Reading Comprehension: “The Decision – Chapter 3″

Namaskar!

First things first: if you didn’t read Chapters 1 and 2, start here.

Now, ready to read more?

Chapter 3

He arrives at the airport.

He goes into the international terminal. He looks at the flight departures board. He chooses a number, seven. His favourite number is seven. What is the seventh flight on the board? Sao Paulo – Brazil. That’s where he will go. He buys a ticket and walks into Departures. He decides not to buy a newspaper. That way he has to think. He looks at his travel companions. There are a lot of Brazilians. Among them is a large group that could be a football team. Why is it that Brazilians play football so well? One of the mysteries of life.

This is his first trip alone – not counting short business trips. Does he feel anxious? No. He feels rather well. At least much better than before taking the decision.

During the flight he will write a letter to his boss. Friendly but determined. No address, no explanation. What a surprise that will be!

Vocabulary

Terminal – the part of an airport where planes arrive or depart from.

Board – a board on the wall of a classroom, office, etc., where things (such as written notices or pictures) are put so that they can be seen by many people.

Determined – having a strong feeling that you are going to do something and that you will not allow anyone or anything to stop you.

More Airport Vocabulary

Duty-free – a shop in an airport where you don’t have to pay taxes on the goods you buy.

Departure lounge – the part of an airport where you wait until you get on the plane.

Gate – the place in the airport where you go to get onto your flight .

Runway – the part of an airport, like a road, which planes use when arriving or departing from an airport.

Control tower – the building in an airport which tells planes when it is safe for them to take off and land.

Cockpit – the place where the pilots sit to control the plane

Galley – the area on a plane where the cabin crew prepare meals and store duty-free goods etc.

Trolley – a small cupboard with wheels. Cabin crews use trolleys to take food and drink to passengers during a flight.

Overhead locker – a storage area above passengers’ heads in a plane.

Tray-table – a small table that is stored in the back of the seat in front of you on a plane.