NG English
LinguaBoost Lab
 B1 · 90 min Part 05
← Restaurants
B1 Speaking · Part 05 · Departure Board

Buying Tickets Deep Dive

Rent a car by phone, buy a train ticket at a vending machine, book a museum tour online, deal with a wrong date on a printed ticket, and complain politely when the QR code just won't scan — the full ticket-booth journey in one lab.

Level
B1 · teens & adults
Duration
~90 minutes
Focus
Booking · Fares · 2nd Conditional
Linked to
Hotel + Restaurants
00

📍 Recap · Parts 3 & 4

Hotel done, dinner done. Now — the ticket to get there.

Part 3 · Hotel
reservation · reception · bill · tip
the words that come back today at any ticket booth.
Part 4 · Restaurant
book a table · order · recommend
same structure — «I'd like to book/order …».
Part 5 · today
Buying Tickets Deep Dive
car rental · vending machine · museum booking · 2nd Conditional · 4 role-plays.
By the end of today you can: rent a car by phone, buy a train ticket from a vending machine, ask for a concession or a return, deal with a wrong date on your ticket, write a polite complaint about a missing ticket, and say what you'd do if your printed ticket was lost.
01

Welcome to the ticket booth

Four mood cards + three warm-up prompts. Pick one and answer aloud 3–4 sentences.

Sleek high-speed white and gold train pulling into a beautiful vintage station platform at sunset, ornate ironwork arches overhead, a large mounted clock and a black departure board with yellow letters, warm golden light on the wet stone
Mood 01
Train station · departure board
Modern silver vending machine with drinks and snacks and a bright QR-code reader in a warmly lit grand station hall, empty at sunset, ornate columns in the background
Mood 02
Vending machine · QR code
Interior of a grand neoclassical museum with marble columns, statues in alcoves, brass rope stanchions and a distant crowd of visitors, warm sunlight through skylights
Mood 03
Inside the museum
Smartphone on a marble tabletop showing a travel booking app with gold accents, a leather passport wallet next to it, a cup of coffee, warm morning light
Mood 04
Booking app · on the phone
Card 01
When was the last time you bought a ticket?
Transport, event, museum? Online or offline? Say 3–4 sentences.
Card 02
Have you ever been sold out of a ticket?
What did you do? Did you find an alternative or miss the event completely?
Card 03
Do you trust online ticket platforms?
Why or why not? Have you ever lost money on one?
02

Vocab · Ticket Core · 16 words

The auto-generated 📖 Vocabulary panel appears above. Semantic map by scene ↓

Where you buy
ticket booth · box office · vending machine · to book a ticket
the four places / actions to get a ticket.
What you pay
entrance fee · fare · concession · non-refundable
how much and under what conditions.
What you get
single · return · e-ticket · QR code
the ticket in your hand (or phone).
What can go wrong
fully booked · sold out · available seats · guided tour
availability + one alternative.
Drill: pick 6 words from the panel above. Build one sentence per word about your last ticket purchase. Say all 6 aloud in one flow — under 40 seconds.
03

Types of Tickets · 8 shapes

8 ticket shapes as real product mockups. Tap each card to hear it. Then say when you'd buy it.

🎯 Match ticket to situation

1. You're going to Rome for a day trip and coming back tonight. You buy a…

2. You commute every workday for a year. Cheapest option:

3. You're a full-time student with a valid ID. You get a…

4. Your team of 6 friends wants to visit together — cheaper as a…

04

Types of Transport · 6 options

Tap each to hear it. Then say when you'd choose it.

Speaking drill: for each option say «I'd take a … if …». Chain 3 of them into one sentence.
4b

Prepositions · transport & arrive

Two rules that always confuse learners. Read once, then drill the 10 MCQ below.

in — small & enclosed
in a car · in a taxi · in a lorry
any vehicle where you're inside a private box.
on — public & large
on a train · on a bus · on a plane · on a ship · on a bike
public transport + anything you can walk around on.
on board
on board the ship · on board the plane
formal alternative for larger vehicles.
by — how you travel
by car · by train · by plane · by bike · by foot
describe the mode of travel — no article.

🎯 arrive + preposition

arrive at
arrive at the station · at the airport · at the hotel · at the museum
small, specific place — a point on the map.
arrive in
arrive in London · in Paris · in Italy · in the countryside
big place — a city, a country, a region.
Trap: we say arrive home — no preposition. And after «get», we say get to the station / to London (both places take «to»).

