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Lesson 42 of 240

New here? This is lesson 42 of a free 240-lesson English course.

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The L and Ventra in English

Ana walks to the L with a new Ventra card. The gate will not open until she taps the card on the reader.

Murray is already there. His card hangs on a cord. He will take two seats on the train and feel sorry about it.

By the end, you'll tap a card, name the Blue Line, ask which exit, and check you are on the right train.

Tap means you touch the card on the reader. You do not swipe it.

By the end of this lesson

Enter the L, tap a Ventra card, name the line, and find the exit.

  • Tap your card.Touch your transit card on the reader
  • Which line?Which train name or color do I need?
  • The Blue Line.the Chicago train that runs west, including to the airport
  • Transfer at ___.Change trains at this station
  • Which exit?Which door out to the street?
  • Is this the Blue Line?Am I on the right train?

Scene — the L gate

Same week in Logan Square. Ana is going downtown for work. She stands at the L gate with a new Ventra card.

Murray waits by the reader. His Ventra card hangs on a cord around his neck. He will need two seats on the Blue Line.

The stairs go up to the platform. The tracks wait for the Blue Line.

Ana holds her new transit card near the fare gate while Murray waits beside the reader with his card on a cord.

Learn — tap and the Blue Line

Six short lines cover the L gate, the Blue Line, a transfer, and the exit.

You'll tap a card, name a line, and check you are on the right train.

  1. Ana taps her transit card on the reader as Murray waits beside her.

    Tap your card.

    Touch your transit card on the reader

    When to use it: Say this at the gate, on the card reader.

    Learn it as one piece at the gate.

  2. Ana looks toward the waiting riders while Murray gestures toward the platform stairs to clarify that she needs a train name or color.

    Which line?

    Which train name or color do I need?

    When to use it: Ask this when you do not know the train.

    Learn it as one piece for the train name.

  3. Murray points Ana toward a blue-sided train on the platform.

    The Blue Line.

    the Chicago train that runs west, including to the airport

    When to use it: Say this for the west train toward the airport.

    Learn it as one piece, the train name.

    Say it: The stress is on Blue.

  4. Murray gestures toward the station passage where passengers can change trains.

    Transfer at ___.

    Change trains at this station

    When to use it: Say this when someone must change trains.

    Learn it as one piece, then add the station.

    Say it: The stress is on FER in transfer.

  5. Ana considers two stairways to the street while Murray points toward one of them.

    Which exit?

    Which door out to the street?

    When to use it: Ask this when you want the door to the street.

    Learn it as one piece for the street door.

  6. Ana pauses at the open train doorway to check the blue-sided train while Murray sits across two seats inside.

    Is this the Blue Line?

    Am I on the right train?

    When to use it: Ask this to check you are on the right train.

    Learn it as one piece on the train.

    Say it: This and the can link.

Story — two seats

Watch Ana at the L gate with her new Ventra card. Murray will take two seats and feel sorry.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. The L gate. Ana holds a new Ventra card. Murray's card hangs on a cord.
  2. AnaExcuse me.you say this to get someone's attention
  3. StaffTap your card.Touch your transit card on the reader
  4. Ana knocks on the card. The staff points at the reader. Ana taps it.
  5. AnaWhich line?Which train name or color do I need?
  6. She looks at the people standing in a row.
  7. MurrayThe train, I mean.He means the train name, not the people.
  8. StaffThe Blue Line.the Chicago train that runs west, including to the airport
  9. MurrayI need the Red Line. Where?He needs a different train and asks where to change.
  10. StaffTransfer at Jackson.Change trains at this station
  11. On the train, Murray sits on two seats.
  12. MurraySorry. Two seats.He is sorry he needs two seats.
  13. AnaIs this the Blue Line?Am I on the right train?
  14. MurrayThe Blue Line.the Chicago train that runs west, including to the airport
  15. The train stops at Jackson. Ana needs the street for work. Murray will change trains.
  16. AnaWhich exit?Which door out to the street?
  17. MurrayThese stairs go to the street.He names these stairs as the way out to the street.

Practice — line or exit

Eleven short exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick a line, fill a gap, and build a sentence.

They stay small, so you can move fast.

0 of 11 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    English

    Which line?Drop the Simple English here
    The Blue Line.Drop the Simple English here
    Which exit?Drop the Simple English here
    Is this the Blue Line?Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

    Drag a Simple English line onto its English, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    You are at the L gate. You do not know the train name.

  4. What does it mean?

    Which exit?

  5. Fill the gap

    Touch your transit card on the reader

    ____ your card.

  6. Build the line

    Am I on the right train?

    ?

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Swap the word

    You want the west train toward the airport.

    The ____ Line.

  8. True or false?

    This line means you stay on the same train.

  9. Pick the reply

    Staff says:

    The Blue Line.

    the Chicago train that runs west, including to the airport

    And you reply with:

  10. What do you say?

    You need the staff to look at you at the gate.

  11. What do you say?

    The gate stays shut. You look at the staff and need help.

Say it — say it on the platform

Now you're Ana at the L gate. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. StaffTap your card.Touch your transit card on the reader
  2. Ana (you)Ask which train you need.

    Which line?

    Which train name or color do I need?

0 of 4 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
Tap your card.Touch your transit card on the reader
Which line?Which train name or color do I need?
The Blue Line.the Chicago train that runs west, including to the airport
Transfer at ___.Change trains at this station
Which exit?Which door out to the street?
Is this the Blue Line?Am I on the right train?
Next: lesson 43Top up a transit card

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