Holiday Travel

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

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• layover
• notorious
• issue
• payoff

• in the nick of time
• hectic
• frantically
• dicey

• stranded
• connecting flight

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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In late December, airline prices in the US and Europe go up. Why would everyone want to be traveling in the middle of winter? Well, some people are escaping the winter to the southern hemisphere where it’s summer. Most are going somewhere else that’s cold, but where their family is so they can celebrate the holidays together.

The only problem is that sometimes winter weather causes roads to close or flights to be canceled. When the flights are already sold out and there’s already lots of traffic, things can go from bad to worse really fast. But once you get where you’re going, and are having fun with your family, it all seems worth it. Listen to Beren and Marni get ready for some holiday travel.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Beren

Marni:  I have a 6:30 AM flight tomorrow I’m getting on.

Beren:  Where are you headed?

Marni:  I’m head out to the East Coast, North Carolina. It’s that time of year: holiday travel.

Beren:  Oh…You’re getting out of here in the nick of time though, because the closer you get to the holiday, the more torturous the actual travel is.

Marni:  Right, because there are so many people trying to get places. You want to think everybody is in a good mood because it’s the holidays, but everybody just gets hectic and frantic.

Beren:  Totally. And then the weather too. That’s what I’m always afraid of.

Marni:  Exactly. It can always be a little dicey. You never quite know what to expect.

Beren:  I’m going to the Midwest for the Christmas holiday…

Marni:  Ah.

Beren:  ...and I’m a little worried because it’s supposed to be snowing.

Marni:  The Midwest is very snowy.

Beren:  I’m afraid I’m gonna get stuck there.

Marni:  You might.

Beren:  The most terrifying part about flying anywhere during the holidays, especially if it’s a long flight, which the flight I’m taking is, is missing the connecting flight. And I have a layover in Denver which is notoriously hectic at the holidays because isn’t it the biggest airport in the country?

Marni:  It’s one of the biggest and the weather can be an issue in Denver. Yeah, traveling the holidays, you never really quite know what to expect and you have to be prepared for delays.

Beren:  But it’s usually worth it.

Marni:  It’s worth it, right? Because you get to see family and friends and thepayoff, I think, is certainly worth it.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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