The Tourist Story

New words

Word Part of speech Meaning
up to prep. phrase until; as far as a point
mostly adv. mainly; for the most part
unpleasant adj. not nice; not enjoyable
the following day n. phrase the next day
firstly adv. first; to begin with
packed up v. phrase put things into bags to leave
delayed adj., v. made late
departure n. leaving, especially at the start of a trip
board v. to get on a plane, train or ship
got along v. phrase liked each other and were friendly
married adj. became husband and wife
Later on adv. phrase after some time
complain v. to say you are not happy about something

Story

His trip up to this point had been mostly unpleasant but the following day was totally different.

Firstly, his luggage arrived at the farm.

It had been found and was sent to him by the airline.

Secondly, he was finally able to ride the horse for a longer and longer time.

He ate a big, delicious Texas steak for lunch, and then packed up and left for the airport to catch his return flight back to New York.

The flight was delayed but not for very long.

While he was at the departure gate waiting to board the flight, he met a woman who was sitting beside him in the waiting area.

They started talking and they got along immediately.

A year later, he married her!

Later on, when his friends asked him how the trip was, he said “I can’t complain. If I hadn’t gone on that trip, I wouldn’t have met my wife!”

Questions

How was his trip up to this point?

  1. His trip up to this point had been mostly unpleasant.

How was the following day?

  1. The following day was totally different.

Firstly, what happened?

  1. Firstly, his luggage arrived at the farm.

What had been found?

  1. His luggage had been found.

Secondly, what happened?

  1. Secondly, he was finally able to ride the horse for longer and longer time.

What did he eat for lunch?

  1. He ate a big, delicious Texas steak for lunch.

What did he do after that?

  1. He packed up and left for the airport.

Why did he leave for the airport?

  1. Because he had a return flight back to New York.

How long was the flight delayed for?

  1. The flight was delayed for not very long.

What happened while he was at the departure gate?

  1. He met a woman who was sitting beside him in the waiting area.

What did they start doing?

  1. They started talking.

Did they get along?

  1. Yes, they got along immediately.

What happened a year later?

  1. A year later, he married her!

When did his friends ask him how the trip was?

  1. Later on, his friends asked him how the trip was.

Did Dan complain about the trip?

  1. No, he didn’t complain.

If Dan hadn't gone on the trip what wouldn’t have happened?

  1. He wouldn’t have met his wife!

Have you ever had any bad experiences traveling? What happened?

Grammar points

Your turn

Have you ever had any bad experiences traveling? What happened?