UNIT 1

AT THE AIRPORT

THE OBJECTIVE

At the end of this unit, you are expected to be able to communicate using appropriate
expressions at various communicative events commonly found at the airport.

 Have you ever travelled abroad by plane?

 What do you say at the check-in counter?
 How do you answer the officer at custom counter?

Task 1
Put these events in the same order as they always happen.
a. The plane takes off. d. You go through the security.

b. You wait in the departure lounge. e. You board the plane.

c. You check in your baggage.
Task 2
Study the following vocabulary commonly found at the airport.

the security gate Inspects

check in counter Show your ticket
security check /ID
lounge Empty your pocket
custom office Put them on the
security tag tray
boarding pass baggage claim area
aisle boarding area
aisle seat boarding pass
oxygen mask carry-on luggage
pilot cockpit
seat belt emergency exit
security checkpoint flight attendant
security officer gate
terminal lavatory
ticket counter life jacket
tray table metal detector
overhead compartment
window seat
X-ray machine

Task 3
Study the text below.
 1. When is the date of the flight?
2. What is the number of the seat?
3. Which gate should the passenger take?
4. Where is the destination?
5. Which airline does the passenger use?
Task 4
Match the word with its meaning.

1. aisle (n) /aɪl/ a. not being watched or taken care of.

2. departure lounge b. a printed record of the money put into and removed from
(n) /dɪˈpɑː.tʃə a bank account.
laʊndʒ /
3. baggage (n) /ˈbæg.ɪdʒ c. a gun that can be carried easily.
4. unattended d. the area in an airport where passengers wait before getting
(adj)/ˌʌn.əˈten.dɪd/ onto an aircraft.
5. firearm (n) e. a long narrow space between rows of seats in an aircraft,
/ˈfaɪə.rɑːm/ cinema or church.
6. bank statement f. all the cases and bags that you take with you when you
/bæŋk steɪt.mənt / travel.
7. carousel (n) /ˌkær.ʊ g. the place at an airport where you show your ticket so that
ˈsel/ you can be told where you will be sitting.
8. check-in (desk) (n) h. a continuous moving strip on which airport passengers'
/tʃek in desk / bags are put for collection.
9. book (v) i. your personal property or possessions
/buk/
10. luggage (n) j. to make arrangements in advance
/’lɅg.idǯ/
11. belongings (n) k. to be at or go to
//bɪˈlɒŋ.ɪŋz / l. bags used during traveling to carry your things

Task 5
At the airport, you’ll have to go through the customs and immigration office.
Task 6
Listen to the dialogue between a customs officer and a woman.

Officer : Next. Uh, your passport please.

Woman : Okay.
Customs : Uh, what is the purpose of your visit?
Woman : I'm here to attend a teaching convention for the first part of my trip, and then I
plan on touring the capital for a few days.
Customs : And where will you be staying?
Woman : I'll be staying in a room at a hotel downtown for the entire week.
Customs : And uh, what do you have in your luggage?
Woman : Uh, well, just, just my personal belongings um, . . . clothes, a few books, and a
CD player.
Customs : Okay. Uh, please open your bag.
Woman : Sure.
Customs : Okay . . . Everything's fine. [Great]. Uh, by the way, is this your first visit to the
country?
Woman : Well, yes and no. Actually, I was born here when my parents were working in
the capital many years ago, but this is my first trip back since then.
Customs : Well, enjoy your trip.
Woman : Thanks.
(Esl-lab.com)

Task 7

Study and practice the expression below.

 Could you show me your ticket and ID please? Sure

 You may proceed to the check in counter Thanks
 Would like window seat or isle seat? Window
please
 Here is your security tag. Thanks
 You can proceed to the security check now. Thanks
 Please empty your pocket and put the contents on the tray. Sure
 You are cleared to go, here’s your boarding pass. Thanks
 Do you bring sharp objects in your handbag? No.
 What is the purpose of your visit? Studying
 Do you have any family here? No
 How long will you stay? 3 months
 Do you have a returned ticket? Yes, here it is.

Cultural Tips

Make sure that you don’t bring prohibited things in the aeroplane, they are:
Sharp Objects, Sporting Goods, Guns & Firearms, Tools, Martial Arts & Self
Defense Items, Explosive & Flammable Materials, Disabling Chemicals &
Other Dangerous Items.
Task 8
The following sentences describe some possible activities on board.
Answer the questions by choosing the best answer.

1. The ___________ will be serving food and beverages after the plane
reaches its cruising altitude.

a. flight attendants b. pilots c. security officers

2. After the plane lands, you can pick up your luggage at the ___________ .
a. boarding area b. baggage claim area c. overhead compartment

3. If the cabin loses pressure during flight, you should put on your
____________ so you can breathe comfortably.
a. Seat belt b. life jacket c. oxygen mask

4. The conversation between flight attendants and passengers usually

concerns ___
a. food to choose b. how to use the toilet c. how to declare things

5. In flight shopping done by flight attendants offers the passengers things

like ____
 a. Food b. accessories c. toiletries

Task 9
Fill in the blanks using the words provided in the box and then practice the
dialogue with your partner. Check dictionary if necessary.

passport window boarding card departure carousel screen

the signs pack flammable contain remove no problem

Officer : Hello. Your ticket and … (1) please.

Dimas : Here you are.
Officer : Thank you. Aisle seat or …. (2)?
Dimas : Window please
Officer : Is it just the one bag to check in?
Dimas : Yes, only this bag. Oh and this small backpack.
Officer : I see. Did you … (3) your bags yourself?
Dimas : Yes.
Officer : Any … (4) or chemical items, or firearms in your baggage?
Dimas : No.
Officer : Have you left your bags unattended at any time since you
packed them?
Dimas : Wait a minute.Umm, no, no.
Officer : All right. Are you carrying any gifts or parcels on behalf of other
people?
Dimas : No.
Officer : I see. Does your backpack … (5) knives, sharp object, matches
or lighter?
Dimas : Umm, no…Ah, yes scissors. I forgot to … (6) it from my bag.
Officer : I am afraid you must leave it here.
Dimas : ….. (7).
Officer : Right. Here ‘s your passport and ticket. And here’s your
boarding pass.
Seat 45C. Departure gate is number 9.
Dimas : Thank you.
Officer : Make your way to the … (8) lounge at least 40 minutes before
departure.
Dimas : Sure. What time does the plane take off?
Officer : 9.45.It says just here. But check the information … (9) in the
departure
lounge, as this might change.
Dimas : Okay. Thanks.
Officer : No worries. Enjoy your flight.
Task 9
Role play.
Student A Student C
You are at the check-in desk and talk to You are a check-in desk staff. You
a staff. talk to a passenger. You are
1. You should show the ticket. expected to:
2. You have 2 big baggage. 1. Ask him/her to show the ticket.
3. You need to remove some things from 2. Ask him/her about the baggage.
your baggage. 3. Ask if she/he brings any
4. You don’t bring forbidden stuff with forbidden thing.
you. 4. Tell him/her to reduce the
5. Ask if you can bring your medicine weight of the baggage.
with you. 5. Respond to every question.

Student A Student B
You are an immigration officer of an You are at an airport in an English
English speaking country. You must do speaking country. You talk to an
the following: immigration officer. Use the
1. Ask your partner to show his/her following clues in responding to the
passport and ticket. questions given.
2. Ask questions about: the duration of 1. You are going to stay for 9
the stay, where to stay, the reason months for doing a summer
for visiting your country, financial internship.
support, sponsors, etc. 2. You are going to stay in a dorm.
3. You are sponsored by your home
university.