Read these extracts from interviews with people about their business trips. Then look at the words in bold in each extract and find six pairs of opposite phrases

1. The trip was a complete disaster. Everything went wrong-my plane was delayed on the way out and then my meeting was cancelled because the supplier was ill.	2. I don’t go abroad often, just an occasional trip to Head Office in Frankfurt.
3. I’ve arranged my trip to Milan for the first week in April. I’m really excited–it’s my first trip for the company and my first time to Italy.	4. The trip out took three hours, and I didn’t have to take a taxi from the airport because my supplier was waiting for me to drive to his office.
5. I had to cut short my trip–there was a crisis back at the office. The clients were very understanding and have agreed to meet me next month instead.	6.The trip was a great success. I made a lot of useful contacts. My boss was very pleased when he read my report.
7. I make frequent trips to our supplier in Poland. We do a lot of business with them and it means that I earn lots of air miles to use on flights for my family.	8. It was a one-way trip–from Paris I went to visit another supplier in Brussels instead of coming straight back to the office.
9. The trip back took much longer than I expected-the flight was delayed because of bad weather. My husband came to meet me at the airport but he had to wait for two hours before my plane landed.	10. I’ve cancelled my trip to Madrid–I’m too busy dealing things here at the office. We are going to reschedule for next spring when things are calmer.
11. I decided to extent my trip–I needed more time to visit my customers.	12. It was just a quick round trip–there and back in a day. But it was very tiring. I left early in the morning and got back late at night.

From In Company Intermediate

II. Read the dialogue in pairs.

A Business Traveler

Interviewer: Good morning Sir. I’d like to ask you a few questions if I may.

Jack: Well, I am waiting to catch my flight so I guess I can answer a few questions.

Interviewer: Thank you Sir. First of all, how often do you travel?

Jack: I travel about twice a month.

Interviewer: Where are you flying to on your business trip?

Jack: I am flying to Austin, Texas.

Interviewer: Where did you fly on your last trip?

Jack: I flew to Portland, Oregon. I’ve already been there three times!

Interviewer: Really! Do you enjoy travelling on business?

Jack: Yes, although I prefer staying in the office.

Interviewer: What do you like more about travelling?

Jack: I like visiting new cities and trying out new food.

Interviewer: Is there any place you would like to visit that you haven’t visited yet?

Jack: Yes, I’d like to go to Hawaii! I love going to the beach!

Interviewer: Thank you very much for your time today.

Jack: You are welcome. My pleasure.

BBC Learning English

I. Define if the sentences are true (T), false (F) or doesn’t say.

1. Jack is waiting to catch a flight.

a) true

b) false

c) doesn’t say

2. Jack travels twice a month.

a) true

b) false

c) doesn’t say

3. Jack especially likes going to Portland.

a) true

b) false

c) doesn’t say

4. Jack is flying to Oregon.

a) true

b) false

c) doesn’t say

5. Jack flew to Portland for his last trip.

a) true

b) false

c) doesn’t say

Speaking

I. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living and working in Russia? Make up a table to summarize the facts

advantages	disadvantages

II. Prepare a speech for foreigners who are going to work for your company and have just arrived. Speak about advantages and disadvantages of living and working in your country.

III. You are going to talk about your business trip. Think of a recent trip you have made and write notes to answer each question below.

When you have prepared your notes, work with a partner and interview each other.

· Where was the journey from and where was it to?

· What form of transport did you use?

· Who did you go with?

· How much time did you spend preparing for it?

· What did you take with you?

· What was the weather like?

· How long did it take you?

· How many times did you stop en route? What for?

· Did anything unusual or unexpected happen?

· Would you go on the same journey again? Why/why not?

Lesson 3. Buying a ticket

Warm up

I. Discuss with your partner.

1. Do you like flying or are you afraid of it? Say why.

2. If you might choose which means of transport would you go by?

3. What was your most or least enjoyable journey?

4. What is the most important for you?

· safety

· comfort

· exact departures and arrivals

· good food and drinks

· price of the tickets/discounts

· attentive staff

Active vocabulary

Modern business often involves international travel. When booking a flight, what questions do you need to ask? Imagine you are booking a flight and a hotel over the phone. What words and expressions do you use?

I. Translate the words and phrases and try to pronounce them correctly.