🎯 Choose the right preposition · 10 items

1. We travelled ___ a taxi to the airport.

2. The children were ___ the school bus when the rain started.

3. We had dinner ___ the plane.

4. They danced ___ the ship all night.

5. How did you get to work today? — I came ___ bike.

6. The train arrived ___ Paddington Station on time.

7. We arrived ___ Rome late at night.

8. The kids finally arrived ___ safe and sound.

9. Please put your bag ___ the overhead bin ___ the plane.

10. We prefer to travel ___ train — you can walk around, eat, read.

🎯 Speaking drill: tell your partner in 60 seconds how you usually travel — use at least 3 different prepositions and one «arrive + place».
05

Match vocab to definition · 10 pairs

Pick the correct definition for each word. One try per row.

1. Book a ticket —

2. Entrance fee —

3. Ticket booth —

4. Vending machine —

5. Fully booked —

6. Concession —

7. Return (ticket) —

8. Non-refundable —

9. E-ticket —

10. Guided tour —

5b

Fill in the blanks · 10 gaps

Use the word bank. One word per gap.

e-ticket fare fully booked non-refundable QR code available seats return guided tour ticket booth concession
1. We arrived late and the museum was already .
2. You can scan your at the gate — no need to print it.
3. This ticket is , so we can't get our money back.
4. The train from London to Oxford is £12.
5. They offered us a ticket because we were students.
6. I'd like to join the at 3 p.m. — is it still running?
7. There were no for the concert when we checked online.
8. We bought our tickets at the outside the station.
9. I usually prefer a ticket so I can come back the same day.
10. The on your phone will be scanned before boarding.
06

Listening 01 · Car Rental · Sang Min books a car

Brian is the ABC Car Rental agent (UK male). Emma books for Sang Min Lee (UK female). Tap ▶ on any line to hear that speaker.

BrianHello, ABC Car Rental. How can I help you?
EmmaHi, I wanted to make a reservation.
BrianWhat location would you like to rent from?
EmmaI am flying into Los Angeles Airport. Do you have a booth there?
BrianYes we do. What date are you flying in?
EmmaI am arriving on June 22nd.
BrianWhat time is your arrival time?
EmmaI am scheduled to arrive at 2 pm.
BrianHow long would you like to rent the vehicle?
EmmaI will need it for 10 days.
BrianWhat size car would you like?
EmmaA midsize car please.
BrianCan I get your name?
EmmaYes. My name is Sang Min Lee.
BrianCan you spell that?
EmmaLast name is L E E. First name is S A N G. Middle initial is M.
BrianGreat. Thank you. I have reserved a midsize car for you for June 22nd until July 1st. Is there anything else I can help you with?
EmmaThat will be all.
BrianThank you for calling.
EmmaThank you. Bye.

🎯 Comprehension · one try per question

1. Where will she pick up the car?

2. How long is the rental?

3. What size car does she book?

4. What is Sang Min's arrival date and time?

07

Listening 02 · Buying a Train Ticket at a Vending Machine

A girl tries to buy a ticket to Bristol at a vending machine. Look at the 6-panel storyboard first, tap ▶ per line, then answer True/False.

Six-panel vertical storyboard: young woman at a train-station TICKETS vending machine. Panel 1: she touches the screen while three friends look on. Panel 2: close-up of her fingers scrolling. Panel 3: she raises a hand — question. Panel 4: she touches Confirm. Panel 5: payment declined, she picks up her ticket wallet. Panel 6: green tick — Ticket booked, she smiles. Warm sunset light through station windows
GirlHmm… Okay, select destination… That's easy. Time — done. Now… what's this? Seat preferences? Window or aisle? Ugh, I have no idea what to choose.
MachinePlease select your seat.
GirlI don't know! Why isn't there just an automatic seat option? Oh wait… where's the "help" button?
StaffDo you need assistance?
GirlYes, please. I'm trying to book a ticket to Bristol, but I don't know how to pick a seat.
StaffNo problem. You can skip this step — it'll assign one automatically.
GirlOh, thank you!
MachinePayment failed. Please try again.
GirlWhat? Oh no — I used the wrong card! Let me try again.
MachineTicket booked. Have a nice trip!

🎯 Multiple choice · Why couldn't she pay at first?

