B2 - Lesson 9 - The choice

 

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Advanced English · B2 · Lesson 3

✈️ The Unexpected Detour

Travel, spontaneity, regrets and the choices that change a journey. Build advanced speaking fluency and master all the main wish structures.

B2 ChallengeMixed Wish StructuresSpeaking & Debate

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B2YOUR TARGET LEVEL

Your lesson progress0 of 10 sections

Mark a section complete at the end of each activity. Quiz points update when you check your answers.

The storyVocabularyIdiomsReadingWish grammarQuizSpeakingDebateWritingFinal challenge

Frame 1 · The morning after

📱 A message from the past

Read the opening scene. Imagine the atmosphere, the characters and the decision waiting to be made.

Maya woke up in a hotel near the airport.

Their luggage was still missing. Their new flight wasn't until the evening.

Daniel was furious.

Maya wasn't. She was staring at a message on her phone.

“I heard you missed your flight. Call me.”

It was from an old friend she hadn't spoken to in six years.

Warm-up: tell your partner

1. First reaction

How would you feel if your luggage disappeared and your flight was delayed?

2. Your travel style

Do unexpected problems ruin a trip, or can they create opportunities?

3. The message

Why might Maya's old friend be contacting her now?

4. Predict the story

What do you think Maya and Daniel will do next?

Mark Frame 1 complete

Frame 2 · Advanced travel vocabulary

🧳 Travel like a confident B2 speaker

Read the phrase, notice the British pronunciation, then create your own sentence. Ukrainian translations are included for revision.

destination

/ˌdestɪˈneɪʃən/

місце призначення

Lisbon was our final destination.

itinerary

/aɪˈtɪnərəri/

маршрут подорожі, план поїздки

Our itinerary included three cities.

one-way ticket

/ˌwʌn weɪ ˈtɪkɪt/

квиток в один бік

She bought a one-way ticket to Spain.

return ticket

/rɪˈtɜːn ˌtɪkɪt/

квиток туди й назад

I usually buy a return ticket.

travel companion

/ˈtrævəl kəmˌpæniən/

супутник у подорожі

My sister was my travel companion.

tourist attraction

/ˈtʊərɪst əˌtrækʃən/

туристична пам'ятка

The city has many famous tourist attractions.

off the beaten track

/ɒf ðə ˈbiːtən træk/

далеко від туристичних місць; у нетуристичному місці

We wanted to stay somewhere off the beaten track.

travel light

/ˈtrævəl laɪt/

подорожувати без зайвого багажу

When I travel alone, I travel light.

get away

/ɡet əˈweɪ/

поїхати відпочити; вирватися з рутини

I really need to get away for a few days.

wander around

/ˈwɒndə əˌraʊnd/

блукати; гуляти без чіткого плану

We spent the afternoon wandering around the city.

soak up the atmosphere

/səʊk ʌp ði ˈætməsfɪə/

насолоджуватися атмосферою

We sat outside and soaked up the atmosphere.

make the most of

/meɪk ðə məʊst əv/

максимально використати; отримати максимум

We decided to make the most of our extra day.

take a detour

/teɪk ə ˈdiːtʊə/

зробити об'їзд; відхилитися від маршруту

We took a detour through the countryside.

a change of plan

/ə ˌtʃeɪndʒ əv ˈplæn/

зміна плану

The delay forced us to make a change of plan.

Quick vocabulary challenge

Choose the best phrase for each sentence.

1. We had no fixed route, so we decided to ______ through the old town.

make the most wander around take a return

2. We wanted to avoid crowded tourist areas and stay ______.

off the beaten track on a one-way ticket at baggage claim

3. We had one extra day, so we decided to ______ it.

travel light make the most of get a destination

4. Our flight was cancelled, so we had to make ______.

a change of plan an atmosphere a tourist attraction

Your result will appear here.

Mark Frame 2 complete

Frame 3 · Travel idioms

⭐ Sound more natural

have itchy feet

/hæv ˌɪtʃi ˈfiːt/

дуже хотіти подорожувати або змін

After two years at home, I had itchy feet.

travel light

/ˈtrævəl laɪt/

подорожувати налегко

She always travels light.

off the beaten track

/ɒf ðə ˈbiːtən træk/

у нетуристичному, маловідомому місці

We found a beautiful village off the beaten track.

go with the flow

/ɡəʊ wɪð ðə fləʊ/

плисти за течією; діяти за обставинами

We had no fixed plans, so we decided to go with the flow.

make the most of it

/meɪk ðə ˈməʊst əv ɪt/

отримати максимум із ситуації

Our flight was cancelled, so we made the most of it.

a change of scenery

/ə ˌtʃeɪndʒ əv ˈsiːnəri/

зміна обстановки

I need a change of scenery.

once in a lifetime

/wʌns ɪn ə ˈlaɪftaɪm/

раз у житті; унікальний

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

the trip of a lifetime

/ðə ˌtrɪp əv ə ˈlaɪftaɪm/

подорож усього життя

It turned out to be the trip of a lifetime.

