[E] Hey Taxi

LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐

arrange

[ uh-ˈreynj ]

verb

- make a plan for something

We've still got to arrange how to get to the airport.

dispatch

[ dih-ˈspach ]

verb

- to send something

The Post Office will dispatch the letters by the next post.

fare

[ fair ]

noun

- the cost of the trip

The bus fare is 5 dollars.

convenient

[ kuhn-ˈveen-yuhnt ]

adjective

- fast and easy

It is very convenient to pay by credit card.

hail a cab

idiom

- signal that you want a taxi

Ralph tried to hail a cab.

LET'S READ! 📖

Direction: Read the passage aloud. Then, read it silently.

Hey Taxi

If the train and bus won't take you where you need to go, or if you're in a hurry, you can call a cab. In larger cities, you can hail a cab on the street. Just step off the sidewalk into the street (watch for cars and buses!) and raise your arm. You can also call out, "Taxi!" In cities, the fares are posted right in the cab, and the rates are set by a group that regulates taxi companies.

If you need a ride in a smaller city or town, you can call a car service. This is a private taxi company that usually does not have cars driving around the streets. Drivers wait in the office until someone calls, and then a manager will dispatch a car. You can also call in advance and arrange to be picked up on another day.

And of course you're familiar with ride-share services like Uber or Lyft. Using these services is really convenient. Just download the app to your smartphone and enter your payment information. Then any time you need a ride, open the app and tap in where you want to go. Poof! The GPS will show you on the screen exactly where your driver is. You'll know how long your trip will take and how much it will cost. No cash! The app will deduct the cost from your payment source. Easy!

COMPREHENSION CHECK 🧠 A. Direction: Choose the correct answer to the following questions.

COMPREHENSION CHECK

What can you do if the train and bus can't take you where you want to go?
a. You can call a cab.
b. You can call the bus operator.
c. You can take a bicycle.
d. You can just walk for 30 minutes.
How can you hail a cab in larger cities?
a. Wait for the cab at the station.

b. Shout and call out, "Taxi!"

c. Step off the sidewalk, raise your arm, or call out, "Taxi!"

d. Raise your hand and call out the driver.
Who sets the rates for taxi companies in cities?
a. Drivers set the rates.

b. Businessmen regulate the rates in cities.

c. The passengers set the rates.

d. A group that regulates taxi companies.
What type of taxi service can you use in smaller cities or towns?
a. An expensive model of taxi service.

b. An old taxi service.

c. A car service.

d. A car service with cheap fare.
What do drivers of car services usually do while waiting for customers?
a. They talk with some other drivers.

b. They go jogging.

c. They go to the fitness center.

d. They wait in the office.

B. Direction: Answer the following questions based on the article.

What should you do to use ride-share services like Uber or Lyft?
How can you track your ride's progress when using a ride-share service?
Where does the app deduct the cost of your ride from?
Can you pay for a ride-share service with cash?
How can you arrange a ride in advance with a car service?

C. Direction: Match the words in column A with their synonyms in column B.

A	B
1. regulate	A. subtract
2. deduct	B. fetch
3. rate	C. set
4. pick up	D. make haste
5. hurry	E. charge