AV Academy · Thales · Lesson 8

Getting Around:
Can I Get There?

Buy the right ticket, understand travel information, ask clear questions and follow directions around a city.

A2Listening-heavyExplicit grammarCanada travel context
0
Quick review · 4–5 min

What still works?

Choose the best response. Keep it fast.

“I can’t make it at 5.”

“I’m at the wrong entrance.”

You missed the time.

1
Listening · 8 min

At the ticket counter

Gist first. Details second. Pay attention to numbers.

Round 1 · Gist

What does the passenger want?

Round 2 · Details

Listening target: 5:15 vs 5:50 · 31 vs 13.
2
Explicit grammar · 9 min

Travel questions

Use the rule, then choose the correct structure.

Questions with be

How much + IS + the ticket?
IS + there + a direct train?
How much is a one-way ticket?
Is there a direct train?

Questions with other verbs

Question word + DOES + subject + base verb?
What time does the train leave?
How long does the journey take?
North American English: one-way ticket / round-trip ticket. British English often uses single / return.

Choose the correct question

Quick correction

Click the better sentence.

3
Listening → response · 9 min

Answer before the model

Listen. Answer out loud first. Only then reveal the model.

Question 1

Answer out loud.

At five fifteen.

Question 2

Answer out loud.

It’s thirty-one dollars and twenty cents.

Question 3

Answer out loud.

About forty-five minutes.

Question 4

Answer out loud.

Yes. It’s a direct train.
4
Travel logic · 8 min

Which ticket should you buy?

Compare the options. Then justify your decision in one sentence.

Option A · Direct
Leaves
3:30
Arrives
4:05
Price
$27
Changes
0
Option B · One change
Leaves
4:40
Arrives
5:45
Price
$18
Changes
1

Situation 1

You must arrive before 4:30.

Situation 2

You want the cheapest ticket.

Situation 3

You do not want to change trains.

Say: “I’d choose Option ___ because…”
5
Practical English · 7 min

On the train

Listen to the situation and choose the response that makes sense.

Pronunciation micro-focus

aisle: the s is silent.

Repeat: aisle seat · window seat · direct train.

6
Explicit language · 8 min

Giving directions

Movement tells you what to do. Position tells you where something is.

Go straight aheadContinue forward.
Go past the caféPass it and continue.
Take a left / rightTurn left / right.
Get off at the third stopLeave the bus there.
Towards the stationIn the direction of the station.
On your left / rightThe place is on that side.

Choose the correct phrase

Questions

How do I get to + place?
Where should I get off?
Which bus should I take?
Excuse me, how do I get to the museum?
7
Map listening · 10 min

Follow the directions

Listen without reading a transcript. Click the destination.

City Centre · You are at Central Station

Route A

Route B

Route C

Click the destination on the map after each route.

8
Guided speaking · 6 min

Build the question

Choose the information you need. Say the question, then check the model.

Travel information

What time does the train leave?

Directions

How do I get to the museum?
9
Extra listening dialogue · 12–15 min

Missed Connection

A travel problem with enough information to solve — but only if you listen carefully.

Situation

You are at a train station in Canada. Your first train is late, and you might miss your connection. Listen to the full conversation before answering.

First listen: What is the main problem? Say it in one sentence before clicking anything.

1 · What happened?

2 · What time should the passenger arrive?

3 · What time does the connection leave?

4 · Which platform does the passenger need?

5 · What should the passenger do?

6 · Which question fits the situation?

Second listen · exact words

Listen again. Which sentence did you hear?

Grammar check

Choose the correctly formed question.

Short oral finish: The employee suddenly says, “Your connection has moved to Platform 10.” Say one useful response out loud.
Okay, thank you. Which way is Platform 10?
10
Final challenge · 7 min

One trip, five decisions

Listen and make the correct decision at each step.

1 · Train

2 · Platform

3 · Stop

4 · Direction

5 · What would you ask?

You still don’t know where the nearest bus stop is.

Reserve · 8–10 min

Clickable travel surprises

Use only if time remains.

The train is cancelled.

“Is this seat taken?”

The museum is closed.

Final extra · ticket language

Match the questions (A–G) with the answers (1–7)

Click one question, then click the answer that matches it. Complete all seven pairs and check your work.

Select a question first.
Final extra · vocabulary in context

Find the travel word or phrase

Look at the dialogues again. Match each meaning (A–F) with the correct word or phrase.

Example seat next to the window window seat

Dialogue clues

A: How long is the journey?
B: It’s about two hours.
A: Is there a direct train to Bath?
B: No, you’ll need to change in Bristol.
A: Would you like a return ticket?
B: No, I’d like a single ticket, please.
A: Are there any window seats available?
B: There are only aisle seats left.

Words & phrases

Select a meaning first, then choose the matching word or phrase.