B2 challenge: In your next story, use at least two idioms naturally. Don't simply list them — explain what happened and why the expression fits.

Mini speaking task

“I had itchy feet, so I booked a trip off the beaten track. Things didn't go to plan, but I decided to go with the flow…”

Continue the story for 45–60 seconds. Include a problem, a decision and an unexpected result.

Mark Frame 3 complete

Frame 4 · Story

📖 The Unexpected Detour

Maya called her friend.

“I can't believe it's you.”

“Neither can I,” Sarah laughed. “Where are you?”

“At the airport. We missed our connection.”

There was a pause.

“Then don't get on the next flight.”

Maya laughed. “What?”

“I'm serious. Come and stay with me for a few days. I'm only an hour away.”

Maya looked at Daniel.

“We're supposed to be in Lisbon.”

Daniel shrugged. “Technically, we're not supposed to be anywhere right now.”

Maya thought about it. Their hotel in Lisbon could be cancelled. Their luggage would eventually arrive. They had no reason to be at the airport for another eight hours.

“What do you think?” she asked.

Daniel smiled. “Let's go with the flow.”

And so they changed their plans.

Instead of flying to Lisbon, they rented a car and drove into the countryside. They took a detour through small villages, stopped at a tiny restaurant and spent the afternoon wandering around.

By sunset, Maya realised something. She had spent so much time trying to make the perfect trip happen that she had forgotten to enjoy the journey.

She looked at Daniel. “You know what?”

“What?”

“I don't wish we'd caught that flight.”

Daniel smiled. “That's a first.”

Check your understanding

1. Why did Sarah tell Maya not to take the next flight?

She wanted Maya to cancel the entire holiday. She lived nearby and invited them to stay for a few days. She worked at the airport.

2. Why could Maya and Daniel change their plans?

They had eight hours to wait, and their hotel booking could be cancelled. They had already visited Lisbon. Their flight was leaving immediately.

3. What did they do instead?

They stayed in the airport all day. They bought tickets to another continent. They rented a car and explored the countryside.

4. Why did Maya's attitude change?

She realised she had been focusing too much on a perfect plan. She decided travelling was a waste of time. Daniel insisted they return home.

5. What does “go with the flow” mean in this story?

Follow a river. Adapt to circumstances instead of sticking rigidly to a plan. Refuse to make any decision.

Your result will appear here.

Deeper B2 discussion

Was missing the flight a bad thing?

Consider the immediate inconvenience and the unexpected opportunity.

Can a failed plan lead to a better experience?

Give a personal example or invent a convincing scenario.

Itinerary or spontaneity?

Is a detailed itinerary reassuring or restrictive? Does your answer depend on the destination?

What would you regret?

Would you regret missing the flight, or regret not taking the opportunity to see Sarah?

Mark Frame 4 complete

Frame 5 · Grammar masterclass

💭 Wish: all the main structures

We use wish to talk about a situation we would like to be different. The verb form helps show whether the problem is now, in the past, or about something we want to change.

NOW

1. Wish + past simple

For a present situation that is different from what we want.

I wish I had more time.

I wish I were on holiday.

If only I knew the answer!

Шкода, що зараз усе не так, як хотілося б.

PAST REGRET

2. Wish + past perfect

For regret about something that happened or did not happen in the past.

I wish I had booked a direct flight.

I wish I hadn't packed so much.

If only we had left earlier!

Шкода, що раніше я зробив/ла інакше.

DESIRED CHANGE

3. Wish + would

For a change we want, often involving another person's behaviour or an annoying situation.

I wish the airline would answer my email.

I wish my companion would stop complaining.

Хочеться, щоб хтось або щось змінилося.

ABILITY / POSSIBILITY

4. Wish + could

For something we would like to be able to do.

I wish I could stay longer.

If only we could travel more often.

Шкода, що я не можу цього зробити.

🧠 The golden question

Is the problem NOW or in the PAST?

NOW → past simple

I wish I had more money.

I don't have enough money now.

PAST → past perfect

I wish I had saved more money.

I didn't save enough in the past.

Remember: the past form after wish usually expresses distance from reality, not ordinary past time.

Frame 6 · Meaning changes

Sentence A	Sentence B	Difference
I wish I had a window seat.	I wish I had booked a window seat.	A: I don't have one now. B: I didn't book one earlier.
I wish I knew where the airport was.	I wish I had known where the airport was.	A: I don't know now. B: I didn't know then.
I wish Daniel were more organised.	I wish Daniel had been more organised.	A: He isn't organised in general or now. B: He wasn't organised on that occasion.

