( B1 ) B1 — Leçon 14
Transport, Travel & Unexpected Problems
Talking about transportation, travel arrangements, delays, accidents, lost luggage and unexpected travel problems — Transport, voyages et problèmes imprévus.
( 01 ) Introduction
🎯 Objectifs de la leçon
Dans cette leçon, vous apprenez à parler des moyens de transport, à organiser un voyage et à gérer les problèmes imprévus : retards, annulations, pannes et bagages perdus.
Vous utiliserez le Past Simple, le Past Continuous et le Present Perfect, ainsi que when, while, because, because of, so, although et however pour raconter un incident, expliquer un problème et demander une solution.
Parler des moyens de transport.
Organiser un voyage.
Parler de billets et de réservations.
Expliquer un retard.
Parler d’une annulation.
Expliquer un problème de voyage.
Parler de bagages perdus ou endommagés.
Demander de l’aide.
Demander une solution.
Raconter une expérience de voyage difficile.
Utiliser le Past Simple.
Utiliser le Past Continuous.
Utiliser le Present Perfect.
Utiliser when, while, because, because of, so, although et however.
Participer à une conversation de 3 à 5 minutes.
( 02 ) Vocabulary
📚 Vocabulaire des transports et du voyage
A. Means of transport — les moyens de transport
car
la voiture
bus
le bus
taxi
le taxi
train
le train
plane
l’avion
boat
le bateau
ship
le navire
motorcycle
la moto
bicycle
le vélo
truck
le camion
van
la camionnette
public transport
les transports en commun
private transport
le transport privé
rental car
la voiture de location
airport shuttle
la navette d’aéroport
passenger
le passager
driver
le conducteur
pilot
le pilote
B. Travel arrangements — organiser un voyage
journey
le trajet / le voyage
trip
le voyage / l’excursion
destination
la destination
departure
le départ
arrival
l’arrivée
departure time
l’heure de départ
arrival time
l’heure d’arrivée
ticket
le billet
reservation
la réservation
booking
la réservation
passport
le passeport
visa
le visa
luggage
les bagages
suitcase
la valise
backpack
le sac à dos
boarding pass
la carte d’embarquement
platform
le quai
gate
la porte d’embarquement
seat
la place / le siège
route
l’itinéraire
map
la carte
GPS
le GPS
C. Travel problems — les problèmes de voyage
delay
le retard
cancellation
l’annulation
missed flight
le vol manqué
missed train
le train manqué
traffic jam
l’embouteillage
accident
l’accident
breakdown
la panne
flat tire
le pneu crevé
lost luggage
les bagages perdus
damaged luggage
les bagages endommagés
wrong ticket
le mauvais billet
overbooking
la surréservation
road closure
la route fermée
bad weather
le mauvais temps
flight cancellation
l’annulation de vol
technical problem
le problème technique
mechanical problem
le problème mécanique
emergency
l’urgence
lost passport
le passeport perdu
stolen luggage
les bagages volés
D. Verbs — les verbes utiles
travel
voyager
drive
conduire
fly
prendre l’avion / voler
miss
manquer / rater
delay
retarder
cancel
annuler
book
réserver
reserve
réserver
arrive
arriver
depart
partir
leave
partir / quitter
lose
perdre
find
trouver
report
signaler / déclarer
replace
remplacer
repair
réparer
wait
attendre
explain
expliquer
solve
résoudre
contact
contacter
complain
se plaindre
refund
rembourser
change
changer
reschedule
reprogrammer
( 03 ) Useful Expressions
💬 Expressions utiles
A. Demander des informations
What time does the train leave?
À quelle heure part le train ?
What time does the plane arrive?
À quelle heure arrive l’avion ?
Which platform do I need?
Quel quai dois-je prendre ?
Where is the departure gate?
Où est la porte d’embarquement ?
How long is the delay?
Quelle est la durée du retard ?
B. Expliquer un problème
My flight has been cancelled.
