English Learning: Taking a Bus
Dialogue
Alice: Oh, Bob! Is this the right bus stop for the park? I’m so lost!
Bob: Alice! Hey! Yes, this is it. But which bus are you waiting for?
Alice: Uh… the one that goes to the park? Number… P2, I think?
Bob: P2? Are you sure? The park usually takes the Number 7 bus.
Alice: Oh no! My map said P2! Maybe I read it upside down again.
Bob: (Laughing) Happens to the best of us! Look, here comes a bus. Is that it?
Alice: (Squinting) It says… “Sorry, Not in Service.” Oh.
Bob: Nope, that’s not it. We need to look for a big number 7 on the front.
Alice: So, when the bus comes, do I just wave? Or stand really still?
Bob: You just stand near the stop. When the Number 7 comes, make eye contact with the driver. Not too intense, though!
Alice: Eye contact… Okay. And then I get on? Do I need a ticket?
Bob: Yes, you can pay with cash or a card. Do you have exact change for cash?
Alice: Exact change? I have a giant twenty-dollar bill. Uh oh.
Bob: (Sighs dramatically) Alice, you’re a bus-taking adventure! Don’t worry, they usually have card machines.
Alice: Phew! Okay, look! Is that it? A big red bus, with a 7!
Bob: Yes! That’s it! Quick, let’s get ready!
Alice: Wait, do we get off at the next stop, or the one after? I forgot!
Bob: (Shaking his head, smiling) We’ll figure it out, Alice. Just follow me!
Alice: Okay, Bob! My bus guru!
Current Situation
Buses are a very common form of public transportation in many cities and towns. They follow specific routes and stop at designated bus stops to pick up and drop off passengers. People use buses for various reasons, such as commuting to work or school, running errands, or visiting friends. It’s often an affordable and eco-friendly way to travel, helping to reduce traffic congestion.
To take a bus, you usually need to know your route number, wait at the correct stop, and have a way to pay for your fare, such as cash (sometimes needing exact change), a travel card, or a credit/debit card. Many buses also have signs that say “Not in Service” when they are not picking up passengers.
Key Phrases
- bus stop: A place where buses stop to pick up or drop off passengers.
Example: Let’s wait at the bus stop over there.
- bus route: The specific path or road a bus travels.
Example: This bus goes on bus route number 7.
- wait for the bus: To stand or sit at a bus stop until your bus arrives.
Example: I always wait for the bus at 8 AM.
- get on the bus: To enter the bus.
Example: Hurry, let’s get on the bus before it leaves!
- get off the bus: To exit the bus.
Example: Remember to get off the bus at the next stop.
- exact change: The precise amount of money needed, without needing change back.
Example: Do you have exact change for the bus fare?
- not in service: A bus that is not currently picking up passengers; it’s often going to or from the depot.
Example: Oh, this bus says “not in service.” We have to wait for the next one.
- bus fare: The money you pay to ride the bus.
Example: The bus fare is two dollars.
Grammar Points
1. Prepositions of Place: ‘at’, ‘on’, ‘for’
- at: Used for a specific point or location.
Example: We wait at the bus stop.
- on: Used for surfaces or for public transportation like buses and trains (when you are inside).
Example: Get on the bus. (You are on the bus)
- for: Used to indicate purpose or the object of waiting.
Example: I am waiting for the bus. (The bus is the object of your waiting)
2. The Verb ‘To Be’ (is, are)
- We use ‘is‘ for singular subjects (he, she, it, this, that).
Example: Is this the right stop? (This = singular)
- We use ‘are‘ for plural subjects (we, you, they, these, those).
Example: Are you sure? (You can be singular or plural, but ‘are’ is used with ‘you’)
3. Simple Present Tense
We use the Simple Present Tense for actions that happen regularly, general truths, or facts.
- Structure: Subject + Base Verb (add ‘-s’ or ‘-es’ for he/she/it)
- Examples from dialogue: “It says ‘Sorry, Not in Service’.” (It = singular, so ‘says’) “It happens to the best of us.”
-
Example: I take the bus every day. She waits for the bus.
4. Imperative Sentences (Commands/Instructions)
We use imperative sentences to give commands, instructions, or make requests. They usually start directly with the base form of the verb.
- Examples from dialogue: “Look!“, “Make eye contact!”, “Follow me!”.
-
Example: Get ready! Don’t forget your ticket.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the box.
(on, at, for, is, are, get, exact)
- We need to wait ______ the bus stop.
- ______ this bus going to the park?
- Don’t forget to ______ off the bus at your stop.
- I’m waiting ______ the Number 7 bus.
- Do you have ______ change for the fare?
- Please ______ on the bus quickly!
- at
- Is
- get
- for
- exact
- get
Exercise 2: Match the phrase with its meaning.
- Bus stop
- Get on the bus
- Not in service
- Bus fare
- a. The money you pay to ride.
- b. A bus not currently picking up passengers.
- c. To enter the bus.
- d. A place where buses pick up/drop off people.
- d
- c
- b
- a
Exercise 3: Make a sentence using these words.
- bus / stop / the / at / wait
- on / get / bus / the
- Number / takes / He / 7 / bus / the
- Wait at the bus stop. (Also acceptable: We wait at the bus stop. / I wait at the bus stop.)
- Get on the bus. (Also acceptable: Let’s get on the bus. / I get on the bus.)
- He takes the Number 7 bus.
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