English Mix Site

http://www.englishmixsite.com

EFL and ESL

File

Free Printable English Conversation worksheet Travel

Part 2: Conversation

1 Describe what you see in the pictures. What places do they show? Have you ever visited or
wanted to visit them? What might be appealing about each place?

1a Whats the most popular tourist destination in your country? What makes it attractive? Do
you have a different idea of the most attractive place in your country?
1b What kind of traveler are you? Choose and explain.
adventurer

vacationer

backpacker

hitchhiker

camper business shopping

cultural

1c Some people say there are two kinds of travelers, those who pack light and those who wish
they did. What kind are you? What do you normally pack (include: clothes, documents,
accessories, make-up & personal hygiene, extras like books, MP4, etc.)

1d When you are looking for a travel destination, which of these qualities would you consider
important? Number the items in order from most (1) to least (8) important. Then compare and
discuss with the class. Do most people have the same priorities?
a peace and quiet ___
b beautiful scenery ____
c exciting nightlife _____

copyright Alicia Artusi and Gregory J. Manin

Page 1 of 6

English Mix Site

d cultural activities, i.e. museums, theaters, etc. _____

e luxurious accommodation _____
f shopping _____
g friendly people _____
h good food _____

2 QUOTES
2a Read the following quotes. What do you think about them?
The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. Saint Augustine
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.
- Lao Tsu
The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see. ~ G.K. Chesterton
Americans who travel abroad for the first time are often shocked to discover that, despite all the
progress that has been made in the last 30 years, many foreign people still speak in foreign languages.
Dave Barry

Too often travel, instead of broadening the mind, merely lengthens the
conversation. ~Elizabeth Drew

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then, take half the clothes
and twice the money. ~Susan Heller

3 THINK AND DISCUSS

3a You are planning to open a small hotel somewhere in your country. Working with a partner or group,
decide:
a where it should be located.
b how many rooms it should have.
c what you should call it.
d how to attract visitors.

copyright Alicia Artusi and Gregory J. Manin

Page 2 of 6

English Mix Site

3b Now discuss the following options to include in your hotel with your partner or group.
Amenities. Choose what to include. Here are some possibilities:
restaurant

bar

nightclub

gym swimming pool breakfast room sauna conference room

3c Photo gallery. Include photos once you decide on the amenities.

3d Write a radio advertisement for your hotel. (You can even create a song or jingle for it if you like.)
Perform it for the class, then vote on the most appealing ad.

4 Travel-related expressions.
4a Read the conversation aloud. Then match the idioms to their meanings.
A: I can't believe it's still two weeks until I leave for Brazil. I've really got itchy feet. I'd hit the road
tomorrow if I could.
B: I guess we're in the same boat then, except that I'm not leaving for another four weeks. Do you think
we'll manage to meet up while we're both there?
A: I don't know. I'm planning to travel off the beaten track most of the time, so if you're going to stick to
the tourist spots it might not work out.
B: Yeah, I know. I wish I was going to be in the driver's seat, but I'm traveling with my family so I'll have to
go along with their plans.
A: I'm sure you'll have a great time anyway.
B: I guess you're planning to travel light since you'll be taking a lot of buses and trains.
A: Yeah, and I'm planning to stay in the cheapest rooms I can find.
B: Just make sure you don't get taken for a ride. There are always people who want to take advantage of
foreigners and get all the money out of them they can.
A: I'll be really careful.

1 cheat someone take for a ride

copyright Alicia Artusi and Gregory J. Manin

Page 3 of 6

English Mix Site

2 be in control of a situation ______

3 leave immediately _____
4 be in a similar situation _____
5 carry few belongings _____
6 in places that are seldom visited _____
7 a strong desire to begin something _____

4b Work with a partner. One of you says a sentence using the definition of an idiom. The other has to
say it again using the correct idiom.
e.g. A: I'm planning to carry few belongings when I go to New York. B: I'm planning to travel light when I
go to New York.
4c Make your own dialog using as many idioms as possible. Act it out for the class.
5 Read and discuss and record (You can use Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/stream)

Scientists at NASA built a gun specifically to launch dead chickens at the windshields of airliners, military
jets and the space shuttle, all traveling at maximum velocity. The idea is to simulate the frequent incidents
of collisions with airborne fowl to test the strength of the windshields. British engineers heard about the
gun and were eager to test it on the windshields of their new airliners. Arrangements were made, and a
gun was sent to the British engineers.
When the gun was fired, the engineers stood shocked as the chicken hurtled out of the barrel, crashed
into the shatterproof shield, smashed it to smithereens, blasted through the control console, snapped the
pilot's backrest in two and embedded itself in the back wall of the cabin, like an arrow shot from a bow.
The horrified Brits sent NASA the disastrous results of the experiment, along with the designs of the
windshield, and begged the US scientists for suggestions. NASA responded with a one-line memo: "Thaw
the chicken."
[from: http://lifestyle.resourcesforattorneys.com/rocketscientistjoke.html ]

5a Answer the questions.

a) What is the purpose of the NASA gun?
b) What happened during the first British test?

copyright Alicia Artusi and Gregory J. Manin

Page 4 of 6

English Mix Site

c) Why did the British have this result?

5b Do you think this story is true? How is exaggeration used to make it amusing?

Scroll down for the answer key

copyright Alicia Artusi and Gregory J. Manin

Page 5 of 6

English Mix Site

Answer key

CW TRAVEL Conversation File

4
2 be in the drivers seat
3 hit the road
4 be in the same boat
5 travel light
6 off the beaten track
7 have itchy feet

5a
a) They launched dead chicken at the airplane windshield to test the strength of the windshield.
b) The chicken smashed the windshield, broke the pilots seat back apart and ended in the wall of the
cabin.
c) Because the chicken was frozen.

copyright Alicia Artusi and Gregory J. Manin

Page 6 of 6