Mon vol a été annulé.
My luggage is missing.
Mes bagages ont disparu.
My suitcase was damaged.
Ma valise a été endommagée.
I've missed my connection.
J’ai raté ma correspondance.
My car has broken down.
Ma voiture est tombée en panne.
We have a problem with the engine.
Nous avons un problème avec le moteur.
C. Demander de l’aide et une solution
Could you help me, please?
Pourriez-vous m’aider, s’il vous plaît ?
What can I do?
Que puis-je faire ?
Could you check my reservation?
Pourriez-vous vérifier ma réservation ?
Could you find another flight for me?
Pourriez-vous me trouver un autre vol ?
Is there another bus?
Y a-t-il un autre bus ?
Can I change my ticket?
Puis-je changer mon billet ?
Could I get a refund?
Pourrais-je être remboursé ?
When can I expect my luggage?
Quand puis-je espérer récupérer mes bagages ?
D. Raconter une expérience de voyage
I was travelling to Cotonou when the problem happened.
Je voyageais vers Cotonou quand le problème est arrivé.
The bus was late because of heavy traffic.
Le bus était en retard à cause de la circulation dense.
We couldn't continue because the car had broken down.
Nous ne pouvions pas continuer parce que la voiture était tombée en panne.
Although the journey was difficult, we finally arrived.
Bien que le trajet ait été difficile, nous sommes finalement arrivés.
We missed the flight, so we had to book another one.
Nous avons raté le vol, donc nous avons dû en réserver un autre.
( 04 ) Grammar
🧠 Passé, Present Perfect et connecteurs
1. Past Simple
Action terminée dans le passé, à un moment précis : yesterday, last week, in 2023.
I missed my flight yesterday.
Past Simple : action terminée à un moment précis du passé.
We booked another ticket.
Verbe régulier : + -ed.
2. Past Continuous
was / were + verbe-ing : une action en cours à un moment du passé.
I was travelling to Cotonou.
was / were + verbe-ing : action en cours dans le passé.
They were waiting at the gate.
were + verbe-ing au pluriel.
3. Past Continuous + Past Simple (when / while)
L’action longue est au Past Continuous, l’action courte qui l’interrompt au Past Simple. while + action longue · when + action courte.
I was travelling to Cotonou when the car broke down.
Action longue (was travelling) interrompue par une action courte (broke down).
We were waiting at the airport when the flight was cancelled.
when + Past Simple pour l’action courte.
While I was driving, it started to rain.
while + Past Continuous.
4. Present Perfect et situations de voyage
have / has + participe passé : l’action passée a une conséquence maintenant (bagage perdu, vol annulé, correspondance ratée).
I've lost my passport.
Present Perfect : résultat présent d’une action passée.
My flight has been cancelled.
Present Perfect passif, très courant en voyage.
I've missed my connection.
La conséquence est actuelle : je suis bloqué.
5. because / because of, so, although, however
because + sujet + verbe · because of + nom · so = conséquence · although = contraste dans la phrase · however = contraste entre deux phrases.
The flight was delayed because of bad weather.
because of + nom.
The flight was delayed because the weather was bad.
because + sujet + verbe.
We missed the bus, so we took a taxi.
so = conséquence.
Although the journey was difficult, we arrived safely.
although = contraste dans la même phrase.
The bus was late. However, we arrived on time.
however = contraste entre deux phrases.
( 05 ) Conversation
💬 A Problem at the Airport
John
Excuse me, could you help me, please?
Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous m’aider, s’il vous plaît ?
Mary
Of course. What's the problem?
Bien sûr. Quel est le problème ?
John
My flight to Nairobi has been cancelled.
Mon vol pour Nairobi a été annulé.
Mary
I'm sorry to hear that. Do you have your ticket?
Je suis désolée de l’apprendre. Avez-vous votre billet ?
John
Yes, here it is.
Oui, le voici.
