International Travel

or
(Don't Feel Out of Place in an Airport)
by

James Leonard-Williams

©iTTc - 2010

iTTc – www.ittc.ma – email: [email protected] – GSM 0640-492-230

Travel Quizzes

Contents

1 General Airport & Flying Vocabulary – Airline Check-in ............................................................ 3

2 The Different Parts of the Airport – Baggage Handling .............................................................. 4

3 The Art of Getting Through an International Airport: .................................................................. 5

4 Phases of a Flight ............................................................................................................................ 6

5 On an Aeroplane............................................................................................................................ 7

6 General English Travel Idioms ........................................................................................................ 8

7 More English Travel Idioms ............................................................................................................. 9

8 A True Travel Story ......................................................................................................................... 10

© iTTc - 2010 2
Travel Quizzes
1 General Airport & Flying Vocabulary – Airline Check-in
I waited patiently at BA’s check-in desk in Jeddah, as the bearded man in front of
me, (wearing a long white dress and a tea-towel on his head) hurled abuse at the
ground staff, who remained perfectly calm, polite and pleasant throughout and
simply smiled as he checked the man and his entourage in.

When it finally came to me, I asked, "How the hell do you manage to stay so calm
and polite?" The man smiled and said, "Oh, it's easy. He's going to London, his
baggage is going to Perth and the 'maids' are off to Manila."

1.1 Fill in the gaps with an appropriate word or phrase from the list:-
aisle seat – baggage – baggage claim – boarding card – check in – check in –
embarkation card – flight – flight number – flight number – gate – ground staff –
internal – international – passport – reservation – visa – window seat –

1. A journey in an aeroplane is generally called a ________.

2. Ordering a seat on a plane on the day you want to travel is called making a ___________ .
3. You must fill in a ____________ _____ before going through passport control.
4. The letters and numbers that identify an aeroplane and a specific flight are called the __________
_________.
5. The printed piece of paper, which allows you to travel on an aeroplane, is the _______ ______.
6. A flight within one country is called a ____________flight.
7. A flight between different countries is called an ____________flight.
8. The first thing to do, once inside the airport, is to ______ ___, or register as a passenger on a
particular flight.
9. Above the ________ ___desk will be the same ______ ______ as on your ticket.
10. The people who work for the airlines, in the airport, are called the __________ _____.
11. The document that identifies you as a citizen of a certain country and which allows you to travel to
other countries is called a ____________.
12. The stamp in your passport that allows you to travel to another country is called a ______.
13. The selection of a specific seat for a trip on an aeroplane is called _______________.
14. A seat next to the window in an aeroplane is called a __________ _____.
15. A seat next to the passage between the rows of seats is called an _____ _____.
16. The boxes, portmanteaus and bags that contain your belongings are called ____________.
17. A bag that you take on to the aeroplane with you is called you _____ ____________.
18. A ticket with numbers and letters that identify your baggage is called a baggage _______.
19. The card, which permits you to get on the aeroplane, is called a__________ _____.
20. A door which leads from the airport building into an aeroplane is called a _______ _____.

© iTTc - 2010 3
Travel Quizzes
2 The Different Parts of the Airport – Baggage Handling
A tired and frustrated looking businessman arrived at the check-in desk with three
large suitcases. He placed his ticket and passport on the counter, but just as he was
about to put the bags on the scales, he said to the airline representative:

"Look, I know I'm booked on a flight to Paris. But I'd like the red suitcase to go to
London, this green one, Frankfurt and this blue one to Amsterdam".

The rep smiled politely and replied: "I'm sorry, sir, but we can't do that!".

The irate passenger replied: "Why the hell not? That's exactly what you did last time
I flew this airling!"

2.1 Put the words a) to k) below against their correct definitions:-

a) transit lounge, b) the door to the plane, c) boarding gate,
d) check-in, e) departure lounge, f) duty-free shopping,
g) finger or shuttle-bus, h) baggage security check, i) passport control,
j) personal security check, k) first-class lounge, l) baggage claim
m) customs n) arrivals o) hand-baggage

1) ____ Where all of your baggage is X-rayed.

2) ____ Where you wait for someone on an incoming flight.

3) ____ Where you wait for an ongoing flight (if you don’t stay in the country).

4) ____ Where you collect your bags on arrival.

5) ____ Where you are checked to see if you have any weapons, bombs, etc

6) ____ Where your hand baggage is X-rayed and searched.

7) ____ Where you have the contents of your baggage checked.

8) ____ Where you wait and can eat, drink and shop (if you have any money).

9) ____ Where you think you are buying things very cheaply.

10) ____ Where you go immediately before boarding on to the plane.

11) ____ What you go through or on in order to board the plane.

12) ____ Where you are likely to be given a free copy of the New York Herald & Tribune

13) ____ Where you have your passport stamped.

14) ____ Where you get as much free food and drink as you want.

15) ____ Where you get your boarding card.

