hailing a taxi

1. Dialogue Reading Read the dialogue with your partner a few times. Take turns being each character. Practice your intonation and pronunciation.

(At the Airport Taxi Stand)

Taxi Driver: Would you like a taxi, sir?

Gentleman: Yes, I would.

Taxi Driver: Do you have just the one suitcase?

Gentleman: Yes, that’s it. I’m going downtown. Is there a flat rate or do you use the meter?

(The taxi driver picks up the suitcase and carries it to the trunk).

Taxi Driver: I use the meter. (In the Taxi)

Taxi Driver: Where would you like to go?

Gentleman: I’m going to the Claremont Hotel on 5th and Broadway.

Taxi Driver: Okay.

Gentleman: About how long will it take to get there?

Taxi Driver: Oh, at this time of day, it won’t take long… about fifteen or twenty minutes.

Gentleman: What do you think the fare will be?

Taxi Driver: Probably around twenty five dollars. (Fifteen minutes later)

Taxi Driver: Here we are.

Gentleman: How much is that?

Taxi Driver: That’ll be $22.00.

Gentleman: Here’s twenty five. Keep the change.

Taxi Driver: Thank you. I’ll get the suitcase for you.

(The taxi driver opens the trunk.)

Taxi Driver: Here you go. Have a nice day.

Gentleman: Thank you.

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Everyday Dialogues Hailing a Taxi

Find New Expressions ✓ Write down any useful or new expressions and words in the fields below.

New Words List ✎

2. Practice ☑


Work with your partner. Role-play the dialogue, substituting the different expressions below. Then reverse roles.

Would you like a taxi, sir? Do you want a taxi, sir? Would you like a cab? Do you need a taxi? Are you waiting for a taxi?

Do you have just the one suitcase? Do you have any luggage? Do you have any bags?

Yes, I would.

Yes, I do. Yes, thanks. Yes, I do. Yes, I am.

Yes, that’s it. No. Just my computer. I’ll keep it with me. Yes. I have these two.

Is there a flat rate or do you use the meter? Is there a set rate or do you use the meter? Is there a fixed rate or do you use the meter? Is there a fixed fare or do you use the meter? You’ll receive your new bank cards in about two weeks. You’ll get your new bank cards ..... We’ll send you your new bank cards... At this time of day, it won’t take long ...about 15 or 20 minutes. The traffic is light now, so it shouldn’t take long. The traffic is quite heavy, so it may take awhile. What do you think the fare will be? Probably around twenty-five dollars. What do you think it will cost? It’ll probably be about…. How much do you think it will be? It might be about…

Where would you like to go? Where are you going? Where to?

About how long will it take to get there? Is it far? How long a trip is it? How long does it take?

How much is that? How much is it?

That’ll be $22.00. It’s $22.00.

Here’s twenty-five. Here you are.

What’s the fare? Here we are. Here you are. This is it. Okay. We’re here.

That’s $22.00. Here you go. I’ll get the suitcase. I’ll get your bag. I’ll get the luggage.

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3. Expand Your Vocabulary ✎


A. Odd One Out - Underline the word or expression in each group that does not belong and explain why.

1. taxi,

2. bag, 3. automobile,

4. fare, 5. fixed rate,

bus,

cart, boat,

cost, set rate,

elevator,

suitcase, car,

rate, variable rate,

subway

luggage vehicle

expensive flat rate

B. Fill in the Blanks - Choose the correct word from the list below to complete the sentences.

meter - tip - passenger - stand - trunk - fare - luggage 1. I gave the taxi driver a big __________________ because he was very nice. 2. The airline will only allow you to take two pieces of __________________.

3. You can’t park your car there. It is a taxi __________________. 4. The taxi driver told the __________________ to put on his seat belt.

5. The taxi driver turned on the __________________ as soon as he started to drive away from the house. 6. It is a long way from the airport to the center of the city, so the taxi __________________ will be very expensive.

7. Our new car has a big __________________, so we can take a lot of suitcases. 3

4. Dialogue Building ✎ Complete the dialogue below with the appropriate expressions. (At the Airport Taxi Stand)


Taxi Driver:

Gentleman:

Taxi Driver:

Gentleman:

_________________________________________________ ?

Yes, I am.

_________________________________________________ ?

Yes, ______________________________________________.

(The taxi driver picks up the suitcase and carries it to the trunk.)

I’m going downtown. Is there a __________________ or do you use the meter?

Taxi Driver:

(In the Taxi)

Taxi Driver:

Passenger:

I use the meter.

_________________________________________________ ?

I’m going to the Claremont Hotel on 5th and Broadway.

Taxi Driver: Okay.

Passenger:

Taxi Driver:

Passenger:

Taxi Driver:

_________________________________________________ ?

Oh, _________________________________________, so it might take awhile.

_________________________________________________ ?

Probably around twenty five dollars.

(Fifteen minutes later.)

Taxi driver:

Passenger:

Taxi Driver:

Passenger

Taxi Driver:

Here we are.

__________________________________________________?

______________________________________$22.00.

_______________________________. Keep the change.

Thank you. I’ll get __________________________ for you.

(The taxi driver opens the trunk.)

Here you go. Have a nice day.

Passenger: Thank you. 5. Write your own dialogue ✎ Work with a partner and write your own new dialogue using any phrases from page 2. Then practice the dialogue and present it to your class.

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hailing a taxi

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