Mary
Let me check your reservation. How long have you been waiting?
Laissez-moi vérifier votre réservation. Depuis combien de temps attendez-vous ?
John
I've been waiting for about an hour.
J’attends depuis environ une heure.
Mary
I see. The flight was cancelled because of a technical problem.
Je vois. Le vol a été annulé à cause d’un problème technique.
John
Is there another flight today?
Y a-t-il un autre vol aujourd’hui ?
Mary
Yes. There is another flight at 8:30 p.m.
Oui. Il y a un autre vol à 20 h 30.
John
Could you change my ticket to that flight?
Pourriez-vous changer mon billet pour ce vol ?
Mary
Certainly. I'll check if there are any seats available.
Certainement. Je vérifie s’il reste des places.
John
Thank you. I really appreciate your help.
Merci. J’apprécie vraiment votre aide.
Mary
You're welcome. I'll take care of it for you.
Je vous en prie. Je m’en occupe pour vous.
( 06 ) Listening
🎧 A Difficult Journey
Écoutez l’enregistrement sans lire le script, puis répondez aux 5 questions.
1. How was the speaker travelling?
2. Where was the speaker travelling?
3. What happened during the journey?
4. Who helped the travellers?
5. How late did they arrive in Lomé?
Score : 0 / 5
( 07 ) Reading
📖 A Cancelled Flight
Last Friday, Sarah was travelling to Paris for an important business meeting. She arrived at the airport early and checked in without any problems. While she was waiting at the departure gate, she received a message saying that her flight had been cancelled because of bad weather.
Sarah immediately contacted the airline. The agent offered her another flight the following morning. Sarah accepted the new flight and booked a hotel near the airport.
Although the cancellation was inconvenient, Sarah remained calm and found a solution. She arrived in Paris the next day and attended her meeting.
1. Why was Sarah travelling to Paris?
2. What was Sarah doing when she received the message?
3. Why was the flight cancelled?
4. What did the agent offer her?
5. How did Sarah react?
Score : 0 / 5
( 08 ) Speaking
🗣️ Parlons transports, voyages et imprévus
How do you usually travel?
Exemple : I usually travel by bus, but I prefer travelling by train.
What is your favorite means of transport?
Exemple : My favorite means of transport is the plane because it is fast.
Have you ever had a delay during a trip?
Exemple : Yes, my bus was delayed for two hours because of a traffic jam.
Have you ever missed a flight or a bus?
Exemple : Yes, I missed my flight last year because of heavy traffic.
What do you do when your transport is cancelled?
Exemple : I contact the company and ask for another ticket.
Have you ever lost your luggage?
Exemple : Yes, my suitcase was lost and I reported it at the airport.
Tell me about a difficult journey.
Exemple : I was travelling to Lomé when the car broke down on the main road.
How do you solve travel problems?
Exemple : I stay calm, explain the problem clearly and ask for a solution.
What would you do in a travel emergency?
Exemple : I would contact the staff and ask for help immediately.
Do you prefer public or private transport?
Exemple : I prefer public transport because it is cheaper, although it is slower.
Mission orale : « My Most Difficult Travel Experience » — parlez pendant 3 à 5 minutes.
Racontez : 1) où vous voyagiez · 2) comment vous voyagiez · 3) le problème rencontré · 4) votre réaction · 5) les personnes qui vous ont aidé · 6) la solution trouvée · 7) ce que vous avez appris.
( 09 ) Grammar Practice
✍️ 10 questions de grammaire
1. I ___ my flight yesterday.
2. While I ___ to the airport, it started to rain.
3. We ___ at the gate when the flight was cancelled.
4. I ___ my passport. I can't find it.
5. The train was delayed ___ heavy rain.
6. The flight was delayed ___ the weather was bad.
7. We missed the bus, ___ we took a taxi.
8. ___ the journey was long, we enjoyed it.
