LISTEN with understanding
→ After listening to the recording, sum up what you heard in a few sentences. You can use the questions to help you summarize. Read the transcript if needed.

Car Won’t Start

Sum up what was said by answering the following questions. The final summary should be in sentence form.

  1. What happened when the narrator tried to start the car?

  2. What idiom described the situation?

  3. How did the narrator handle the problem?

IDIOM USE

In a jam – We use this idiom when someone is in a difficult or troublesome situation.

Ways we use it:

  1. Transportation: car problems or delays.

  2. Work: missing deadlines.

  3. Daily life: any tough problem.

Examples:

  • “I was really in a jam when my car broke down.”

  • “She’s in a jam because she forgot her homework.”

  • “We were in a jam until help arrived.”

PHRASAL VERB USE

Deal with – We use this phrasal verb when handling or managing a situation.

Ways we use it:

  1. Facing problems calmly.

  2. Handling responsibilities.

  3. Managing people or issues.

Examples in different tenses:

  • Present: “I always deal with problems quickly.”

  • Past: “She dealt with the complaint yesterday.”

  • Continuous: “They are dealing with the repairs now.”

  • Future: “We will deal with the paperwork tomorrow.”

TRANSCRIPT

“This morning, I rushed outside, already late for work, and turned the key in my car. Nothing happened. I tried again, but the engine refused to start. I realized I was in a jam, stuck without transportation and running out of time. After taking a deep breath, I decided I had to deal with the situation calmly. I called my boss to explain, then phoned a mechanic who could come check the battery. While waiting, I arranged a ride from a neighbor. It wasn’t the smooth morning I wanted, but handling each step carefully helped me stay composed and find solutions.”