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.

Train Cancelled Due to Weather

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

  1. Why was the train cancelled?

  2. What will passengers receive?

  3. What can passengers do if they still want to travel?

Final Summary Sentence:

  • Your summary of what was said: _____________________________________

IDIOM USE

Call it a day – We use this idiom when we decide to stop an activity because it is finished or no longer practical to continue.

Ways we use it:

  1. Work: stopping when the day is over.

  2. Projects: stopping when nothing more can be done.

  3. Sports: stopping because of tiredness or conditions.

  4. Daily life: stopping because of weather or other problems.

Examples:

  • “It’s late, let’s call it a day and finish tomorrow.”

  • “After hours of trying, we decided to call it a day.”

  • “The players were tired, so they called it a day after practice.”

  • “Because of the storm, the farmers called it a day and went home.”

PHRASAL VERB USE

Pick up – We use this phrasal verb when talking about collecting, buying, improving, or learning something.

Ways we use it:

  1. To collect a person or item.

  2. To buy something quickly.

  3. To improve.

  4. To learn casually.

Examples in different tenses:

  • Present: “I usually pick up my kids after school.”

  • Past: “She picked up some groceries yesterday.”

  • Continuous: “He is picking up new skills quickly.”

  • Future: “We will pick up the tickets tomorrow.”

TRANSCRIPT

“Attention passengers: This is an announcement for the 4:15 p.m. train to Boston. Due to heavy snowfall along the route, we have decided to call it a day and cancel this service for safety reasons. We realize this may disrupt your plans, but passenger safety must come first. A full refund will be issued to all ticket holders. Staff at the ticket counter can assist you, or you may use the Amtrak kiosk to pick up a new ticket for tomorrow morning’s departure. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”