I.1. Vocabulary

1. take down /teik/ /daʊn/ (Phrasal verb)

to write something down 

ghi lại

 

2. low season /ˈləʊ siːzn/ (n)

the time of year when a hotel or tourist area receives fewest visitors

mùa vắng khách


3. cruise /kruːz/ (n)  

a journey by sea, visiting different places, especially as a holiday/vacation

chuyến dạo chơi trên biển, chuyến du ngoạn bằng tàu thuyền


4. splash out /splæ∫/ /aʊt/ (phrasal verb) 

to spend a lot of money on something

tiêu phung phí; vung tiền ra (về việc gì)


5. picturesque  /ˌpɪktʃəˈresk/ (adj)  

(of a place, building, scene, etc.) pretty, especially in a way that looks old-fashioned

đẹp như tranh




Example:

  • Reporters took down every word of his speech.

  • There is nothing more depressing than a seaside town in (the) low season.

  • I'd love to go on a round-the-world cruise.

  • He splashed out hundreds of pounds on designer clothes.

  • a picturesque fishing village in the bay



II.2. Content


II.2.1. Form filling

FORM COMPLETION

 

Complete the form below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.


ROOM BOOKING

Name:

Duncan________________

Telephone number:

    5762 23821

Date of arrival:

______________________

Date of departure:

    23rd September

Room type:

    Twin room

Cost:

£_____________________

Payment method:

______________________


Script



Reception: Good afternoon. Royal Mount Hotel. How may I help you?   

Customer: Hello . . . Er, I'd like to book a twin room, please, for next week.

Reception: One minute, please . . . l"ll just check if we have one available. . . . Yes, we do, sir. Now, I just need to take down a few details, if I may.

Customer: Yes, of course.

Reception: What name is the booking under?

Customer: My name ...  Duncan Geoffrey. That's G-E-O-double F-R-E-Y.

Reception: G-E-O-double F-R-E-Y. Aha. And could I have a contact telephone number, please?

Customer: Yes, 5762 23821.

Reception: When will you be arriving, sir?

Customer: Some time on the evening of the nineteenth.

Reception: Of September?

Customer: Yes, and we'll be leaving on the twenty-third. How much will that be in total?

Reception: So ... That's a twin room ... For a twin, it would normally be £235, but I can give you a special rate as it’s low season: £210 for the six nights.

Customer: Great. Thank you.

Reception: And how would you like to pay, sir? We accept cash, cheque or credit card.

Customer: l"ll pay cash on arrival, if that's OK.

Reception: Of course, sir. We look forward to seeing you.

Answer key

1. GEOFFREY

2. 19th September

3. 210

4. Cash


II.2.2. Matching

Listen to the conversation between a customer and a travel agent. Match the hotels to the facilities they offer. Write a-d next to questions 1-4. 

1    Hotel Sunshine           ___

2    The Highland Hotel ___

3    Hotel Carminia       ___

4    The Royal             ___

a    fitness facilities

b    business facilities

c    training courses for water sports 

d    entertainment facilities


Tips to do the task


Tip 1: The numbered items appear in the order in which you hear them, but the lettered options do not.


Tip 2: Make sure you read all of the options before the recording starts. And underline the key words if the options are quite long.


Tip 3: Be attentive while listening.

The words that you hear that give you the right answer may not be the same as the words on the question paper. On the other hand, you may hear the exact word from one of the options, but this does not necessarily mean it is the right answer


Practice 

Matching

Listen to the conversation between a customer and a travel agent. Match the hotels to the facilities they offer. Write a-d next to questions 1-4.

1    Hotel Sunshine           ___

2    The Highland Hotel ___

3    Hotel Carminia       ___

4    The Royal             ___

a    fitness facilities

b    business facilities

c    training courses for water sports 

d    entertainment facilities


Script



Customer: So, what are the differences between these four hotels?

Travel agent: Well the main difference is in the facilities they offer. The Hotel Sunshine is the only one which has a gym and it's also got one of the top health spas in the area. It’s next to a lake so you can do water sports there. But if you really like sailing or waterskiing, then the Highland Hotel would probably be the best place because it offers great instruction programmes in these sports.

Customer: Actually, I'm not a sporty person.

Travel agent: OK. Well, what about the Hotel Carminia? It’s a brand new hotel, and it prides itself on its cinema and multimedia centre. And then there's The Royal. This one has a conference room, a meeting room, and free computer access, but it's not really appropriate for children; there's not much in the way of entertainment.

Customer: Well, I'm going on holiday, not to work, and it's just my wife and me so I think we'll book with the Hotel Carminia, please.


