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GENERAL ENGLISH · PRACTICAL ENGLISH · INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

CAR
PROBLEMS
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1 Warm-up

Have you ever broken down? What was the problem?

Usually I forgot check the tyres, so, my problem normally is flat tyre

2 Car vocabulary

Match the words to the pictures.

a car battery a car engine a gear stick an exhaust pipe

a tyre brake pads petrol windscreen wipers

1.windscreen wipers 2.cas Battery 3.tyre 4 petrol

5.car engine 6.an exhaust pipe 7.brake pads 8. Gear stick

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INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

CAR PROBLEMS

3 Why your car might break down

You are going to read a short article about why your car might break down. Before you read, discuss
with a partner what you think some of the top reasons are for your car to break down. Then read the
text to check your answers. Use the lines below to write down your ideas.

My problem always is Flat tyres or damaged wheels

Top reasons why your car might break down

A car breakdown can be an annoying and stressful experience.

It’s easy to prevent a car breakdown. For example, 20% of all breakdowns are caused by a
flat battery, and 10% of the time people can’t start their cars because they have lost their
keys.

You can never be sure when a car will have a problem. The older the car, the more reasons
there are for the car to break down, but new cars can also develop problems.
Here are some of the top reasons why a car might break down:
1. Flat or faulty battery
Driving short distances when you stop and start the car a lot will make the battery go flat.
To prevent this, go on a longer drive in the daytime, and don’t use yours lights, wipers or
heating. This will recharge the battery.
2. Flat tyres or damaged wheels
Measure tyre pressure regularly and also check for damage.
3. Alternator faults
The alternator recharges the battery by using power from the engine. It also provides
power to the electrical parts of the car. This could become faulty or the connection might
fail.
4. Fuel problems
It is quite easy to put the wrong fuel in the car, but if you do, just don’t start the engine!
5. Starter motor
When a driver switches on a car, the starter motor uses electricity from the battery to
start and turn the engine. If it fails, the car won’t start, and you will be stuck.

Match the statements to a reason from the article about why you can’t drive your car. There is one
possible answer for each sentence.

1. "I forgot to switch my lights off when I got out of the car last night." Flat Battery
2. "I put diesel in my car and not unleaded petrol." Fuel Problems
3. "When I try to start the car, nothing happens. The battery is fully charged." Starter Motor
4. "My car moves to the side when I drive and there is a strange noise." Flat Tyres
5. "There is a strong smell coming from under the bonnet of the car." Alternator Faults

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INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

CAR PROBLEMS

4 Servicing a car

A customer goes to a garage to ask about getting her car serviced. Listen to the dialogue and fill in
the gaps.
Mechanic: Good afternoon, how can we help you? Audio

Mrs Hobbs: Good afternoon. My name is Mrs Hobbs. I want to get my car serviced.
Mechanic: Okay, sure. When was the last time it was checked?
Mrs Hobbs: Er, about a year ago.

Mechanic: Okay, then we will give it a FULL 1 service. I have a free SLOT 2 on
Thursday if you have time to bring it then.
Mrs Hobbs: Er, what time?
Mechanic: Erm, around 9am.
Mrs Hobbs: Ah that’s perfect. But I need the car back by Friday morning.
Mechanic: That should be fine. If there is a serious problem with the car though we might need to
order new PARTS 3. Then it will be a bit longer.

Mrs Hobbs: How long does a full service USUALLY 4 take?

Mechanic: About 3 hours. But as I said it DEPENDS 5 if there is a serious problem.

Mrs Hobbs: Well, I think there is a problem. The oil level seems to be dropping so I think there might
be a LEAK 6.

Mechanic: Well, we’ll find out what the MATTER 7 is when you bring the car in.
Mrs Hobbs: Okay, good. I have a few more questions. The last garage I went to charged me a lot to
change the windscreen cleaner LIQUID 8. I hope you do this at a good price.

Mechanic: ABSOLUTELY 9.

Mrs Hobbs: Good. Oh, I have just remembered. The REAR 10 brake light on the left side is
broken.
Mechanic: Don’t worry we’ll fix that.

Mrs Hobbs: And a check on the brake PADS 11 is all part of the price?

Mechanic: Yes, this definitely won’t cost you any EXTRA12. Maybe you just went to an
expensive garage.
Mrs Hobbs: I think you’re right.
Mechanic: I’ve got a good team here so we’ll get the car back to you as soon as possible at a
FAIR 13 price.
Mrs Hobbs: Glad to hear it. See you on Thursday. Goodbye.
Mechanic: Goodbye.

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INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

CAR PROBLEMS

5 Fixing car problems

Put the correct verb into each of the sentences.

charge check recharge repair replace service

1. The mechanic had to take out the old brake pads and REPLACE them with new ones. Theywere
almost worn out.
2. Pedro needs to RECHANGE the crack in his windscreen. It could get much bigger and then he
will need a new one.
3. Amber had to CAHRGE the battery. She hadn’t used her car for a long time.
4. The SERVICE for fixing the car was a lot more than Jamal had expected.
5. The garage said that they would CHECK the oil level and the tyre pressure.
6. Stefan will REPAIR a lot of cars today. His garage is very busy.

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