Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
Cars can help make our lives easier in so many ways… until they stop working, that is. Anyone whose car broke down on the side of the road, or got a flat tire, or had any other problem, can tell you that it’s no fun to be stranded.
When you have an old car, or a car that’s been in one or more accidents, it’s probably pretty unreliable. You never know when the next part will stop working. Your bank account is probably empty from all the trips to the mechanic.
Even though it’s tough to deal with car issues, especially when you have to pay for repairs out of pocket, it’s probably better than the alternative. People who drive to work or school, for example, can’t get along without their car. So if it breaks, they have to fix it.
Somebody is having problems with her car again. Learn who needs better transportation in this English lesson about cars.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
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Marni: Oh my gosh. My car broke down again!
Amanda: Well, that would explain why you took your bicycle here again.
Marni: Well, I’m really lucky to have my bicycle, because my car is so unreliable. It’s constantly breaking down. And I can’t do any self-repair, so I just have to go back to the mechanic and, once again, deal with my issues. And it’s going to be expensive.
Amanda: That’s kind of scary. Were you stranded on the side of the road all by yourself?
Marni: Luckily I have roadside assistance, so I called and was able to get somebody to come out and help me.
Amanda: Does insurance cover that, or is that out of pocket?
Marni: Luckily I have insurance that covers it because I’m already spending so much money just to make all these repairs.
Amanda: My heart goes out to you because I don’t know how you’re going to get along without it. I need my car.
Marni: Yeah. You know, I’m starting to feel like I might just have to solely commit to biking or get something that’s more reliable, because having a car that breaks down all the time is just not worth it.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
Marni had to bike to her appointment with Amanda because her car broke down again. It’s clear that this is not the first time that Marni’s had car troubles, and it’s starting to make her really frustrated.
Marni complains about how expensive it is to take her car to the mechanic. Even though her insurance does cover roadside assistance, she has to pay for repairs herself.
Amanda understands Marni’s problem because she needs her car, too! She can’t get along without good transportation, and she isn’t sure what Marni will do without a car.
Should Marni buy a better car or just use her bike? Has your car ever broken down?
Comments
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