Auto Mechanic
Pre-Listening
Where is the best place to take a car that is having mechanical troubles?
Listen and Read
Listen about auto mechanics and car repairs, answer the questions, and then read along with the audio recording.
Listening Quiz
Select the best answer for each question, then press Check Answers.
Use arrow keys to choose between options within each question.
1. The mechanic checked the car ______.
2. Just determining the problem with the car cost ______.
3. The shop provides a ______-day warranty on parts and labor.
My car was acting up recently and wasn’t running right, so I took it to a mechanic to have it checked. Everytime I tried to start the car, the engine would turn over for a second or two and then die. The mechanic pulled the car into his garage to look things over. The mechanic popped the hood, checked to see if all the hoses and belts were in working order, and then tested the car battery and battery cables.
After taking a look at things for a few minutes and trying to get the car going, the mechanic diagnosed the problem as a bad alternator. He said he could fix the problem by replacing the alternator with a new one ($130) or a rebuilt alternator ($80). Just diagnosing the problem cost $65, and the labor was $50. I asked the mechanic to go ahead and do the repairs, and he said that there was a 30-day warranty on parts and labor. Some mechanics might overcharge you for repairs, but the mechanic I go to is fair and does great work.
Vocabulary and Expressions From the Audio
- acting up (phrasal verb): not working properly or behaving in an unexpected way
- Her car started acting up on the highway, so she took it to a mechanic.
- mechanic (noun): a person who is trained to repair and maintain vehicles and machinery
- The mechanic told her it would take two days to fix the problem with her engine.
- turn over (phrasal verb): in the context of an engine, to start or to begin running
- He turned the key, but the engine wouldn’t turn over.
- look things over (expression): to examine or inspect something carefully
- The mechanic asked her to leave the car so he could look things over and find the problem.
- working order (expression): the condition of functioning correctly and as expected
- After the repairs, the mechanic confirmed that the car was back in working order.
- taking a look (expression): examining or inspecting something, often briefly
- The mechanic said he would start by taking a look at the brakes and the battery.
- diagnosed (verb): identified the cause of a problem or malfunction
- The mechanic diagnosed the problem as a faulty alternator.
- replacing (verb): removing something old or broken and putting a new one in its place
- The mechanic recommended replacing the worn brake pads before they caused further damage.
- labor (noun): the cost charged for the time and work a mechanic spends on a repair
- The total bill included the cost of the new parts as well as the labor to install them.
- repair (noun): the work done to fix something that is broken or not working properly
- The repair took longer than expected because the mechanic had to order a part.
- warranty (noun): a guarantee from a manufacturer or service provider that a product or repair will be fixed at no cost if it fails within a certain period of time
- The repair shop offered a 90-day warranty on all of their work.
- overcharge (verb): to charge someone more money than is fair or reasonable
- She felt the shop had overcharged her, so she got a second opinion from another mechanic.
- fair (adjective): reasonable and appropriate, especially regarding a price or treatment
- He thought the price for the repair was fair given the amount of work involved.
Discussion
What are some common problems people have with their cars that require a professional mechanic to fix? If you had a problem with your car, would you rather take it to a friend who fixes cars or a professional auto mechanic? Explain your reasons.
Role Play
Your car breaks down on a lonely road, and while you’re trying to figure out the problem, a man from a repair shop appears from nowhere and offers to tow your car to his shop and fix it . . . for a “price.” However, to your surprise, the job cost you more than $2,000! Now, tell a friend your story and what the man did to your car and what he promised you.
Online Investigation
Suppose your car needs a tune-up to make it run better. Check online to find out how much this service would cost. Compare two or more auto mechanics to determine the price of the service and years in business. Do you notice any claims by the auto service that might question, including bias?
Online Listening Practice (from www.esl-lab.com):
- Car Repairs: Listening Conversation
- Car Accident: Listening Conversation
- Car Rental: Listening and Vocabulary
- Car Rental: Listening Conversation
- Winter Driving: Avoiding Car Accidents: Video Activity
- Car Wash: Washing and Polishing Your Car: Listening and Reading
- Used Car Dealership: Listening and Reading