© iTTc - 2010 4
Travel Quizzes
3 The Art of Getting Through an International Airport:
3.1 Chose one words a) to k) below to complete the description of a flight:-

a) excess baggage, b) boarding card, c) boarding gate,

d) check-in desk, e) departure lounge, f) duty-free shop,
g) finger or shuttle-bus, h) baggage security check, i) passport control,
j) personal security check, k) upgrade, l) embarkation card,

1) On arrival .at most airports, the first thing you have to do is go through the ______________.

2) Usually, the next thing you have to do is fill in an ______________ _____.

3) You then proceed to the ______________ , where you have to have your baggage weighed
and need to produce your ticket and passport.

4) If your bags are too heavy, you will be asked to pay ______________

5) Frequent flyers (and regular Middle East expatriate travellers) will always ask for an
______________.

6) In return for several pages, taken out of the airline ticket, the passenger is given a
______________.

7) Next passengers have take their embarkation card, boarding card and passport to unsmiling
people at ______________ . If they stamp your passport, you have officially left the
country.

8) Passengers then go to the ______________ , where they walk through a metal door-frame,
stop, return through the frame, take all the loose change out of their pockets, remove their
watches, necklaces, bracelets, belts, pacemakers and any other metallic implants. They then
have the inside of their thighs fondled by someone of the same sex.

9) Frequent flyers and Middle East most expatriate travellers head straight for the bar as soon as
they enter the ______________.

10) If you are flying Saudiar and a few other 'dry' airlines, Middle East expatriate travellers go to
the ______________ and buy the wherewithal to imbibe on the flight.

11) Middle East expatriate travellers working in Saudia Arabia, wait at the bar until their names
are called before they go to the ______________.

12) Passengers eventually board the plane via the ______________

© iTTc - 2010 5
Travel Quizzes
4 Phases of a Flight
"If God had meant man to fly, he wouldn’t have given us the railways." Anon
4.1 Underline one word to match the description of the phase of the flight:-

1) The time when nervous passengers sit waiting for the "seat belt" sign to be switched off
because they are dying to go to the toilet.
a) climb b) ascent c) approach d) lifting
2) The time when passengers breathe a sigh of relief and release their grip on the armrests.
a) lift-off b) take-off c) uplift d) off the runway
3) The time when passengers’ ears 'pop' and they hope that the pilot knows what he's doing.
a) going down b) dropping c) descent d) approach
4) When the passengers hope that, maybe, they'll eventually get off the ground.
a) ignition b) spark-up c) take-off d) start-up
5) When you're told to fasten your seatbelts, put the seats in the upright position etc, .
a) coming home b) final approach c) start-up d) descent
6) When the in-flight movie comes on.
a) lift-off b) descent c) approach d) cruise
7) The passengers wonder how planes can only fly forwards but always start on the ground
going backwards
a) start-up b) landing c) push-back d) approach
8) The trolley-dollies colllect all the headphones
a) approach b) final approach c) descent d) cruise
9) The plane drives along the ground towards the terminal.
a) taxi b) push-back c) approach d) landing
10) The seat appears to be trying to push you forwards.
a) taxi b) take-off roll c) approach d) descent
11) The passengers sigh Hamdoul Allah
a) descent b) cruise c) touch down d) crash-landing
12) The passengers think "why do we have to wait so long"
a) line-up b) start-up c) landing d) descent

© iTTc - 2010 6
Travel Quizzes
5 On an Aeroplane
5.1 Fill in the blanks with the correct word or phrase:-

1. People who serve you on an airplane are called ________ ________ (US).
2. People who serve you on an aeroplane are called ___________ & __________ (UK).
3. British frequent fliers (affectionately) refer to the female variety as _______ ________.
4. Collectively they are referred to as the ________ ________
5. The passage between the rows of seats is called an ________ .
6. A ________ _______ is a strap worn to prevent you from being thrown out of your seat.
7. An ____ ______ is a small bar next to the seat which is used to support your arms while
you are seated.
8. On take-off or landing, the captain or cabin crew will ask you to put your sets in the
_______ _______.
9. A button on the armrest operates a small light above your seat, called a ______ ________.
10. The ________ ___________ are compartments for storing baggage above the seats.
11. The plane is ‘on________________ ________’ when it is being flown automatically.
12. The pilot may say, "Please prepare for ________ ________"; this means that the plane will
soon leave the ground.
13. The area from where the food and drinks are served is called the ________________.
14. You may see a sign, which says "Lavatories/Toilets ________"; this means that the
lavatories are near the back of the aeroplane.
15. If there is a ________ sign on the door, the toilet is empty.
16. If there is an ________ sign on the door, someone is in the toilet
17. A form on which you provide information about the contents of your baggage (and in some
countries money) is a ________ ______ form.
18. A form on which you write your name, address, and travel plans in a foreign country is an
________ _________.
19. ________ is when the aeroplane reaches the ground after a flight under the control of the
pilot.
20. A ________ ________ is when the aeroplane hits the ground and the pilot is not in control

© iTTc - 2010 7
Travel Quizzes
6 General English Travel Idioms
6.1 Underline an word or phrase (a to (d) fill the gap:

