Hotel english A HandsOn Course for Hotel Professionals

HotEL ENGLISH
. Copyrjght © 2010 LiveABC Interactive Corporation
l"ublished in Vie!nam,.2O1O
This edition is published in Vietnam under a license Agreement between LiveABC ·interactive
Corporation and Nhan Tri Viet Co., Ltd. Vietnam.

a

. All ~ig.hts reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced; stored i~ retrieval system;
· ·cir.transmitted, in any form cir by any meahs, electronic, mechanical, photocopying; ·recording,
2 .. -....:...- __ . . or. oth:erwlse, without thi{i:i~ior written permission of the copyright owner.
..
. . ·.

·:•··

\

;·-·•

··~-~"'-



• Locations
• Phone
reservations

1

2

• N. + rates vary depending
upon/ on+ N.
• look forward to+ N. / V-ing

Drivers, Doormen, • Airport pickup
and Bellhops
• Receiving guests
• Carrying luggage
• Hailing taxis

• Excuse me, are you Mr. Hopkins?
• Do you have any bags in the
trunk?
• May I ask your destination?
• I'll get a cab for you.

• S. will be V-ing
• take care of sb / sth
• conjunctions - while, until
• suggest / recommend

Reception

• Hotel check-in
• Safe-deposit
boxes
• Handling
messages

• Do you have a reservation?
• Would you like to use the hotel
safe?
• Are there messages for me?

• tag questions
• not only ... but also ...
• time preposition - in
• S. + V. + so (that) ...

• Electric appliances
• Bathroom
• Other amenities

• The minibar is right over there.
• We have a full bathroom.
• The room is equipped with highspeed Internet.

• It's my pleasure to V ....
• indefinite pronouns
• sensory verbs
• be able to V. / can V.

• Housekeeping &
Laundry
• Bellhop service
• Switchboard
• The Front Desk

• The toilet paper is running out:.
• I'll bring it up right away.
• I'll arrange for your 6:30 a.m.
wake-up call.

• have sb + V. / have sth +
V-pp
• need V-ing / to be V-pp
• mind (sb) doing sth

• Directions inside
and outside the
hotel
• Places to visit

• Go past the sauna and turn right.
• It's within walking distance.
• You might want to check out Xizi
Bay.

• either A or B
• by I before I no later than
• have sth / sb in mind
• once / as soon as

• What's your budget range?
• What kind of cuisine would you
prefer?
• You can rent bikes on the island.

• How much will I does sth
cost?
• S. prefer(s)A(to B)
• superlatives.
• Make sure to V. / (that) + S.
+V.

3

Amenities

4

Requests for
Services

5

Directions

6

Tour Planning

7

• Are there any rooms available on
June 16th ?
• May I ask who the booking is for?

· • Tour arrangements
• Restaurant
recommendations
·• Bike rentals

7

17

27

37

47

57

67


• not as + adj. + as sb
expected
• as long as
• as + adv. + as possible
• If it's not too much to
ask, ...

77

• The reservation is made under

the name White.
• I'd like a Scotch on the rocks.
• Can I get you some dessert?

• can't/ couldn't stand
• be in the mood for
• after all
• 8th comes with a choice
of. ..

87

Business Center/ • Business center ·
Event Planning
hours & services
• Meetings and
banquets

• We're open year round.
• How niany guests are you
expecting?
• The room fits 15 to 25 tables.

• get sb / sth + adj. / V-pp
• get sb + to V.

Small Talk

• Popular night
markets

• Local festivals
• Tourso_f Kenting

• It's made from eggs and oysters.
• There will be lots of lanterns on
display.
• Kenting is .famous for its beaches.

• Why not/ Why don't
you ... ?
• in case
• no / small / little wonder
• It is sth / sb that S. + V ....

• Hotel checkout ·
• Asking about and
paying the bill

• How would you like to pay? .•,
• The total is NT$1,000 even.
• Here's your credit card receipt,
sir.
• Do you take US dollars?

• Here is / are ...
• That comes to ...
• Feel free to contact sb if
S. +V ....

