Getting a taxi

fare | fɛː | noun1 the money paid for a journey on public transport by a passenger

passenger | ˈpasɪndʒə | a traveller on a public/private transport other than the
driver/pilot/crew
meter2 | ˈmiːtə | noun a device that measures and records the quantity, degree,
or rate of something: an electricity meter.
change 2 [mass noun]  coins as opposed to banknotes: a handful of loose
change. • money given in exchange for the same sum in larger units: I'd go to
the bank and get change. 
• money returned to someone as the balance of the sum paid for
something
receipt • [count noun] a written or printed statement acknowledging that
something has been paid for or that goods have been received: always make
sure you get a receipt.
rush hour - a time during each day when traffic is at its heaviest:try to avoid the
rush hour.
terminal 1 the end of a railway or other transport route, or a station at such a
point
• a departure and arrival building for air passengers at an airport.
small talk noun [mass noun] polite conversation about unimportant or
uncontroversial matters, especially as engaged in on social occasions: the taxi
driver was  making small talk.

Conversation with the taxi driver (example):

The start of a journey
A: How much is it to the city centre?
B: It’s usually about thirty, thirty-five
dollars.
A: Can you take me to the Park Inn?
B: The Park Inn on Broadway, right?
A: Yes, thank you.
A: I’d like to go to the airport, please.
B: OK. Which terminal?
A: I think it’s terminal 2B. Can I put my
case (suitcase, luggage) in the back?
B: I’ll do that for you. / Sure, let me help
you.

The end of a journey

A: Could you wait here for five minutes?
B: Well, OK, but can you pay me first?
A: Sure... How much is it?
B: Thirty-one fifty, please.
A: Just make it thirty-five dollars.
B: Thank you very much.
A: How much is it?
B: It’s thirty-one dollars and fifty cents.
A: Here you are.
B: Thanks very much... And here’s your
change.
A: Can I have a receipt, please?
B: Sure... Here you are.

Showing interest in a conversation: So; Right; Oh yeah?; Really?

Adding extra information: Actually; In fact; Well, actually.

USE QUESTIONS TO START CONVERSATIONS

A: Are you interested in...? Do you like...?
What’s your favourite...? Have you seen...?
Have you ever been to...? Where do you...?
Are you going to...? Have you got...?
B: Answer the question. Give some extra information.
A: Listen carefully to what your partner says. Ask another question.
USEFUL PHRASES TO TAKE A TAXI IN ENGLISH
Calling for a taxi
The most common way of booking a taxi is on the phone. When you call up the taxi
company, you can ask to book a taxi at a certain time by saying “May I book a taxi at
(time)?” or if you would like one right away, you can say “When is the soonest I could
book a taxi for?” Next, you need to tell the taxi operator where you are by saying “I’m at
(address)” or “Could you send the taxi to (address)?” and say where you want to go
to “I’d like to go to (address)”. Make sure to ask “How much will that cost?” so you don’t
get a surprise when you get to the destination.
In a hotel
You are staying at a hotel and would like to ask a hotel employee to call a taxi for you. You
ask the receptionist “Could you organize/call a taxi for me for this evening please? I need
to be picked up at (time) to go to (place).” You could also ask the doorman “Excuse me,
could you hail a taxi for me please?” and arrange the price and destination with the driver
yourself.
Hailing a taxi
When you stop a taxi on the street and get in, it’s called ‘hailing’ a taxi. Before you get in the
cab, ask the driver “Could you take me to (place)?” and either “How much will that
cost?” or “Do you use a meter?” if you are somewhere where drivers charge by the mile.
In the cab
Cab drivers are often famous for being talkative. To practise your English in the cab, you
could make conversation with the driver by asking about his day or whether he is from this
city. If you want to get to your destination quickly, you could say “I’m really in a hurry, so
can you take the quickest route please?” If you have more time free and want to do some
sightseeing, you could say “Can we drive past (famous place) on the way?”
When you get there
When you get to your destination, if you haven’t agreed a price in advance, you can
ask “How much is the fare please?” or “How much do I owe you?” to find out how much
you need to pay. If you feel the service was good and you want to give the taxi driver a tip
you can say “Keep the change” or “Here’s a tip”.
Remember, taxi drivers deal with customers from all over the world so even if your English
isn’t perfect they will probably understand you. The most important thing is to stay safe, be
clear about where you want to go and the cost, then sit back and enjoy the ride.

Starting a story:
I was... -> I was in France. / I was with two friends.
I was living... -> I was living in Frankfurt.
I was looking... -> I was looking for a little restaurant.
I was on my way... -> I was on my way to a conference.
I was visiting... -> I was visiting my brother.
I was working... -> I was working in a shop.
I was travelling... -> I was travelling to the USA.
I was waiting... -> I was waiting for a train.

Linking a story:
- After - Later
- As - Then
- During - When
Think of a time in your life when you met someone interesting. Think about these questions:
1 Where were you? When was it?
2 What were you doing?
3 What was the person like?
4 What did you talk about?
5 Did you spend much time together?
6 Are you in contact now?

Grammar: PAST PROGRESSIVE

- Use past progressive to talk about an action that was in progress at a time in the past.
Example:
I started making the dinner at 5.30 pm.
At 6.00 pm I was making the dinner. (point in time = 6.00 pm)
The dinner was ready at 7.00 pm.

I left work at 4.00 pm.

When you phoned, I was driving home. (point in time = when you phoned me)
I got home at 4.20 pm.

Compare the past simple and the past progressive:

I made the dinner yesterday. (talking about a finished action)
At 6 pm yesdterday, I was making the dinner. (saying an action was in progress at a time
in the past).

FORM:
Was/were + verb + ing.

? What were you doing at 6 pm yesterday? ? Were you driving home when I called?
+ I was making the dinner. + Yes, I was.
- I wasn’t watching TV. - No, I wasn’t.

Conversation tennis de pe teacher’s pack.

EXERCITIU DE PE NET SAU DE AICI.

Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets in the past progressive.
1. We first met Ali and Mohammed when we ____ _______ in Turkey. (travel)
2. What ____ you _____ when I called you? There was no answer. (do)
3.