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 check‑in 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.⚡ Learning goals
- Understand platform changes and revised departure times.
- Compare options and plan a realistic connection.
- Confirm seat and carriage information politely.
✨ Key language
- The train now departs at eleven twenty‑seven. “The train now departs at eleven twenty‑seven.”
- It moved from platform eight to four. “It moved from platform eight to four.”
- We have twelve minutes left. “We have twelve minutes left.”
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ 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 — 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.
2️⃣ 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 — 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.
3️⃣ Present continuous for arrangements
Rule: Use am/is/are + -ing for planned future events.Examples: I’m meeting the team at noon.; We’re catching the 11:27.; She’s flying tomorrow.
Common pitfall + fix: Using will for fixed plans — 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.
4️⃣ 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 — 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.
✍️ 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: hold‑up, setback
Chunk/Idiom: a ten‑minute delay
Example: a ten‑minute 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.
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
The train leaves at eleven twenty‑seven.
It moved to platform four.
We have twelve minutes left.
Board in carriage three.
✏️ 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:
We’re ___ 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 ten‑minute ___.Tip: Delay = later than planned.
✅ 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 last‑minute mistakes. Prepositions make times and places precise.Verb & Adjective Pack:
board — “Board at platform four.”change — “They changed the departure time.”
compare — “This route is faster than the other.”
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: We’re ___ 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.