9. The bus was late. ___, we arrived on time.
10. I ___ never travelled by ship.
Rappel : Past Simple → action terminée · Past Continuous → action en cours · while + -ing / when + passé simple · Present Perfect → conséquence actuelle · because + phrase · because of + nom · so → conséquence · although / however → contraste.
( 10 ) Translation
🇫🇷 Traduisez en anglais
1. J’ai raté mon vol hier.
2. Je conduisais quand la voiture est tombée en panne.
3. Nous attendions à l’aéroport quand le vol a été annulé.
4. J’ai perdu mon passeport.
5. Le vol a été retardé à cause du mauvais temps.
6. Nous avons raté le bus, donc nous avons pris un taxi.
7. Bien que le trajet ait été difficile, nous sommes arrivés sains et saufs.
8. Mes bagages ont été perdus.
9. Pourriez-vous m’aider, s’il vous plaît ?
10. Pourriez-vous changer mon billet ?
( 11 ) Role-play
🎭 Passenger & Travel Agent
Situation : l’étudiant A est un passager dont le vol a été annulé. Il/elle explique le problème, présente son billet, demande la raison, un autre vol, éventuellement un hôtel et une solution, puis remercie. L’étudiant B, agent de voyage, vérifie la réservation et propose des solutions.
Role A — Passager : expliquer le problème
My flight has been cancelled.
Role B — Agent de voyage : répondre
I'm sorry about the inconvenience. Let me check your reservation.
Role A : demander la raison
Could you tell me why?
Role B : expliquer
The flight was cancelled because of a technical problem.
Role A : demander un autre vol
Is there another flight today?
Role B : proposer une solution
There is another flight at 8:30 p.m.
Role A : demander un changement de billet
Could you change my ticket?
Role B : accepter
I can change your ticket. I'll try to find a solution.
Role A : demander un hôtel
What can I do tonight? Could the airline pay for a hotel?
Role A : remercier l’agent
Thank you very much for your help.
( 12 ) Final Quiz
📝 Quiz final — 10 questions
1. My flight ___ cancelled.
2. I ___ my connection this morning.
3. While we ___ on the main road, the tire went flat.
4. I ___ my luggage. It hasn't arrived yet.
5. The delay was ___ bad weather.
6. We arrived late ___ there was a traffic jam.
7. ___ you help me, please?
8. Could I ___ my ticket?
9. ___ the journey was difficult, we arrived safely.
10. The road was closed, ___ we took another route.
( 13 ) Final Speaking Mission
🎤 B1 – Handling an Unexpected Travel Problem
Sujet : « B1 – Handling an Unexpected Travel Problem ». Parlez pendant 3 à 5 minutes.
- You are travelling abroad for a business trip.
- Your flight is delayed.
- You miss your connection.
- Your luggage does not arrive.
- You contact the airport staff.
- You explain the problem clearly.
- You ask for a solution.
- A solution is finally found.
Utilisez naturellement : Past Simple · Past Continuous · Present Perfect · because / because of · although · however · when / while · could / would / can.
Évaluation : Vocabulary 20% · Grammar 20% · Fluency 20% · Pronunciation 15% · Organization & Content 15% · Communication 10% — Total 100%.
Last month, I was travelling to Nairobi for a business trip. I arrived at the airport early and checked in without any problems. However, while I was waiting at the departure gate, the staff announced that the flight was delayed because of a technical problem. We finally left three hours later, so I missed my connection in Addis Ababa. When I arrived, I went to the transfer desk and explained my situation. The agent was very helpful and booked me on another flight the next morning. Unfortunately, there was a second problem: my luggage did not arrive. I reported it immediately and the airline gave me a reference number. They told me that my suitcase had been left in Cotonou, but that it would arrive the following day. Although the journey was long and difficult, everything ended well. I received my luggage at my hotel and I attended my meeting. I have learned that it is important to stay calm, to explain the problem clearly and to ask politely for a solution.
( 14 ) Progression
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