🎯 True or False

1. She had trouble selecting a seat.

2. She needed help from a staff member.

3. She decided not to buy a ticket in the end.

4. The machine was broken.

5. The ticket was for a train to Bristol.

7b

Listening 03 · Three museum outcomes (0:18–0:19 each)

Three short mini-stories. Tap ▶ on each, then match to the emoji outcome.

N1 · ✔I booked a ticket for the modern art exhibition a week ago. When I arrived at the museum, the QR code scanned instantly and I walked straight in. No queue, no problems. Absolutely worth booking in advance.
N2 · ✖I saw an ad for a photography exhibition online and decided to go. I tried to buy a ticket through the vending machine near the museum entrance. Sadly, they said the whole weekend was sold out. I couldn't get in.
N3 · ⏳So now I'm sitting in the café next to the museum, hoping I'll still get in. The staff were kind and told me to wait. I stayed until closing time. Still trying — fingers crossed for tomorrow.

🎯 Match story → outcome

N1 is about…

N2 is about…

N3 is about…

🎯 Which story would you rather live?

Pick N1 / N2 / N3 and say aloud in 60 seconds: «I'd rather live N…, because …». Compare with your partner.
08

Big Scene · Train ticket to London

You're at the ticket agent's counter. Fill the English word for each Russian hint.

ticket heading business meeting several single stops flexibility return prices fare different departure variety fast slower open schedule
CustomerGood morning, I'd like to purchase a (билет), please.
AgentGood morning! Of course, sir. Where are you (направляетесь) today?
CustomerI need to go to London for a (деловая встреча). What are my options in terms of train tickets?
AgentWell, we have (несколько) types of tickets available. First, we have (в одну сторону), which will get you from here to London with no (остановок) in between. If you'd like some (гибкость), we offer open (туда-обратно) tickets, allowing you to choose the return date later on.
CustomerCan you provide me with the (цены) for both options?
AgentCertainly. For a single journey ticket, the (плата) starts at £50. If you opt for an open return, it goes up to £70, but you have flexibility to return on a (другой) day.
CustomerI'll go with the open return. What are the (отправления) times for trains to London?
AgentWe have a (разнообразие) of trains through the day. We have (быстрые) trains for a quick journey, and (с остановками, медленные) trains with more stops. I recommend the express at 9:30 a.m.
CustomerGreat, I'd like to book a seat on the express.
AgentPerfect. With the (открытый) return, you can pick any train within 30 days. Just check the (расписание) for your return. Anything else?
CustomerNo, that covers everything. Thank you.
09

Word Order · 6 ticket sentences

Click the pills in the right order.

Target: book a ticket
Target: ask about return price
Target: ask for a discount
Target: ask about the tour
Target: ask about refund policy
Target: at the gate
10

Grammar · 2nd Conditional · «What would you do if…?»

Same six ticket problems from the warm-up — now practise the 2nd Conditional formally. One try per row.

Structure
If + Past Simple, would + verb
If I lost my ticket, I would ask for help.
Use
imagined / unreal / hypothetical
not real now, but let's imagine.
Short form
I'd = I would
«I'd ask …» / «I'd try …»

🎯 What would you do if…?

1. If you forgot to book in advance, you…

2. If you saw a huge line at the museum, you…

3. If the event was sold out, you…

4. If the vending machine was confusing, you…

5. If you forgot your student ID, you…

6. If the booth only accepted cash, you…

7. Choose the correct If-clause form:

8. Choose the correct would-clause form:

🎯 Speaking drill: pick 3 of the 6 problems. For each, say aloud: «If … , I would …». 30 seconds each. Then swap roles with your partner.
10b

Useful Constructions · what to actually say

Tap ▶ next to any phrase to hear it. 5 categories · 20 ready-to-use lines.

