Reading a train timetable and planning the connection
CEFR: B1
Read/Listen first
At the station, the departures board flashed delays across four platforms. Train 612 to the airport moved from platform eight to platform four, departing at eleven twenty-seven instead of eleven fifteen. I checked my ticket, seat fourteen A in coach three, and set a reminder to reach the carriage door two minutes early. An announcement advised passengers to stand behind the yellow line and board in groups of ten to keep things moving. A family nearby compared times, wondering if they had twelve or thirteen minutes left. Meanwhile, a commuter counted stops on the map: five before the city center, then three more to the airport. I rehearsed my plan: drop my bag at checkāin by twelve-oh-five, pass security in fifteen minutes, and reach the gate twenty minutes before boarding. Numbers gave the trip a rhythm, and I felt calmer once each step matched a time or platform.ā” Learning goals
- Understand platform changes and revised departure times.
- Compare options and plan a realistic connection.
- Confirm seat and carriage information politely.
āØ Key language
- The train now departs at eleven twentyāseven. āThe train now departs at eleven twentyāseven.ā
- It moved from platform eight to four. āIt moved from platform eight to four.ā
- We have twelve minutes left. āWe have twelve minutes left.ā
āļø Rules & Grammar ā 4 Structures
1ļøā£ Prepositions of time
Rule: Use at for clock times; in for months/years; on for days/dates.Examples: It leaves at eleven twenty-seven.; Board on Friday.; Arrive in November.
Common pitfall + fix: Mixing on/at ā Use ‘at’ with exact times, not ‘on’.
Choose the best example of prepositions of time.
Tip: Focus on meaning and the closest match.
Fill with the best answer: _____ on Friday.
Tip: Read the whole sentence.
2ļøā£ Sequencing steps
Rule: Use first/then/after that/finally to order actions.Examples: First check the board.; Then find platform four.; Finally take seat fourteen A.
Common pitfall + fix: Missing connectors ā Add sequencers to show order.
Choose the best example of sequencing steps.
Tip: Focus on meaning and the closest match.
Fill with the best answer: _____ find platform four.
Tip: Read the whole sentence.
3ļøā£ Present continuous for arrangements
Rule: Use am/is/are + -ing for planned future events.Examples: Iām meeting the team at noon.; Weāre catching the 11:27.; Sheās flying tomorrow.
Common pitfall + fix: Using will for fixed plans ā Prefer present continuous for set arrangements.
Choose the best example of present continuous for arrangements.
Tip: Focus on meaning and the closest match.
Fill with the best answer: _____ catching the 11:27.
Tip: Read the whole sentence.
4ļøā£ Comparatives with time
Rule: Use earlier/later/faster/slower to compare schedules.Examples: This is earlier than the 11:40.; A later train is safer.; This route is faster.
Common pitfall + fix: Wrong adjective form ā Use comparative forms with than.
Choose the best example of comparatives with time.
Tip: Focus on meaning and the closest match.
Fill with the best answer: _____ later train is safer.
Tip: Read the whole sentence.
āļø Vocabulary
platform
Meaning: the area where you board a trainSynonyms: track, bay
Chunk/Idiom: wait on platform four
Example: wait on platform four.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Stand behind the line.
departure
Meaning: time when a service leavesSynonyms: leave time, takeoff
Chunk/Idiom: departure at 11:27
Example: departure at 11:27.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Check the board.
delay
Meaning: a later time than plannedSynonyms: holdāup, setback
Chunk/Idiom: a tenāminute delay
Example: a tenāminute delay.
Morphology: noun/verb
Self-practice: Allow extra time.
seat
Meaning: a numbered place to sitSynonyms: place, chair
Chunk/Idiom: seat fourteen A
Example: seat fourteen A.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Find the carriage.
carriage
Meaning: train coach with seatsSynonyms: coach, car
Chunk/Idiom: carriage three
Example: carriage three.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Match seat and door.
connection
Meaning: the next service you takeSynonyms: transfer, link
Chunk/Idiom: tight connection
Example: tight connection.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Compare options.
āļø Examples (+ audio)
The train leaves at eleven twentyāseven.
It moved to platform four.
We have twelve minutes left.
Board in carriage three.
āļø Exercises
Grammar
Which preposition is correct for clock times?
Tip: Use ‘at’ for exact times.
Which sentence shows sequencing?
Tip: Use ‘first/then/finally’ to order steps.
Fill with the best answer:
Weāre ___ the 11:27 train.Tip: Present continuous for arrangements.
Fill with the best answer:
This train is ___ than the 11:40.Tip: Comparatives compare two schedules.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
What is a carriage?
Tip: Carriage = coach (train).
Which word means another service after the first?
Tip: A connection links journeys.
Fill with the best answer:
The train moved to ___ four.Tip: Board at the right platform.
Fill with the best answer:
We have a tenāminute ___.Tip: Delay = later than planned.
ā Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: Is the 11:27 still on time?B: Yes, but it moved to platform four.
B: Your seat is fourteen A in carriage three.
Why this matters:
Numbers help you organise every step in a trip. Sequencing avoids lastāminute mistakes. Prepositions make times and places precise.Verb & Adjective Pack:
board ā āBoard at platform four.āchange ā āThey changed the departure time.ā
compare ā āThis route is faster than the other.ā
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: Weāre ___ at platform four.
Tip: Use the -ing form after ‘are’.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: I meet the train at 11:27 tomorrow.
Tip: Use present continuous for fixed plans.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
First check the board, then find carriage three.
Tip: Use ‘first/then’ to show order.