LISTEN with understanding
→ After listening to the recording, sum up what you heard in a few sentences. You can use the questions to help you summarize. Read the transcript if needed.

Hotel Check-In Confusion

Sum up what was said by answering the following questions. The final summary should be in sentence form.

  1. What was the problem with the reservation?

  2. Why wasn’t it too late to fix it?

  3. What did the hotel offer the guests as an apology?

Final Summary Sentence:

  • Your summary of what was said: _____________________________________

IDIOM USE

Miss the boat – We use this idiom when someone is too late to get an opportunity, or nearly too late.

Ways we use it:

  1. Travel: missing a bus, train, or chance to book something.

  2. School: missing a chance to turn in work.

  3. Work: missing a chance to apply for a job or promotion.

  4. Daily life: missing an opportunity in general.

Examples:

  • “We almost missed the boat, but the hotel still had rooms.”

  • “She didn’t apply on time and really missed the boat.”

  • “If you wait too long, you’ll miss the boat on that sale.”

  • “He missed the sign-up and missed the boat for the program.”

PHRASAL VERB USE

Check in – We use this phrasal verb when registering or reporting your arrival.

Ways we use it:

  1. Hotels: registering at the front desk.

  2. Airports: reporting to get your boarding pass.

  3. Work or school: reporting your arrival.

  4. Figurative: checking in with someone to update them.

Examples in different tenses:

  • Present: “We always check in before dinner at the hotel.”

  • Past: “She checked in two hours before her flight.”

  • Continuous: “They are checking in at the desk right now.”

  • Future: “We will check in early tomorrow morning.”

TRANSCRIPT

“Good evening, and welcome to the Grandview Hotel. It looks like there has been a mix-up with your reservation. The computer shows only one room, but your confirmation clearly says two. Don’t worry, you haven’t missed the boat — we still have other rooms available. While we correct the mistake, please go ahead and check in at the front desk so we can assign you the proper rooms. We apologize for the confusion and will also provide complimentary breakfast vouchers for your stay. Thank you for your patience while we sort this out.”