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Lesson 173 of 240

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The wrong train in English

Ana and Tasha are on their way to Milwaukee for the weekend. They find seats, then the towns outside the window do not look right.

Tasha checks the tickets. This train is not going to Milwaukee.

You will learn how to say you took the wrong train, ask if it stops in Milwaukee, and ask station staff for the next one.

Get off at the next stop. Then change trains.

By the end of this lesson

Say you took the wrong train, ask about Milwaukee, and ask staff how to change.

  • I think we took the wrong train.I believe this is not our train.
  • Does this train stop in Milwaukee?Will this train go to Milwaukee?
  • We'll get off at the next stop.We will leave the train at the stop after this one.
  • How do we change trains?What should we do to take the right train?
  • Is there still time to catch it?Can we still get the right train?
  • When's the next train to Milwaukee?What time is the next Milwaukee train?

Scene — the towns look wrong

Ana and Tasha sit on an Amtrak train leaving Chicago. Bags are by their feet. Tasha has two tickets in her hand.

The towns outside are not the ones on the way to Milwaukee. A ticket agent walks down the aisle.

Ana looks at Tasha. Something is wrong.

Ana and Tasha sit with their bags on a moving train as a ticket agent walks down the aisle.

Learn — the wrong train

Six lines help you when you board the wrong train.

You name the mistake, ask about Milwaukee, and ask staff how to change.

  1. Ana turns toward Tasha and studies the tickets in her hands.

    I think we took the wrong train.

    I believe this is not our train.

    When to use it: Say this when you are on a train that is not yours.

    Took is the past tense of take.

    Say it: The stress is on wrong.

  2. Tasha looks up from the tickets as the ticket agent pauses beside her seat.

    Does this train stop in Milwaukee?

    Will this train go to Milwaukee?

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

    Stop means the train lets people off in that city.

    Say it: The stress in Milwaukee is on the second part.

  3. Ana leans toward the aisle and gestures toward the front of the coach while addressing the agent.

    We'll get off at the next stop.

    We will leave the train at the stop after this one.

    When to use it: Say this when you plan to leave at the stop after this one.

    We'll is we will, said as one piece.

    Say it: Get and off stay together.

  4. Tasha half-stands in the aisle and asks the ticket agent how to change trains.

    How do we change trains?

    What should we do to take the right train?

    When to use it: Ask staff this when you need to take a different train.

    Change trains means leave one train and take another.

  5. The ticket agent gestures toward a route on a blank paper while Ana and Tasha listen.

    Is there still time to catch it?

    Can we still get the right train?

    When to use it: Ask this when you worry the next train will leave soon.

    Catch it means get on the train before it leaves.

    Say it: Catch and it can link.

  6. Ana and Tasha listen as the ticket agent explains when the next train leaves.

    When's the next train to Milwaukee?

    What time is the next Milwaukee train?

    When to use it: Ask staff this to learn the time of the next train.

    When's is when is, said as one piece.

    Say it: To can sound like tuh.

Story — get off and change

Watch Ana and Tasha on the wrong train. A ticket agent tells them where to get off.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. The train is already moving. Tasha looks from the tickets to the window.
  2. TashaWait. I think we took the wrong train.I believe this is not our train.
  3. AnaDoes this train stop in Milwaukee?Will this train go to Milwaukee?
  4. TashaI don't think so. Look at these towns.She thinks they are on the wrong train.
  5. A ticket agent walks down the aisle. Ana raises a hand.
  6. AnaExcuse me. Can you help me?She stops the agent and asks for help.
  7. StaffSure. What's going on?The agent is ready to listen.
  8. AnaI think we took the wrong train.I believe this is not our train.
  9. StaffNo, this one doesn't stop in Milwaukee.This train will not let them off in Milwaukee.
  10. TashaWe'll get off at the next stop.We will leave the train at the stop after this one.
  11. AnaHow do we change trains?What should we do to take the right train?
  12. StaffGet off at Glenview. Walk to the other side.Leave at Glenview, then go to the other side.
  13. TashaIs there still time to catch it?Can we still get the right train?
  14. StaffYou should be fine if you walk.You can still make the next train.
  15. AnaWhen's the next train to Milwaukee?What time is the next Milwaukee train?
  16. StaffAbout twelve minutes after you get off.The next train leaves twelve minutes later.
  17. AnaThank you.you say this when someone helps you
  18. TashaWell, this will be a better story later.She will tell this story again later.

Practice — ask the agent

Ten short exercises wait here. You will listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.

They stay small, so the round moves fast.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. What does it mean?

    Does this train stop in Milwaukee?

  3. What do you say?

    You need the ticket agent's attention on the train.

  4. Pick the reply

    Staff says:

    What's the problem?

    The agent asks what is wrong.

    And you reply with:

  5. Swap the word

    You are on the wrong train. Tell Tasha your plan for the next station.

    We'll get ____ at the next stop.

  6. Build the line

    What should we do to take the right train?

    ?

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Fill the gap

    Can we still get the right train?

    Is there still ____ to catch it?

  8. What do you say?

    You already got off. You are at the ticket window. You want the time of the next Milwaukee train.

  9. Match the pairs

    English

    I think we took the wrong train.Drop the Simple English here
    Does this train stop in Milwaukee?Drop the Simple English here
    We'll get off at the next stop.Drop the Simple English here
    Is there still time to catch it?Drop the Simple English here
    Can you help me?Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

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

  10. Pick the reply

    Staff says:

    You're all set. Other platform, twelve minutes.

    The agent told you how to change and when.

    And you reply with:

Say it — say it on the train

Now you're Ana on the wrong train with Tasha. 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. TashaThese towns do not look right.She thinks they are on the wrong train.
  2. Ana (you)Tell her this is not the right train.

    I think we took the wrong train.

    I believe this is not our train.

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
I think we took the wrong train.I believe this is not our train.
Does this train stop in Milwaukee?Will this train go to Milwaukee?
We'll get off at the next stop.We will leave the train at the stop after this one.
How do we change trains?What should we do to take the right train?
Is there still time to catch it?Can we still get the right train?
When's the next train to Milwaukee?What time is the next Milwaukee train?
Next: lesson 174The famous snack

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