Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
There are many options when it comes to traveling cross country. With an airplane, you can fly at the speed of light and arrive anywhere within hours of take off. With a car, you can stop anywhere you want along the way. With a train, you have the pleasure of seeing the scenery pass by and enjoying the long ride.
Depending on where you live, trains have a different status in the transportation network. In Europe, for example, trains are definitely an integral part of the transportation system. In the US, however, travel by train is far less common.
Taking a train is different than flying or driving because you can get up and walk around during the trip. Maybe you’re hungry, so you go to the dining car to buy a snack. Maybe your train has an observation deck, and you’d like some fresh air. Train travel does take longer than flying, though, so make sure you have a lot of patience before starting a trip.
If you’ve never ridden a train, maybe now’s the time for you to have an adventure! Head to the station, book a ticket, and listen for the conductor to call, “All aboard!”
Learn who wants to take a train trip in this English lesson.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
Amanda: I was wondering if you’d want to take a cross country trip with me by train.
Marni: You had me at cross country trip, but then train? So long!
Amanda: Come on! There’s the scenery out the window.
Marni: Yeah, but, you know, I just prefer the speed of airplanes. You get to your destination so much faster!
Amanda: What is the hurry?
Marni: I know you think it’s nice to take in your surroundings, but I just want to get there so I can maximize my time wherever I’m going.
Amanda: I love being a passenger on trains. You can pay a little and go coach, or you can pay a little bit more and travel by first class. Where else can you do that? Not on a plane!
Marni: Yes, you can. Absolutely.
Amanda: My mistake.
Marni: I think it would be super fun to travel together, but let’s think about taking a plane, and then maybe we’ll just do a little bit of traveling by train. I don’t want to be a passenger on the train. I’d way rather be a passenger on a plane. It’s so much more efficient with your time.
Amanda: Speaking of time, let’s take some down time. Make a list of pros and cons. Really weigh out our options. I think you’ll be surprised.
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Past Progressive Tense" from this lesson
Quizzes
Lesson MP3
The iTEP® test
-
Sponsored by
Discussion
Amanda wants to take a trip with Marni, and she suggests they go by train. Marni doesn’t think train travel is a good idea, though.
Marni would like to travel with Amanda, but she hates the idea of wasting so much time on the train. She’d rather fly to her destination, so she can spend her vacation doing activities instead of riding on a train.
For Amanda, watching the scenery is part of the fun. She also likes the option of riding coach or first class. She and Marni decide to take some time apart and make a list of pros and cons to decide whether they’ll fly or take a train.
Do you prefer to take a train or an airplane? What’s the longest train ride you’ve ever been on?
Comments
American Samoa |
Taiwan |
Russian Federation |
Germany |
Saudi Arabia |
Japan |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
Chile |
Indonesia |
India |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
Åland Islands |
Viet Nam |
Canada |
China |
United States |
India |
Egypt |
Ecuador |
Åland Islands |