New here? This is lesson 43 of a free 240-lesson English course.
Top up a transit card in English
Ana is at the Blue Line gate. Her Ventra card is low, so she cannot go through.
Murray holds up his Ventra on the cord. The machine behind them is free.
By the end, you'll say the card is low, ask where to add money, and put twenty dollars on this card.
People say add money. A machine may say add value; you will hear that.
By the end of this lesson
Add money to a Ventra card when the balance is low.
- Low balance.The card does not have enough money
- I need to add money.I want to put more money on the card
- Where can I add money?Where is the machine or shop for this?
- Can I add money here?Is this a place to put money on the card?
- Add twenty dollars.Put twenty dollars on the card
- Add it to this card.Put the money on this Ventra card
Scene — the gate stays closed
Ana stands at the Blue Line gate. She taps her card. The gate beeps and stays closed.
Murray is next to her, Ventra on a cord around his neck. He points to a free machine behind them.
The steel L platform sits above the street. A few people wait. No one is at the money machine yet.
Learn — add money to the card
Six short lines cover a low card, adding money, and asking where.
You'll also tell the machine to add twenty dollars to this card.
Low balance.
The card does not have enough money
When to use it: Say this when the card needs more money.
Learn it as one piece for a low card.
Say it: The stress is on the first part of balance.
I need to add money.
I want to put more money on the card
When to use it: Say this when you want more on the card.
Learn it as one piece when the card is low.
Say it: To can sound like tuh.
Where can I add money?
Where is the machine or shop for this?
When to use it: Ask this to find the machine or shop.
Learn it as one piece to find the machine.
Can I add money here?
Is this a place to put money on the card?
When to use it: Ask this at a machine or a shop.
Learn it as one piece at a machine or shop.
Add twenty dollars.
Put twenty dollars on the card
When to use it: Say this to put twenty dollars on the card.
Learn it as one piece for the amount.
Say it: The stress is on the first part of twenty.
Add it to this card.
Put the money on this Ventra card
When to use it: Say this so the money goes on your card.
Learn it as one piece at the machine.
Say it: Add and it can link.
Story — the machine is free
Watch Ana at the Blue Line gate. Her card is low, and Murray points to a free machine.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- Ana taps her card. The gate beeps and stays shut.
AnaLow balance. I might fall.She thinks low balance means she will fall.
MurrayNo. Low balance. Just the card.He tells her it is about the card, not a fall.- AnaI need to add money.I want to put more money on the card
- Murray holds up his Ventra on the cord.
- AnaWhere can I add money?Where is the machine or shop for this?
- MurrayWell. It's right there.it is very close; you can see it
- Ana walks to the free machine. Staff looks past her.
- AnaExcuse me. Can I add money here?She asks for their eyes, then asks if this machine is okay.
- StaffYes. Tap your card.You may; touch your card on the reader.
- AnaAdd twenty dollars.Put twenty dollars on the card
- The screen asks which card.
- AnaAdd it to this card.Put the money on this Ventra card
Practice — low card or twenty dollars
A short set of tasks waits here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.
They stay small, so you can move fast.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
English
Low balance.Drop the Simple English hereI need to add money.Drop the Simple English hereWhere can I add money?Drop the Simple English hereCan I add money here?Drop the Simple English hereAdd twenty dollars.Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
You stand at a free Ventra machine. You want to know if you can use it.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
I need to add money.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
Where is the machine or shop for this?
____ can I add money?
Build the line
Build the line
Put the money on this Ventra card
.
Tap the words in order.
Pick the reply
Murray says:
Pick the reply
So, what do you need?
He asks what she must do now.
And you reply with:
Swap the word
Swap the word
You want twenty dollars on the card, not ten.
Add ____ dollars.
True or false?
True or false?
This line tells you to touch the card on the reader.
What do you say?
What do you say?
Staff looks at the next person. You need them to look at you.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
It's right there.
Say it — say it at the machine
Now you're Ana at the gate with a low card. 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.
- StaffTap your card.Touch your transit card on the reader
- Ana (you)The gate will not open. Say what the screen shows.
The gate will not open. Say what the screen shows.
Low balance.
The card does not have enough money
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Low balance. | The card does not have enough money | |
| I need to add money. | I want to put more money on the card | |
| Where can I add money? | Where is the machine or shop for this? | |
| Can I add money here? | Is this a place to put money on the card? | |
| Add twenty dollars. | Put twenty dollars on the card | |
| Add it to this card. | Put the money on this Ventra card |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these lines handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps add-money lines ready at the gate.
Open Yak Cards