• Emergency

situations &
announcements
• Sick or injured
guests

• Keep clear of the windows.
• Can I please have your attention?
• We have a doctor on call.
• Let's get your knee bandaged \JP-

• I'm / We're afraid I sorry ...
• help / assist

8

Restaurant/ Bar

9

10

11

Paying the Bill

12

Emergencies

13

Job Interviewing

14

• Amenity
complaints
• Complaint
solutions

• Please accept our deepest
apologies.
• Your meal will be on the house.

• Reservations
• Greeting guests
• Bar & food orders
• Serving customers

• Interview questions • Could you describe yourself a
little?
• Making a good
· impression
• I'm outgoing and a team player.
• Resumes & cover • What are the working hours?
letters·

97

107

117

127

• in charge of+ N. / V-ing
.• if - second conditional

137


Doorman
@

Greets guests at the door

@

Monitors the hotel driveway

@

Opens the door for guests

@

Loads suitcases onto shuttle buses

@

Hails taxis

Bellhop J Bellboy / Bellman ••••••••••••••••....
@

Carries luggage for guests

@

Shows guests to their rooms

@

Introduces room amenities

Concierge
@

Provides information about hotel
amenities and services

@·

Arranges tours and tickets

@

Makesreservations

Front Desk Clerk

@ ..

Checks guests in and out

@

Gives information about the hotel

@

Handles guest requests

@

Deals with guest complaints .

Front Desk Manager
@

Supervises bellboys, drivers,
concierges, operators, cashiers,
front desk: clerks

Housekeeper /
Chambermaid / Maid ............... ,
© Cleans rooms
© Changes bedding
© Restocks supplies

Laundry Staff

© Washes bedding, hotel uniforms,
napkins

Room Service Staff
© Takes orders

© Prepares and delivers dishes

Maintenance Worker
© Maintains and repairs the

facilities


Host I Hostess

Fitness Center Attendant

© Provides guests with restaurant information

@

© Checks reservations

© Organizes fitness activities

© Seats guests

© Makes sure weights are reracked

@

Hands out menus

Shows guests how to use equipment

© Returns equipment to its proper place

Waiter / Waitress .................. .

Business Center Attendant

© Takes orders

© Receives and delivers faxes

© Serves food and beverages
@

Brings the bill / check

© Provides secretarial services
© Offers computer support

Food and Beverage Manager

Event Planner · · .. · .. · · · · · · · · · · · {)

© Manages the restaurant staff

© Arranges banquets, weddings,
press conferences-_
© Decorates venues
@

Makes signs and fliers

Operatorã
â Answers and forwards calls
â Takes and delivers messages

Driver
© Drives the hotel shuttle bus
© Greets guests and loads their bags

Valet
© Parks and retrieves guest vehicles


Welcome to Hotel English. We have designed this textbook for intermediate students who want to
master English for the hospitality industry. The focus of Hotel English is on listening and speaking to
help you develop the skills you need to effectively provide five-star service in English. In addition, it
contains vocabulary activities, focused grammar practice, and communicative functional exercises to
familiarize students with how hotel staff and guests interact.

Hotel English is divided into fourteen units covering the full range of hotel services from airport pickup

and reception to room service and event planning. Each unit begins with an overview of what will be
learned, along with preview questions to encourage students to talk, personalize the topics, and share
background knowledge. This is followed by a picture dictionary for vocabulary practice and three

sections of dialogues. We reinforce the dialogues with a Language Center page consisting of sentence
patterns, useful expressions, word usage, and role play practice. Finally, each unit ends with a Listening
Practice activity to enhance students' listening comprehension.

Wh!3ther you are planning for a care.er in the hospitality industry or already work at a hotel and need to
· ,.. improve your English, Hotel English is sure to provide you with the language training you need.


Unit Preview
1111

Introducing different kinds of
accommodation and facilities

11

Describing locations

11

Taking phone reservations

· Before We Start
1. When was the last time you stayed in a hotel?
2~ Wh~t kind of room did you have?
3. Do you normally stay in e?4. What services and facilities do most five-star hbtels offer?
.