1. I need to get ______ for a few days. I need a change of air.

a) out b) away c) in d) down

2. There was a terrific ______ as the plane touched down.

a) jolt b) joint c) jump d) junk

3. There isn't a direct flight to Doha and there’s a lay ______ in Paris for one night.
a) off b) over c) the night d) by

4. He's not here. He's gone ______ for a few days.

a) back b) off c) away d) out

5. I'm flying to Bombay but stopping ______ for a few days in Dubai en route.
a) off b) over c) out d) by
6. The plane’s not going to get ______ until 2.00am. We may as well come back later.
a) on b) by c) in d) there
7. I plan to set ______ early to avoid the rush-hour traffic.
a) by b) to c) off d) back
8. I've booked you ______ at the airport hotel. You'll be too tired to drive any further.
a) on b) in c) through d) into
9. I need to check ______ of my hotel before 11.00am so I'll bring my bags with me to the
meeting.
a) off b) with c) out d) away

10. I'll just check ______ the hotel and then we'll go straight off and get something to eat.
a) into b) out c) with d) by
11. We'll come to the airport and see you ______ .
a) away b) going c) off d) goodbye
12. There isn't a direct flight. We’ll be in ______ in London and Hong Kong.
a) pass b) transit c) transport d) travel
13. I leave Marrakech at 6.00pm local time but I don't know what time I’ll get ______ Tangier.
a) past b) by c) at d) to

14. You need to check ______ at least one hour before departure time.
a) off b) out c) in d) by

15. Next time you are flying to Senegal, try to stop ______ for a few days in Marrakech and I'll
show you the sights.
a) by b) over c) down d) down

© iTTc - 2010 8
Travel Quizzes
7 More English Travel Idioms
7.1 Underline an word or phrase (a to (d) fill the gap:

1. Do you have a ______ flight to Seoul or do you have to change.

a) onward b) indirect c) direct d) standby
2. What time is the ______ flight to London from Frankfurt.
a) onward b) indirect c) direct d) standby
3. I have a confirmed ticket to Gatwick but am on ______ to Tangier.
a) onward b) indirect c) direct d) standby
4. You need to fill ______ your embarkation card before going through passport contol.
a) off b) out c) in d) by

5. Next time you are in Casablanca you must look me ______ .

a) by b) over c) down d) up

6. I've had enough of this place. I need to get ______ by myself for a bit.
a) out b) after c) away d) along

7. Is this bag is too big for hand luggage? Do I need to check it ______ ?
a) out b) off c) by d) in

8. Let's hang around and see the plane take ______ .

a) away b) out c) off d) back

9. I need to go ______ more trips.

a) in b) at c) with d) on
10. I need to get ______ the office more.
a) out b) out from c) out with d) out of
11. We could ______ the train to Rabat or go by by taxi.
a) have b) hire c) take d) catch
12. You ought to ______ by train to Marrakech, it is far more relaxing and you can see more.
a) travel b) go c) ride d) take
13. Did you know that Moroccan ______ _________ are all made in England?
a) travel b) go c) ride d) take

14. People who fly regularly collect things called ______ .

a) souvenirs b) free-travel c) air-miles d) jet-lag

15. If you travel long distances from West to East you might suffer from ______.
a) seasickness b) jet-lag c) vertigo d) tiredness

© iTTc - 2010 9
Travel Quizzes
8 A True Travel Story
The following scene actually happened in in Economy class on a British Airways flight from
Johannesburg and London:
8.1 Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the
verb in brackets – there are sometimes
more than one choice:-
A white South African woman in her fifties, ______
(find) that she ___ ____ ______ (sit) next to a black
man and ______ (call) the stewardess.

“What’s the problem, Madam?” _______ (ask) the

hostess.

“Can __ you (see)?” _____ (say) the woman, “You’__ _______ (sit) me next to a blick.
There’s no way I __________ (sit) next to a blick for nine hours. ___ ___ _____ (go,
find) me another seat immediately.”

“Please keep calm madam,” said the hostess politely, “ but I’m afraid that the plane is
very full however, I ______ (go) and see if there is another seat available.” With that she
_____ (go) off towards the front of the plane and _________ (return) a few minutes later.

“Madam,” she ____ (say), loudly enough for the other passengers __ ____ (hear) “it’s as
I thought and as I _____ (tell) you, there are no spare seats in Economy class and
Business Class is also full. However, there ___ (be) one vacant seat in the First Class
cabin and I ____ _______ (speak) to the Captain about your situation.”

Before the woman could say anything, the stewardess __________ (continue). “You have
to understand that it is strictly against the company policy __ _______ (upgrade) people
from Economy to First Class, on the plane but in the circumstances, the Captain _______
(feel) that we should make an exception. As you _______ (imply), it is absolutely
scandalous that you should be expected to sit next to quite such a person as this.”

She then turned to the black man and said, “Therefore sir, the Captain ___ ______ (ask)
that if you would be good enough to collect your hand luggage, I ____ ____ _____ (ask)
to show you to your new seat in First Class. The Captain and crew hope that you enjoy
your flight”

The other passengers _________ (applaud) once they had _________ (recover) from the
shock.

© iTTc - 2010 10