🎟️
Buying / booking
at the counter
  • I'd like to book a ticket, please.
  • I'd like a return ticket to Oxford.
  • Do you have a booth at the airport?
  • How long is the ticket valid for?
4 openers
💷
Asking about price
fares · discounts
  • How much is a single ticket?
  • Is there a student concession?
  • What's the entrance fee for adults?
  • Do you have a group discount?
4 price questions
📖
Options & details
choose carefully
  • What are my options?
  • Is that ticket refundable?
  • Are there any available seats for the 9:30 train?
  • Can I choose the seat myself?
4 before you decide
⚠️
If something's wrong
polite complaints
  • Sorry, I couldn't figure out how this works.
  • The ticket says the wrong date. Can I change it?
  • I paid, but I didn't receive any confirmation.
  • Could I speak to a staff member, please?
4 complaint lines
✅
At the gate
boarding · entry
  • Here's my e-ticket.
  • My QR code isn't scanning — can you help?
  • Am I on the right platform?
  • Thank you. Have a nice day!
4 at the gate
🎯 Drill: pick one phrase from each block (5 total). Chain them into a 45-second scene from booth to boarding. Time yourself.
11

Role-Play Lab · four scenarios

Four real ticket-booth situations. Read your role only, then play out loud with your partner or teacher.

🎭 Card 1 · Buy a ticket for the exhibition
Role A · Buyer
  • 🎯 Goal: buy one ticket for the exhibition.
  • ❗ Problem: no change is available.
  • Useful phrases: «I'd like one ticket for the exhibition, please.» · «Sorry, I only have a large note.» · «Do you accept cards?» · «Can I pay online or get change somewhere?»
Role B · Seller
  • Explain payment options: cards, contactless, mobile pay.
  • If none work — direct to nearest ATM or online booking.
  • Stay polite even when the buyer is stuck.
🎭 Card 2 · Guided tour for tomorrow
Role A · Buyer
  • 🎯 Goal: buy a ticket for tomorrow's guided tour.
  • ❗ Problem: not sure if tickets are still available.
  • Useful phrases: «Is there a guided tour tomorrow?» · «Are there any tickets left?» · «I'd like to reserve in advance.» · «How much is it for adults / students?»
Role B · Booking staff
  • Check «system»: 3 slots left for 11:00, 4 slots for 15:00.
  • Explain price: €12 adult, €7 concession.
  • Take name and phone number for reservation.
🎭 Card 3 · Wrong date on the ticket
Role A · Buyer
  • 🎯 Goal: fix the mistake with the date on your ticket.
  • ❗ Problem: booked for the 18th, but the ticket says the 28th.
  • Useful phrases: «I booked a ticket for the 18th, but it says the 28th.» · «Can I change it?» · «Is there any way to get a refund or rebook?» · «It must be a mistake — I have the receipt.»
Role B · Support agent
  • Ask for the booking reference + receipt screenshot.
  • Explain the fix: free rebook within 24 hours if it was a system error.
  • Apologise, offer a small compensation (10 % off next booking).
🎭 Card 4 · Foreign tourist
Role A · Tourist
  • 🎯 Goal: buy a basic entrance ticket.
  • ❗ Problem: don't understand ticket types.
  • Useful phrases: «Do you speak English?» · «What kinds of tickets are available?» · «I just want a basic entrance ticket.» · «Can you explain the options?»
Role B · Cashier
  • Speak clearly, give simple options: adult / concession / audio guide.
  • Recommend the audio guide for a first visit.
  • Point out the map + free brochure.
Drill order: read your role silently → play out loud once slowly → switch roles → play again fluently without the script. ~5 min per card.
12

Museum Discussion · pick a story

Three museum-ticket situations. Pick one and answer the questions aloud.

🎫 ✅ Story 1 · Smooth booking
A friendly museum staff member behind a Musée du Louvre ticket counter shows a tablet to a young woman with a smartphone. Big information board behind reads TICKETS General Admission Available, Audio Guide Available, Guided Tour 14:00 Available, Temporary Exhibition Available. Three more friends stand behind her in warm golden light

A person booked their museum ticket online in advance and walked straight in — no queue, no problem.

🎫 ❌ Story 2 · Sold out on arrival
Four disappointed friends outside a grand European museum at sunset, staring at a big red-and-white COMPLET / SOLD OUT sign for the temporary exhibition. Directional signs point to Jardin des Tuileries and Musée de l'Orangerie in the background

Someone travelled a long way, arrived at the museum — and tickets had all sold out.

🎫 ⏳ Story 3 · The waiting queue
A young woman holds up her smartphone showing a QR code at the entrance of the Musée du Louvre, three friends behind her, the Louvre pyramid visible on the right, a queue of visitors and a Vermeer exhibition banner on the wall. Warm afternoon light

Someone is standing in a queue, the museum app has crashed, tickets are «still available» — but nothing loads.