Frame 7 · Correct the mistakes

Choose the best corrected sentence.

1. “I wish I would have booked a direct flight.”

I wish I had booked a direct flight. I wish I would book a direct flight yesterday. I wish I have booked a direct flight.

2. “If only I would know the answer.”

If only I will know the answer. If only I knew the answer. If only I had know the answer.

3. “I wish I have more time.”

I wish I had more time. I wish I had had more time tomorrow. I wish I would have more time.

4. You regret missing a connection. “I wish we didn't miss the connection.”

I wish we don't miss the connection. I wish we wouldn't miss the connection yesterday. I wish we hadn't missed the connection.

5. You regret that the airline cancelled your flight. “I wish the airline wouldn't have cancelled it.”

I wish the airline hadn't cancelled the flight. I wish the airline didn't cancelled the flight. I wish the airline won't cancel the flight yesterday.

Your result will appear here.

Useful nuance: “I wish you would…” is usually about wanting someone to change their behaviour. For a past regret, use the past perfect: “I wish you had told me earlier.”

Mark Frame 5 complete

Frame 8 · Controlled practice

🧩 Choose the correct form

Decide whether the situation refers to the present, the past, a desired change or an ability.

1. I wish I ______ more time to explore Lisbon. (present situation)

have had had had

2. If only we ______ travel insurance before leaving! (past regret)

bought would buy had bought

3. I wish the airline ______ answering my emails. (desired change)

would start had started started yesterday

4. I wish I ______ speak Italian. (ability)

would could had

5. I wish I ______ a lighter suitcase. Mine is far too heavy now. (present situation)

had packed would pack had

6. I wish I ______ a direct flight. Now I have a six-hour layover. (past regret)

had booked booked would book

7. I wish my travel companion ______ complaining about everything. (desired change)

had stopped yesterday would stop could stopped

8. If only I ______ where the departure gate was! I wouldn't have missed boarding. (past regret)

knew would know had known

Your result will appear here.

Mark Frame 8 complete

Frame 9 · The wish game

🎲 Pick a card and speak

Choose a prompt at random. Make one sentence, then explain why you feel that way. Try to answer without writing first.

CARD 1

It's raining. You forgot your umbrella.

Model: I wish I had brought an umbrella.

CARD 2

You don't speak Italian.

Model: I wish I could speak Italian.

CARD 3

Your friend is always late.

Model: I wish my friend would be on time.

CARD 4

You didn't book travel insurance.

Model: If only I had booked travel insurance.

CARD 5

You don't have enough holiday time.

Model: I wish I had more holiday time.

CARD 6

You didn't take any photos.

Model: I wish I had taken some photos.

CARD 7

Your travel companion complains constantly.

Model: I wish they would stop complaining.

CARD 8

You don't know the flight departure time.

Model: I wish I knew what time the flight left.

🎯 B2 challenge: tell a travel disaster

Tell your partner about a real or imaginary travel disaster. You must include:

5 travel collocations 2 idioms 4 wish / if only sentences 2 past regrets

Possible collocations: miss a connection, catch a flight, flight delay, rebook a flight, lose your luggage, file a claim, ask for compensation, have a layover, go through security, make the most of it.

Mark Frame 9 complete

Frame 10 · Big speaking discussion

🗣️ Travel & life

Choose at least one question from each category. Give reasons, examples and follow-up details rather than short answers.

1. Planning

• Do you plan trips carefully or prefer to improvise?
• Is a detailed itinerary useful or stressful?
• How much research should you do before travelling?

2. Money

• Is it worth paying more for a direct flight?
• Would you choose a cheap flight with a long layover or an expensive direct flight?
• What would you never save money on when travelling?

3. Comfort

• Window seat or aisle seat?
• Carry-on luggage or checked luggage?
• Hotel or Airbnb? Travelling alone or with someone?

4. Adventure

• Would you travel somewhere without making plans?
• Would you take a last-minute flight to a country you've never visited?
• What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?

5. Regret

• Is there a travel decision you wish you'd made differently?
• Have you ever missed an opportunity because you were afraid?
• Can you regret not doing something more than doing it?

Follow-up questions

• What makes you say that?
• Could you give a specific example?
• Would you feel differently in another situation?
• What might someone who disagrees argue?

