The Airport
Definition
Airport – A place where aircraft take off and land, equipped with facilities to handle passengers and cargo.
But "airport" isn't just one thing. It includes a variety of places, people, and actions you'll encounter when you travel.
Let’s break it down into categories:
1. Places
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Terminal – The building where passengers check in and wait.
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Runway – The area where planes take off and land.
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Gate – Where passengers wait before boarding.
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Customs – Where your bags and documents are checked when arriving from another country.
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Baggage claim – The place to pick up your checked luggage.
2. People
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Pilot – The person who flies the plane.
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Flight attendant – A person who helps passengers on the plane.
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Check-in agent – The person who checks your ticket and luggage.
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Security officer – Ensures safety by checking bags and passengers.
3. Actions
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Check in – To register for your flight.
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Board – To get on the plane.
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Depart – When the plane leaves.
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Arrive – When the plane lands.
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Delay – When your flight leaves later than expected.
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Cancel – When your flight is called off.
Examples in Use
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“Please proceed to Gate 14 for boarding.”
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“Our flight has been delayed by 2 hours.”
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“I need to go through security before I can enter the terminal.”
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“Where is the baggage claim area?”
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“I always get nervous when going through customs.”
Practical Exercises
A. Matching Vocabulary
Match the word to the correct definition:
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Gate
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Customs
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Pilot
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Delay
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Baggage claim
a) Person who flies the airplane
b) A place where you wait to board the plane
c) A wait caused by a late flight
d) Place to pick up luggage
e) Where officials check your passport and bags
B. Fill in the Blanks
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I went to the __________ to get my suitcase.
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The flight was __________ because of bad weather.
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The __________ helped me find my seat on the plane.
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After landing, we had to go through __________ before exiting the airport.
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I showed my passport at the __________ counter.
C. Conversation Practice
Imagine you’re at the airport. Practice this short conversation with a partner or in front of a mirror.
Passenger: Hi, where is Gate 22?
Airport Staff: It’s down the hall, to your right.
Passenger: Thanks! Also, is the flight to New York delayed?
Airport Staff: No, it’s on time. Boarding starts in 10 minutes.
Take a moment to reflect and answer this in the comments or your learning journal:
What was the most useful word or phrase you learned today, and how will you use it next time you're at the airport?