How Do You Get to Work?
Transport, routines & Present Simple review. Maya, Leo, Omar, and Jess compare commutes across Toronto and New York.
📖 Reading: Getting Around Toronto
Toronto is a big city, and everyone has a different way of getting around.
Maya usually works from home, so she doesn't commute every day. But when she goes to meet clients, she takes the subway. "It's fast and reliable," she says. "It only takes fifteen minutes to get downtown."
Leo goes to work at the coffee shop by bike most days. "It takes about twenty minutes and it's good exercise," he explains. "But in winter, when it snows, I take the bus. I don't like cycling in the ice!"
Omar lives far from the university, so he takes two buses to get there. "It takes almost an hour," he says. "But I use the time to study or listen to podcasts."
Jess lives in New York, where most people take the subway or walk. "I walk to work — it's only ten minutes on foot," she says. "I love it. I see the city every morning."
"The best thing about Toronto," says Maya, "is that you don't really need a car. Public transport is excellent here."
🔑 Vocabulary Box
Eight key words from this lesson.
| Word | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| commute | To travel regularly to and from work; the journey itself | v./n. — She doesn't commute every day. |
| subway | An underground train system in a city | n. — She takes the subway downtown. |
| reliable | Consistently good and dependable | adj. — The subway is fast and reliable. |
| cycle | To ride a bicycle | v. — He doesn't like cycling in the ice. |
| podcast | A digital audio programme you listen to on a device | n. — He listens to podcasts on the bus. |
| public transport | Buses, trains, and other transport systems for the public | n. — Public transport is excellent here. |
| downtown | In or to the central part of a city | adv./n. — It takes 15 minutes to get downtown. |
| journey | The act of travelling from one place to another | n. — His journey takes almost an hour. |
📚 Key Verbs in This Lesson | |
to take (transport) | She takes the subway. / He takes the bus in winter. |
to commute | Maya doesn't commute every day. |
to cycle | Leo cycles to work most days. |
to walk | Jess walks to work — it's 10 minutes on foot. |
📚 Grammar Focus
📚 Transport Expressions | |
by + transport | by bus / by car / by bike / by train / by subway / by taxi |
on foot | I walk. / I go on foot. / It's 10 minutes on foot. |
take + transport | I take the bus. / She takes the subway. |
go + by | I go to work by bike. / He goes to school by car. |
Asking About Travel Time
📚 Asking About Travel Time | |
How long does it take? | It takes 15 minutes. / It takes about an hour. |
How do you get to...? | "I take the subway." / "I go by bike." |
How far is it? | "It's about 5 kilometres." / "It's not far." |
How often do you...? | "Every day." / "Three times a week." / "Rarely." |
🎭 Dialogue: How Do You Get Around?
Priya and Omar compare commutes — Priya takes the subway, Omar takes two buses.
Omar, how do you get to university? It's so far!
I take two buses. It takes almost an hour each way.
An hour! Don't you find it tiring?
Not really. I study on the bus. How do you get there?
I take the subway — it only takes twenty minutes.
Lucky you! Do you ever go by bike?
In summer, sometimes. But it's too far — about 12 kilometres.
I should try cycling more. It's good exercise!
Practice Exercises
3 questionsNew exercises to reinforce what you learned. Different from the lesson material.
How does Maya get to client meetings?
Why does Leo take the bus in winter (instead of cycling)?
How long does Omar's journey to university take?
Practice Exercises
3 questionsNew exercises to reinforce what you learned. Different from the lesson material.
I go to work ___ bus every morning.
She goes to university ___ foot — it's very close.
Leo ___ the subway when the weather is bad. (use 'take' verb)
🎭 Now It's Your Turn — Role Play
Practice with a partner. Use the dialogue as a model.
- Student A: Describe your daily commute in detail — transport, time, distance, frequency.
- Student B: Ask questions: How do you get there? How long does it take? Do you enjoy it?
- Then compare your journeys: Who has the longer commute? Who has the cheapest option?