English Learning Content for Beginners: At the Train Station

Dialogue

Alice: Bob, are you sure this is platform 7? It looks more like a car park entrance!

Bob: Alice, don’t worry! My phone says “Platform 7, Gate B”. We’re practically there. Oh, wait…

Alice: What now, Bob? Did your phone just suggest we board a pigeon?

Bob: No, no! It just updated. “Platform 7, Gate B, train to Puddleburg“. Is that us?

Alice: Puddleburg? Bob, we’re going to Sunnyville! We talked about this for weeks!

Bob: Oh, right! Sunnyville! My bad. So, not this train then. Good catch, Alice!

Alice: Sigh. Let’s find the departure board again. It’s usually… shiny and big.

Bob: Aha! Found it! Okay, Sunnyville… Platform 3! Oh, it leaves in two minutes!

Alice: Two minutes?! Bob, run! My giant backpack is not built for speed!

Bob: Don’t worry, I’ll carry your… actually, no, I’ll just run ahead and hold the doors!

Alice: Bob, you can’t “hold the doors” on a train like it’s an elevator!

Bob: Watch me! He runs off, nearly tripping.

Alice: (to herself) And he wonders why I always pack snacks for emergencies.

Bob: (shouting from a distance) Alice! I see it! It’s bright yellow!

Alice: That’s a taxi, Bob! Our train is usually… train-shaped!

Bob: Oh. Right. Well, the next train is in 30 minutes! Plenty of time for snacks?

Alice: Bob, you’re lucky I like you. Let’s just find Platform 3, slowly this time.

Current Situation

Train stations are bustling places where people go to catch trains for travel. At a train station, you can usually find a ticket office or ticket machines to buy your tickets. Large screens called departure boards show important information like train times, destinations, and which platform your train will leave from. A platform is the area next to the train tracks where you wait to board a train. Trains can be local, for short trips, or intercity for longer journeys. Many travelers use digital tickets on their phones, but paper tickets are still common. It’s always a good idea to arrive a bit early and check the information carefully so you don’t miss your train!

Key Phrases

• Departure board: A large screen showing train times and platforms.
  • Example: “Let’s check the departure board for our train time.”
• Ticket office: A place where you can buy train tickets from a person.
  • Example: “You can buy a physical ticket at the ticket office.”
• Ticket machine: An automatic machine to buy tickets.
  • Example: “It’s faster to use the ticket machine if you know your destination.”
• Platform: The area next to the train tracks where passengers wait.
  • Example: “Our train to Sunnyville leaves from Platform 3.”
• To board a train: To get on a train.
  • Example: “We need to board a train before it leaves.”
• One-way ticket: A ticket for a journey to a destination, but not back.
  • Example: “I need a one-way ticket to Puddleburg, please.”
• Return ticket: A ticket for a journey to a destination and back again.
  • Example: “Do you want a return ticket or just one-way?”
• Train schedule: A list of times when trains arrive and depart.
  • Example: “The train schedule says the next train is in 30 minutes.”
• Miss the train: To fail to catch a train because you arrived too late.
  • Example: “If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss the train!”
• Next train: The train that will depart soonest after the current one.
  • Example: “Don’t worry, the next train is in 15 minutes.”

Grammar Points

1. The Verb “To Be” (is, are)

The verb “to be” is very common and essential. We use “is” for singular nouns (one thing) and “are” for plural nouns (more than one thing) or with “you.”

• This is platform 7. (Singular)
• We are at the station. (Plural/With ‘we’)
• It is bright yellow. (Singular)
• You are lucky. (With ‘you’)

2. Prepositions of Place (at, on, to, from)

These small words tell us about location and direction.

• At: Used for a general location or specific address.
  • Example: We are at the train station.
• On: Used for a surface or a specific line (like a platform).
  • Example: The train is on Platform 3.
• To: Used for direction or destination.
  • Example: We are going to Sunnyville.
• From: Used for origin or starting point.
  • Example: The train leaves from Platform 3.

3. Imperative Sentences

We use imperative sentences to give commands, instructions, or make requests. They usually start with the base form of a verb.

• Run! (Command)
• Don’t worry! (Negative command/request)
• Let’s find the departure board. (Suggestion, starting with “Let’s”)

4. Asking Questions with “Is/Are”

To ask simple yes/no questions or about identity/location, we often start with “Is” or “Are.”

• Is this our train?
• Are you sure?
• Is it bright yellow?

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the box.

(platform, board, ticket office, miss, next)

1. We need to find the right ___________ for our train.
2. Don’t run, we don’t want to ___________ the train.
3. Let’s check the departure ___________ for the train times.
4. Where is the ___________ train to Sunnyville?
5. You can buy tickets at the ___________.

Show Answers to Exercise 1

1. platform
2. miss
3. board
4. next
5. ticket office

Exercise 2: Complete the sentences using “is” or “are”.

1. This ___________ Platform 7.
2. We ___________ going to Sunnyville.
3. My backpack ___________ heavy.
4. You ___________ lucky!
5. The trains ___________ often busy.

Show Answers to Exercise 2

1. is
2. are
3. is
4. are
5. are

Exercise 3: Match the question to the best answer.

1. Which platform is it?
2. Do you have a return ticket?
3. Is this the train to Puddleburg?
4. When is the next train?
5. Can you help me?

Answers:

a. No, this one goes to Sunnyville.

b. Yes, I do. Here you go.

c. It’s Platform 3.

d. Of course! What do you need?

e. It’s in 30 minutes.

Show Answers to Exercise 3

1. 1. c
2. 2. b
3. 3. a
4. 4. e
5. 5. d