Making Specific Arrangements & Bookings
Once an activity is decided, one or more friends take responsibility for looking up details, making reservations (e.g., restaurant, movie tickets), or coordinating transportation.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
set on
Means to have decided firmly on something, like a plan. Use it when confirming group decisions, e.g., 'We're set on going to the beach.'
take charge of
Means to be responsible for organizing or handling something. It's useful in group planning, e.g., 'I'll take charge of the food.'
booking
The act of reserving a place or ticket in advance. Common for movies, restaurants, or travel, e.g., 'Make a booking for two.'
preference
What someone likes or chooses over other options. Ask about it in planning, e.g., 'What's your preference for seats?'
aisle seat
A seat next to the walkway in a theater or plane, easy to get in and out. Useful for comfort in bookings, e.g., 'I want an aisle seat.'
reservation
A confirmed booking for a table, room, or ticket. Essential for restaurants, e.g., 'Do you have a reservation?'
confirmed
Means officially approved or made sure. Use after checking details, e.g., 'Tickets are confirmed.'
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Who wants to take charge of booking the tickets?
This is a polite way to ask for volunteers in group planning. It uses 'who wants to' for offering responsibility, useful for organizing events with friends.
Do we have any preference for seating, like front, middle, or back?
This question seeks opinions on choices. 'Any preference' is a common phrase for polls; examples like 'front, middle, or back' make it specific and natural for bookings.
Should we grab dinner beforehand?
A suggestion using 'should we' for proposing ideas. 'Grab dinner' is casual for eating out quickly, and 'beforehand' means in advance—great for activity sequencing.
Can you check their availability and maybe make a reservation for around 5:30 PM?
This requests action politely with 'can you' and 'maybe' for softness. 'Check availability' and 'make a reservation' are key phrases for booking services; 'around' shows flexibility in time.
Consider it done!
An idiomatic response meaning 'I'll handle it right away.' It's enthusiastic and reassuring, perfect for agreeing to tasks in casual conversations.
I'll text everyone once the movie tickets are confirmed.
This promises follow-up using 'once' for condition (after something happens). 'Text everyone' is modern for group updates; shows coordination in plans.
Thanks... for handling all the bookings. Makes it so much easier for everyone.
Expresses gratitude with 'thanks for' and explains benefit. 'Handling' means managing; useful for appreciating help in group activities, emphasizing teamwork.