To travel hopefully is a better thing to arrive.
Robert Louis Stevenson
What would you say in these situations? There are three possible answers, but only one is correct and polite! Tick the best answer for each situation.
1) You're waiting at the airport for your luggage, but it hasn't arrived. What do you say to the airport worker?
a - You! Where's my suitcase?
b - Excuse me, my suitcase hasn't arrived?
c - I need my suitcase now.
2) You want to use the phone, but you've only got a $ 100 note. What do you say to the shop assistant?
a - Could you change this for me, please?
b - Quick. I need to change this.
c - Give me change for the phone, please.
3) You turn on the shower in your hotel room, but nothing happens. What do you say when you phone Reception?
a - Why isn't my shower working?
b - The shower isn't working. Fix it now.
c - Could you send someone to repair my shower, please?
4) You don't understand the menu in a restaurant because you don't speak the language. What do you say to the waiter?
a - I want an English menu.
b - Have you got an English menu?
c - You should give a menu which I can understand.
5) You want to go to the bank, but you don't know where it is. What do you say to a stranger in the street?
a - Where's the bank?
b - Could you tell me the way to the bank, please?
c - Take me to the bank.
6) You've tried on some jeans, but they're too big. What do you say to the shop assistant?
a - They're a bit too big. Have you got a smaller size?
b - These are too big. Smaller, please.
c - I can't wear these. Give me a smaller pair.
7) You want to phone your country, but you haven't got any money. What do you say to the operator?
a - A free phone call to my mother, please.
b - I want to call my mother. She'll pay.
c - I'd like to make a reverse charge call, please.
8) You want to see a doctor. What do you say to the receptionist on the phone?
a - Give me an appointment to see a doctor.
b - Could I make an appointment to see a doctor, please?
c - Let me see a doctor now.
9) There are some 'extras' on your hotel bill, but you don't know why. What do you say to the hotel receptionst?
a - Excuse me. What's this eight dollars for?
b - I won't pay this eight dollars.
c - Why do I have to pay this eight dollars?
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SCORE
1) a 0 b 2 c 1
2) a 2 b 0 c 1
3) a 1 b 0 c 2
4) a 1 b 2 c 0
5) a 1 b 2 c 0
6) a 2 b 1 c 0
7) a 0 b 1 c 2
8) a 1 b 2 c 0
9) a 2 b 0 c 1
16 - 18 You'll know the right things to say in most situations, and you won't make many mistakes!
12 - 15 People will understand you, but be careful about being polite.
9 - 11 You know what you want, but you'll sometimes make people angry by being rude.
0 - 8 You really must take your Travel phrasebook with you, or an interpreter!
