Strangers on a Train

1

Reading

10 minutes

Reading

Read the text aloud. Then discuss the questions below.

David saw a tall woman on the platform at London Paddington station. She had dark hair and a beautiful smile. He sat next to her on the train. 'Is that Chopin?' he asked. She said yes — she loved classical music. Her name was Olivia.

They talked for two hours. He told her about his new job in London. She told him about her concert next week. When the train arrived, they bought two coffees at the station. Before she left, she wrote her phone number on a napkin and said 'Call me.'

David sent her a message that night.

Key Words from the Text

saw — David saw a tall woman on the platform.

sat — He sat next to her on the train.

said — She said 'Call me.'

told — He told her about his new job.

bought — They bought two coffees at the station.

left — Before she left, she wrote her number.

sent — David sent her a message that night.

wrote — She wrote her phone number on a napkin.

1. [object Object]

2. [object Object]

3. [object Object]

4. [object Object]

5. [object Object]

6. [object Object]

2

Language Focus

12 minutes

Dialogue: On the train. David sits next to Olivia.

David and Olivia

Excuse me. Can I sit here?

Sure.

I like your music. Is that Chopin?

Yes! I love classical music. My name's Olivia.

I'm David. Nice to meet you.

Where do you live?

In Chelsea. And you?

I moved to London last month.

Would you like a coffee?

OK! I have time.

Click any speech bubble to hear that line!

Comprehension:

1. What music does Olivia like?

2. Where does Olivia live?

3. When did David move to London?

4. What does David offer Olivia?

Grammar Discovery: past simple with more irregular verbs

Look at these past tense verbs from the story. Can you find the present form?

David saw a woman. → SAW = past of SEE.

He sat next to her. → SAT = past of SIT.

She said 'Call me.' → SAID = past of SAY.

They bought two coffees. → BOUGHT = past of BUY.

She wrote her number. → WROTE = past of WRITE.

He sent a message. → SENT = past of SEND.

How do we make negatives and questions with irregular verbs?

Try it!

1. I ___ (see) a beautiful park yesterday.

2. She ___ (write) a letter to her friend.

3. Did you ___ (buy) a coffee? (base form!)

3

Practice

15 minutes

Present → Past

Match the present form to the past form.

Column A

see

sit

say

buy

leave

write

Column B

sat

left

wrote

bought

saw

said

The Story in Past Simple

Complete the sentences from the story with the correct past form.

1. David (see) a woman on the platform.

2. He (sit) next to her.

3. She (say) yes — she loved classical music.

4. They (buy) two coffees at the station.

5. She (write) her number on a napkin.

6. David (send) her a message that night.

Retell the Story

Tell the story of David and Olivia in your own words. Use past simple verbs.

1. Where did David see Olivia? (He saw...)

2. What did he do on the train? (He sat... He asked...)

3. What did they talk about? (He told her... She told him...)

4. What happened at the station? (They bought... She wrote...)

5. What did David do that night? (He sent...)

6. Do you think they met again? Why / Why not?

4

Let's Talk

13 minutes

Let's Talk!

Use what you learned today to answer these questions. Elaborate as much as you can!

Talking about a memorable meeting or trip.

1. Did you ever meet someone interesting on a trip? What happened?

Follow-up: What did you say to them?

2. What did you do last weekend?

Follow-up: Did you go anywhere interesting?

Self-Assessment

How did you do today?

✓
I can use irregular past verbs: saw, sat, said, told, bought, left, sent, wrote.
✓
I can tell a story in the past simple.
✓
I can make negatives and questions with irregular verbs: Did you see? I didn't buy.

Great work today!

Next class: Next class: Review 6 — FINAL! Review everything from the Starter course. You're almost ready for A1!