Lesson 33: Going on a Road Trip

12 Apr

12Apr

DIALOGUE

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Family. First, read the following dialogue out loud with your tutor, then switch roles and try again.

Emily and Devin are talking about going on a road trip.

Emily: Devin, are you ready to hit the road?

Devin: Yes, let’s pack up and start our road trip.

Emily: Long-distance travel can be boring, but I’m glad we’re going together.

Devin: Me too. Are we going to drive on the highway?

Emily: Yes, it’s a toll road so we need to make sure we have some cash.

Devin: I have some. Can we make pit stops along the way? I have a small bladder.

Emily: There are plenty of rest areas on the highway.

Devin: Cool! Rest stops usually have vending machines, in case we get hungry or thirsty.

Emily: I just hope we don’t get stuck in traffic.

Devin: Ugh, I hate traffic. Are we there yet?

VOCABULARY

Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.

Vocabulary/ Expressions

hit the road

(phrase) to start traveling
Let’s hit the road so we are not late.

pack up

(v – phrase) gather all your things and get ready for travel
Let’s pack up and leave.

long-distance

(adj) traveling a long way
A long-distance trip by car can be boring.

highway

(n) a high-speed road, especially one connecting two cities
People can drive faster on the highway.

toll road

(n) a road that drivers must pay to use
The toll road costs $10 one way.

pit stops

(n – plural) informal; a place to take a rest on a trip
We will have to take a few pit stops on our road trip.

rest areas

(n – plural) a place alongside the road with restrooms and picnic tables
The highway has plenty of rest areas.

vending machines

(n – plural) a machine from which you can purchase food, drinks, etc.
The vending machines have lots of snacks.

stuck in traffic

(phrase) to wait in your car because of a traffic jam or accident
I don’t like being stuck in traffic.

Are we there yet?

(complete sentence) a question normally asked by young children on a road trip
The children kept asking if we were there yet, and it drove us crazy!

EXERCISE

Practice answering the following questions with your tutors. You can use the sample answers to come up with your own answer.

Why do people take road trips?
1. In my opinion, people go on road trips for business or to see new places.
2. Some people don’t like to fly so they travel by car.
3. Your answer:
What are some things people take along on a long-distance road trip?
1. I always take plenty of water.
2. I take along some toilet paper and hand cleanser.
3. Your answer:
Tell me a place you would like to go on a road trip in your country.
1. I want to travel from Pennsylvania to Arizona.
2. I want to go to Washington DC because there are lots of things to do.
3. Your answer:
What are some things people do on a road trip in the car?
1. My friends and I like to sing.
2. My children like to watch movies on their laptops.
3. Your answer:
What are some things you can see on the highway?
1. There’re a lot of traffic signs.
2. Sometimes, I see dead animals.
3. Your answer:

CONVERSATION

Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.

Do you like to go on road trips? Why or why not?
Do you have rest areas in your country? If yes, what services do they offer? If no, do you think there should be?
What do you do when you are stuck in traffic?
Do you buy food and drinks from vending machines? Why or why not?
Do you think all roads should be toll roads? Why or why not?

WRAP-UP

Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.

Lesson 33: Going on a Road Trip

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