Understanding 22
Car Won’t Start
Listen to the following audio
Answer the following questions
What happened when the narrator tried to start the car?
What idiom described the situation?
How did the narrator handle the problem?
Sum up what happened as if you were explaining it to a friend.
Read the transcript if needed
“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.”
How would you use the follow expressions?
Idiom: In a jam – We use this idiom when someone is in a difficult or troublesome situation.
Examples to use:
“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: Deal with – We use this phrasal verb when handling or managing a situation.
Examples to use:
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.”
