Listening 2 — In-class

Travel agent: This one's a good deal. It costs £150 and airfares are included in that price. Once you land, you still need to get to the ski slopes. It's a two-hour journey.

Customer: Yes, I know, I have a friend there who's going to meet me and we'll travel together.

Travel agent: Oh, that's fine, I usually organise a coach ticket for my customers, because a taxi is far too expensive. But a lift from a local is even better. What about skiing equipment?

Customer: I've already got all of that, but I would like to arrange insurance if that's possible.

Travel agent: Yes, of course that's possible. And it's a very good idea for a holiday like that.

Receptionist: And it says here you'll be staying with us for two nights, is that right?

Guest: Actually, my plans have changed since I made the booking and I was hoping I'd be able to stay for one extra night, if it's possible.

Receptionist: I'll just have a look and try to make sure you don't have to change rooms on the third night. Yes, that's fine, and in fact you'll get a 25% discount as well.

Guest: Oh, great. Do you have a gym or a sports centre in the hotel? And I need access to your business centre as well.

Receptionist: Yes, we have all of those. Now, your room is up on the tenth floor, and the elevators are right behind you. You'll actually be on the same floor as the business centre, and it's clearly signposted. The gym is down on this level and so is the restaurant. You need to go there in the morning for breakfast.

Interviewer: Now, according to your CV, you've lived and worked in a few different countries, haven't you?

Applicant: That's right, I was born here in England and my family emigrated to Australia when I was very young.

Interviewer: But your longest employment so far was in America, if I'm not mistaken?

Applicant: That's right. I moved there once I'd graduated and worked for five years before coming back to England in January.

Interviewer: Right. And you've worked briefly in accounts but in sales, mostly … Is that the area you are still interested in working in? We have a very strong sales department.

Applicant: Actually, I'm hoping to move into the area of marketing. I've always been interested in it, and it was my major at university.

Interviewer: I see. Well, with your references I'm sure we can discuss it.

What about getting her a new bike?

That's right. We arrive on 22nd July.

That sounds great. Let's do that.

I don't think I'd enjoy that one.

You said you'd prefer to have the party outside, is that right?

Actually, it's just gone up to $250.

Now, what about accommodation? Where would you like to stay?

A: Hi Sam, we'd better start planning the party, it's in less than two weeks, isn't it?

B: Yeah, I guess it is. There isn't much to do, is there?

A: Well, we need to sort out food, for a start.

B: Why don't we just order some pizzas?

A: But we always do that. Let's do something a bit different. Besides, it's pretty expensive.

B: What about a barbecue then, or we could just do hot dogs.

A: Hmm, too much preparation involved. There are a lot coming, you know.

B: Sandwiches then? That's easy enough.

A: Sandwiches? That's a good idea. Hmm, hang on, that would be even more preparation than the barbecue! Better go back to pizzas it is, then!

B: Pizzas it is, then!

A: Now, we also need to think about music, and invitations.

B: Well, we don't need to buy invitations. I think we should just do them on the computer and keep costs down.

A: Good idea. And what about music?

B: We can just use the same stuff we had last time. It's fine.

A: OK, well, if we don't let people know soon there won't be anyone there. So let's make that our priority. Have you got your laptop?

B: Yeah, told you there wasn't much to do.

A: Hi Julie, have you got time to plan our project?

B: Sure, I've got a few minutes. We need to choose a topic based on the theme of pollution, don't we?

A: That's right. Have you got any preferences?

B: Well, I did a huge assignment on water pollution last year so we could just do that?

A: Actually, the tutor did make a point of saying not to use last year's materials. So we'd better not.

B: It's probably a bit out of date now anyway. Also, it focused specifically on industry and I think we're supposed to take a broad view.

A: That's right. We could look at something totally different, like the effects of fumes on air quality.

B: Hmm, good idea. And we could make sure we include all of the sources, like traffic and factories.

A: So, what else do we need to do? Shall we go to the library and look for resources?

B: Actually, I think we'd be better off looking online at this time of the year. The good resources in the library are often all out anyway. Before we notify the tutor which topic we've chosen, I think we need to ask the others what they're doing.

A: You're right. We need to make sure we're not all doing the same thing. Let's ask them this afternoon in the tutorial.

B: Great idea.

Customer: Hi. I'm interested in buying a ticket for the small business expo next week, but I'm not sure it will be useful for me.

Organiser: Well, as this year we wanted to focus on computer skills. So as well as representatives from 400 small businesses, we've invited over 250 specialists in that area.

Customer: Oh, that should be interesting.

Woman: So all my possessions will be covered, is that right?

