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B1At the Airport

Getting Through Airport Security Smoothly

Phrasal Verb: get through |Grammar: Present Perfect

Objective

Students will learn how to use the phrasal verb 'get through' in the present perfect tense to talk about passing customs and security at the airport.

Article

At the airport, travellers have often experienced the process of getting through customs and security checks. Many passengers have found that they have gotten through security quickly when they have prepared their documents and bags properly. Some travellers have had difficulty getting through customs because they forgot to fill out the necessary forms. In recent years, airports have improved their systems, and more passengers have gotten through security with less stress. People have also noticed that they have gotten through faster by using electronic gates. Overall, many travellers have gotten through the airport checks successfully by following the rules and being patient.

Grammar Explanation

Meaning

The phrasal verb 'get through' means to successfully pass or complete a process or obstacle.

Grammar Note

The present perfect tense is used to describe actions that have happened at an unspecified time before now, often with relevance to the present.

Usage Tips

  • Use 'have/has got through' to describe completed actions related to passing obstacles.
  • Use present perfect to show experiences or recent events connected to the present.
  • Remember that 'get through' can describe both physical and abstract processes.

Examples

I have got through security without any problems today.

Passing security recently

She has gotten through customs faster than usual.

Passing customs recently

We have got through the airport checks quickly this time.

Passing airport checks

They have not got through the security line yet.

Still waiting at security

He has got through with all his luggage ready.

Passing with luggage

Dialogue

Context: Two friends talk about their experience passing through airport security.

A:
Have you got through security yet?
B:
Yes, I have just got through. It was faster than I expected.
A:
That's great! I have been waiting in line for a while.
B:
Make sure you have your boarding pass ready to get through quickly.
A:
Good idea! I have forgotten it once before and it took longer.
B:
Yeah, getting through smoothly makes the trip less stressful.

Vocabulary

Customs
The official place at the airport where passports and goods are checked
Example: We have waited at customs for 30 minutes.
Synonym: Border control
Security
The process of checking for dangerous items before boarding
Example: Passengers have passed through security quickly.
Synonym: Screening
Boarding pass
A ticket that allows you to get on the plane
Example: Have you got your boarding pass ready?
Synonym: Flight ticket
Luggage
Bags and suitcases that travellers carry
Example: He has packed his luggage carefully.
Synonym: Baggage
Passenger
A person who travels by plane
Example: Passengers have waited in line to get through security.
Synonym: Traveller
Line
A queue of people waiting for their turn
Example: We have stood in line for 20 minutes.
Synonym: Queue
Gate
The place where passengers board the plane
Example: They have arrived at the boarding gate.
Synonym: Entrance
Form
A paper to fill in with important information
Example: Have you completed the customs form?
Synonym: Document
Electronic gate
A machine that lets passengers get through automatically
Example: Many travellers have used the electronic gate.
Synonym: E-gate
Delay
A period of waiting caused by a problem
Example: There has been a delay at the security line.
Synonym: Hold-up

Tips

  • Always have your documents ready to get through security faster.
  • Be patient; sometimes delays happen even if you have prepared well.
  • Do not say 'gotten through' in UK English; use 'got through' instead.

Summary

In this lesson, you learned how to use the phrasal verb 'get through' with the present perfect tense to talk about passing airport security and customs. You also practised vocabulary related to airport procedures and how to describe experiences in the past that affect the present.

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