Continuation of «My city». Today we learn how to move around the city and check in at a hotel. We rely on There is / there are, Present Simple / Continuous and prepositions of place — everything from city-speaking — and add prepositions of movement, hotel check-in and room descriptions.
Quick recall from «My city — today and 50 years from now». We build on this today.
In city-speaking we practised:
Tap a card — it flips. Shows the translation and an example. Say each one out loud twice.
Say aloud in 60 seconds: turn right · turn left · straight · opposite · next to · between · behind · in front of · on the corner · cross the street · traffic lights · round the corner. Repeat three times.
Same theme — different scenario. Open this Lab lesson as a warm-up after the vocab above — Toronto scenarios push the new words straight into speaking.
Read the dialogue silently first, then aloud for both roles. Notice how the local explains the way — short sentences, simple word order.
The most common trap. Do — for action verbs (live, go, like, work). Are — for adjectives, professions, location, long -ing forms.
Simple — what's usual, regular, always. Markers: every day, usually, often, sometimes, never. Continuous — what's happening right now. Markers: now, at the moment, look!
Simple rule: the + specific place (the bank, the park, the museum). No article — work, home, school, bed (when it's the routine, not the building).
Remember the pattern: work, home, school, bed — no the (when we talk about the activity, not the building). All other specific places — the: the park, the bank, the museum, the post office, the corner, the bus stop, the café.
Imagine a tourist comes up to you asking for directions. Use the words from section 1. Explain each route in 4–5 sentences.
Map in your head — you are standing at the metro exit. In front of you — the main street. On the corner to the right — a café. Behind the café — a bank. Straight ahead — a park. Across the road from the park — a museum. To the left of the museum — the post office.
Write 5–7 sentences: how to walk from your house to the nearest café. Use go straight, turn left/right, next to, opposite, on the corner. Simple sentences only — don't overcomplicate.
Answer each question aloud in a full sentence. No short "yes/no". Tap ▶ to hear the question first if you need.
Listen, then fill the gaps with the right phrase. Lowercase is fine.
Orlando arrives at his hotel after a long flight. He needs to check in.
Receptionist: Hello, your name?
Orlando: Orlando Martinez.
Receptionist: Great. What's your ?
Orlando: Martinez.
Receptionist: How do you it?
Orlando: M – A – R – T – I – N – E – Z.
Receptionist: And what's your number?
Orlando: Just a . It's 2-0-2-5-0-9-6-9-9-5.
Receptionist: Sorry, can you it, please?
Orlando: Sure: 2-0-2-5-0-9-6-9-9-5.
Receptionist: Thank you. Your room number is 78.
Orlando: That's . Thank you!
Match each description with the right room type.
1. A room in a hotel for one person — what kind?
2. A room for two people, with two beds — what kind?
3. A room for two people, with one big bed — what kind?
Type the room or thing for each function. Lowercase is fine.
1. You use it if your hair is wet → a
2. You can buy snacks or drinks here → a
3. You use it to watch films and news → a
4. You use it when the room is hot or cold →
5. You use it after washing to make clothes smooth → an
6. A small outdoor area near your room → a
7. You sleep here → a
8. You take a shower or use the toilet here → a
9. A place with trees and flowers outside → a
10. A room for guests and TV → a
11. A safe place for your things → a
12. You cook food here → a
Pick the right ending for each booking phrase.
1. Can you tell me ...
2. What types of ...
3. We're coming ...
4. Is it far ...
5. Is breakfast ...
6. How should ...
Read the dialogue between guest and hostel admin. Then choose True / False.
Guest: Hi! Is there a free double room on the 4th of June?
Admin: Oh, I'm afraid there are no double rooms for this date. But there are free beds in a room for eight people.
Guest: Oh really? That's bad. OK. We want to book two beds in that room.
Admin: Great! Now I need some details ...
Guest: Um, is it far from the city centre?
Admin: No, it's just a ten-minute walk from here.
Guest: So ... what does your hostel offer?
Admin: First, there's free Wi-Fi everywhere. Then, there are lockers, a television, a hair dryer, an iron and air conditioning in every room. There are also some vending machines on the first floor.
Guest: Is there a kitchen?
Admin: Sorry, no. But there are lots of nice restaurants around.
1. The hostel has free double rooms on 4 June.
2. The hostel is a ten-minute walk from the city centre.
3. There is free Wi-Fi everywhere in the hostel.
4. The hostel has a kitchen for guests.
Read a real guest review, then answer 5 comprehension questions.
"I recently stayed at the Grand View Hotel for three nights. Overall, it was a great experience.
The check-in was quick and easy. The receptionist was very polite and explained everything clearly. I had booked a double room in advance, and it was ready when I arrived. The room was clean, spacious, and had a beautiful view of the city.
Every morning, I enjoyed the breakfast buffet. One evening, I tried room service — the food was delicious, and the menu had many options. The waiter even recommended their special pasta dish, which I ordered and loved!
At check-out, the bill was correct, and the process was smooth. I left a small tip for the housekeeping staff because they did an excellent job keeping my room tidy."
1. What type of room did the guest book?
2. How was the check-in process?
3. What food did the waiter recommend?
4. Why did the guest leave a tip?
5. Would the guest recommend this hotel?
Three tense groups in one set: Present Simple vs Continuous (rules of city/hotel life vs what's happening now), Will vs Going to (spontaneous vs planned future).
Mixed: Present Simple · Present Continuous · Will · Going to. Hotel + city context.
1. Right now the receptionist ___ in a new guest.
2. I ___ at this hotel three times last year.
3. Look! The cleaners ___ on the room now.
4. I usually ___ breakfast at 8 a.m.
5. Look! The bellboy ___ your bags upstairs right now.
6. The Grand View Hotel ___ to all guests every morning.
7. — I'm really thirsty. — Wait, I ___ you a bottle of water from the minibar.
8. Look at those dark clouds. It ___ rain in a minute.
9. Next weekend I ___ stay at the Grand View — I already booked the room.
10. I think the new café near the hotel ___ be very popular this summer.
11. Don't worry about the bags — I ___ help you carry them.
12. She ___ visit her family in Rome next week — the tickets are on her phone.
Fill the gaps with will, 'll, am/is/are going to, or Present Continuous (for fixed plans). Mix of decisions, predictions, plans.
1. Next Saturday morning I ___ check in at the Grand View Hotel — I booked the room two weeks ago.
2. The forecast says the weather is bad. I think it rain all weekend, so I'll stay in the hotel café.
3. — The minibar is empty! — Don't worry, I reception right now.
4. My friend already has the tickets — she join me on Sunday.
5. Look at that line at the breakfast room! It take 30 minutes.
6. I think the new spa very crowded on Saturday afternoon.
7. — I don't know which room to pick. — I you choose, no problem.
8. We visit the old town on Sunday — it's already in our plan.