"

-··

· 5. What are some of the,differences between a ftve~star hotel and a four-star hotel?
6. How do you prefer to travel in Taiwan?
I

'!":·····.
_:·.
.

!
'

r'
·;.-·


Around the Hotel

•Hotel Facilifires

' l'

1. swimming pool ['swnrnJJ] [pu:l]
2. restaurant ['rest:mmt]

r

3. bar [ba:r]

6. fitness center
· ['frtrns] ['senMr)]

4. cafe [k;)'fe1] (coffee shop)

7. sauna ['smfo;}]

5. business center ['b1zrns] ['senfa(r)]

8. spa [spa:]

1

9. goJf course
[ga:lf] [b:rs]
1 0. tennis court
['terns] [b:rt]
1 . conference roe>m ..
['ka:nfarans] [ru:m]

.

12. boutique [bu:'ti:k]
13. drugstore ['drAg,st::i:r]
1 4. beauty salon
['bju:t1] [S;}'la:n]
1 5. gift shop [gift] [Ja:p]
1 6; florist shop
['fb:nst] [Ja:p]

-ii:q:-:;:.;::
-- =
·- .
--

""•--~---


u1 Phone Inquiries

l . room service
[ru:m] ['ss:vrs]
2. massage [ma'sa:3]

3. facial ['ferJal]
4. babysitting ['berbr,srtrJJ]
5. car rentals [ka:r] ['reritlz]

6. tour information
[tur] [,mfa'merJan]

7. wireless Internet access
['wararlrs] ['mfa,net] ['rekses]
8. laundry and dry-cleaning
['b:ndrr] [rend] ['drar,kli:nrJJ]
9. currency exchange
['ks:rnnsr] [rks'tJemd3]
l 0. safe-deposit box
[ serfdr'pa:zrt] [ba:ks]

(safety-deposit box)

l l . baggage storage
['bregrd3] ['st:,:nd3]

12. postal/ parcel services
['paustl] / ['pa:rsl] ['ss:vrs1z]

l 3. secretarial services
[,sekrn'tearral] ['ss:vrsrz]
14. translation services
[trrens'lerJan] ['ss:.vrsrz]
l 5. first aid [fa:st] [crd]

l 6. airport shuttle bus
['er,p::>:rt] ['JAtl] [hAs]

9


Tell Me about the Hotel
The front desk clerk answers the telephone.
F: Front Desk Clerk C: Caller

F: Hello. KHC Hotel. How may I help you?

c: I'd like some information about your hotel.
F: What would you like to know?

c: First, how much are your single1 rooms?

F: The rates 2 vary 3 depending upon the season and type of
single. They can range4 from NT$4,000 to NT$6,000.

Key Vocabulary

C: I see.* Does that price include5 breakfast?

1. single ['s11Jgl] adj.

F: Usually. There are some special offers• that don't though.

2. rate [re1t] n.

c: Could you tell me about your facilities?

3. vary ['ven] v.

F: We have a 30-meter pool, with eight lanes. 6 We also have a

4. range [re1nd3] v.
5. include [m'klu:d] v.
6. lane [lem] n.

health center and spa.

c: Great! And what kinds of restaurants do you have?

7. buffef[b:ffe1] n.

F: We have a Chinese restaurant, a Japanese restaurant,

and a buffet7 with both Eastern and Western food.

8. comprehensive
[,ka:mpn'hens ivl adj.

c: When are they open?
F: The Chinese

and Japanese restaurants are open for

lunch and dinner. The buffet serves three meals a day.

.c: One more thing.* Do you have a shuttle bus to the High
Speed Railr

Additional Words
+ special offe_r
+ High Speed Rail

F: Yes. It runs every hour from six a.m. to ten p.m.

c: Alright. Thank you.
F: You're welcome. If you need more information,

please visit our Web site at www.khchotel.
com. It's very comprehensive. 8
·

c: I've got it.* ~ood-bye.

*
*

10

I see. I l'.ve got it. One more thing.

