Frustration at the Airport

I had never been more anxious in my life. I had just spent the last three endless hours
trying to get to the airport so that I could travel home. Now, as I watched the bus driver set my
luggage on the airport sidewalk, I realized that my frustration had only just begun.

This was my first visit to the international terminal of the airport, and nothing was
familiar. I could not make sense of any of the signs. Where was the check-in counter? Where
should I take my luggage? I had no idea where the immigration line was. I began to panic. What
time was it? Where was my place? I had to find help because I could not be late!

I tried to ask a passing businessman for help, but my words all came out wrong. He just
scowled and walked away. What had happened? I had been in this country for a whole semester,
and I could not even remember how to ask for directions. This was awful. Another bus arrived
at the terminal, and the passengers came out carrying all sorts of luggage. Here was my chance.
I could follow them to the right place, and I would not have to say a word.

I dragged my enormous suitcase behind me and followed the group. We finally reached
the elevators. They all fit in it, but there was not enough room for me. I watched I despair as the
elevator doors closed. I had no idea what to do next. I got on the elevator when it returned and
gazed at all the buttons. Which one could it be? I pressed button 3. The elevator slowly climbed
up to the third floor and jerked to a stop. A high, squeaking noise announced the opening of the
doors, and I looked around timidly.

Tears formed in my eyes as I saw the deserted lobby and realized that I would miss my
plane. Just then an elderly airport employee shuffled around the corner. He saw that I lost and
asked if he could help. He gave his handkerchief to dry my eyes as I related my predicament. He
smiled kindly and led me down a long hallway. We walked up some stairs, turned a corner, and,
at last, there was customs! He led me past all the lines of people and pushed my luggage to the
inspection counter.

When I turned to thank him for all his help, he was gone. I will never know that kind
man’s name, but I will always remember his unexpected courtesy. He helped me when I needed
it the most. I can only hope that one day I will be able to do the same for another traveler who is
suffering through a terrible journey.

Source: Great Writing 4: Great Essay by National Geographic Learning.

Exercise 1

Below is an outline for “Frustration at the Airport.” Some of the information is missing. Reread
the essay and complete the outline.

Title:

Introduction (Paragraph 1)

a. Attention-getter: I had never been more anxious in my life. I had just spent the last the
endless hours trying to get to the airport so that I could travel home.
b. Thesis statement: ___

Body

Event 1 (Paragraph 2)

Topic sentence: This was my first visit to the international terminal of the airport, and nothing
was familiar.

Supporting sentences:

a. The signs were confusing.

b. I began to panic.
c. Transition sentence: ___

Event 2 (Paragraph 3)

Topic sentence: ___

Supporting sentences:

a. He scowled and walked away.

b. I could not remember how to ask for directions.
c. ___
d. Transition sentence: __

Event 3 (Paragraph 4)

Topic sentence: I dragged my enormous suitcase behind me and followed the group.

Supporting sentences:

a. ___
 b. I got on the elevator and looked at the buttons.
c. ___
d. Transition sentence: ___

Event 4 (Paragraph 5)

Topic sentence: Tears formed in my eyes as I saw the deserted lobby and realized that I would
miss my airplane.

Supporting sentences:

a. An airport employee offered to help.

b. ___
c. ___
d. Transition sentence: He led me past all the lines of people and pushed my luggage to the
inspection counter.

Conclusion (Paragraph 6)

a. Close of the action: ___

b. I will never know his name, but I will always remember his unexpected courtesy.
c. ___
d. Final sentence (moral, prediction, or revelation): ___
 For Fun and Profit

by Jen Rossi

My first experience selling items at a flea market was both fun and profitable. In fact, it
led to a hobby that is also a continuing source of extra money. That first time took a lot of work,
but the routine I established then has made each flea marker easier.

The first step in the process is to call to reserve a spot at the flea marker. Then I recruit a
helper – usually my brother or one of my roommates – we get to work.

The next step is sorting through all the items I managed to accumulate since the last flea
market. My helper comes in handy here, encouraging me to sell ugly or useless things I may want
to hold on to. We make three piles – keep, sell, and trash – and one by one, we place every item
in a pile. Before we decide to sell or throw an item, I check with all my roommates to make sure
I am not accidentally throwing out one of their prized possessions.

Next comes pricing items for sale, which is actually the hardest step for me. It is always
difficult to accept the fact that I might have to set a low price for something that has sentimental
value for me (a giant stuffed animal, for example). It is just as hard to set a high price on the ugly
lamp or old record album that might turn out to be someone’s treasure. At my first flea market,
I returned with a lot of unsold items, and I later realized I had sold other items too cheaply. I
never made these mistakes again.

The next step is my least favorite: packing up items to be sold. I usually borrow my friend’s
van for the heavy items, such as boxes of books or dishes. The small items (knickknacks, silk
flower, stray teaspoons) can be transported in my brother’s car.

The final steps in my preparation take place on the day before the event. I borrow a couple
of card tables from friends of my parents. Then, I go to the bank and get lots of dollar bills and
quarters, and I collect piles of newspaper and plastic supermarket bags. Now, my planning is
complete.

On the day of the flea market, I get up early, and my helper and I load the two vehicles.
When we arrive at the site where the event is to be held, one of us unloads the cars. The other
person sets things up, placing small items, such as dishes and DVDs, on the card tables and large
items, such as my parents’ old lawnmower, on the ground near the tables.
 Then, the actual selling begins. Before I can even set up our tables, people start picking
through my things, offering me cash for picture frames, pots and pans, and video games. We
develop a system as the day goes on: one of us persuades buyers that the old meat grinder or
vase is just what they have been looking for, and the other person negotiates the price with
prospective buyers. Then, while one of us wraps small items in the newspapers or bags we
brought and helps carry large items to people’s cars, the other person takes the money and makes
change.

Finally, at the end of the day, I count my money and give a share to my helper. We then
load all the unsold items into the car and van and bring them back to my apartment. We store
them in the back of my closet so it will be easy to pack them up again for the next flea market.

Source: Writing First with Readings: Practice in Context

Exercise 2

Read “For Fun and Profit” carefully. Answer the following questions based on the passage.

1. Underline the thesis statement of “For Fun and Profit”. Rewrite it by using your own
words.
2. Write the topic sentence of each body of paragraph (paragraph 2-8) by using your own
words.
3. If you can change or add some points or ideas in the concluding paragraph (paragraph 9),
what would it be? You don’t have to write it in a sentence, but you may do it in a list of
point.

Exercise 3

Select one topic from each type of essay and make the outline. Please do it as in Practice 1. You
can make it point-by-point of ideas or full sentences like in Practice 1.

Narration:

a. Tell about an important historical event (in your country or the world).
b. Describe how you get through your days during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Process:

a. Explain your own writing process (it could be any types of writing, such as research
reports).
b. Describe your self-improvement program (past, present, or future).