Lesson 38 – Dealing with a Lost Passport or Wallet
🎯 Lesson goal
You will practise explaining a lost passport or wallet situation. You will learn how to ask for help and find solutions.
💬 Travel dialogue
🧳 Hello, I lost my passport and wallet. Can you help me?
👮 I’m sorry to hear that. When did you lose them?
🧳 I think I lost them at the airport this morning.
👮 Do you remember where exactly you last saw your passport and wallet?
🧳 I had them at the security checkpoint, but I don’t have them now.
👮 Please fill out this form with your details. We will check the lost and found office.
🧳 Thank you. Can I get temporary travel papers if they are not found?
👮 Yes, you can. You will also need to contact your embassy for a replacement passport.
🧳 Where is the nearest embassy? I need to go there as soon as possible.
👮 The embassy is about 10 minutes by taxi from here. I can give you the address.
🧳 That would be great. Should I also file a police report?
👮 Yes, please visit the police station near this office to report the loss.
🧳 Thank you very much for your help and information.
👮 You’re welcome. Stay calm and follow these steps. It will be easier to replace your documents.
🧠 Explanation
This lesson helps you practise how to explain that you lost your passport or wallet. You learn useful phrases to ask for help and find solutions when travelling. It builds your confidence to handle this problem calmly.
🧳 Survival English
🧳 I lost my passport. (Ask for help)
🧳 Where is the lost and found office? (Ask for location)
🧳 Can I get a temporary passport? (Ask about options)
💡 Common English mistake
❌ I lost my passport, can help me?
✅ I lost my passport. Can you help me?
🔊 Pronunciation
Practice the ‘th’ sound in ‘with’ and ‘this’ by placing your tongue gently between your teeth and blowing air.
🌍 Travel tip
Always carry a photocopy or digital copy of your passport and wallet documents. It helps speed up reporting if they get lost.
🎧 Listen and repeat
🎧 Hello, I lost my passport and wallet. Can you help me?
🎧 I think I lost them at the airport this morning.
🎧 I had them at the security checkpoint, but I don’t have them now.
🎧 Thank you. Can I get temporary travel papers if they are not found?
🎧 Where is the nearest embassy? I need to go there as soon as possible.
🎧 Should I also file a police report?
🎧 Thank you very much for your help and information.
🧩 Mini Practice
Repeat these sentences aloud.
Say: I lost my passport and wallet.
Ask: Can you please help me find them?
Say: I last had my passport at the security checkpoint.
Ask: Do I need to fill out a form?
Ask: Where is the lost and found office?
Ask: Can I get temporary travel documents?
Say: I want to contact my embassy for a new passport.
Ask: How can I report the loss to the police?
Say: Please give me the address of the nearest embassy.
Say: Thank you for your help and information.
🧳 Glossary
| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| passport | An official document to prove your identity and nationality when travelling. |
| wallet | A small case where you keep money and important cards. |
| lost and found office | A place where lost items are collected and can be claimed. |
| temporary travel documents | Special papers given by authorities when your passport is lost. |
| embassy | The office of your country in a foreign place, helping travelers. |
| report a loss | To officially tell the police or authorities that something is missing. |
| form | A paper or document where you write information to explain a situation. |
| police station | A place where police officers work and where you report problems. |
✅ Quick check
Can you understand the dialogue and repeat the important sentences?