Answer key

1a

2c

3d

4b


Multiple choice


Listen and choose the correct answer.


1   Why can't John  go on the boat trip?

a He doesn't feel well.

b He has booked theatre tickets.

c He's scared  of the water.


2   Where does Sam recommend going for dinner?

a Joe's Cafe

b The Captain's Table

c Mangan’s


3   Who is going to reserve the table?

a John

b Sam

c The hotel receptionist

 

Tips:

  • Be patient

  • Be attentive

  • Beware of order


Multiple choice


Listen and choose the correct answer.


1   Why can't John  go on the boat trip?

a He doesn't feel well.

b He has booked theatre tickets.

c He's scared of the water.


2   Where does Sam recommend going for dinner?

a Joe's Cafe

b The Captain's Table

c Mangan’s


3   Who is going to reserve the table?

a John

b Sam

c The hotel receptionist


Script

Question 1

Sam: So, there's a great walking tour tomorrow morning. Or tomorrow night we could go on the cruise round the harbour. What do you think, John?

John: Well, we've got theatre tickets for tonight, so we'll be too tired for the walking tour in the morning. 

But I don't fancy the cruise, either.

Sam: Why not? It'll be fun! Look, it's a dinner cruise, and it's only $12 each.

John: I hate the sea, and I'll be sick with fear if the waves are big! And dinner ... on a boat ... I just couldn't.

Sam: But we'll be in the harbour!

John: Still ... Ah, but what about this? There's a bus tour tomorrow evening. It's only $5.50 and it goes all around the main tourist sites!

Sam: Yeah, that sounds OK . . . [fade]


Questions 2-3

John: Where shall we eat tonight?

Sam: Well, there are plenty of options. The guide says this city has hundreds of restaurants. What kind of food would you like to have, John?

John: Well, I quite like seafood. There's The Captain's Table on Firth Street. The guide gives it four stars.

Sam: I don't know... . The hotel receptionist told me the service is slow. But if you like seafood, there are a couple more places in the guide.

John: Ah, yes ...  Mangan’s or Joe's Cafe. What about those, Sam?

Sam: Mangan’s could be a good option. It's nicer than Joe's Cafe, and there are fantastic views as well. We'd probably

pay a bit extra ... Joe's Cafe is much cheaper. But we're on holiday; I think we should splash out!

John: That sounds great! Oh, no. Hold on. It's closed tonight. What a shame! Shall we go to Joe's Cafe, then? 

Sam: Yes, I suppose we'll have to. I'll give them a call and book a table. Can I use your phone?

John: Ah, er . .. no. Sorry. I've left my phone in the hotel. We can ask the receptionist to do it. Let's go back now and sort it out. We can get changed and have a drink before dinner if you like.

Sam: OK, good idea

 

Explanation

Question 1: you hear the phrase “But I don’t fancy the cruise”, so the answer should be after this phrase. Cruise = a boat trip.

John says “I hate the sea, and I'll be sick with fear if the waves are big”. This information is equal to option C, “he’s scared of the water.” The word sick means not feel well, but don’t choose option A because sick also has another meaning wanting to vomit as a result of travelling on a ship or plane, ect.


Question 2.

Sam says “Mangan’s could be a good option”. So, Sam recommends Mangan’s for dinner. Option C is correct. He also mentions Joe’s Café and says this is much cheaper than Mangan’s. But he thinks they should splash out on holiday. It can be concluded that Mangan’s is Sam’s choice. Listeners may be confused with the later information about Joe’s Café that Sam gives. So being attentive while listening is always a good tip.


Question 3.

Sam says “I’ll give them a call and book a table.”

Book = reserve. So option A may be the answer.

Then John says “We can ask the receptionist to do it.” So the answer must be C.


Answer key

1c

2c

3c




Homework

HOMEWORK – LESSON 2


QUESTIONS 1-4 (Track 1)


Complete the form below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.


City Bus Tour Booking Form

Number of passengers:

2

Passenger name(s):

Susan Field and James 1___________________

Contact telephone number: 

07988  2___________________

Hotel:

3___________________

Bus tour time: 

4___________________ p.m.

Bus tour date:

14th August


QUESTIONS 5-10 (Track 2)


Choose the correct letter A, B or C.

Why does a ticket for the museum cost £10?

A The money is needed to fix parts of the building.

B The collection of Latin American art is unique.

C It is the only art museum in Europe.

The tourist  office assistant  suggests going to the next town for a good restaurant because

A they overlook  the sea.

B the restaurants are bigger.

C there are more restaurants to choose from.


Match the restaurants with their descriptions. 

Write ONE letter A-E next to questions 7-10.


