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Getting a Car Repaired

Everyday Dialogues
Dialogue Reading
Read the dialogue with your partner a few times. Take turns being each character.
Practice your intonation and pronunciation. Write down any new words or phrases.

Customer:

Do you have time to look at my car today?

Car Mechanic:

Sure. What seems to be the problem?

Customer:

I need new brakes. They are squeaking badly.

Car Mechanic:

Okay. Is it your front or rear brakes?

Customer:

Im not sure. Its also due for an oil change.

Car Mechanic:

No problem. Ill take a look at it right now. Have you been here before?

Customer:

Yes. I had my muffler replaced a few months ago.

Car Mechanic:

Okay. That means we already have your contact information on file. Whats your
license plate number?

Customer:

TIKE 425. Its a blue pickup truck.

Car Mechanic:

Perfect. If you have the keys, well get started.

Customer:

How long do you think it will take?

Car Mechanic:

We should have it ready for you by 5 oclock. Ill call you when its ready.

Copyright 2012, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms.

Getting a Car Repaired


Everyday Dialogues

Practice
Work with your partner. Role-play the dialogue, substituting the different expressions
below. Then reverse roles.

What seems to be the problem?


How can I help you?
What can I do for you today?
What brings you in today?

I need new brakes.


I need a new muffler.
My car wont start.
My car is making a loud sound.
My windshield wipers are broken.
My air conditioner isnt working.
I need an oil change.

Have you been here before?


Is this your first time here?
Are you a regular customer?

Whats your license plate number?


What type of vehicle is it?
Whats the model?
What year is your car?
How long do you think it will take?
When will you be done?
How long is the ride to the city center?

Is it your front or rear brakes?


!
front or back end?
!
passenger or driver side?
!
left or right side?
!
hood or trunk area?

We should have it ready for you by 5 oclock.


It will be done by morning.
Well have it for you in 15 minutes.
It should take about an hour.

Its also due for an oil change.


It needs winter tires, too.
Its also time to get the brakes checked.

Ill call you when its ready.


Well give you a call when were done.
Well let you know when its time to pick it up.

Copyright 2012, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms.

Getting a Car Repaired


Everyday Dialogues

Vocabulary
Match the words or expressions on the left with the correct meanings on the right.

___brakes

a. a vehicle with an open back that doesnt have seats

___muffler

b. the car part that makes the car run quietly

___license plate

c. the sign you place on the front and back of the car that has an
identification number for your vehicle

___mechanic

___rear

___hood

___pickup truck

___model

___trunk

d. a person who fixes vehicles


e. the back
f. the part that covers the front of a car and houses the engine
(bonnet in UK)
g. the type of car from a certain brand
h. the part that makes the car stop
i. the storage area in the back of a vehicle

Copyright 2012, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms.

Getting a Car Repaired


Everyday Dialogues

Dialogue Building
Complete the dialogue below with appropriate expressions.

Customer: !

Hello. Is there someone available to look at my vehicle today?

Car Mechanic: ! !

Sure. What __________ to be the problem?

Customer: !

The windshield wipers arent working.

Car Mechanic: ! !

I can certainly have a ___________ at them.

Customer: !

Thanks. How long _______________________?

Car Mechanic: ! !

Ill have a look right now. It should only take a few minutes to see what the problem is.

Customer: !

Thanks. I also need an ________ change.

Car Mechanic: ! !

I can do that. Have you _____________ before?

Customer: !

Yes. I was here to have my brakes _________ last month.

Car Mechanic: ! !

Okay. We should have your information on _______.

Customer: !

Yes. Its a red minivan.

Car Mechanic: !!

Whats the license ________ number?

Customer: !

Hmm. Im not sure. Ill go check.

Copyright 2012, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms.

Getting a Car Repaired


Everyday Dialogues

Write Your Own Dialogue


Write a dialogue with a partner using phrases from page 2. Practice and present the
dialogue to your class.

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Copyright 2012, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms.

Getting a Car Repaired


Everyday Dialogues

Answer Key
Lesson Description:

Vocabulary
1. h

4. d

7. a

2. b

5. e

8. g

3. c

6. f

9. i

A customer wants to get his car


repaired. The customer and the
mechanic have a conversation about
the cars problems. Students learn
vocabulary and expressions to use
when taking a car to a mechanic.

Dialogue Building
These are suggestions. Your students may choose other words that fit.
Customer: Hello. Is there someone available to look at my vehicle today?
Car Mechanic: Sure. What seems to be the problem?
Customer: The windshield wipers arent working.
Car Mechanic: I can certainly have a look at them.
Customer: Thanks. How long will it take?
Car Mechanic: Ill have a look right now. It should only take a few minutes to see what the problem is.
Customer: Thanks. I also need an oil change.
Car Mechanic: I can do that. Have you been here before?
Customer: Yes. I was here to have my brakes checked last month.
Car Mechanic: Okay. We should have your information on file.
Customer: Yes. Its a red minivan.
Car Mechanic: Whats the license plate number?
Customer: Hmm. Im not sure. Ill go check.

Spelling Note: This lesson shows the American spelling of the words Practice (Noun or Verb) and License (N or V). Most
other English-speaking countries spell these words this way: Practice (N), Practise (V), Licence (N), and License (V).
Outside of the US, license plate is spelled licence plate. Also, a cars engine is known as a bonnet in the UK.

Copyright 2012, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms.

Copyright 2012, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL-library.com in accordance with membership terms.

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