- What
is the legal driving age in your country, and how does it compare to other
countries?
- Are
there any specific rules or customs related to driving in your culture
that might be different from other places?
- How
do you think the culture and attitudes towards driving vary around the
world?
- Share
a memorable or funny experience you've had while learning to drive or
driving.
- What
are the biggest challenges for new drivers in your country?
- What
are some common traffic regulations in your country that drivers must
follow?
- Are
there any road safety concerns that are particularly relevant in your
culture?
- How
do you deal with road rage or aggressive drivers in your area?
- Have
you ever driven in a foreign country? What was the experience like?
- Do
you think autonomous (self-driving) cars will become popular in your
country?
- What
are some cultural differences in road etiquette or driving habits that
you've noticed while traveling?
- Share
your thoughts on distracted driving and the use of smartphones while
driving.
- What
are some common road signs and symbols in your country, and what do they
mean?
Expressions
- Hit
the road: To begin a journey or trip.
- We
need to hit the road early tomorrow to avoid traffic.
- Backseat
driver: Someone who gives unwanted advice or criticism to the driver.
- My
mom is such a backseat driver; she's always telling me how to drive.
- Pull
over: To move to the side of the road and stop the vehicle.
- The
police officer asked me to pull over for speeding.
- Speed
up: To accelerate and drive faster.
- You
should speed up if you want to make it to the appointment on time.
- Drop
off: To leave someone or something at a particular place, usually by
car.
- I'll
drop you off at the airport on my way to work.
- Run
out of gas: To completely use up all the fuel in the tank.
- We
ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere, and it took hours for help to
arrive.
- Get
stuck in traffic: To be caught in a traffic jam or congestion.
- I
got stuck in traffic for an hour on my way to the concert.
- Drive
someone up the wall: To annoy or irritate someone significantly.
- Her
constant complaints about my driving were driving me up the wall.
______________________
Conversation 1
Situation: Jane and Andrew have an accident on campus.
Jane: Hey, Andrew. I haven’t seen you for a while. What’s new?
Andrew: Hi, Jane. Yes, I’ve been busy with classes.
Jane: Yes, me too. Are you busy right now?
Andrew: No, I’m free for half an hour. Do you want to get some
coffee at the Cafe?
Jane: Sure. That sounds great!
Andrew: Okay. Let’s take my car. I need to hurry though because I
have class soon.
Jane: Andrew, don’t you think you should slow down? You’re
tailgating the car in front of you.
Andrew: Don’t worry. Nothing will happen.
Jane: Stop! Oh, no! You hit his car! Pull over on the side of the
road.
Andrew: I should have listened to you! Now I’ll have to pay
for the damages.
Professor Higgs: Andrew, you hit my car. There are scratches on the
back and it is missing paint.
Andrew: I’m very sorry, Dr. Higgs. I should not have tailgated.
I’ll pay for the damages.
Professor Higgs: Thank you. I hope you drive more safely in the
future.
Andrew: I’ll be more careful next time. Please send me the bill for
the repairs.
Professor Higgs: Okay. See you in class.
Andrew: See you.
Conversation 2
Situation: Lucy helps Patrick find the Science Building at the
University.
Patrick: Excuse me, do you know where the Chemistry Building is?
Lucy: No. Are you a new student at the University?
Patrick: Yes. I just moved here from the U.S. I’m on my way to
class, and I’m lost.
Lucy: Oh, no! I don’t know where that building is, but I can help
you find it.
Patrick: Really? Thank you so much. My name is Patrick. What’s
yours?
Lucy: I’m Lucy. It’s nice to meet you! My car is over there. I’ll
drive.
Patrick: Thank you for offering to help me. This university has a
huge campus.
Lucy: Yes. It’s very big. Do you want to put your books in the
boot?
Patrick: I’m sorry. I don’t understand. What is the boot?
Lucy: It’s the storage area in the back of a car. What do you
call it in America?
Patrick: We call it a trunk.
Lucy: Interesting. Okay. Let’s go.
Patrick: Sorry, but aren’t you in the wrong lane?
Lucy: No, we drive in the left lane in England.
Patrick: Really? I never noticed.
Lucy: I’m going to stop here and ask for directions. I’ll be right
back.
Patrick: Sure.
Lucy: Okay. The man said we should drive straight and the Chemistry
Building will be on our right.
Patrick: Look! There it is!
Lucy: Excellent. I hope you won’t be late for class.
Patrick: No. I’m right on time. Thanks for the ride, Lucy!
Lucy: No worries!
Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks
In this first ESL driving conversation exercise you need to read the
following conversation and decide which option (A-D) should fill each of the 5
gaps. Once you have finished you can see your score and the correct answers by
clicking the get score button.
Situation: Bob helps Tui practice for her driving test.
Tui: Hey, Bob. _________(1)_________?
Bob: Hello, Tui. I’m doing fine. How about you?
Tui: I’m doing well. I’m going to take my driving test tomorrow,
and I need to practice.
Bob: I see. _________(2)_________?
Tui: Yes, that would be great! Where can I practice?
Bob: I think the university campus is a good place. There are lots
of turns and places to practice parking.
Tui: Yes, that’s a good idea. Let’s go.
Bob: Okay. Put your seat belt on and look at your rearview mirror
before you back up.
Tui: Sure. _________(3)_________?
Bob: Turn the steering wheel to the left. Good job! Now, turn
on your right blinker and turn right.
Tui: Okay. _________(4)_________. I can use the parking lot
ahead.
Bob: Great. Slow down a little and pull in to a parking space.
Tui: Right. I’ll park beside the red convertible.
Bob: Perfect. You’re a great driver, Tui. You will do well on the
driving test.
Tui: _________(5)_________. I have to go to class now. See
you later.
Bob: Okay. Bye.
ESL Driving Conversation
Choose the best option (A-D) in the following
five questions to fill in the blanks in the driving conversation given above.
