Marija Nićin English for Tour Guides B2

Useful Vocabulary
Nouns

Word Meaning Example sentence

There are lots of activities that the
activities things to do
whole family will enjoy.
The architecture of this building is
architecture design of a building
typical of the Renaissance age.
place to look at professional paintings and We are going to visit the art gallery
art gallery
drawings where local painters exhibit their art.
The water park is our most recent
attractions places for tourists to see
attraction .
If you're having trouble getting your
feeling for understanding one's
bearings bearings just remember that the
location/surroundings in an unknown area
mountains are west.
Keep in mind that this is the business
business district area in a city that has many offices district so that grocery store may be
expensive.
No one has lived in this castle since
castle a building for royalty
the last king died twenty years ago.
The church is the central meeting
church a place to worship God
place in this town.
There you will find all of your
conveniences things that make life easier conveniences, from suntan lotion to
shampoo.
It's a custom to hang beads in the
custom something people of a region do often
windows at this time of year.
While we are en route to the hotel I
en route on the way will point out the beach and the golf
course.
If you want to catch a movie while
entertainment a place where there are theatres and concert
you're here, the entertainment
district halls
district is off to your left.
With the exception of Johnson
something/someone that does not follow the
exception Street, it is safe to walk around here
usual rules or expectations
at night.
objects (i.e. art) displayed for a short time It may be tough to find parking with
exhibition
for the public to view the car exhibition on this week.
grocery place to buy food to take home Since you have a kitchenette at your
Marija Nićin English for Tour Guides B2

store/supermarket hotel you will need to know where

the grocery store is.
People often say that the highlight of
highlight the best part
their trip is the botanical gardens.
According to an old legend, a sea
legend a person or story known for a long time
monster lives in this lake.
We will meet in the lobby at 8 am
lobby front entrance
sharp.
The locals are usually happy to show
locals people who live in an area
tourists around.
This location is the best because you
location place where something can be found
don't need to bother renting a car.
I'll give you each a map so you can
map shows roads and directions to places
follow along as we walk.
Every Sunday there is a farmer's
market place to buy fresh food and homemade items
market on Wade Street.
a statue/structure that honours an event or This monument honours the men and
monument
person women who died during the war.
The museum charges a small fee for
museum a place where historical items are displayed
adults, but children are free.
We recommend that you only carry
necessities things that people need for every day living necessities in your purse and leave
everything else at the hotel.
the way something appeared from the Except for the roof, this home has
original state
beginning been left in its original state.
You may not take photographs here,
photograph picture taken with a camera
but you can purchase a postcard.
a card with a picture on one side(usually an The gift shop has many great
postcard object or place that tourists see) that can be souvenirs, such as postcards of the
mailed without an envelope beautiful waterfalls.
questions or The plane almost missed the runway
things that tourists may want to say or ask
concerns because it was such a bad storm.
The driver has made a request that
request something that has been asked for politely you throw all of your garbage in the
bin at the front on your way out.
You will see there are many more
restaurant district part of a town/city with many places to eat eateries to choose from when we head
to the restaurant district.
tradition, custom, action (religious or It is an old native ritual to dance
ritual
cultural) that people do often during the sunrise.
Marija Nićin English for Tour Guides B2

It is impossible to capture the beauty

scenery natural beauty to look at
of this scenery in pictures.
The original settlers relied on oxen to
settlers people who first made a home in an area
carry their wares.
You may want to save some spending
shopping district area of town where there are many stores money because we'll be visiting the
shopping district this afternoon.
This is the site of a very famous
site place,location
battle.
The stairwell is very steep, so please
stairway/stairwell steps going up or down
watch your step.
people who live on the street, often begging You may be surprised how many
street people
for money street people ask you for money.
I hope you enjoy the castle and its
surroundings things that you see around you surroundings, including the secret
garden.
I apologize for my voice today as I
voice the sound you make when speaking
have a bit of a cold.
Don't forget to bring your voucher
voucher a piece of paper that shows you have paid
for a free coffee in the hotel lobby.
There will be plenty of live
waterfront piece of land next to an ocean, lake, or river entertainment down at the
waterfront.
We can peer in the window but I
window glass that you look out think they are probably closed for the
day.

Verbs

Word Meaning Example sentence

arrive reach a destination I am glad to see you all arrived safely.
We will close the tour with a view of the city at
close to finish
sunset.
If you're all finished looking here, we will continue
continue on keep going
on with the tour.
The last ferry departs at 4pm, so make sure you
depart leave
don't miss it.
enjoy have a good experience I have enjoyed meeting all of you today.
think that something will
expect You probably weren't expecting to see snow.
be/happen a certain way
Marija Nićin English for Tour Guides B2

You are permitted to have a beverage on the bus,

permit allow
but please do not eat any food.
proceed go forward Please proceed all the way to the back of the bus.
If you have any questions during the tour, please
raise (a hand) lift
raise your hand.
We recommend that you only keep a small amount
recommend suggest
of cash in your wallet.
I will gladly refer you to my favourite restaurants,
refer suggest
if you are interested.
Tomorrow you will have a day to just relax on the
relax sit back and enjoy time in peace
beach.
show someone When we get to the museum someone else will
take people to see an area
around show us around.
sit back relax in a seated position Please sit back and enjoy the bus tour.
If you need me to speak up or slow down, please let
speak up talk louder
me know.

