The Waiting Hall When you get to your train station, the first thing you are requested to do is to line up to have your personal stuff go through the X-ray machine and carry them on to the other side. Animals, knives, flammable, toxic and explosive goods are forbidden in the train. Now you come to the waiting hall. The waiting hall is, what the word says, a large hall for waiting. Once inside the waiting hall, it is very important to find your right waiting room. In your front above your head, you can see a huge electronic train schedule board providing timely information on the trains in and out. You can recognize your train number, the numbers of your waiting room and the platform to board the train. In the waiting room, chairs are in long rows, and then there are one or two rows for every train. Usually your waiting room is packed with passengers and you have to line up for the ticket checking and follow the throng on to the platform. About 15-30 minutes before the train starts, the announcements of check-in will be broadcasted. The staff on duty will guide passengers to check in and go to the platform. Most waiting halls are teamed with shops. If you need anything for your travel, you can easily find it here-soda, beer, biscuits, cakes, fruits, toilet paper, matches, soaps, phone cards for your mobile or public phones, bags, etc. However, most of the food you will also find on the train and the price is not much different. Some stations have a luggage deposit office, and you may leave your luggage there for some money varying with the deposit time. Make sure you ask if they are open when you want to return. Prices are lower in small stations and higher in large cities. If you have a soft sleeper ticket, there may be a soft seat waiting hall for you, with comfortable chairs and less people. Some stations also have special waiting halls, equipped with TV and free tea. These you can use are for a small fee like 10 RMB. Questions: 1. Which items are not allowed to bring on board? 2. How could you find your waiting room to check in? 3. How could you know that it’s the time for boarding? 4. Could you deposit your luggage free of charge or at any time? 5. Which special services are provided for passengers holding soft sleeper tickets?