Cultural notes

Americans love to entertain in their homes. It is not unusual to receive a dinner invitation from someone you barely know. This is considered an excellent way to get acquainted.

If you receive an invitation to dinner, it is a good idea to ask how you should dress. You might ask if you should dress casually or more formally. For a man, a jacket and tie are suggested unless you are told to dress less formally.

When invited to someone's house, it is nice to bring a small gift, such as a bouquet of flowers, candy, or a bottle of wine. Later, you might consider reciprocating the invitation by inviting your host to your house/apartment or to a restaurant if you are staying in a hotel

Action

MRS. JONES: Good evening. I'm Ellen Jones. Won't you come in?

NARRATOR: You give her a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers.

MRS. JONES: What lovely flowers! Thank you. I'll call Michael. Please make yourself at home.

NARRATOR: You sit down in the living room.

MR. JONES: Hello, I'm so glad to meet you. Stephanie told me so much about you. Did you know you were her favorite?

YOU: No. I'm sorry I didn't get to see her again before she died.

NARRATOR: Mrs. Jones offers you a drink. You ask for a glass of wine.

MR. JONES: So, what brings you to Chicago?

YOU: Aunt Stephanie wanted me to know more about the city. Did she live around here?

MRS. JONES: Yes, we became friends almost twenty years ago. She had moved here from Washington.

YOU: She left Chicago a few years later and moved to the West Coast.

MR. JONES: Chicago winters were too harsh for her. She wanted more sun and warmer temperatures.

MRS. JONES: Dinner is ready.

NARRATOR: The three of you go into the dining room and sit down for a delightful dinner.

Lesson 23 «a Flight to the West Coast»

Vocabulary

12-C (twelve "C")

16 (sixteen)

This is a seat number on the protagonist's flight from Chicago to San Francisco.

30 (thirty)

This is the "gate number" from which the protagonist's flight to San Francisco "departs."

air (noun)

One's plane is either "on the ground" or "in the air" ("airborne"). One often refers to "ground transportation" (bus, car, taxi, etc.) or "air transportation" (plane, jet, airplane, etc.). One can travel "by air." The expression "to be up in the air" refers to one's indecision ("I'm up in the air about what to do.").

assignments (noun, pl.)

brought, I (to bring, past)

coach (noun as adj.)

The "coach" section of a plane is often considered the most "economical" for the traveler (as opposed to "business class" or "first class").

coffee (noun)

"Coffee" is usually served "black," with "cream" (or "milk") and/or "sugar." You can buy coffee in a store already "ground," or "whole bean" and grind it yourself.

completed (past part., to complete)

cream (noun)

Even though one might ask for "cream" for coffee, it is not uncommon to get "milk," a "creamer" (a small, individually-sized plastic container of milk), or even a packet of "powdered cream." "Half and half" (half cream, half milk) is about the closest you'll get to real cream, unless you go to a specialty coffee shop or restaurant.

fascinating (adj.)

gate (noun)

If you want to get to your plane, you must first go to the airline's "front counter" where your ticket and reservation are verified (where you can also "check your bags"). If you already have a "seat assignment" you can look up the "departure gate number" on a "monitor" and go directly to the gate. After passing through "security," you can "check in" for your flight and get a seat number (if you haven't done so at the front counter). You'll wait in a "waiting room" or "area" before boarding. When your assigned section is called, you'll turn in your "ticket stub," walk down a "ramp," and enter the aircraft.

magazine (noun)

Monterey Peninsula (prop. noun)

An area close to San Francisco, California where the city of Monterey is located.

O'Hare International Airport (prop. noun)

One of Chicago's two major airports (the other being the smaller "Midway Airport"). O'Hare International, like Hartsfield International in Atlanta, is considered one of the world's busiest airports.

passing (pres. part., to pass)

pieces (noun, pl.)

San Francisco (prop. noun)

section (noun)

security (noun)

sugar (noun)

Story

You've completed your assignments in Chicago. You drive to O'Hare International Airport for your flight to California. After dropping off your car, you go to the ticket counter to check in. The last leg of your trip will take you to San Francisco and the lovely Monterey Peninsula. You hand your plane ticket to the agent.