Adjectives

Word Meaning Example sentence

ancient very old The ancient village has been left untouched.
You will find beautiful homemade jewellery in that
beautiful/gorgeous very nice looking
shop.
when a view is very Under the starlight the waterfall is simply
breathtaking
impressive breathtaking.
customary traditional It is customary to shake hands and bow as you enter.
dangerous not safe It is dangerous to accept a ride from a local.
devastating very sad, unfortunate The tsunami was devastating for local hotels.
elegant attractive, yet simple There is an elegant dining room for guests to eat in.
This enormous sculpture stands one-hundred feet
enormous very large
high.
makes one feel very
exciting It's so exciting to see new places, isn't it?
happy/energetic
This house has an extensive history, and you can read
extensive covers a lot
more in the brochures.
very interesting to learn
fascinating It is fascinating to know how people lived back then.
about/see
Marija Nićin English for Tour Guides B2

believed to have ghosts living The house is said to be haunted and no one has lived
haunted
there in it for fifty years or more.
The government named this school as a heritage site
heritage of historical importance
last year.
Every year it is an international celebration, with
international around the world
people coming from as far away as Africa.
very nice (appearance or
lovely This is a lovely place to sit and watch the local birds.
personality)
This part of town is known for its magnificent wall
magnificent amazing
murals.
June is the most popular time for tourists to come
popular liked by many
here.
prevalent very noticeable Crime is prevalent in the old parts of town.
The village was reconstructed after the major fire in
reconstructed built again
1910.
All of the antique furniture has been professionally
restored returned to its original state
restored.
safe not dangerous The water is safe to drink here.
We will go up to the balcony for a scenic view of the
scenic nice to look at (nature)
grounds.
very good (i.e. service, food, The children put on a superb concert at Christmas
superb
entertainment) time.
Cliff jumping is a thrilling experience for those of
thrilling exciting
you who aren't afraid of heights.
too amazing/strange to seem It is unbelievable what some of these street
unbelievable
true entertainers can do.
The top of the tower may not be visible because of the
visible able to be seen
fog.
Marija Nićin English for Tour Guides B2

Showing Places of Interest

Useful note: Silence can be uncomfortable during a tour. While you can't talk the
whole time, you should try to know as much about the history, scenery, and culture (in English)
for the places where you are giving tours so that you can keep the tourists interested. If you ever
run out of something to say, you can always point out something such as a landmark. Here are
some different ways you can point out interest points during the tour.

Tour Guide

In front of you is...

On your right/left you will see...
Up ahead...
On your left you will see...
As we turn the corner here, you will see...
In the distance...
If you look up you will notice...
Off to the north...
Look to the east...
To your west...
In a few minutes we'll be passing...
We are now coming up to...
As you will see...
You may have noticed...
Take a good look at...
I'd like to point out...
Keep your eyes open for...

Possible Tourist Questions

Is that the...you were talking about?

Are we going to pass the...?
Are we going to see any...?
Is it on the right or the left?
I don't see it. Can you point it out again?
Did I miss it?
Will we see it on the way back?
Marija Nićin English for Tour Guides B2

Sample Conversation

It's about a three minute ride up to the top of the mountain. As we pass the two towers the
Guide:
gondola may sway a little.

Man: This thing is safe, right?

Yes, you don't have anything to worry about. We do about 100 trips a day up the mountain,
Guide: and these tours have been going on for over ten years without any accidents. Keep your eyes
open for wildlife as we ascend. It isn't uncommon to see deer and even bears.

Woman: What's that mountain to the left called?

That's Mount Karen. And to the right of that with the three small points is Mount Brown.
Guide: Now, if you look up straight ahead, you should be able to see a large eagle's nest. Does
everyone see it there?

Man: Are there any baby birds?

That's a good question. I haven't seen any yet, but we usually see them around this time of
Guide:
year.

Woman: What's that lake down there, to the right of the green meadow?

I'm glad you asked. That's John Lake. It's actually a man made pond that was built as part of a
conservation effort over twenty years ago. During the 70's there was a lot of clearcutting of
Guide:
forests in the area, and much of the wildlife was lost. Since John Lake was built, ducks, swans,
and geese have returned to the area.

Man: Is this the highest mountain in this region?

No, actually, Mount Heather, which you we will be able to see in just a minute or so has the
Guide: highest peak. But, this is the highest mountain for recreational purposes like skiing and
guided tours.

Woman: Can you ski throughout the year?

No, it warms up enough to actually suntan up there in the summer. Oh, look everyone. There
Guide:
are two deer feeding in the clearing right below us.
Marija Nićin English for Tour Guides B2

Thanks, that should be a great photo. So... what is there to do besides ski at the top of the
Man:
hill at this time of year?

Oh, there's plenty to do. We have horseback riding, snowmobile tours, and a petting zoo for
Guide:
children. If you look to your left you'll see the snowmobile trail going through the mountain.