Fun Easy English - new american english standard conversation Voice of America VOA learning English for beginners lesson 47 How Can I Help? discourse.

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Home - Conversation - Let's Learn English Lesson 47

Conversation Lesson 47

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.

Speaking

In this video, learn how to say the new words. Then learn about how to offer and accept help.

Pronunciation

Use this video to learn about the reduced form of "I will" in the future tense.

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

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.

Source: Voice of America

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