At the station: times and numbers
CEFR: A1
Read/Listen first
I stand under the board at the station. The screen shows ten trains and many times. I read the line: nine fifteen, platform two. I ask, “Is it on time?” The worker says, “Yes, it is on time.” I check my ticket and seat number. A friend calls me. I say, “Meet me at ten.” We walk to platform two and wait.⚡ Learning goals
- I can read a time on a board.
- I can ask if a train is on time.
- I can say my platform number.
✨ Key language
- Is it on time? “Check a simple train time.”
- Platform two. “Say where to go.”
- Meet me at ten. “Fix a simple time.”
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ be: am/are/is
Rule: Use is for it/he/she; are for you/we/they.Examples: It is on time.; You are on platform two.; We are late now.
Common pitfall + fix: Do not mix be forms — Use ‘is’ with it..
Choose: It __ on time.
Tip: ‘It’ → is.
Fill with the best answer: You ___ on platform two.
Tip: ‘You’ → are.
2️⃣ Numbers with time
Rule: Say the hour first, then minutes.Examples: ten fifteen; nine thirty; six o’clock
Common pitfall + fix: Avoid complex time phrases — Keep simple numbers.
Select the time: 9:15
Tip: Hour + minutes.
Fill with the best answer: Meet me at ___ o’clock.
Tip: Simple hour only.
3️⃣ this/that for place
Rule: Use this here, that there.Examples: This platform is two.; That seat is mine.; This ticket is for me.
Common pitfall + fix: Do not swap here/there — Use ‘this’ for near.
Choose the best: ___ platform is two.
Tip: ‘This’ = near.
Fill with the best answer: ___ seat is number ten.
Tip: Seat near you → this.
4️⃣ Can for request
Rule: Use can for a simple request.Examples: Can you check the time?; Can I sit here?; Can you show the gate?
Common pitfall + fix: Avoid other modals — Use can only.
Choose the request.
Tip: Use ‘Can you…’.
Fill with the best answer: ___ I have the seat number, please?
Tip: Polite request.
✍️ Vocabulary
platform
Meaning: place to get on a trainSynonyms: track, gate
Chunk/Idiom: platform two is here.
Example: Platform two is here.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Say the number clearly.
ticket
Meaning: paper or code to travelSynonyms: pass, slip
Chunk/Idiom: I show my ticket.
Example: I show my ticket.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Keep the ticket safe.
board
Meaning: screen with timesSynonyms: screen, display
Chunk/Idiom: the board shows times.
Example: The board shows times.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Read the board.
on time
Meaning: not lateSynonyms: prompt, timely
Chunk/Idiom: it is on time.
Example: It is on time.
Morphology: adj.
Self-practice: Check the time again.
seat
Meaning: place to sitSynonyms: chair, spot
Chunk/Idiom: my seat is ten.
Example: My seat is ten.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Find the seat fast.
train
Meaning: public rail vehicleSynonyms: rail, metro
Chunk/Idiom: my train is at nine.
Example: My train is at nine.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Say the hour aloud.
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
The board shows ten times.
Is it on time?
My seat is number ten.
We wait at platform two.
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
Choose the correct form.
Tip: ‘It’ → is.
Select the time for 10:30.
Tip: Hour + minutes.
Fill with the best answer:
We ___ on platform two.Tip: ‘We’ → are.
Fill with the best answer:
___ you check the time, please?Tip: Use ‘Can’ for requests.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
Which word means the screen with times?
Tip: Board = display.
Choose the word for the place to get on.
Tip: Platform number shows where to go.
Fill with the best answer:
It is ___ time.Tip: Two-word phrase: on time.
Fill with the best answer:
My ___ is number ten.Tip: Seat number on ticket.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: Is our train on time?B: Yes, it is on time.
A: Which platform? — B: Platform two.
Why this matters:
You can travel on time. You find the platform. You read simple numbers.Verb & Adjective Pack:
read — *Read the big board.*wait — *Wait at platform two.*
call — *Call and share the time.*
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: Meet me at ___ fifteen.
Tip: Hour first, then minutes.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: We is on platform two.
Tip: We → are.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
Meet me at ten.
Tip: Say numbers clearly.