A1 · Beginner · Travel
Take a taxi
6 short A1 English scripts to practise how to take a taxi. Read one out loud, record yourself, listen back and try again.
Key phrase Can you stop here, please?
Airport, please
Taxi! Hello. Airport, please, Terminal 2. Could you put my suitcase in the boot? Thanks. It's very big. I packed three pairs of shoes.
The meter is on? Good. Oh, I should put my seat belt on. Yes, yes, I'm doing it. Sorry, I'm a bit nervous. My flight is at six.
American English
Taxi! Hi there. To the airport, please, Terminal 2. Could you put my suitcase in the trunk? Thanks. It's really big. I packed three pairs of shoes.
Is the meter running? Great. Oh, I should put my seat belt on. Yes, yes, I'm doing it. Sorry, I'm a little nervous. My flight's at six.
Keep the change
Hi, are you Sam? Hello! I booked a ride on the app. To Mill Road, please. Is it far? Not really. Good.
Oh, can you stop here, please? You can drop off my friend at the corner. Thanks! That's £8.40? Here you go. Keep the change. Have a lovely evening!
American English
Hi, are you Sam? Hey! I ordered a ride on the app. To Mill Street, please. Is it far? Not really. Good.
Oh, can you stop here, please? You can drop off my friend at the corner. Thanks! That's $8.40? Here you go. Keep the change. Have a great night!
Is there a shortcut?
Excuse me, how long will it take to get to the station? Twenty minutes? Oh no. I'm in a hurry. My train is at ten past five!
Is there a shortcut? Yes? Great. No, no, please slow down, I don't want to arrive in hospital. The station is round the corner? Oh, there it is. Thank you, you're a star!
American English
Hi, how long will it take to get to the station? Twenty minutes? Oh no. I'm in a hurry. My train leaves at five ten!
Is there a shortcut? Yes? Great. No, no, please slow down, I don't want to end up in the hospital. The station is around the corner? Oh, there it is. Thanks, you're a lifesaver!
No taxis in the rain
It's raining and I need a taxi. The taxi rank is empty. Wait, there's a black cab! I run into the road to flag down a cab. Hello! Taxi!
It stops. I get in, soaking wet. The driver looks at my shoes and says, "Please get out and dry your coat." I laugh. He doesn't. Oh dear.
American English
It's raining and I need a taxi. The taxi stand is empty. Wait, there's a yellow cab! I run into the street to flag down a cab. Hey! Taxi!
It stops. I get in, soaking wet. The driver looks at my shoes and says, "Please get out and dry your coat." I laugh. He doesn't. Uh-oh.
Which car is mine?
Nobody can give a lift tonight, so I'm taking a taxi. The driver sends a text: "I'm here. Wait outside."
I wait outside in the cold. Which car is mine? I check the number plate: KX21 ABC. There it is! A grey car. Oh. The driver is eating a sandwich. I'll say nothing.
American English
Nobody can give a ride tonight, so I'm taking a cab. The driver sends a text: "I'm here. Wait outside."
I wait outside in the cold. Which car is mine? I check the license plate: 7XYZ123. There it is! A gray car. Oh. The driver is eating a sandwich. I'll say nothing.
The sat nav says right
Sorry, mate, the sat nav says turn right, but you go straight on. Are you sure? Oh, you know a better road. Okay!
Hmm, this is the wrong way. The station is behind us. The driver says, "Trust me, love." I don't.
Can you wait here, please? I'll ask that man. He points back. The sat nav is right. The driver says nothing and turns up the radio.
American English
Excuse me, the GPS says turn right, but you go straight ahead. Are you sure? Oh, you know a better road. Okay!
Hmm, this is the wrong way. The station is behind us. The driver says, "Trust me, ma'am." I don't.
Can you wait here, please? I'll ask that guy. He points back. The GPS is right. The driver says nothing and turns up the radio.
Key words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| taxi noun | a car with a driver that you pay to take you somewhere |
| meter noun | the machine in a taxi that shows how much you pay |
| airport noun | the place where planes come and go |
| boot / trunk (US) noun | the space at the back of a car for bags |
| seat belt noun | the strap you wear in a car to stay safe |