Unit 4: English for Hotels

Aims and Objectives

In this unit you will learn to practise vocabulary related to hotels.

You will practise the following skills and functions:

• asking for and providing information
• dealing with the public

The grammar focus of this unit is:

• THERE IS and THERE ARE
• Numbers
• Time

Vocabulary

	disponible
	bañera
	cuenta
	manta
	por cierto
	camarera de hotel
	coste
	habitacíon doble
	con baño
	instalaciones
	suelo
	vestíbulo
	pensión completa
	sala para cepillar y limpiar
	huésped/invitado
	media pensión
	me temo
	molestia/incomodidad
	llave
	ascensor
	vestíbulo
	equipaje
	gerente
	desorden
	portero
	construido para uso específico
	tarifa
	recepcionista
	ahora mismo
	servicio de habitaciones
	temporada
	sábana
	ducha
	habitacíon individual
	personal
	adecuado
	maleta
	suite
	permitir
	disculparse
	reservar
	atender a
	registrarse
	liquidar la cuenta e irse
	toalla
	dos camas
	vacante
	desocupado/libre
	IVA
	llamada para despertar

Exercises

Section 1: Vocabulary Practice

Fill in the correct translation for each of the terms below.

1. camarera de hotel [?]
2. gerente [?]
3. vacante [?]
4. llamada para despertar [?]
5. instalaciones [?]
6. toalla [?]
7. sala para cepillar y limpiar [?]
8. desocupado/libre [?]
9. reservar [?]
10. me temo [?]
11. ascensor [?]
12. IVA [?]
13. desorden [?]
14. temporada [?]
15. bañera [?]
16. vestíbulo [?]
17. servicio de habitaciones [?]
18. registrarse [?]
19. disponible [?]
20. huésped/invitado [?]
21. personal [?]
22. cuenta [?]
23. equipaje [?]
24. por cierto [?]
25. media pensión [?]
26. suite [?]
27. pensión completa [?]
28. portero [?]
29. dos camas [?]
30. manta [?]
31. adecuado [?]
32. suelo [?]
33. permitir [?]
34. ducha [?]
35. construido para uso específico [?]
36. llave [?]
37. habitacíon doble [?]
38. tarifa [?]
39. sábana [?]
40. atender a [?]
41. molestia/incomodidad [?]
42. coste [?]
43. con baño [?]
44. disculparse [?]
45. ahora mismo [?]
46. recepcionista [?]
47. habitacíon individual [?]
48. maleta [?]
49. liquidar la cuenta e irse [?]

Section 2: Listening Comprehension

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. What kind of room does Mrs Joyce want?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. How long does she need the room for?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. When does Mrs Joyce arrive at the hotel?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. How much does the room cost?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
5. How much is the VAT?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
6. Why is the room suitable for Mr Joyce?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. What is Susan doing?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. Where is Susan's room?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. Where is breakfast served?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. Where is Susan going to have breakfast?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
5. Who will take the luggage to the room?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. Why isn't the room ready?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. Can Mr Turner change rooms?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. Where can Mr Turner make photocopies?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. Mr Turner is:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
5. When will Mr Turner change room?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. When does the client want to stay at the Gresham Hotel?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. How long will he stay at the hotel?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. The hotel has:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. When is the hotel full?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
5. What's an en suite room?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]

Section 3: General Comprehension

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. Some hotels cater specially for the blind and visually impaired.

   
   
   

   [?]
2. You can book a hotel room by telephone or email.

   
   
   

   [?]
3. Not every hotel allows dogs.

   
   
   

   [?]
4. Room service doesn't take your breakfast to your room.

   
   
   

   [?]
5. Before you leave the hotel you must check out.

   
   
   

   [?]
6. The receptionist takes the luggage to the room.

   
   
   

   [?]
7. Large hotels have facilities like Room Service and Business Services.

   
   
   

   [?]
8. You can pay your hotel bill with a credit card.

   
   
   

   [?]
9. Hotels sometimes have double rooms for single use.

   
   
   

   [?]
10. A room with its own bathroom is called an en suite room.

    
    
    

    [?]

Speaking Practice. Complete the sentences you hear, using the example as a model.

Press Play to listen to the instructions:

Section 4: Grammar Practice

THERE IS, or THERE'S, is used with singulars or uncountables. Let's practise this.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. There's a new hotel near the airport. (somebody in my room)
   [?]
2. There's somebody in my room. (a lift in the lobby)
   [?]
3. There's a lift in the lobby. (a gymnasium downstairs)
   [?]
4. There's a gymnasium downstairs. (an exercise area for dogs)
   [?]
5. There's an exercise area for dogs. (a bus service to the airport)
   [?]

The negative of THERE IS, or THERE'S, is THERE ISN'T. Let's practise this.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. There isn't any time. (any soap in the bathroom)
   [?]
2. There isn't any soap in the bathroom. (any beer in the minibar)
   [?]
3. There isn't any beer in the minibar. (anything to do in this town)
   [?]
4. There isn't anything to do in this town. (a swimming pool in the hotel)
   [?]
5. There isn't a swimming pool in the hotel. (an exercise area for dogs)
   [?]

A different way to make a negative is with THERE'S NO. Let's practise this.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. There's no time. (no soap in the bathroom)
   [?]
2. There's no soap in the bathroom. (no problem)
   [?]
3. There's no problem. (no beer in the minibar)
   [?]
4. There's no beer in the minibar. (no swimming pool in the hotel)
   [?]
5. There's no swimming pool in the hotel. (no supplement for the dog)
   [?]

