Getting across the city by public transport in English
What's the best way to get to the Met?
“How can I get to the Met most easily?”
When: Stopping a person on the street or asking hotel staff
The moment
You are outside your hotel in Midtown Manhattan and you want to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Ask someone on the street how to get there, get onto the subway, and check with a person on the platform that you are going the right way.
A1 · Unit 3 · Getting around · Checkpoint
This is the unit’s checkpoint: one roleplay that puts the unit’s scenes together.
The lines
Ask the best way
"What's the best way to get to the Met?" asks how to go there: subway, bus, or walking. People in New York love to give this advice, so listen for the train name.
What's the best way to get to the Met?
“How can I get to the Met most easily?”
When to use it: Stopping a person on the street or asking hotel staff
What you’ll hear back: Take the 6 train uptown to 86th Street. (Get on the number 6 train going north and get off at 86th Street.)
Is this the right train?
Before you get on, check. "Is this the right train for 86th Street?" asks if this train goes to your stop. A "yes" means get on.
Is this the right train for 86th Street?
“Does this train go to 86th Street?”
When to use it: On the platform, to a person waiting next to you
What you’ll hear back: Yep, this is the one. (Yes, this train is correct.)
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| How do I pay for the subway? | HOW-duh-ai PAY fer thuh SUB-way | What do I use to get into the subway? |
Sorry, how do I pay for the subway? I don't have a card. Excuse me, what do I do to pay for the train? I have no card. Tip: In New York you just tap your bank card or phone at the gate. | ||
| Is this the uptown side? | iz-this thuh UP-town SAID | Do trains on this side go north? |
Excuse me, is this the uptown side? Excuse me, do the trains here go north? Tip: Uptown means north, downtown means south; check signs before the gate. | ||
| Where do I get off? | WEHR-duh-ai geh-DAWF | At which stop do I leave the train? |
I'm going to the Met. Where do I get off? I want to go to the Met. Which stop is mine? Tip: Listen for "stand clear of the closing doors" before doors shut. | ||
Your objective
Ask a passerby how to get there, buy your ticket, then check with someone on the platform that it’s the right train.
- how to get there
- your ticket
- checking it’s the right train
Lines that get it done
- What's the best way to get to the Met?
- Sorry, how do I pay for the subway? I don't have a card. · Excuse me, what do I do to pay for the train? I have no card.
- Is this the right train for 86th Street?
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. You are outside your hotel and don't know how to go to the Met. What do you ask a person?
- What's the best way to get to the Met?
- What's the best way to the Met is?
- Where is the Met going?
- How far do you get the Met?
Show the answer
What's the best way to get to the Met?
"What's the best way to get to..." asks how to travel to a place.
2. A woman says "Take the 6 uptown." What does she mean?
- Get on the number 6 train going north.
- Walk six blocks to the north.
- Wait six minutes for the next train.
- Take the train at 6 o'clock.
Show the answer
Get on the number 6 train going north.
New York trains have numbers or letters, and uptown means north.
3. A train arrives, but you are not sure it goes to 86th Street. What do you ask the man next to you?
- Is this the right train for 86th Street?
- Is this the right street for the train?
- Is 86th Street the right train?
- Are you the right train for 86th Street?
Show the answer
Is this the right train for 86th Street?
"Is this the right train for..." checks that the train goes to your stop.