all. 

Since you mentioned the corner flag, I think that the football phrase is The corner flag attraction.

Liubomyr's picture
Liubomyr
01/04/2019
UA
4417
points

Hi Khaldoun83,
you mentioned telepherique, could you please explain what's that. My only idea that it's something like a cable car, am I right?


Liubomyr's picture
Liubomyr
01/04/2019 09:33
Ukraine
Watford
4417

Hi Khaldoun83,
you mentioned telepherique, could you please explain what's that. My only idea that it's something like a cable car, am I right?

Liubomyr's picture
Liubomyr
28/03/2019
UA
4417
points

I think that the phrase is to '*** **** *** *****'


Liubomyr's picture
Liubomyr
28/03/2019 15:22
Ukraine
Watford
4417

I think that the phrase is to '*** **** *** *****'

Leaderboard

Top Scorers
RankNameScore
1Alex_from_Ukraine6578
2mobeckham6539
3hsn5560
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Country ranking
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Club ranking
RankNameScore
1Manchester United147000
2Liverpool111527
3Chelsea90265
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Level

3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

Goals

Skills: Listening

Language: Phrases to use at the train station

Vocabulary: Words connected to public transport

Task: Talk about public transport in your country