The interrogative form of THERE IS, or THERE'S, is "IS THERE ...?". Let's practise this.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. Is there a swimming pool? (a car park)
   [?]
2. Is there a car park? (a supplement for the dog)
   [?]
3. Is there a supplement for the dog? (a bus service to the airport )
   [?]
4. Is there a bus service to the airport? (anything I can do to help)
   [?]
5. Is there anything I can do to help? (a lift )
   [?]

THERE ARE is used with plurals or countables. Let's practise this.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. There are 50 rooms in this hotel. (facilities for guide dogs)
   [?]
2. There are facilities for guide dogs. (three towels in the bathroom)
   [?]
3. There are three towels in the bathroom. (a lot of places you can visit here)
   [?]
4. There are a lot of places you can visit here. (extra blankets if you need them)
   [?]
5. There are extra blankets if you need them. (too many people in the dining room)
   [?]

The negative of THERE ARE is THERE AREN'T. Let's practise this.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. There aren't many people here. (any towels in the bathroom)
   [?]
2. There aren't any towels in the bathroom. (any vacancies)
   [?]
3. There aren't any vacancies. (a lot of places to visit here)
   [?]
4. There aren't a lot of places to visit here. (many rooms free)
   [?]
5. There aren't many rooms free. (enough blankets)
   [?]

A different way to make a negative is with THERE ARE NO. Let's practise this.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. There are no extra blankets. (no facilities for dogs)
   [?]
2. There are no facilities for dogs. (no vacancies)
   [?]
3. There are no vacancies. (no free rooms)
   [?]
4. There are no free rooms. (no towels in my bathroom)
   [?]
5. There are no towels in my bathroom. (no buses to the airport)
   [?]

The interrogative form of THERE ARE is ARE THERE? Let's practise this.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. Are there any vacancies? (any messages for me)
   [?]
2. Are there any messages for me? (many nightclubs in this town)
   [?]
3. Are there many nightclubs in this town? (any single rooms free)
   [?]
4. Are there any single rooms free? (any extra charges)
   [?]
5. Are there any extra charges? (many people at the conference)
   [?]
6. Are there many people at the conference? (a lot of tourists here in summer)
   [?]
7. Are there a lot of tourists here in summer? (any vacancies)
   [?]

Chose the correct answer.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
2. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
3. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
4. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
5. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
6. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
7. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
8. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
9. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]

Section 5: Consolidation

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. The writer usually travels with his guide dog.

   
   
   

   [?]
2. He never tells hotel staff he is blind.

   
   
   

   [?]
3. Hotel staff are always well trained to deal with the blind.

   
   
   

   [?]
4. Most hotels provide a signature card.

   
   
   

   [?]
5. The blind guest always finds it easy to use a card key.

   
   
   

   [?]
6. Gymnasium equipment should have Braille labels.

   
   
   

   [?]
7. Hotels could do more to help the blind and visually impaired.

   
   
   

   [?]
8. Blind people often sign their names on a receipt by using a signature card.

   
   
   

   [?]
9. A card key should provide tactile information.

   
   
   

   [?]
10. Everybody can read Braille.

    
    
    

    [?]

Listen to the complete recording first. Then go to the textbox and use the > key to listen to the text section by section. Type what you hear into the textbox. For detailed instructions, read the Exercise Help.

Recording: show transcript

[?]

Listen to the recording carefully and then fill in the gaps in the text below using the same words.

Recording:

Credit card receipts. [?] blind people sign their names [?] a receipt using a signature card. The hotel employee can assist [?] positioning the opening of the signature card [?] the space where the signature is required. If a signature card is not available, the credit card can be positioned with its [?] edge along the signature line.

Card keys. Card keys for rooms should provide tactile information so the blind user can determine which end and face of the card should be inserted [?] the lock.

Room numbers. Rooms should have raised numbers and Braille on each door.

Exercise facilities. If the blind person wishes to use the exercise facilities or gymnasium, there [?] be Braille labels on the equipment and employees should know [?] to orient blind persons [?] want to use the machines.

By making a few simple changes like [?], hotels can make blind and visually impaired travellers much more welcome.

Choose the correct option to fill the gaps in the following sentences.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. The process of checking ____ a hotel can be difficult.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter are the four ____ of the year.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. The time of year when a hotel is very busy is called ____ season.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. Hotels usually have different ____ for low season and high season.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
5. Having all your meals in the hotel is called ____ .

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
6. How much is the room ____ night?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
7. Hotels are classified by the number of ____ .

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
8. Quarter past nine is the same as ____ .

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
9. Half past ten is the same as ____ .

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
10. Twenty-five to two is the same as ____ .

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
11. Four forty-five is the same as ____ .

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
12. Five to five is the same as ____ .

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
13. 6.30 a.m. is ____ .

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
14. 6.30 p.m. is ____ .

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
15. 4.15 p.m. is ____ .

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
16. If you meet somebody at 7.30 a.m you can say ____ .

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
17. If you meet somebody at 9.30 p.m., you can say ____ .

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
18. If you are going to bed at 9.30 p.m. you can say ____ .

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
19. Christmas and New Year are in ____ .

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
20. Easter is in ____ .

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]

Checklist

Use the following list to check whether you have obtained full benefit from this unit. You should be able to:

• use vocabulary and expressions related to hotel services

You should also have greater skill and confidence in the use of:

• There is
• There are
• Numbers
• Times and Dates