Travel andGetting Around
Transport, tickets and directions · everyday A2 Key skills
A2 Key parts in this lesson
Why this lesson now? Recycles Reading 1 and Speaking 1 from Lesson 01 with new topics.
Your level · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
Tell your partner how you usually travel to work or school. Do you like it?
Look at these words: platform, gate, ticket, timetable. Which ones do you use at a train station? Which at an airport?
Have you ever got lost in a new city? What did you do?
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minPrepositions of movement and 'have to' for travel rules
- Movement: to, from, into, out of, through, along, across, past. Rules: have to = necessary
- don't have to = not necessary.
- 1When we give directions or talk about a journey, we use prepositions of movement to show where someone goes: go along the street, turn left at the corner, walk through the park, go past the bank, cross the bridge.
- 2We also use have to to talk about travel rules that are necessary — You have to show your passport — and don't have to when something is not necessary — You don't have to change trains, it's direct.
- 3Must can also show a strong rule, but have to is more common when talking about everyday travel rules.
Go along this road, then turn right at the traffic lights.
You have to check in an hour before the flight.
You don't have to buy a ticket in advance, but it's cheaper.
Walk past the museum and the station is just across the road.
Use 'have to' / 'don't have to' to explain what is and isn't necessary.
- 100%
have to show ID
You have to show your ID at check-in.
- 85%
have to buy a ticket
You have to buy a ticket before you board.
- 55%
don't have to book
You don't have to book — just turn up.
- 40%
don't have to change
You don't have to change buses, it's direct.
Question 1.Go ____ the bridge and the station is on your left.
Question 2.You ____ show your passport at the airport — it's necessary.
Question 3.The bus goes ____ the park, so you can see the trees.
Question 4.You ____ buy a ticket online — you can also buy one at the station.
Question 5.Walk ____ the bank and turn left.
Question 6.Turn left ____ the second corner.
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Build a direction sentence
2.Build a travel rule sentence
3.Build a negative rule sentence
Quick check 1.Which sentence means the action is NOT necessary?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
a list of times for buses/trains
Say why it's useful to check a timetable before a trip.
to arrive and give your details before a flight
Say what time you have to check in for a flight.
What to do
Match each transport word with its meaning.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use the travel words in real situations.
Ask your partner
- What do you do if your train is delayed?
- How do you check a bus timetable?
- Ask a partner which platform a train leaves from.
"Before a long journey I always _____."check in / timetable
Write about the last journey you made by bus or train.
Tell your partner about your favourite way to travel and why.
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minSentence stress in giving directions
Stress the key direction words: turn LEFT, go STRAIGHT ON, TURN right at the LIGHTS.
- • Turn LEFT at the CORNER.
- • Go STRAIGHT ON past the BANK.
- • It's on the RIGHT, next to the STATION.
- • Take the SECOND turning on the LEFT.
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minMy journey to work
Read along — listen to the text
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Every morning I walk to the bus stop near my flat. The bus usually comes at 8.05, so I try to leave home by eight. It takes about twenty-five minutes to get to the city centre, and then I walk the last ten minutes to my office.
Last week the buses were very late because of some roadworks near the bridge. One morning I waited almost twenty minutes! I decided to try the train instead, and it was much faster — only fifteen minutes from my local station. The only problem is that the station is a fifteen-minute walk from my flat, so the total time is about the same.
Now I check the bus app before I leave home. If the bus is late, I walk to the station and take the train instead. It isn't a perfect system, but it means I usually arrive on time.
Question 1.How does the writer usually travel to work?
Question 2.Why were the buses late last week?
Question 3.How long does the train journey take?
Question 4.What is the problem with the train?
Question 5.What does the writer do now?
Q1.The writer usually walks to the bus stop.
Q2.The train station is right next to the writer's flat.
Q3.The writer now checks an app before leaving home.
What to do
- 1.Read each short text.
- 2.Choose A, B or C.
Station notice
PLATFORM CHANGE: The 10.15 to Manchester now leaves from Platform 4, not Platform 2.
1.What does the notice tell passengers?
2.Why is the friend writing?
Bus notice
Please have your ticket ready. Exact change only — the driver cannot give change.
3.What must passengers do?
4.What does the company suggest?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minAt the train station ticket office
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Clerk:Good morning. How can I help you?
Passenger:I'd like a ticket to Bristol, please. A return, if possible.
Clerk:Sure. Do you want to travel today?
Passenger:Yes, this morning if there's a train soon.
Clerk:There's one at 10.30 from platform 3. It arrives in Bristol at 12.15.
Passenger:Perfect. How much is that?
Clerk:That's twenty-eight pounds for the return.
Passenger:Do I need to change trains?
Clerk:No, it's direct — you don't have to change.
Question 1.What kind of ticket does the passenger want?
Question 2.What platform does the train leave from?
Question 3.How much does the ticket cost?
Question 4.Does the passenger need to change trains?
Question 5.What time does the train arrive in Bristol?
What to do
Tick the travel words you hear in the conversation.
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minUnderstanding travel notices and short dialogues
Read the question first, then find only the fact you need (time, price, place).
Task
Practise finding one specific piece of information in a notice or short conversation.
Example
That's twenty-eight pounds for the return. → Price = £28, not the single fare.
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.Type ONE word: 'The train leaves from ____ 3.' (place to wait)
Q2.Type ONE word: 'Our bus was ____ by 20 minutes.'
Q3.Type ONE word: 'You ____ to show your ticket before boarding.' (necessary)
Write a short message to a friend (25+ words). Tell them about a journey you are planning: how you are travelling, what time, and one detail.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Hi Marco! I'm travelling to Leeds on Saturday by train. My train leaves at 9.15 from platform 2, and I have a return ticket. It's a direct train, so I don't have to change. See you when I'm back!
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
Discuss with a partner: What is the best way to travel in your city? What is the most difficult thing about public transport?
Useful phrases
What to do
Interview practice — answer each question with a full sentence and one extra detail.
Phase 1 — short factual questions
1.Examiner: "How do you usually travel to work or school?"
Tip: Give the method + one detail.
2.Examiner: "Do you like travelling by public transport?"
Tip: Say why or why not.
3.Examiner: "Have you ever missed a bus or a train?"
Tip: Say yes/no + a short detail.
Phase 2 — extended question (aim for 3–5 sentences)
Examiner: "Tell me about a journey you remember well."
Tip: Use at least 2 travel words and one time expression.
Show model extended answer
I remember a trip to the coast last summer. We took the early train, which left at 7 o'clock, and it took about two hours. The journey was lovely because we could see the sea from the window. When we arrived, we were a bit tired, but very happy.
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Extra practice with travel language. ~28 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Prepositions of movement gap-fill — complete the directions with the correct preposition.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Text
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Write a short paragraph (35+ words) describing your daily journey to work, school or another regular place.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Task
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Listening review — read the ticket office conversation again and write 3 true sentences about the booking.
Your response
0 words SavedAttempt the task first, then check your answers.
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Use prepositions of movement (along, through, across, past) to give directions.
- 'Have to' = necessary; 'don't have to' = not necessary.
- Key travel words: platform, return ticket, timetable, delayed, check in, get on/off.
- Stress key direction words when giving instructions.
- Read the question first, then find only the fact you need.
Need more practice?
Optional · your lesson progress stays the sameAnswering questions about yourself
Practise this exam skill
Words that get confused
Practise this exam skill
Fix the common mistake
Practise this exam skill