General Listening Quiz
“Roadside Assistance”
| Level | Topic | Speakers | Length |
| Intermediate | Roadside Assistance | Man – Man | 01:08 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
Have you ever needed roadside assistance? What kinds of situations do you think of when you hear the words “emergency call”? What emergency or survival supplies (including 72-hour kits) might be useful in such situations? Write down three ideas and discuss them with a partner.
Agree or Disagree? Let’s Spark Some Conversation!
These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, moving, and talking! The goal is to explore ideas, share opinions, and get ready for the next part of the lesson.
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In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way? Then, pair students with members of the other group and have students explain their reasons. Rotate partners for more practice.
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In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms. What do others think? Do you agree or disagree with them?
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For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate. This helps you get ready to speak and join real conversations in English. Consider recording your ideas and check your progress.
- Roadside assistance is essential for every driver.
- Paying for roadside assistance is a waste of money for careful drivers.
- Everyone should learn basic car repair instead of relying on roadside assistance.
- Roadside assistance companies are often too slow to respond.
- Membership in a roadside assistance program is better than paying per service.
- Roadside assistance is more useful in rural areas than in cities.
- People rely on roadside assistance too much instead of being self-sufficient.
- Insurance should always include roadside assistance.
- Roadside assistance companies overcharge for minor problems.
- Technology (like apps and GPS) has made roadside assistance less necessary.
Idioms
“get back on one’s feet” = recover physically, emotionally, or financially
“He lost everything in the accident, but he’s slowly getting back on his feet.”
“hit the ceiling” = get very angry
“My dad hit the ceiling when he found out I wrecked the car.”
Listening Exercise
A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.
Vocabulary Practice
Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:
Post-Listening Exercise
How would you have reacted if you had been another passenger in the car? What would you have done to help in this situation? Role play the following situation with a partner. One of you play the part of the 911 operator and the other the caller. Add additional information as needed:
Caller:
You are walking home when you see a house on fire. A woman runs from the house screaming that her 1-year old son is still inside. Several people have suffered minor burns while escaping from the fire. Add additional information as needed.
911 Operator:
You receive an emergency call from someone reporting a fire. Ask questions about the location of the fire, its cause if known, number of injuries, etc.
Online Investigation
Use the internet to search for two different companies that provide roadside assistance in your area:
- What are the names of these companies?
- What services do they provide (e.g., towing, jumping a battery, changing a tire, etc.)?
- How much do these services cost?