TAKING A TAXI
Improve English Speaking through everyday conversation
Learn English as Foreign Language-45 Tutorials
I have written a detailed book English conversation for all occasions, to learn English as Foreign Language.
This tutorial has been prepared from my well known book English conversation for all occasions, which I wrote for Indian students to improve everyday conversation..
English Conversation for All Occasions is a unique book of its kind, specially written to help Indian student. A quick look at the titles of the lessons would convince the reader that the book has been prepared by visualizing all types of situational conversations which may confront any man or woman in his daily activities. Whether one converses with his family members or moves about to mix in society, he will not feel tongue-tied for want of appropriate words or expressions. In a post office or barber’s shop, at a hotel or taxi stand, every person who has read this book, will be able to speak in English fluently and with confidence.
Good knowledge and satisfactory conversation drill is important in English speaking. This Tutorial would not only prove an asset to the reader in his daily life, but also on special occasions like interviews for jobs, etc. He would be able to face the interviewers with equanimity and confidence.
All the lessons have been designed in a programmed fashion. Word-meanings, Phrases and exercises have been added at the end of every lesson to help the students master the topics.
All the lesson should be read along, not once but many times, so that the conversation comes easy to the reader when he faces real life situations. The author would feel rewarded for his labours if the book helps men and women become social relations
This Tutorial should help all those readers who find difficulty in speaking fluent English. This will be completed in 45 lessons.
Please comment or send me E Mail at bookgharinfo@gmail.com
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Ranjan has to go to Calcutta on business. He has to take a taxi to the airport.
Mrs.Verma How long will you be away. Ranjan?
Ranjan (packing his suitcase) I expect to be away for three days, mamma.
Mrs.Verma Is that all that you are taking with you? Only one suitcase?
Ranjan Yes. I am only allowed 20 kg. For baggage on my air ticket. And I am carrying one brief case with the official papers.
Mrs. Verma What about a bedding?
Rajan I can’t carry a bedroll by air. Moreover, I’ll be staying at a hotel. The bedding and bathroom linen are provided by the hotel.
Mrs.Verma How are you going to the airport?
Ranjan In a taxi. Mamma, could you please telephone for a taxi for me.
Mrs.Verma You finish your packing and I’ll ring for a cab. The taxi arrives and Ranjan goes out. Bachoo is carrying his suitcase and Ranjan is Holding his briefcase.
Ranjan Taxi, taxi. Did you come from the taxi stand?
Taxi Driver Yes Sir, somebody called from your house.
Ranjan Yes, that must be for me. Open the luggage boot and put the suitcase in, please.
Taxi Driver (After storing the baggage). Where to, sir?
Rajan (Getting into the taxi). To the airport please. Good bye mamma. Don’t worry about me. I’ll b fine. Give my love to Papa, Viki and Reena. Bye-bye.
Taxi Driver Should I drive directly to the airport, Sir ?
Ranjan Yes please. How is it that you speak such good English.?
Taxi Driver Oh that! I am a graduate. Sir I couldn’t find a job. So, I took a loan from a bank, bought a car and am plying it as a taxi.
Ranjan How does it work out? I mean how do you like the work and do you earn enough?
Taxi Driver It is a lot of hard work. I find that to be successful at any business. One must run it oneself. I am able to earn enough.
Ranjan I say, there is only one hour left for my flight to take off. Do you think we’ll go to the airport in time?
Taxi Driver I think so. Sir. It will take us another fifteen minutes to reach the airport.
Ranjan But please do not drive too fast.
Taxi Driver Don’t worry. Once we get out of the conaught place rush, there is not much traffic on the outer route and we will make good time.
Ranjan How long have you been driving this taxi?
Taxi Driver It is now over a year sir, since I bought my taxi, Do you travel often?
Ranjan This is my first trip by air. I believe that one ought to get to the airport at least one hour before take-off. Do you think we’ll be late?
Taxi Driver Don’t worry sir, you’ll get there forty-five minutes ahead of time and that is sufficient time for you to check-in.
Ranjan We are nearing the airport now, aren’t we?
Taxi Driver Yes, sir. Here we are. Shall I drive to the “Domestic” or the “International” terminal?
Ranjan To “Domestic Flights”, please. Thank you. How much is the fare?
Taxi Driver The maeter reads seventeen rupees and sixty paise sir.
Ranjan Here is twenty rupees. Please take seventeen rupees and sixty paise and return the change to me. Thank you.
Taxi Driver (Driving off). Have a good trip sir.
Ranjan Thank you very much.
(B) VOCABULARY
Speeding fare
Hurrying luggage carrier
Phrases
A cruising taxi forty miles per hour
To catch a plane to get to a plane on time
Meanings
Baggage luggage.
Bedroll a canvas bag into which a bedding is rolled.
Linen a term which is used to refer to bed sheets, towels cloths and napkins etc.
Directly straight.
Plying running
To make good time to travel with sufficient speed so as not to be late.
Sufficient enough.
Domestic internal or belonging to the home.
Fare the rent on a taxi or any hired transportation.
Cruising driving around slowly and aimlessly.
(C) Study the following responses
1 Is it usual to find a taxi driver speaking in English in India?
Response: It isn’t entirely unusual. A few, educated young men have taken to the business of transportation, as in the case of he taxi driver in this lesson. There also appears to be a general trend for all taxi drivers to speak in English. The knowledge of English is useful, particularly, for those who run their taxi at airports. There are a number of foreigners using taxis. Most taxi drivers do know enough English to carry on a simple conversation with the passengers.
2 Do taxis ply only with in a certain city or do they take passengers out of the city as well?
Response: I’m not sure what the licensing rules are but I have the impression that when taxi drivers drive out of the municipal limits of the city, particularly to an area where they Charge an extra amount as a return fare. Then there are special taxi services which run between one town to another. But I am not sure whether a taxi driver has to have some form of special permission to run a taxi service out of town.
(D) Make suitable response
1 If you had to travel to the airport, is there any other means of transportation, besides a taxi?
Response _____________________________________________
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2 If taxis were banned, would it cause any inconvenience to people? How?
Response _______________________________________________
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3 What do you understand by a taxi service?
Response _______________________________________________
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