Man: No, not exactly. It covers all possessions except bicycles and cameras. You'd have to get a separate policy for each of those.

Woman: So what type of accommodation are you looking for, exactly?

Man: A one-bedroom flat. It's just for me, so I don't need anything larger.

So now we just need to choose the restaurant.

Woman: Well, ideally we want somewhere that's not too expensive and a type of food that everyone likes, but the most important thing is that it's near the office. We'll be walking there and back, and we don't know what the weather will be like.

Woman: Hello, excuse me, do you have a moment?

Man: Yes, of course. How can I help?

Woman: I wondered if you could answer a few questions I have about the school trip next week. I think all the children were given a letter about it to give to their parents, but I'm afraid my son Ian lost his on the way home. I don't even know where he's going.

Man: Oh, yes, you're Mrs Ogilvy, is that right?

Woman: Yes, I am.

Man: He's in the school football team. I don't teach Ian myself, but I know who he is. He's doing very well in the school football team! Anyway the trip's to Whitsmead Wildlife Park.

Woman: Oh yes, I know. It's very nice.

Man: The coach leaves at 8 a.m.

Woman: Where does it leave from? Outside the school?

Man: No, not exactly. The road's too narrow there for coaches. It's leaving from the public car park.

Woman: The one next to the school?

Man: That's right.

Woman: Will my son need to take a packed lunch?

Man: Yes, he will.

Woman: And anything else?

Man: Um, no, that's all, I think. There's just one other thing. We're still waiting to hear from the coach company how long the journey's going to take, so we'll be phoning them in a day or two to tell them the exact return time. But it'll be some time between five and six, probably.

Woman: I see, that's fine. But I'd better give the secretary my new contact details. We'd just moved.

Man: I'll make a note of them right now if you like, and pass them to the secretary later. Would that be easier?

Woman: Yes, that's very kind of you.

Man: I'll just get a pen. Bear with me for a moment ...

Man 1: So, the flight lands at just after half past eleven in the evening. How are we going to get to the city centre?

Man 2: I've got the airport website here on my phone. Let's have a look and see what the options are. I just need to find the right page … yes, here we are.

Man 1: What does it say?

Man 2: Um … there's a shuttle train. They go every half hour and it takes 12 minutes. Mm, that's quick!

Man 1: Not bad. How much does it cost?

Man 2: It's 15 dollars.

Man 1: That sounds OK.

Man 2: Ah, but unfortunately they only run from 5 a.m. to a quarter to midnight, so that's no good. We'll be arriving just too late for the last one. Never mind. There's a 24-hour bus service. They go every 20 minutes past the hour, so if we miss the 12.20, we could get the 1.20.

Man 1: How much is it?

Man 2: It's only 11 dollars, but it takes 45 minutes. Hmmm. That's quite slow, and it's a long wait if we miss the 12.20. What about a taxi?

Man 1: It says here a taxi takes about 20 minutes. It doesn't give the cost, though.

Man 2: It'll probably only be a bit more expensive than the bus for two of us, and we won't have to wait.

Man 1: I think we should book it, then. Arriving at that time of night, we don't want to find that there aren't any taxis there. Shall I read out the details, and you write them down?

Man 2: I agree. Shall I read the details?

Man 1: OK. What does it say?

Man 2: The website gives a link to an airport taxi company. Let's have a look ... Yes, it's got all the information here. It costs 38 dollars, and it's also a 24-hour service.

Man 1: I think that's OK.

Man 2: It's not a lot more expensive than the bus for two of us, and much more convenient. They take advance reservations, too.

Normally, you go to their office in the arrivals hall in the airport, but after 10 p.m., the office is closed.

Man 1: Oh. Does it say what you have to do if you arrive later than that?

Man 2: Yes. You have to call them when your plane lands.

Man 1: That's OK, our mobile phones will work there.

Man 2: You give them a call when your plane lands, and then the taxi will be waiting for you outside the arrivals hall, by a sign that says 'Airport Taxi Service'. You have to pay the driver in cash, so we'll need some dollars.

Man 1: Do you know if there's a cash machine at the airport?

Man 2: Yes, there is – I used it last time I was there.

Man 1: So that's no problem. Is there an online booking form?

Man 2: Um … no. To make a reservation, we have to phone the office between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Or we can book by sending them an email. We just email them our details, and then they'll send us a booking reference number which we have to show to the driver. That's all.

Man 1: OK, let's do it by email, then. It'll be easier than phoning. What's their email address?

Man 2: It's info@ercancars.com. That's info at E-R-C-A-N-C-A-R-S dot com. Got that?

Man 1: Yes.

Man 2: Good. I'll open up the email on my phone and send them one right now.