ESL Podcast 771 - Commuting by Train

platform - a large, flat area where people stand while waiting for a train or subway

When standing on the platform, always stand behind the yellow line for safety, because you don't want to get hit by the cars as they come into the station.

train - a type of vehicle where many cars are attached together and pulled by one or more engines

This is the red line train to the Portland airport.

obvious - apparent; easily seen and understood; not difficult to identify or understand

When Jenna accidentally walked into the men's restroom, it was obvious she wasn't familiar with the building.

to commute - to use some type of transportation between one's home and workplace

Eddie commutes more than an hour each day, so he's thinking of moving closer to his office.

ticket machine - a machine that accepts money and produces tickets, especially tickets used for transportation

The ticket machine accepts only coins and one-dollar bills.

station - a large, covered area where trains, buses, or metros stop to drop off and pick up passengers

I'll meet you at the bus station in front of the library.

announcement - information that is said loudly to a large group of people; notification

When children are separated from their parents inside the store, employees can use the loudspeaker to make an announcement and help the family members find each other.

delayed - arriving later than planned, later than usual, or later than expected

Their first flight was delayed, so they missed their connecting flight and had to spend the night in Houston.

on time - happening at the correct time; happening when something was planned to occur; happening as planned or scheduled

What percentage of the students submit their assignments on time?

under way - happening now; in motion; in the process of doing something

Once tax season is under way, accountants are very busy.

conductor - a person whose job is to take tickets from passengers on a train, bus, or subway, and answer any questions or deal with problems

The conductor can make people pay a fine for eating on the metro.

aisle - the narrow area for walking between rows of seats

The flight attendant pushed the beverage cart down the aisle.

to collect - to gather; to take objects from many different locations and bring them to one or more central locations

Janice likes to collect seashells while walking on the beach.

crowded - without very much room to move; with many people in a small space

Grocery stores are very crowded around 5:30 p.m., when most people get off work.

standing room only - with all the seats filled, so that additional people have to stand

The new play is so popular that the theater has standing room only.

to stick with (someone) - to be next to someone and follow that person or do as he or she recommends, usually for protection, guidance, and care

As long as everyone sticks with the leader, we'll be fine.

to elbow - to push someone away with one's elbow (where one's arm bends between the wrist and shoulder), usually to make more space

During the big sale, shoppers had to elbow each other out of the way to find the things they wanted to buy.