F: Good-bye.

t


l

l

Language Center

u1

Phone-Inquiries

Sentence Patterns

If the time of the year.

Room rates vary depending upon / on

i
l

the room type / amenities.
the check-in/ checkout dates.
the number of people booked.

Role Play

Useful Expressions

Read the information
below. Then practice
asking about hotel
facilities.

You're the front desk
clerk at the Royal Hotel.
Answer the caller's
questions about the hotel

F: Front Desk Clerk

C: How often does the shuttle bus run I come?
F: It runs I comes every thirty minutes.

You're interested in
staying at this hotel.
Find out about the
facilities.

Royal Hotel

C: When does the shuttle start running?
F: At 6:00 a.m.

f
';

C: What time does the last shuttle bus leave?
F: The last shuttle bus leaves at midnight.

Facilities:
Business center, gym,
spa, swimming pool,
tennis courts, restaurants
(lounges, cafes, buff~ts ... )

C: Does the shuttle bus go to the airport and the
train station?
F: I'm sorry, but it only goes t9 the airport.

Airport Shuttle Service:
Every half an hour, from
6:30 a.m. to 11 :00 p.m.
Suite:
US$250 per night (includes
a daily breakfast and a
morning newspaper)
11

Visiting Kaohsiung
The front desk clerk handles a reservation. 1
F: Front Desk Clerk C: Caller

F: KHC Hotel. How can I help you?

c: I'm currently2 staying in Taipei, but I'm planning to visit
Kaohsiung.
F: When will you arrive, sir?

c: On June 16th • Will there be any rooms available? 3
Key Vocabulary·
1. reservation
[,reza've1J:m] n.
(reserve v.)

2. currently ['ks:rnnth]
.adv.

3. available [ a'verlabl]
adj.

• 4. nonsmoking
· . [,na:n'smauknJ] adj.
.5.

t~x [treks] n.

6. freeway ['fri:we1] n. '
7. exit ['eks1t] v.

.,i3:-block [bla:k] n.

_

F: Hold on,* please. (After a second) Yes, we still have some
rooms available.

c: Great! I'd prefer a single room. Nonsmoking, 4 please.
F: Alright, one single, nonsmoking room.

c: What's the rate for one night?
F: It's NT$2,700, plus a ten-percent room tax. 5

.

c: That'll be fine.
F: May I have your name, please?

c: Tony Liao. And how can I get to your hotel from
Kaohsiung Airport?
F: Take Bus No. 69.- Or you could take a taxi. It takes less
than ten minutes.

~

'

9. miss[m1s] v.

C: Could you give me your address, please?

F: It's One Songho Road, Xiaogang District, Kaohsiung Ci_ty.

The phone number is 806-0505, and the area code• is 07.

c: What if my friend wants to drive me there?
•

i

Additional" Words
• area code.

F: Take Freeway6 One and exit7 at Zhongshan Fourth Road.
Go along for four blocks8 and turn left on Hongping Road.
Are you with me?*
C: Yes. Then what?

F: After three blocks, make a right on Boxue Road. The
hotel is one block down Boxue. You can't miss 9· it.

*
*

hold on
Are you with me?

C: OK, I think I've got it.
. F.: I could e-mail you a map, if you'd like:

C: Thanks. That would be a lot of help.

F: No problem.
12


-~

Language Center
Useful Expressions

u1 Phone Inquiries

Words to Practice

Talking about Room Vacancies
;Are there any rooms available on June 16th?;
You can also ask , , .

~

• Do you have a room for .tonight?
• Are there any vacancies?
• Do you have any vacancies?
• Are there any vacaot single rooms?
• Do you have a suite available for three nights? _

!Yes, we still havesomerooms available. I
You can also answer. . .
• I'm afraid we're full.

J

• I'm sorry, but we're out of rooms.
• It's not too late to reserve a room.
• Yes, we have a couple of vacancies.

Helping Guests Find the Hotel
• Where are you coming from?
• What mode of transportation are you taking?
• Are you familiar with the city?
• You might want to take a taxi.
• We'll arrange for airport pickup.

