A2 · Elementary · Travel · 101 words · ~2 min read

✈️ Rearranging a Flight Departure

Language focus: Future · present continuous & be going to

Mara is at the airport, but there is a problem. Her flight’s departure has a long delay, and she is going to miss her connection in Rome.

She joins the queue at the service desk. “Please hold on,” the agent says. “I am going to sort this out for you.”

The agent rebooks Mara on a later flight. “Your new gate is B12, and boarding starts at three. You can check in online,” she explains.

The first plane could not take off because of a storm, so the airline gives Mara a small refund. Tomorrow, she is flying home at last.

Key vocabulary (8 words)

departurenoun
The act or time of a plane or train leaving.
delaynoun
A time later than the one that was planned.
rebookverb
To book a seat again for a new time.
gatenoun
The place in an airport where you board the plane.
refundnoun
Money that is given back to you.
connectionnoun
A second flight that you change to during a journey.
boardingnoun
The time when passengers get on the plane.
queuenoun
A line of people waiting for their turn.

Phrasal verbs in this story

  • check in — To check in means to register for a flight or hotel.
  • take off — To take off means to leave the ground and begin flying.
  • hold on — To hold on means to wait for a short time.
  • sort out — To sort out means to solve a problem or organise something.

Comprehension quiz

  1. Where is Mara?

    • At the airport
    • At a hotel
    • At a market
    Show answer

    At the airport

  2. What is the problem?

    • A long flight delay
    • A lost ticket
    • Bad food
    Show answer

    A long flight delay

  3. Because of the delay, she might miss her…

    • connection
    • breakfast
    • suitcase
    Show answer

    connection

  4. “I am going to sort this out” talks about the…

    • future
    • past
    • distant past
    Show answer

    future

  5. What is her new gate?

    • B12
    • A1
    • C9
    Show answer

    B12

  6. “The plane could not take off” means it could not…

    • leave the ground
    • park
    • refuel
    Show answer

    leave the ground

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