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Simmonds · live on simmonds.onlineA25 min · English

Public transport in English: vocabulary, dialogue and conversation questions

Editorially responsible: James Simmondspublished 5 Nov 2026AI-generated text (learn more – how we use AI on these pages)

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Allow the microphone – Theo asks the first question.

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AI conversation partner, synthetic voice · your voice is processed live by Google Gemini, we store no audio and no transcript · max. 5 minAbout the AIWith headphones you can interrupt Theo. Without them, the microphone only listens once Theo has finished.

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Question of the day

How does Sarah pay for her journey?

  1. She buys a ticket from the driver
  2. She uses an app on her phone
  3. She has a monthly pass
Show the answer – Open the answer to the question of the day

Correct answer: She uses an app on her phone

You can find the answer in the English introduction.

Listen to the introduction

Speed

Transcript

Sarah takes public transport – Jump to the vocabulary entry for public transport to work every day. She leaves her flat at eight o'clock and walks to the bus stop – Jump to the vocabulary entry for bus stop. She uses an app on her phone to buy a ticket – Jump to the vocabulary entry for buy a ticket. When the bus arrives, she is ready to get on – Jump to the vocabulary entry for get on. The bus takes her to the station in twenty minutes. In the morning, it is rush hour – Jump to the vocabulary entry for rush hour and the bus is very full. Sometimes she has to run, because she does not want to miss the train – Jump to the vocabulary entry for miss the train to the city centre. Today she finds a seat on the train and reads a book.

Vocabulary

public transport/ˌpʌb.lɪk ˈtræn.spɔːt/
Meaning: Buses, trains and trams that anyone can use.
Example: Public transport in this city is very cheap.
bus stop/ˈbʌs ˌstɒp/
Meaning: A place where buses stop for people to get on or off.
Example: I wait at the bus stop near my house.
buy a ticket/baɪ ə ˈtɪk.ɪt/
Meaning: To pay for a piece of paper or electronic pass to travel.
Example: You can buy a ticket from the driver.
get on/get ˈɒn/
Meaning: To step inside a bus, train or plane.
Example: Let the people get off before you get on.
rush hour/ˈrʌʃ ˌaʊə/
Meaning: The time of day when the roads and trains are most busy.
Example: Traffic is very bad during rush hour.
miss the train/mɪs ðə ˈtreɪn/
Meaning: To arrive too late to catch a train.
Example: If we do not hurry, we will miss the train.

Dialogue

  1. MarkHow do you get to work, Lisa?
  2. LisaI usually take public transport. It is quite fast.
  3. MarkDo you take the bus or the train?
  4. LisaI walk to the bus stop and then take the bus to the station.
  5. MarkIs it busy in the morning?
  6. LisaYes, during rush hour it is very full.
  7. MarkI hate that. I prefer to cycle to work.
  8. LisaThat is a good idea, but I live too far away.

Questions for your conversation

Partner A

Easier: Do you travel to work every day? Why or why not?

Bus, train or bike – how do you get around?

More challenging: What are the main advantages and disadvantages of using cars in a big city?

Partner B

Easier: Is a bus ticket expensive in your town? Why or why not?

What do you do while you travel on a bus or train?

More challenging: How could your city make public transport better for everyone?

Partner A

Easier: Do you like driving a car? Why or why not?

Tell me about a time when your train or bus was late.

More challenging: Would free public transport solve traffic problems in your country?

Useful phrases

  • Does this bus go to the city centre?
  • I need to buy a ticket.
  • Where is the nearest bus stop?
  • The train is delayed by ten minutes.
  • I prefer to walk.
  • Can you tell me when to get off?

Topic quiz

Five quick questions check vocabulary and listening comprehension.

All conversations – Back to all English conversations

Questions

Who is Theo?

Theo is an AI conversation partner for warming up, not a teacher. The voice is synthetic. In the live rounds, a trainer talks with you.

Is my conversation stored?

We store neither audio nor a transcript. During the conversation, your voice is sent to Google (Gemini) for processing. The conversation ends after no more than five minutes.

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