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 Lesson
47 - How Can I Help?
In this lesson Pete is fixing his car. Can Anna help
him? She was fixing cars when she was a teenager. |
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Lesson Video
Watch the video and then do the activities on this page. |
Video Script
Anna: Hi, Pete. What are you doing?
Pete: Oh! Hi, Anna. Right now, I am fixing my car.
Anna: How’s it going?
Pete: It’s going … not so good.
Anna: How can I help? I was planning to visit some friends. But if you need
help, I can help. I like helping.
Pete: Anna, I can fix it myself. But thanks.
Anna: Pete, I think I found your problem. These are spark plugs. (holds them up)
Anna: They start the engine.
Pete: I know that, Anna. But there were too many spark plugs … in there. So I
took out the extra ones.
Anna: There are no extras, Pete. You need all of them. Pete, can you fix a car
yourself?
Pete: Well, Anna, last night I was watching the online video course, “You CAN
Fix a Car Yourself!”
Dan: Yes, you CAN fix your car yourself!
Pete: And I watched the first 10 lessons. So, I think I know what I’m doing.
Anna: How many lessons are there?
Pete: Four hundred and fifty.
Anna: 450! That'll take too long! If I fix your car, I'll have it running in 10
to 15 minutes.
Anna: Where’re your tools?
Pete: I have this. (puts a useless tool in her hand). And this. (hands her
another useless tool)
Anna: Great. Um, I’ll get my tools. I’ll be back in a flash!
Pete: But, Anna, I don’t need your ...
(She goes and quickly comes back with tools.)
Pete: … help.
Anna: Pete, when I was a teenager, I was fixing cars -- myself. I learned from a
master.
Anna: You can trust me.
Pete: Okay.
Anna: Great! But we need teamwork. You sit in the car. When I say “go,” you
start the engine.
Anna: Okay, go!
Anna: Stop!
Anna: Okay, go! Huh.
Pete: It's not starting! It’s not starting!
Anna: What’s wrong?
Pete: This car is stupid … stupid, stupid!
Anna: Pete, kicking the tires will not help.
Pete: Well, you did not help, Anna. You did not help!!
Anna: Pete, Pete! Pull yourself together, man. Give me the keys. I must feel the
key in the ignition and turn it myself.
Master: Use the key, Anna. Turn the key, Anna. What are you forgetting, Anna?
Anna: Pete. Pete.
Pete: What?
Anna: You are out of gas.
Pete: I can’t be out of gas. (looks at gauge) I’m out of gas. Sorry, Anna. I’ll
go get some.
Anna: Pete. You relax. Clean your face. You can watch the rest of your online
video course. It’ll be faster if I go … in a flash. Until next time …
Dan (in the online video course): “Lesson 11. Always make sure you have a full
tank of gas!” |
Listening
Now practice listening to only the audio portion of the conversation. |
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Speaking
In this video, learn how to say the new words. Then learn about how to offer and
accept help. |
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Pronunciation
Use this video to learn about the reduced form of "I will" in the future tense. |
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New Words |
- course -
n. a series of classes about a particular
subject in a school
- engine -
n. a machine that changes energy (such as heat
from burning fuel) into mechanical motion
- face -
n. the front part of the head that has the
eyes, nose and mouth on it
- fix -
v. to make (something) whole or able to work
properly again or to repair (something)
- flash -
n. a sudden appearance or occurrence of
something
- ignition -
n. the electrical system in an engine that
causes the fuel to burn so that the engine begins working
- key -
n. a device that is used to open a lock or
start an automobile
- kick -
v. to hit (someone or something) with your foot
- master -
n. a person who has become very skilled at
doing something
- spark plug -
n. a part of an engine that produces a spark
that makes the fuel burn
- stupid -
adj. informal. used to refer to something in an
angry or irritated way
- tank -
n. a container for holding a liquid or gas
- tire -
n. a rubber ring that usually contains air and
that fits around the wheel of a car or bicycle
- tool -
n. something (such as a hammer, saw or shovel)
that you hold in your hand and use for a particular task
- video -
n. a movie, television show or event that has
been recorded so that it can be watched on a television or computer screen
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 Activity
In this lesson, Anna helps Pete fix his car. When was
the last time you helped a friend or family member? What
were they doing when you helped? What were you doing to
help them? Write about it in the Facebook Comments
section below. Then practice talking about common
household problems and offering help.
Click
lesson activity to get the printable PDF version. The
page opens to a new window. |
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Source:
Voice of America |
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Additional
Conversation Lessons |
 Conversation
English conversation lessons. 30
lessons focusing mostly on communication and
grammar topics....these
lessons are for intermediate students. |
 Conversation
This is a collection of 30 situational conversations
which focus on a wide variety of communicative and
natural encounters in English....these
lessons are for beginning students. |
 Conversation
This is a collection of 36 situational conversations
which focus on spoken American English in a relatively
natural way....these
lessons are for intermediate students. |
 Conversation
This is a collection of 30
situational conversations. Each conversation is
accompanied by language notes....these lessons are for
advanced students. |
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