| Level: | Topic: | Speakers: | Length: |
| intermediate | taxi rides | two men | 01:39 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
What questions might you ask a taxi driver before and after you board the taxi? In what cases would you use a share-ride service like Uber instead of a taxi?
Idioms
“drive someone up the wall” = to annoy or bother someone a lot
“My brother kept talking in his sleep during our vacation, and that drove me up the wall.”
“hit the road” = to begin or start your travel
“Hey. We need to hit the road before 5:00 a.m. if we want to arrive at mom’s house by noon.”
Listening Exercise
A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.
Where is the man going?
Passenger: Well, I'm going to the National Museum of Art, and . . . .
How long will it take to get to his destination?
Driver: Well, that all depends on the traffic, but it shouldn't take more than twenty minutes for the average driver. [Oh]. And I'm not average. I have driving down to an art, so we should be able to cruise through traffic and get there IN LESS THAN 12 MINUTES.
What time does the place in Question 1 close?
Driver: Well, I would guess around 6:00 O'clock.
How much will the fare be for the taxi ride, not including a tip?
Driver: Oh, it shouldn't be more than 18 dollars . . . not including a . . . uh-hum . . . a tip of course.
Where is the man going later downtown?
Passenger: Oh, before I forget, can you recommend any good restaurants downtown that offer meals at a reasonable price?
Vocabulary Practice
Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:
Post-Listening Exercise
Practice the conversation with a partner. Also write your own conversation involving a driver and a passenger. What types of questions do people often ask a taxi driver about the ride or about the local area? Do people tip taxi drivers? If so, how much do you give the driver?
Online Investigation
Imagine that you want to travel from your house or apartment to the nearest airport (or other destination of your choosing). How much would it cost to hire a taxi or shuttle to make the trip? Use the Internet to identify companies in your area that provide such a service, the cost per passenger, and any other associated fees.
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