Movie Theater
Pre-Listening
Do you go to see movies in the theater? Do you buy your tickets online or in-person?
Listen and Read
Listen to the recording, answer the questions, and read along with the audio recording.
Listening Quiz
Select the best answer for each question, then press Check Answers.
Use arrow keys to choose between options within each question.
1. The man generally likes to go to movies on ______.
2. What does the man do if the movie is sold out?
3. Where does the man usually sit in the theater?
I really enjoy going to the movies with my friends most weekends. I usually check the movie listings in the newspaper or online to see what is playing. I also check the movie reviews because I don’t want to see a bad movie.
I like to arrive early at the movie theater so we don’t have to stand in line too long to buy tickets. Sometimes, the movie we want to see is sold out, so we might buy a ticket for a later showing. Once in the theater, I sometimes buy popcorn and a drink at the concession stand. The prices are sometimes high, but I like munching on something during a movie.
I hand my ticket to the movie usher before entering the movie theater. I usually like to sit in an aisle seat somewhere in the middle of the movie theater. I think you can see the movie better instead of straining your neck back if you are unfortunate enough to sit in the front few rows.
One thing I don’t like is when other patrons or people talk during the movie, put their feet up on the back of my seat, or bring crying babies to the theater. Everyone should be able to enjoy the movie.
Vocabulary and Expressions From the Audio
- the movies (expression): a casual term for the movie theater and the experience of watching films there
- They decided to go to the movies on Friday night to see the new action film.
- movie listings (noun): a schedule showing which films are playing, where, and at what times
- She checked the movie listings online to find a showtime that worked for everyone.
- reviews (noun): written or spoken opinions about a film, book, or other work, often used to help people decide whether to see or read it
- He read several reviews before deciding which movie to see.
- stand in line (expression): to wait in a queue with other people for something, such as tickets or entry
- They had to stand in line for nearly 30 minutes before reaching the ticket window.
- sold out (expression): when all available tickets or seats for a showing have been purchased and none remain
- By the time they arrived, the 7 o’clock showing was completely sold out.
- showing (noun): a scheduled screening of a film at a specific time
- Since the earlier showing was sold out, they bought tickets for the 9 o’clock one instead.
- concession stand (noun): the area inside a movie theater where food and drinks such as popcorn and soda are sold
- He stopped at the concession stand to grab a large popcorn before finding his seat.
- munching (verb): eating food in a casual, steady way, often making a crunching sound
- She sat in her seat munching on popcorn while waiting for the film to start.
- hand (verb): to pass or give something to someone directly
- The usher handed them a program and pointed them toward their seats.
- usher (noun): a person who shows people to their seats in a theater or other venue
- The usher checked their tickets and led them to the correct row.
- aisle (noun): the walkway between rows of seats in a theater, airplane, or other venue
- She chose a seat on the aisle so she could get out easily without disturbing others.
- straining (verb): making a great effort to see, hear, or reach something that is difficult to access
- He was straining to see the screen from his seat behind a tall person in the front row.
- patrons (noun): people who regularly visit or use a particular business or service, such as a movie theater
- The theater asked patrons to turn off their phones before the film began.
Discussion
Describe a recent movie you saw at a movie theater. What did you see and did you like the movie? Who did you go with?
Online Investigation
How much does a movie ticket cost in some of the major cities of the world? Does it cost more or less what you pay to see a movie? Search the internet for information on the entrance price for these cities or any other in which you are interested (You might need to convert the price to your currency):
New York, Tokyo, Paris, Sydney, Buenos Aires
Online Listening Practice (from Randall’s Other websites):
DailyESL.com – Listening, Speaking, and Discussion
Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab – Listening, Speaking, and Discussion
Trainyouraccent.com – Pronunciation and Discussion