Gas Station
Pre-Listening
Do you drive a car? Where do you usually fill your car with gas? Is there a specific place that you usually go to or do you look for the lowest prices?
Listen and Read
Listen to the recording, answer the questions, 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. In the past, gas stations would __________ the oil, check the air pressure, and clean our windows.
2. The man is thinking about ________ instead of driving his car.
When I need gas for my car, I pull into a gas station right around the corner from my house and use my gas card. Years ago, full-service gas stations were very common. The gas station attendant would put gas in your car, check the oil level in your engine and air pressure in your tires, and wash your windows. However, things have changed. Now, most gas stations are self-service centers where you do all your car maintenance. Personally, I usually fill the car up with gas every time I stop. I generally pay with cash, but more and more gas stations accept credit cards, and you can pay at the gas pump outside without going into the station to pay the cashier directly. Now, because gas prices are on the rise, I’m thinking about buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle or just taking the bus to work.
Vocabulary and Expressions From the Audio
- gas (noun): short for gasoline, a liquid fuel used to power vehicles; in the US and Canada, this is commonly called gas, while in some other English-speaking countries it is known as petrol
- She stopped at the station to fill up the car with gas before the long drive.
- gas station (noun): a place where people can buy fuel for their vehicles
- He pulled into the gas station to fill up his tank and grab a bottle of water.
- attendant (noun): a person who works at a gas station and assists customers with fueling or other services
- The attendant came out to pump the gas and check the tire pressure.
- maintenance (noun): the regular work done to keep a vehicle or machine in good working condition
- Routine maintenance, such as oil changes and tire rotations, helps extend the life of a car.
- accept (verb): to be willing to take something as a form of payment or to agree to receive something
- The gas station accepted all major credit and debit cards at the pump.
- credit card (noun): a card issued by a bank or financial company that allows you to buy things now and pay for them later
- She paid for her gas with a credit card directly at the pump.
- gas pump (noun): the machine at a gas station used to dispense fuel into a vehicle
- He pulled up to the gas pump, swiped his card, and selected the fuel grade.
- on the rise (expression): increasing or going up, often referring to prices or costs
- With gas prices on the rise, many people started looking for more fuel-efficient vehicles.
- fuel-efficient (adjective): describing a vehicle that uses less fuel to travel the same distance, saving money and reducing emissions
- She traded in her old truck for a smaller, more fuel-efficient car to save money on gas.
Discussion
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of full- and self-service gas stations?
Online Investigation
Search the internet for five ways that individual consumers can conserve gasoline as they drive. Compare your responses with a partner.
Online Listening Practice (from www.esl-lab.com):
- Gas Station (Video)
- Car Rental
- Car Accident
- Winter Driving: Avoiding Car Accidents (Video)
- Driver’s License: Rules for Using the Car (Video)