Airport procedures: giving and following instructions

A2
90 min
Premium
1

Think about these questions before reading. Share your ideas with a partner.

  1. How do you feel when you are at an airport? For example, excited, nervous, or bored?
  2. What are some important things you must do at an airport before your flight?
  3. Think about the security check at an airport. What items do you have to take out of your bag?
2

Going Through Airport Security

Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.

3

Answer the questions about the lesson plan.

01What is the main topic of this English lesson?
Sample answerThe lesson is about airport security.
02What new vocabulary words does the lesson teach?
Sample answerIt teaches words like boarding pass, ID, and liquids.
03Why does the lesson focus on grammar like imperatives?
Sample answerBecause imperatives are for giving instructions, and you hear many instructions at airport security.
04How can students practice their speaking skills in this lesson?
Sample answerThey can practice by role-playing a situation at the airport.
4

Key vocabulary for the airport

Vocabulary
Learn these useful phrases to talk about airport security.
Examples
Go through security — to pass the security check area at an airport
Use this phrase to talk about the whole process. For example: 'We need to go through security before we can relax.'
Carry-on bag — a small bag that you take with you onto the airplane
This is also called 'hand luggage'. You must put liquids under 100ml in your carry-on bag.
Take off (your shoes/jacket) — to remove an item of clothing
This is a common instruction at security. An officer might say: 'Please take off your coat.'
Boarding gate — the place in the airport where you wait to get on your plane
You can find your gate number on your boarding pass or on the large screens in the airport.
Empty your pockets — to take everything out of the pockets in your pants or jacket
A security officer will ask you to do this. For example: 'Please empty your pockets into the tray.'
5

Airport security vocabulary

Do you know these words for the airport?

Match each word on the left with the correct definition on the right.

Drag or click to match
Definitions
6

Grammar: Giving instructions and talking about rules

Grammar
At the airport, you will hear many instructions and read many rules. We use imperatives to give direct instructions. We use 'must' and 'have to' to talk about rules and things that are necessary.
Examples
Please place your bags on the belt.
This is an imperative. It's a direct and polite instruction.
You must show your boarding pass at the gate.
This is a rule. 'Must' is often used for official rules you see on signs.
You have to take liquids out of your bag.
This is also a rule. 'Have to' is very common in spoken English.
You don't have to take off your shoes at every airport.
Use 'don't have to' when something is not necessary.
Key points
  • Use the base form of the verb for imperatives (e.g., 'Open your bag').
  • Use 'must' and 'have to' for strong obligations and rules.
  • Use 'don't have to' when something is not a rule or not necessary.
  • A common mistake: Saying 'You must to go'. The correct form is 'You must go'.
7

Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank
01Please your shoes and put them in the bin.
02You must your pockets before you walk through the metal detector.
03Put your laptop in a separate .
04You can only have one bag on the plane.
05Your flight to London is at B24.
8

Choose the best answer based on the article.

01What is the main grammar topic in this lesson?
02The lesson helps students practice speaking for a specific situation. What is it?
03According to the article, how long is the entire class?
04The lesson plan mentions developing several skills. Which skill is NOT mentioned?
9

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

  1. In your country, do you always have to take off your shoes to go through security? What do you think about this rule?
  2. Some people think going through security is too slow and difficult. Do you agree? Why or why not?
  3. Imagine your friend is flying for the first time. What is one important tip you can give them for going through security quickly?