7 The Belleview         ___________

8          The Lighthouse Cafe           ___________

9 Harvey's         ___________

10 Stonecroft House         ___________


A It is visited by famous people who work in entertainment. 

B This restaurant has recently been bought by a new family. 

C       One family has managed the restaurant for over 100 years. 

D       It is expensive but serves high quality food.

E It has been decorated in a modern style.


ANSWER KEY

Questions 1-4

1 Carter,   2 636197,   3 Riverside Hotel,   4 2.00/2/two

Questions 5-6

5 A,   6 C

Questions 7-10

7 D,    8 A,   9 C,    10 B


TAPESCRIPT



Cut Track 2.1 (Collins CD1 Track 06)

Tourist office 

assistant: Hello, how can I help you?

Tourist: Um, hello. Is it possible to book a bus tour of the city here?

TOA: Of course, sir. When would you like to take the tour? There are tours in the morning, afternoon, and evening ... sometimes it's nice to see the city at night with the buildings lit up.

Tourist: We'll be going out for dinner tonight, so we'd prefer to go this afternoon. Oh, and it's for two people.

TOA:   Right. Now I just need some details. Can you give me the names of the two people, please?

Tourist: Yes. Susan Field and James Carter.

TOA: Susan Field and James - sorry, can you spell your surname for me, please?

Tourist: It's Carter. C-A-R-T-E-R.

TOA: Thank you. And can I have a contact telephone number?

Tourist: Why do you need one?

TOA: Just in case we have to cancel the tour and need to contact you.

Tourist: I see. Well, my mobile number is 07988 636197 (0-7-9-double 8-6-3-6-1-9-71.

TOA: That's 07988 636197. Now, can you also tell me which hotel you're staying at?

Tourist:   The Crest Hotel. Oh no, sorry. That's the hotel we're staying in next week. It's the Riverside Hotel.

TOA: Oh! The Riverside is a lovely hotel. Are you enjoying your stay?

Tourist: Yes, we are, very much. We'd definitely recommend it to others.

TOA: Oh I am glad. Now, I can book you on the tour at 4 p.m. Would that suit you? Alternatively, there is one at two.

Tourist: Two would be better for us, please.

TOA: Right, that's booked for you, sir. Two people at 2 p.m. today. August 14th. You pay the bus driver when you get on, and it's £4 per person.

Tourist: Thank you very much.

 

Cut Track 2.2 (Collins CD1 Track 07)


Tourist: Can I also ask you about the museum in the main square? I was reading about it in my guide book and was shocked to see that the entrance price is £10. Why does it cost so much?

Tourist office 

assistant: Well, the museum has the largest collection of Latin American art in Europe. People come from all over the world to see it. But that's not the reason why it's so expensive to get in. You see, the building is very old and it needs repairs. The £10 ticket cost will go towards repairing the roof and the walls.

Tourist: I see. Well, I suppose it's worth paying £10 to see the collection. 

TOA: Yes, I think so too. Is there anything else I can help you with?

Tourist: Actually, there is. I was wondering if you knew of any good restaurants in the area 

TOA: Well, there are a few restaurants near the harbour, and a couple on the beach which are nice. The problem is that the smell of the fish market is quite strong down there.

Tourist: Mm, I don't think my girlfriend would be very pleased.

TOA: I know what you mean - It's not very romantic, is it? My advice would be to go to the next town. It's bigger, and the restaurant selection is wider. You can get there by taxi and it only takes about ten minutes. The town is quite picturesque ... Is it for a special occasion?

Tourist: Yes, it's my girlfriend's birthday so I'd like to go somewhere special. Um, do you know any of these restaurants well enough to tell me about them?

TOA: Well, I know about a few of them, and there are pictures in this leaflet here. This one here is lovely -  the Belleview -  and it's extremely  popular. It has a famous chef, so it's not cheap, but the standard of the food is very high. It's right by the sea and there are wonderful views if you get a good table. Then there's The Lighthouse Cafe - you can see the picture here - which isn't really a cafe at all. In fact, it's a great restaurant and a lot of TV celebrities and actors eat there. The place has been going for over a hundred years! It's quite an institution around here.

Tourist: Mm. I'm not sure about those two - they sound too expensive to me. I was thinking of somewhere small, not too up-market, but with good food.

TOA: In that case what about Harvey's? The same family has run this restaurant for over a century, and it's reasonably priced and really popular with local people. And there's another family-run restaurant. Stonecroft House. New owners took over a month ago and they're getting good reviews. There's a new chef there and the food is meant to be very good . This leaflet has the contact detail s for all the restaurants  so you can just call them if you'd like to book a table.

Tourist: Great, thanks. You've been very helpful.