I I. Read and translate the following text: What to Expect at the Airport

I n the ever-changing world of air travel, it can be difficult to know what to expect when you arrive at the airport for your flight. Will you be able to check in quickly or will the line stretch out the door? Will your flight be delayed? And what surprises await you at the airport security checkpoint?

No one can guarantee you a hassle-free trip through the airport, but if you read the following guidelines, it may help you sail smoothly through the airport on your next flight.

Whether you’re flying first class, business class, or economy class, the procedure is pretty much the same. For domestic flights, you should be at the airport at least two hours before your flight is scheduled to leave if you're planning on checking luggage. If you're bringing just a carry-on, allow at least 90 minutes. If you're flying an international destination, arrive at least two hours earlier. During peak travel times, allow even more time at the airport perhaps some extra 30 to 60 minutes.

When you arrive at the terminal building, you’ll find plenty of trolleys for your luggage. Once inside the departure concourse there are check-in desks where your ticket will be checked and you’ll be given a boarding card. Your luggage will be weighted and put on a conveyor belt which takes it to the plane. Please note there is a weight limit and any excess baggage will have to be paid for. You can keep one small bag with you and take it onto the plane as hand luggage. This may be placed into the overhead locker, once you’re on board.

Most airports are equipped with self-service kiosks that make the process of checking in speedier. Even better, you can usually use your airline's Web site to check in online and print your boarding pass at home up to 24 hours before your scheduled departure time. This will not only save your time but can also mean a better selection of seats. However even if you have already checked in for your flight, an airline can cancel your reservation if you are not at the departure gate on time. Similarly, if you do not check your baggage in sufficient time for it to be loaded on your flight, the airline is not responsible for any delay in the delivery of your baggage to your destination.

After the check-in procedure, you should go through passport control, where an immigration officer will look at your passport, and a security check to make sure you are not carrying any dangerous or illegal items. Here you are asked to pass through traditional metal detectors or new full body scanners similar to an X-ray. You also need to put your hand luggage through the x-ray machine. Some items cannot be taken on board as hand luggage (such as knives, aerosol cans etc.) As you pass through security, you may set off the alarm. When this happens, you will undergo a pat-down from a same-gender security officer. However if everything goes smoothly, you’ll find yourself in the comfort of a departure lounge. While you’re waiting for your flight to be called, you may buy some cheap duty-free goods – alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, perfume, electrical goods, or souvenirs.

Soon you’ll hear an announcement or see on the departures board that your flight is boarding. It will also tell you which departure gate to go to. Here you’ll be helped by a ground steward while a flight attendant will direct you to your window or aisle seat on the plane. Flight attendants will also welcome passengers on board, give safety announcements, check seat-belts are fastened, serve meals and drinks to passengers, collect meal trays and empty glasses, offer duty-free goods for sale, give out landing cards and assist passengers leaving the plane.

Once your flight is over, you pass through the immigration control and collect your luggage from the moving conveyor belt in the baggage hall. Then you pass through customs where you should take either the green channel, if you have nothing to declare, or the red channel, if you have to pay import duty. Once inside the arrival concourse, lifts and escalators will take you to all major transport services.