Give It a Try
Practice making a reservation using the vocabulary from Words to Practice.
Examples:·

•- 4/1, suite - . _
st
-+ ·1 want to reserve a suite for April 1 •
• 3/2-3/4
-+ Are there any rooms available from the
second to the fourth of March?

• Three nights, 6/19

6/21

• 7/30, nonsmoking room
• Arrival date: 11/24

•••.•.....•. -.........................................................................

13


I'd Like to Make a Reservation
The front desk clerk takes a call.
F: Front Desk Clerk .c·: Caller

F: Taipei Sheraton. May I help you?

c: I want to book1 a double2 room.
nd

We'll be in Taipei on January 22 ,
but I'm not sure how long we'll stay.
F: OK. But we can only confirm 3 a room
nd
th
for you from the 22 to the 28 • After that,
we'll be fully4 booked .

Key Vocabulary
. 1. book [buk] v.

C: Fully booked? Why's that?

(booking n.)

2. double ['dAbl] adj.

3. confirm [k:ni'fa:m] v.

th

C: What if we want to stay past the 28 ?

4: fully ['fuh] adv.
5. charge [tJa:rd3]

F: The Taipei International Film Festival will be getting under
way.*
-

F: I'm afraid we'll be full. But we can always try to find

v.

another hotel for you.

6., c'omplimentary
[,ka:mpl_a 'mentan] adj.
7. contact ['ka:ntrelctj

v.

c: Thanks. And could you tell me how much you charge5 per
night?
F: NT$2,500 for a double.

c: Does the room come with* a complimentary6 breakfast?
F: Yes, a free breakfast buffet is included in the room rate.

c: Alright. I want to make a reservation.
F: May I ask who the booking is for, please?

c: Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

*
*
*

get under way

F: And how can we contact7 you?

come with
I

look forward to

c: You can reach me at 0915-860-653.
F: OK. We're looking forward to* your visit on January 22 nd ,
Mrs. Smith.


Language Center

u1 Phone Inquiries

· Sentence Patterns

I'm looking forward to your reply.
Taipei Sheraton is looking forward to your visit.
We look forward to seeing you next week.
We'll be looking forward to serving you in the fµture.
KHC Hotel's been looking forward to having you'a~. our guest.
The hotel is looking forward to hosting this conference..

Useful Expressions

Role Play
Read the information below
and act out a short dialogue.

• You've reached the Taipei Sheraton.
How may I help you?
• How do you spell Loughery?

Guest Name:

Cheryl Hilton

• How many nights is it for?
Phone:

• What kind of room would you like,
smoking ornonsmoking?__ __

2589-6320

.. What time will you be arriving?

Room Type:

. • How will you be paying for the room?

Single (NT$3;500 per night)
No. of Guests:

One
Arrival Date:

Oct. 5
Departure Date:

. The room rate includes

·a complimentary breakfast

Oct. 8
Requests:

a newspaper
the use of the fitness center
free airport pickup
a high-speed Internet connection
15

C Track5

Listening Practice

u1 Phone Inquiries

· Part JI
Listen to Conversation A and answer the following questions.
1. What's the cost of a double room at the KHC Hotel?

2. What facilities and services does the caller ask about?

3. When is the Business Center open?

4. How often does the shuttle bus run?

PartListen to Conversation B. Then read the statements below and answer true or false.

1.

2.
3.
4.

5.

TD
TD
TD

TD
TD

FD
FD
FD
FD
FD

th

Mt. Perry is going to stay at
12 of May.
.. the hotel.on the
.
Mr. Perry would prefer a nonsmoking double room.
The suite costs NT$6,000 per night, plus a ten-percent room tax.
There is only one room available on May ·11

th

•

Mr. Perry is traveling alone.

Listen to Conversation C and choose the best response to each question.
1. When will Mr. Abdullah check in?
A. On September 8th
13. On June 17th

C. On August 25

2. Who books the roomfor Mr. Abdullah?
A. His colleague
· C. A business partner

B. Someone at the IT conference
D. Mr. Abdullah's secretary

th

D. On August 21

st

_ _ 3. W~y is the Taipei Sheraton fully booked?
A. There's an IT conference taking place.
C. The complimentary breakfast is popular.

