Dialogue 1.
On board a Plane.
A. Are we coming into London already?
B. Yes. Our plane is going down. I can see the runway lights. We’d better fasten our belts.
A. So it is the stewardess is telling us to fasten seat belt, straighten our seats & not to smoke. We are just on time. And what do we do with our landing cards?
B. They are for the immigration officer on arrival.
A. Oh, but I haven’t filled my in yet. Would you mind lending me a pen?
B. Not at all. Here you are.
Dialogue 2.
Airport official: Your passport, please.
Visitor: Here you are.
A.O. How long are you staying in London?
V. Ten days. I’m here on business.
A.O. Your passport and visa are in order. Have a pleasant stay.
Dialogue 3.
Passenger: Do I check in for the flight to Moscow here?
Clerk: Yes, that’s right. Your ticket & passport please. And put your luggage on the scales.
P. Here are my ticket & passport. Shall I weigh in this small bag?
C. Certainly, sir. Oh, it’s too heavy. I’m afraid there’ll be an excess luggage, sir and you’ll have to pay extra. You know the limit for business class is 30 kilos.
P. All right.
(Ten minutes late)
C. Here are your ticket and passport and your boarding pass. Your luggage tag is attached to your ticket.
P. Which way am I to go now?
C. The departure lounge is straight ahead. Your boarding gate is No 5. Listen to the announcement over the radio. You flight number is F 357 for Rome.
P. Thank you!
Dialogue 4.
What Can I Do for You?
(at the Consulate)
PETERS: Please take a seat. What can I do for you, Dr. Rensky?
RENSKY: Oh, you're very kind. I've come to apply for a visa to the United States. I've received an invitation to an international assembly. They are expecting me on the 12th of August.
PETERS: You have your passport ready, I guess?
RENSKY: Both the passport and the photographs.
PETERS: Then you'll just have to fill out the visa application form.
RENSKY: No problem.
Dialogue 5.
Confirming a Flight
DELTA: Hello? Delta Airlines at your service. Thank you for calling Delta.
RENSKY: Oh, uh, hello, I wonder if you could help me. I'd like to confirm my flight to New York.
DELTA: Certainly, sir. Can you tell me the date and flight number, please?
RENSKY: It's the twenty-third of October, and the flight number is DL 33206.
DELTA: Thank you sir. Would you mind holding while I check?
RENSKY: Not at all.
(A few moments later)
DELTA: Are you there, sir? Your flight has been confirmed for the twenty-third of October, number DL 33206.
RENSKY: Thanks... Er, something else I'd like to know... When do I have to be at the airport?
DELTA: At least an hour before the flight. Don't be late for check-in, sir!
RENSKY: Thank you so much.
Dialogue 6.
Checking in
CLERK: Next, please!
RENSKY: Here's my ticket, flight DL 33 206 to New York.
CLERK (taking the ticket and looking at the computer screen): Everything's OK. Would you like an aisle or window seat?
RENSKY: Window seat, please.
CLERK: Smoking or non-smoking section?
RENSKY: Non-smoking. I gave up smoking years ago.
CLERK: Good idea!... Here's your ticket and boarding pass. Your flight departs from gate G5 on the upper level.
RENSKY: Where do I have my luggage inspected?
CLERK: The luggage inspection area is right in the center of the hall. Anything else I can do for you?
RENSKY: Well, in fact there is one other thing. How do I go about changing planes at Frankfurt?
CLERK: Oh, that's easy. The first thing you have to do is listen to what the flight attendant will say on the PA (public address system) system; make sure you remember the gate number, OK?
RENSKY: Yes.
CLERK: Fine! Now the next thing you do when you get off the plane is go to the gate. At the gate you will have your luggage inspected.
RENSKY: All my luggage?
CLERK: Only your carry-on luggage. The rest will go directly to the plane. After you've done that, you can either stay in the waiting area or go shopping, but after that they will want to look through your luggage once more. Do you see what I mean? You'll have your passport and ticket checked again. So be careful to have them handy. Is that clear?
RENSKY: Absolutely! Thank you!
РАЗГОВОРНЫЕ ФОРМУЛЫ
1. Various ways of making a request & possible replies ranging from informal to very polite:
Can you wait a moment? OK.
Could you..., please? Sure.
Do you think you could...? Yes, all right.
I wonder if you could...? Yes, of course.
Would you mind showing your passport? Certainly.
I wonder if you could possibly...? By all means.
NOTES: 1. A useful negative reaction to a request is: I'm
sorry, I can't (followed by an explanation):
—Could you help me fill out this form, please?
—I'm sorry, I can't. I've lost my glasses.
2. By all means - expresses emphatic agreement:
—Do you think you could help me?
—By all means.
It is not to be confused with by any means = in any way possible.
2. Ways of expressing an offer of help and suitable replies:
Offers:
Can I help you?
May/Can/Could I help you with your coat?
Should I get this book for you?
Would you like me to type it for you?
Let me help you open the lock.
May/Can I help? Your bags look very heavy.
I'll find it for you.
Shall I close the window?
Replies:
Oh, yes, please, it's getting cold.
Thank you, you're very kind. I'm a bad typist.
Don't bother, I'll get it.
No, it's all right. I can manage.
That's nice of you, thanks. I'm afraid it's broken.
No, thanks. I'll just leave it here.
Don't bother, I can find it myself.
Yes please. I need a ticket to Boston.
NOTE: Phrases with Shall I...? (Shall I close the window?) sound British rather than American.
3. Ways of expressing gratitude & suitable replies.
Gratitude: Replies:
I'm very grateful to you for That's all right.
your assistance/taking all this trouble.
Thanks (a lot) for your
patience/being so patient. You're welcome.
Thank you very much indeed for
the explanation/explaining it. Anytime.
I appreciate it/your
help/your coming. My pleasure.
It was very nice of you to help me. I'm glad I was able help.
NOTE: Use Thanks anyway to express your gratitude to someone who has tried to help you but failed:
—I am sorry, I did my best, but it was no use.
—Well, thanks anyway.
4. Phrases used to asked for information, ranging from less formal to more formal:
Do you have any idea when our plane leaves?
Excuse me, do you know how to get to the airport?
Can/Could you tell me where the check-in counter is, please?
Do you happen to know if flight В А 7685 is on time?
I wonder if you could tell me TWA's phone number?
Sorry to trouble you, but do I have to confirm my flight?
I hope you don't mind my asking, but I'd like to know who will pay my travel expenses.
Now it’s your turn. Here are the situations to help you:
Situation 1.
You are planning a business trip and want your assistant to arrange all the formalities, concerning your visa, tickets, taxi, ets.
Situation 2.
It’s your first business trip abroad. Consult the people, who had the experience of flying abroad.
Situation 3.
You are on board the plane and have a talk with your neighbor about the flight.
Situation 4.
You have just landed in London. Go through all the landing formalities, reclaim your luggage.
Situation 5.
A talk at the register counter.