VII. Suggested activities
1. Tell a friend of yours about places of interest in Washington D.C.
2. Make up dialogues, using expressions from sections IV and V.
Lesson 21
A FENDER BENDER IN CHICAGO
I. NOTE
If all goes well while you are in the States, you will not have to contend with
such an unpleasant situation. However, sometimes there will be the unavoidable accident
and encounter with the police. It is best to remain calm, to explain who you are
and where you are from, and to show any documentation that is requested.
If you've rented a car, be sure that you are familiar with the insurance options.
You may or may not be insured by your agency at home while driving in the U.S.
It is best to look into this before you leave your home. If you do request additional
insurance coverage from the rental agency, you may end up paying $10–15 more per
day.
II. DIALOGUE
First Motorist: What the hell do you think you’re doing?
Second Motorist: Sorry, I didn’t see your turn signal until it was too late to stop.
First Motorist (turning to you): Hey buddy, did you see what happened?
You: Yes, I think so. Why?
First Motorist: I’m going to call the police. You can tell them what you saw. This
jerk ran right in to me. Look at my bumper! It’ll cost $1000 to fix.
Second Motorist: Calm down. It was just one of those things. I have insurance.
You: I really don’t want to get involved.
(A police officer arrives to investigate the accident. The two motorist explain what
happened. The officer turns to you.)
Officer: Can I have your name, address and phone number?
You: Yes, here’s my passport. I’m a foreigner. I’ve come to Chicago on business.
Here’s a contact if you need to get in touch.
(You give the officer the name, address and phone number of a friend of your aunt
whom you’re supposed to look up while you’re in Chicago.)
IV. IDIOMS
Blow It
(fail at something)
How did you do on the history exam?
I think I blew it! There was a section on the Civil War, and that’s the chapter in
the book that I studied the least.
Well, at this point you can’t really be sure that you completely failed the examination.
You must have done okay on the rest of the test.
Perhaps I didn’t fail the entire exam, but I’m sure that I didn’t do well.
Get Away Clean
(escape punishment)
After robbing a neighborhood bank, the robbers sped off in a waiting car and got
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away clean. In spite of all police efforts to apprehend them, the criminals were never
caught and punished for their crime.
Push/Press the Panic Button
(to become anxious or panicky; slang)
I do okay taking tests as long as I don’t push the panic button.
Whatever you do, don’t press the panic button.
Have a Near Miss
(to nearly crash or collide)
The airplanes – flying much too close – had a near miss.
I had a near miss while driving over here.
Have a Screw Loose
(to act silly or crazy; slang)
John is such a clown. He acts like he has a screw loose.
What’s the matter with you? Do you have a screw loose or something?
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