Daily Life - Car Trouble (C0221)

A: Car trouble center. How may I help you?
B: My car won't start! Stupid old car!
A: Hold on, before you kick your car let's go through some possible problems.
B: Fine.
A: Ok, first of all, can you turn the key in the ignition?
B: Yeah! I am here with my friend and he thinks it may be the spark plug or the starter motor.
A: Those are possible problems, but tell me, when you turn the key, do you hear the starter motor crank?
B: Yeah, it sounds like it usually does when I start the car, but nothing else happens. The engine won't start. Should I maybe press the accelerator?
A: No. If you step on the accelerator pedal you can flood the carburetor and your car will never start.
B: So what do you think it is?
A: I know this may seem like a silly question, but does your car have gasoline?
B: Umm. yeah! Right! I got the car started! Thanks for your help! I told you to fill the tank!

Key Vocabulary

go through look at (something) in a careful way
ignition a device to start up the car
spark plug electrical device that ignites the gas by electric
starter motor an electric motor for starting an engine
crank to start (an engine, motor, etc.)
engine the device which helps cars getting running
accelerator a pedal that controls the throttle valve
carburetor mixes air with gasoline vapor prior to explosion

Supplementary Vocabulary

to stall when a car's engine will not start
brakes the mechanism which stops the car
gas tank the tank which carries the car's gasoline
seat belt the strap which protects from an accident
tow truck a service which repairs or retrieves a broken car

Online Review and Discussion .   ©2010 Praxis Language Ltd.