B. A lot of people from Saudi Arabia are vi$iting.
D. It's summertime and people are traveling.

_ _ 4. What problem is the customer facing?
A. The hotel is fully booked for late August.
C. The customer has just lost his cell phone.

B. They won't give him a complimentary breakfast.
D. He doesn't hc:Jve enough to pay for the suite.

Unit Preview
111

Handling airport pickup

111

Receiving guests at the hotel

111

Carrying guests' luggage

11

Hailing a taxi

Before We Start
·,

1.·where should guests wait for pickup at the airport?
j

,

.•

2. What are some common things that doormen say to guests?
3. What are some different ways we can say suitcase(s)?
4. Would you like to be a hotel driver? Why or why not?

5. How would you introduce your hometown to a hotel guest?
6. What places would you recommend guests visit while in your hometown?

17


Ready to Roll

0

luggage tag
['lAg1d3] [treg]

luggage lock
['lAg1d3] [la:k]

0

luggage strap
['1Ag1d3] [strrep]


i

u2 Drivers, Doormen, and Bellhops

I

2. train [trem]

3. scooter ['sku:ta(r)]
4. limousine ['lrma,zi:n]
(limo)

5. subway ['sAb,we1]
6. ferry ['fen]
7. canoe [ka'nu:]
8. airplane ['ear,plem]
9. helicopter ['heh:ka:pt;}(r)]
10. riverboat ['nva,baut]
11. gondola ['ga:ndala]"
12. streetcar ['stri:t,ka:(r)]
13. taxi ['treks1] (cab)

i
I


u

'-----_______A_i:r_p_o_rt_P1_·c_k_u_p_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Mr. Hopkins comes out of the baggage claim area.• He sees a
man holding a Hull Arms Hotel sign. 1
G: Guest D: Driver
G: Hi. I'm Dan Hopkins. I have a reservation at the Hull Arms

Hotel.
D: Good afternoon, Mr. Hopkins. My name is Christian. I'll be
driving you to the hotel.
G: Great.

Key Vocabulary
1. sign [sarn] n.

D: Allow me to carry your bags, Mr. Hopkins.
G: Oh, thank you. It's been a long flight. 2

D: This way, please. The car is right over there.

2. flight [flart] n.

G: Good.

3. ride [raid] n.

(Moments later)

4. view [vju:] n.
5. spectacular
. [spek'trekj~fa(r)Jadj.

6. bellhop fbel,ha:p]
n. (bellboy)

·· -7. tip [hp] n.

D: I'll put your bags in the back, and then we'll be ready.

(Getting into the car)
D: We're ail set* to go, Mr. Hopkins. It'll be about a 20-minute

ride 3 to the hotel. Have you visited Taipei before?
G: No, this is my first visit.

D: If you like, I could point out* some places of interest as we go.
G: -That would be nice.

Additional Words
+ baggage claim area

. '

+ places of interest

D: On your right is Taipei 101. It's one of the tallest buildings

in the world. If you have some time, you might want to go
up to the top. The view4 from up there is spectacular,5
especially at night.
·

J

(Arriving at the hotel)
D: Well, I hope you enjoyed the
ride, Mr. Hopkins. A bellhop~
will help you with your bags.

*

be all set

*

point out

G: Thank you. (Handing Christian

atipY

,

D: Thank you, Mr. Hopkins.

· 20


I

Language Center

U2 Drivers, Doormen, and Bellhops
- 1 - - - - - - - - - - ~ - -- - - - - ' - - - - - - - - -

Sentence Patterns

• I'll be driving you around today.
The driver will be waiting for you outside.
• We will be stopping at the train station.
• You will be passing Shilin Night Market,
one of Taipei's busiest markets.

Useful Expressions

11

Note: In American English, S. +will+ V. / S. + be going

to + V. is used to say that someone is about to do
something.

