Ex. 13 Listen to the recording “Train Station” and read along with the audio recording.

Discuss in the groups:

Is there a train station near where you like? If so, what is it like? Are the trains that stop there convenient? Can you buy items like newspapers and food at the station? How much does a train ticket typically cost?

Online Investigation

Suppose you want to travel across the United States by train from coast to coast. What train could you take and how much would it cost? Use the Internet to plan your cross-country trip. What are some of the major cities where the train stops? Does it cost extra to stop at a city to sightsee before continuing your journey?

Ex. 14 Listen to the recording “Where’s the Movie Theatre?”

1. Pre-listening exercises

In this conversation, Steve has asked Jennifer out on a date to the movie theater. Where might he take her before or after the date? Do you think he will take her anything?

2. Listening exercises

First, study the map. Then, listen to the conversation and answer the questions.

Idioms

to read up on – to read a lot to prepare yourself for something

I suggest reading up on the plot and historical background of the movie before you see it.

to drive/ walk around in circles – to move around without clear direction, be lost

Why don’t we ask for directions? We’ve been driving around in circles for more than an hour.

Answer the questions

1. When is Steve going out with Jennifer?

a. Friday

b. Saturday

c. Sunday

d. Monday

2. Where is the movie theater?

a. 2

b. 1

c. 12

d. 4

3. Where is the restaurant located?

a. 6

b. 11

c. 14

d. 8

4. What time does the restaurant close on Sundays?

a. 10:30 PM

b. 11: 00 PM

c. 11:30 PM d. 12:00 AM

5. Where is the florist?

a. 10

b. 6

c. 15

d. 5

3. Vocabulary activities

Complete the Text Completion Quiz

Steve: Hey, Ranae. Do you happen to know where the movie theater is downtown? The one near the ⁽¹⁾ …

Ranae: Yeah. Why do you want to know?

Steve: Well, on Monday, I asked Jennifer out on a date for this coming ⁽²⁾ … night.

Ranae: Wow. You've really been seeing a lot of her ⁽³⁾… Sounds great. Okay, write down these directions so you don't get lost.

Steve: Okay, go ahead.

Ranae: First, drive down 1st street going west, cross the ⁽⁴⁾ … and keep going straight until Pine Street.

Steve: Until Pine Street, right?

Ranae: Right. Then turn left, and the movie theater is the ⁽⁵⁾ … building on the right. It's next to the church.

Steve: Second building on the right. Got it. Now, can you recommend any nice restaurants?

Ranae: Yeah. The Pink Flamingo serves excellent Spanish food.

Steve: Well where's that?

Ranae: Well, starting from the movie theater, go ⁽⁶⁾ … on Pine Street, cross 2nd Street, and drive to 3rd Street. You'll see a parking lot on the left side of the street. Okay so far?

Steve: A parking lot on the left. Okay. Then what?

Ranae: Okay, then turn left on 3rd Street and drive east. The Pink Flamingo is the building just ⁽⁷⁾ … the river on the left side. I think it's open weekdays from 10:30 in the morning to 11:30 at night, but it stays open until midnight on the weekends.

Steve: Okay, I think I've ⁽⁸⁾ … by there before. Oh, last thing. Where can I buy some flowers? We're going out to ⁽⁹⁾ … Jennifer's birthday.

Ranae: Well the only ⁽¹⁰⁾ … I know is in front of the stadium on 2nd Street. Try that one.

Steve: Great. Thanks a lot.

Post-listening exercises

Discuss these questions with a partner or friend outside of class:

Ex. 15 Listen to the recording “Tour of Kyoto, Japan”

1. Pre-listening exercises

Imagine you are going on a bus tour of a famous city like Kyoto, Japan. What general places do you think you would visit? What things would the tour guide point out about a famous landmark (for example, the date of its construction)

Listening exercises

Listen to the conversation and read along with the conversation. Review the Key Vocabulary and the sample sentences.

Key Vocabulary