🎬 Interactive video — script & questions
NARRATOR: Listen to a conversation between two travelers at the airport.
SPEAKER 1: Excuse me, is this the line for immigration?
SPEAKER 2: Yes, it is. I always come here when I travel abroad. Do you have your passport ready?
SPEAKER 1: Yes, I do. I usually keep it in my jacket pocket. What about the customs form? Do we need one?
SPEAKER 2: We have to fill one out before we land. I always write my address and the reason for my trip.
SPEAKER 1: Okay. I've never traveled to this country before. Is the immigration officer strict?
SPEAKER 2: Not really. He usually just checks your passport and asks a few simple questions. He asks about your job and how long you plan to stay.
SPEAKER 1: That's easy. Last year, I visited France, and the officer there was very friendly. He didn't ask many questions.
SPEAKER 2: That's good to hear. After immigration, we go to baggage claim, and then customs. Do you have anything to declare?
SPEAKER 1: No, I don't think so. I only have clothes and a camera in my suitcase.
SPEAKER 2: Perfect. You shouldn't have any problems then. Look, the line is moving now.
SPEAKER 1: Great! I'm going to relax once we get through. This trip is going to be amazing!
SPEAKER 2: I agree. I always feel excited when I arrive in a new country.
- Where does Speaker 1 usually keep her passport?
- a) In her jacket pocket
- b) In her suitcase
- c) In her handbag
- d) In her backpack
- What does Speaker 2 say they have to fill out before they land?
- a) A visa application
- b) A customs form
- c) A hotel booking form
- d) A flight survey
- According to Speaker 2, what does the immigration officer usually ask about?
- a) Your family and friends
- b) Your job and how long you plan to stay
- c) Your bank account
- d) Your favorite food
- Which country did Speaker 1 visit last year?
- a) Spain
- b) Italy
- c) France
- d) Germany
- What does Speaker 1 have in her suitcase?
- a) Clothes and a camera
- b) Food and books
- c) Electronics and gifts
- d) Shoes and a laptop
📖 Reading
Maria works at a big international airport. Every day, she helps travellers with immigration and customs. She checks passports and asks people simple questions about their trip. Maria likes her job because she meets people from many different countries.
Every morning, Maria arrives at the airport at seven o'clock. First, she puts on her uniform and checks her computer. Then, she stands at the immigration desk and greets travellers. She always says, 'Good morning! Can I see your passport, please?' After that, she checks the passport and asks about the purpose of the visit.
Yesterday, something interesting happened. A man arrived from Canada with a big suitcase. At customs, the officer asked him to open his bag. Inside, there were ten bottles of maple syrup! The officer smiled and said, 'You don't have to declare food like this, but thank you for showing me.' The man laughed and said he just loves maple syrup.
Maria says that travellers should always carry their passport and boarding pass together. She also says that people must fill in the customs form correctly before they land. If travellers don't have the right documents, they have to wait longer at the airport. Maria never gets bored because every day is different at immigration and customs.
Last week, Maria helped a family from Japan. They had never visited the country before, so they didn't know where to go. Maria showed them the correct queue and explained the customs process. The family was very happy, and they thanked her before they went to collect their luggage. For Maria, moments like this make her job special.
🗣️ Speaking — discussion
Context
- Every time you travel to another country, you pass through immigration and customs at the airport.
- An immigration officer checks your passport and asks questions about your trip.
- Customs is the place where officers check if you are carrying anything you should not bring into the country.
- Some travelers need a visa before they can enter a country; others can enter without one.
- This topic looks at what usually happens when people travel abroad and go through these steps.
Themes
- Airport Routines — Travelers usually follow the same steps every time: check-in, security, immigration, and customs.
- Rules and Documents — Every country has rules about passports, visas, and what you can bring in your luggage.
Personal Response
- Do you like traveling by plane? Why or why not?
- How do you usually feel when you go through immigration?
Themes & Ideas
- What questions does an immigration officer usually ask?
- What things do people often declare at customs?
Cultural & Social Topics
- Do you need a visa to travel to other countries from your country?
- Are immigration rules different in different countries? Give an example.
Advanced (C1 level)
- Why do countries have strict customs rules?
- How might immigration rules change in the future?
🎭 Classroom activity
Role-play: One student is an immigration officer and the other is a traveler. Practice a short conversation using the target vocabulary (passport, visa, declare, customs, luggage).
✏️ Questions
- The customs officer usually ___ (check) passports at the airport border.
- My parents always ___ (show) their passports to the immigration officer when they travel abroad.
- I never ___ (carry) too much luggage when I go through customs.
- The airline staff ___ (not / allow) passengers to bring liquids over 100ml through security.
- How often ___ your family ___ (travel) to another country for vacation?
- Before every trip, she ___ (pack) her bags and ___ (check) her passport expiry date.
- What is the main idea of the passage?
- a) Maria's daily job at immigration and customs
- b) How to pack a suitcase for a flight
- c) The history of a big international airport
- d) Why maple syrup is popular in Canada
- What time does Maria arrive at the airport every morning?
- a) Six o'clock
- b) Seven o'clock
- c) Eight o'clock
- d) Nine o'clock
- What did the customs officer find in the Canadian man's suitcase?
- a) Ten bottles of maple syrup
- b) A boarding pass and passport
- c) Ten boxes of chocolate
- d) A customs form
- According to Maria, what happens if travellers don't have the right documents?
- a) They have to wait longer at the airport
- b) They get a free flight home
- c) They can skip the customs form
- d) They receive a special passport
- Why was Maria's help important for the Japanese family?
- a) They had never visited the country before and didn't know where to go
- b) They lost their passports at the airport
- c) They needed help carrying heavy suitcases
- d) They wanted to change their flight tickets
- In the passage, what does the word 'declare' most likely mean?
- a) To officially tell customs officers about something you are bringing
- b) To laugh loudly at customs
- c) To lose your luggage at the airport
- d) To buy something at the airport shop