Useful B2 language

Phrase	Українською
I see your point, but…	Я розумію твою думку, але…
I'm not entirely convinced that…	Я не зовсім переконаний/а, що…
To some extent, I agree.	Певною мірою я погоджуюся.
There's a lot to be said for…	Є багато аргументів на користь…
On the other hand…	З іншого боку…
That said,…	Водночас… / Попри це…
It depends on…	Це залежить від…
From my point of view…	На мою думку…
I'd argue that…	Я б стверджував/ла, що…
That's not necessarily the case.	Це не обов'язково так.

Mark speaking practice complete

Frame 11 · B2 debate

🔥 “The best experiences are the ones you didn't plan.”

Choose a position, then defend it. You may agree, disagree or argue that it depends on the traveller and the circumstances.

🟢 Agree

Spontaneity creates surprises, authentic encounters and memorable stories.

🟡 It depends

A flexible plan may be ideal, but safety, budget and accessibility matter.

🔴 Disagree

Planning reduces stress, protects time and helps avoid expensive mistakes.

Your debate must include: 2 arguments, 1 personal example, 1 counterargument, 1 sentence with I wish, and 1 sentence with If only.

Plan your argument

My position Choose a position…AgreeIt dependsDisagree Argument 1 Argument 2 Personal example Counterargument A wish sentence An If only sentence

Mark debate complete

Frame 12 · Final writing task

📝 The Trip I Wish I'd Taken

Write 220–280 words about a real or imaginary trip. Begin with the exact opening below and develop a clear story with a turning point and reflection.

Start with:

“If only I had known what was going to happen…”

Your writing checklist

220–280 words At least 6 airport or travel expressions 2 × I wish + past simple 3 × I wish + past perfect 1 × If only + past perfect 1 × I wish + would 1 × I wish + could At least 2 travel idioms A clear ending explaining what you learned

Word count0 words

Your word count and language checklist will appear here.

Mark writing complete

Final B2 challenge · Travel consultant

🏆 Choose the best trip

Your friend has £1,500 and two weeks of holiday. They want to travel but can't decide. Give a two-minute recommendation and justify your choice.

✈️ Option A

Three countries

Hotels · Detailed itinerary · More expensive

Багато місць за короткий час, але менше гнучкості й вищі витрати.

🚗 Option B

One country

Carry-on luggage only · Rental car · Almost no plans · Cheaper

Більше свободи та часу на дослідження, без надмірного планування.

🎒 Option C

One-way ticket

Travel light · Hostels · Decide spontaneously · Cheapest

Найбільша спонтанність і найнижча ціна, але більше невизначеності.

Your recommendation must include these phrases

“If I were you, I would…” “I wish you would consider…” “If only you had…” “You might regret…” “The main advantage is…” “The downside, however, is…” “Taking everything into account…”

Plan or write your two-minute recommendation

Consultant tip: Don't simply name the cheapest option. Compare value, time, comfort, flexibility, safety and the traveller's personality. Give one drawback and explain how to manage it.

Complete the final challenge

Save this · Language bank

⭐ The travel language bank

A revision sheet for all three lessons. Use these expressions in speaking and writing.

✈️ Airport

check in · board a plane · get on/off a plane · go through security · take off · land · boarding gate · departure lounge · baggage claim · carry-on luggage · overhead compartment · window seat · aisle seat · make a connection · miss a connection · catch a flight · miss a flight · have a layover

🧳 Problems

flight delay · flight cancellation · rebook a flight · get stranded · lose your luggage · file a claim · ask for compensation · alternative flight · travel insurance

🌍 Travel

destination · itinerary · travel companion · travel light · get away · wander around · take a detour · soak up the atmosphere · make the most of it · off the beaten track · go with the flow · a change of scenery · once in a lifetime · the trip of a lifetime

💭 Wish & regret

I wish I had… → present situation: I wish I had more time.

I wish I could… → ability: I wish I could stay longer.

I wish I knew… → something I don't know now.

I wish they would… → desired change: I wish they would hurry up.

I wish I had done… → past regret.

I wish I hadn't done… → past regret.

If only I had… / hadn't… → strong past regret.

🧠 The key grammar map

Meaning	Structure	Example
I want the present to be different.	wish + past simple	I wish I had more time.
I want to be able to do something.	wish + could	I wish I could travel more.
I want another person or situation to change.	wish + would	I wish he would stop complaining.
I regret something in the past.	wish + past perfect	I wish I had booked a direct flight.
Strong past regret.	If only + past perfect	If only we had left earlier!

Remember this above all:

NOW → past simple

I wish I had more money.

PAST → past perfect

I wish I had saved more money.

Ask yourself: Is the problem NOW or in the PAST? Recycle this distinction until it becomes automatic.

🌍 The journey doesn't have to be perfect.

At B2 level, the goal isn't just to describe what happened. It's to explain why it mattered, consider alternatives, express regret precisely and defend your opinion fluently.

Plan carefully. Stay curious. Go with the flow.

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