13

Reading · Full car rental scene (Sang Min Lee)

Sang Min walks in without a reservation. Read carefully — 6 comprehension questions below.

Agent: How can I help you today?

Sang Min: I would like to rent a car.

Agent: Do you have a reservation?

Sang Min: No.

Agent: That's alright. Let's see what we can find. We have several cars to choose from. What size are you looking for?

Sang Min: What are my options?

Agent: A compact car, midsize car, and a minivan.

Sang Min: How much are they?

Agent: Compact is $21.95 a day, midsize is $27.95 a day, and a minivan is $35.95 a day.

Sang Min: I'll take a midsize car.

Agent: How long will you be renting the car?

Sang Min: One week.

Agent: How many people will be driving the car?

Sang Min: Just myself.

Agent: Would you like insurance?

Sang Min: How much is it?

Agent: It is $14.95 a day and it covers everything regardless of fault.

Sang Min: Yes please.

Agent: Can I have your name?

Sang Min: Last name is Lee. L E E. First name is Sang. S A N G.

Agent: Your address please?

Sang Min: I am from Korea. Would you like my address in Korea?

Agent: Just the city name.

Sang Min: Seoul, Korea.

Agent: Can I see your driver's license and a credit card?

Sang Min: Sure. Here it is.

Agent: Great. That will be $324.92. Would you like me to charge it on this card?

Sang Min: Yes. That will be fine.

Agent: Please sign here. You can pick up your car downstairs. Your expected time to return the car is June 29th. Show the attendant this invoice. The gas tank is full, you should fill it up before you return. If you don't want to, we can do it for you for $3 a gallon.

Sang Min: That will be all. Thank you.

🎯 Comprehension · 6 questions

1. Did Sang Min have a reservation?

2. How much is a midsize car per day?

3. Did he take insurance? How much per day?

4. What was the total price?

5. What must he do with the gas tank before returning?

6. Where is Sang Min from?

14

Writing · Complaint letter · missing ticket

Read the model letter (B1–B2). Then write your own version — a small change of details is enough.

Topic: No ticket received after payment

Dear Museum Staff,

I'm writing to complain about a problem with my recent ticket purchase. I paid for a ticket online on July 14th, but I didn't receive any confirmation or ticket by email. The money was taken from my card, and I have the receipt.

I am very upset because I was planning to visit with my family and we couldn't enter.

Please check the issue and send the ticket or refund the money.

Regards,
Natalie Sh

✏️ Your turn — 6 lines to complete

  1. Change the date of purchase and the event (concert / museum / train).
  2. Explain the problem in your own words (QR failed / wrong date / no confirmation / seat missing).
  3. Say why it's important to you (birthday / family visit / work trip).
  4. Ask for a clear action (refund / rebook / send ticket).
  5. Keep it polite — no CAPS, no rude words.
  6. Sign with your first name only.
Speaking version: read your complaint aloud as if you were on the phone with support. 60–90 seconds. Practise the polite opener, the problem, the request.
15

Speaking · 10 discussion questions

In each answer use at least one word from Section 02. Say each answer in 3–4 sentences.

  1. Do you usually book tickets in advance or buy them at the venue?
  2. Have you ever had trouble scanning an e-ticket or QR code?
  3. What do you think about non-refundable tickets — fair or annoying?
  4. Have you ever bought a group or concession ticket? Was it worth it?
  5. Do you prefer going on a guided tour or exploring places yourself?
  6. When was the last time something was fully booked and you missed it?
  7. Is there a difference between a box office and a ticket booth?
  8. Have you ever lost a printed ticket? What did you do?
  9. What's the most expensive fare you've ever paid?
  10. Do you prefer one-way or return tickets when you travel?
16

📚 Homework · before our next class

  1. Re-read Section 08 (train ticket to London) aloud. Change ONE detail (city / class / date) — build your own version.
  2. Write 10 sentences using 10 different words from Section 02 (Ticket Core). Include at least one 2nd Conditional («If I lost my ticket, I would …»).
  3. Record a 90-second monologue on one question from Section 15. Bring the recording — we'll analyse pace and fluency together.
  4. Prepare Card 3 (Wrong date) from Section 11 as a solo monologue: pretend you're calling support to fix the mistake. 60–90 seconds.
Next lesson: Part 6 · City & Directions — walking the old town, asking a local, one museum visit and one lost-then-found moment. 🗺️