Travel Agency and Bank Dialogue Practice Scenarios

Asking for Information at a Travel Agency: Gap-Fill Exercise

Thomas needs a holiday. He goes to the travel agency.

• Travel Agent: Good morning. How can I help you?
• Thomas: I'd like to go away for a holiday—somewhere in the sun.
• Travel Agent: Have you any particular destination in mind?
• Thomas: Spain, I think.
• Travel Agent: Mainland Spain or one of the islands?
• Thomas: The Canaries would be nice. Yes, I'd like a hotel beside a beach.
• Travel Agent: OK. Here are a few brochures about the Canaries, with information about hotel accommodation and self-catering apartments too. When would you like to travel?
• Thomas: I'd like to go for a week in June. Is that high or low season?
• Travel Agent: I'm afraid it's the start of the high season.
• Thomas: OK. Thanks very much. I'll have a look at the brochures and think about it.

At the Bank: Gap-Fill Exercise

I was at the airport to pick up my friend Sandra, who was visiting from Italy.

• Gustavo: Do you have everything?
• Sandra: Yes, I think so. But I don't have any U.S. dollars. Where can I change money? Can I do that here?
• Gustavo: You could, but I wouldn't recommend it. The exchange rate is really high, and so are the fees. I'll take you to the bank tomorrow.

The next day, I picked Sandra up from her hotel and we went to a branch nearby.

At the Bank Counter

• Bank Clerk: What can I do for you?
• Sandra: I'd like to exchange some currency and to get some U.S. dollars.
• Bank Clerk: Okay, how much would you like?
• Sandra: How much is one Euro worth?
• Bank Clerk: The current rate is one dollar to 0.8 Euros.
• Sandra: In that case, I'd like 500 U.S. dollars.
• Bank Clerk: Okay. That will be 400 Euros. Would you like that in large or small bills?
• Sandra: I'd like a mix of both. I'd like some change, too.
• Bank Clerk: That's no problem. Please sign here. That will be $300 in $20's, $150 in $10's, and $45 in $5's and $1's. And, here's $5 in change: quarters, dimes, and nickels.
• Sandra: That's perfect. Thanks a lot.
• Bank Clerk: Is there anything else I can help you with?
• Sandra: No, that's all. Thanks for your help.
• Bank Clerk: It's my pleasure. Have a nice day.