• If you like, I could plan a tour for you.
If you like, you could take a seven a.m.
shuttle bus.
• I could give you a brief introduction to the
city if you like.
We can arrange airport pickup for you if
you like.
11

• The house is more than 100 years-,
old.
• The builqing up ahead is 85 stories
high.
• If you love seafood, don't miss Qijin.
• Kenting is famous for its beautiful
beaches.
• You can try some local snacks at
Liuho Night Market.
' • Urban Spotlight is pretty close to-our:
-_hotel.

'

11

Note: Sometimes can is used instead of could in If you
like, S. could V....

• Excuse me, are you Mr. Hopkins?

• If you have time; you might want to take

a day trip to Keelung.
• If you have time, you might want to go on
a bus tour of the city.
11

11

If you have time, you might want to visit
Anping Fori:.
·
;If you have time, you might want to check
.out Lotus Lake.
·

• Let me get the door for you.
•Are you ready to go?
• How was your flight?
• Let's put your bags on a baggage cart.
• Have you been to Taiwan before?

• It takes about 20 minutes to drive to th
hotel.

Role Play
Student A is at,otel~lerk. Student Bis a guest. Take turns asking and answering questions about
tourist attractions.


J

________T_h_e_B_a,-----g_s_A_rc--e_in_._th_e_T_r_u_n_k_._____
A guest drives up to the front door of the hotel.
D: Doorman2 G: Guest B: Bellhop

D: Good evening. Welcome to the Hull Arms Hotel, sir. How may

I assist3 you?
G: I'm checking in.* Here are the keys to my car.

Key Vocabulary
1. trunk [trAIJk] n.

D: Do you have any bags in the trunk?
G: Yes, three.

D: Very well. The bellhop will take them in to the Front Desk.

2. doorman ['d:,:r,mren] n.

3. assist[a'srnt] v.

G: Alright. Can you ask him to be careful 4 with them? I have

several fragile 5 items 6 inside one of them .

.(assistance n.)

4. careful ['kerfal]adj.

B: (Coming over) Of course, sir. l'll·take good care of* them.

5. fragile,['frred3al] adj.
6. item [a1fam] n.

D: Sir, I'm also going to get the valet7 to park your car in the
garage.

7. valet ['vrele1] / ['vrelrt] n.

G: Do I have to pay for parking?

8. gesture ['d3estJa(r)] v.

D: No, parking is complimentary for our guests. (Gesturing)8 The
Front Desk is right over there, sir.
.

9.

piece [pi:s] ri.

. 1O. luggage ['L\g1d3]

n.

G:Yeah, I see it.

(baggage)

(The bellhop brings the guest's bags to the Front Desk.)
B: J could only find two pieces 9

of luggage10 in your trunk, sir.

Additional Words

G: Oh, sorry. There's also

a suit bag on the back
seat. That one's kind of*
important.·
B: Very well. I'll put these

·* check in

*
.*

take-care of

in a minute

bags on a baggage cart.•
And I'll go back and get
the suit bag while you're
checking in.
G: Sorry about that.

B: No, not at all. I'll be

back in a minute.*

: .-. 22


Language Center

u2 Drivers, Doormen, and Bellhops··

Sentence Patterns

· " We have a babysitter to take care of your son.
" We can take care of your car, sir.
" The bellboy will take care of your luggage.
" Customer Service needs to take care of complaints.
" Just put your clothes in the laundry bag. We'll take care of them.

" While you're filling out the form, I'll prepare your key card.
" While I was eating breakfast, the maid cleaned my room.
" I lost my ring while I was washing my hands.

" The valet will park your car while you're checking in.
" Please hold while we connect your call ..

Words to Practice

Note: while can also be used at the

beginning of a clause to introduce
information which contrasts with
the information in themain:clause. ·
©: She'd like to eat Italian food,
""'.hile he'd prefer Japanese.

Role Play
A guest has lost her luggage. Look at the
form below and practice asking and answering
questions.

Example 1:
Front Desk Clerk: How many pieces of
luggage have you lost?
Guest: One suitcase.
Example 2:
Front Desk Clerk: Do you know the weight ·
of your bag?
Guest: I have no idea.

23