ESL Podcast 554 – An Emergency Airplane Landing

I was nearly asleep in my seat when I heard this announcement:

“Folks, this is the captain speaking from the cockpit. We are experiencing a lot of turbulence¹ and I’m turning on the fasten seatbelt sign. Please remain in your seats.”

I didn’t think anything of it until a few minutes later when I heard this announcement:

“This is your captain speaking again. Due to extreme weather conditions, we may need to make an emergency landing. The cabin crew will review the emergency procedures, and give you instructions on how to use the floatation devices and the oxygen masks. Please stay calm.”

This is when I started to freak out. What if we crash-land? What if we dive into the ocean? Who would rescue us here in the middle of nowhere?

Then, I heard this announcement:

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the captain again. It seems that we had an instrument malfunction², and no emergency landing will be necessary. Sorry to alarm you, and please go back to sleep.”

Go back to sleep?! Is he kidding? How can anyone sleep after that?! I’m still watching my life flash before my eyes!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 turbulence   

n.喧嚣，狂暴，骚乱，湍流

参考例句：

• The turbulence caused the plane to turn over.空气的激流导致飞机翻转。
• The world advances amidst turbulence.世界在动荡中前进。

2 malfunction   

vi.发生功能故障，发生故障，显示机能失常

参考例句：

• There must have been a computer malfunction.一定是出了电脑故障。
• Results have been delayed owing to a malfunction in the computer.由于电脑发生故障，计算结果推迟了。