on_a_roll

HEADLIGHT: a clear light mounted on each side of the front of vehicle

TAIL LIGHT: a red warning light mounted on each side of the back of a vehicle

DRIVING RECORD: the information stored in a computer at the Department of Motor Ve­ hicles that says if you have been in accidents, have moving violations or parking tickets

A FINE: money paid as a penalty for doing something wrong or against the law

TO SIGN OFF: to approve something with an official signature; to say goodnight or good­ bye «_ —

JUST ISN'T YOUR NIGHT (DAY): this is a bad time for you; you are not lucky right now

TO PUT SOMETHING MILDLY: to understate something; to make something sound less serious than it is

CRAZIES: crazy people; people who act strangely

NOTHING TO SNEEZE AT: something that is important; something that has more signifi­ cance than it is given

I'D: I would (This expression is common in fast, casual speech.)

IN ONE PIECE: not damaged or harmed; safe and well

TO TAKE A RISK: to take a chance; to do something that may not be completely safe

TO PART WITH (SOMETHING OR SOMEONE): to give something up; to relinquish something; to let someone go

Έ Μ : them (This pronunciation is common in fast, casual speech. When you are writing, it should be written as them.)

THE TRAFFIC TICKET

Fred: Boy, you can sure tell it's Friday night. Look at all the traffic. It's all those people coming from the valley.

Sharon: Yeah, just what we need. I can't believe it. Our nice little town is turning into a big city.

Fred: Whoa! Wait a minute! Did you see that guy in the Trans A_m cut right in front of me? He must be going 80 at least!

Sharon: Yeah. Where are all the cops when you need them?

Fred: Hey, check out that redhead in the Chevy. She's pretty cute! Oh-oh. There's a Highway Patrolman coming up behind me, and he's got his red light on. What did I do wrong?

Sharon: Relax. Take it easy. He can't be after you. You're not speeding, or anything. He's probably hot on the trail of that Trans Am. Just slow down and pull over into the right-hand lane. He'll just go around you.

Fred: OK, OK. Hey, why is he staying behind me? He's not passing. He's slowing down. Damn, I'm sure that I wasn't doing anything wrong.

(Stopped at the side of the road)

Officer: Good evening.

Fred: Good evening, officer.

The Traffic Ticket

Sharon Sure, I remember.

Fred- How about if we take the bus and forget about driving for a few days? Sharon That sounds like a great idea.

Postlistening/Reading Questions

Answer in complete sentences.

1.Where is all of the traffic coming from?

2.How fast was the Trans Am going?

3.What does Sharon tell Fred to do when he sees the police car behind them?

4.What two things does the policeman ask Fred for?

5.What is wrong with his car?

6.How much time does Fred have to fix his car?

7.Where does he have to mail the ticket?

8.What do you think will happen if Fred doesn't mail in the ticket on time?

9.How much does Fred have to pay for the ticket?

10.Why does Sharon think it's important to get the lights fixed?

11. Where are they going next?

Sharon Sure, I remember.

Fred How about if we take the bus and forget about driving for a few days? Sharon That sounds like a great idea.

Postlistening/Reading Questions

Answer in complete sentences.

1.Where is all of the traffic coming from?

2.How fast was the Trans Am going?

3.What does Sharon tell Fred to do when he sees the police car behind them?

4.What two things does the policeman ask Fred for?

5.What is wrong with his car?

6.How much time does Fred have to fix his car?

7.Where does he have to mail the ticket?

8.What do you think will happen if Fred doesn't mail in the ticket on time?

9.How much does Fred have to pay for the ticket?

10.Why does Sharon think it's important to get the lights fixed?

11.Where are they going next?

Vocabulary Building Sentences

First, underline the word or expression from the vocabulary list in the prelistening/reading section. Then write a new sentence, using the same word or expression. Follow the model.

MODEL: I wanted to buy a new jacket, but I didn't want to part with the money.

I don't think Anne's baby will ever part with his favorite blanket.

1.My boyfriend turns into the wolf man when the moon is full.

2.She always tries to cut in front of me in the cafeteria line.

3.The police were hot on the trail of the killers.

4.Take it easy! I'm sure we'll get there on time.

5.I'm going to sign off for now. I have to get back to my studying.

6.It just isn't my night. I had a fight with David, too.

7.You're getting a divorce, and you just say you've got a little problem? That's putting it mildly.

8.I wish you'd drive more carefully. I want to get home in one piece.

9.My brother took a risk when he decided to move out on his own.

2.Participants: Policeman John Adams and his wife Joan

John Adams comes home after a hard day at work. He has forgotten that he promised his wife they would go to a dinner party with some people from their childrens' school.

John Hi. Is anybody home? Joan I'm out here in the kitchen.

John Oh, hi honey. How was your day?

Joan It's been crazy around here. I finished all of the laundry, entered our expense and income data into the computer, got the shopping done, and took the kids to the doctor for their checkups. When the baby-sitter canceled, it took me two hours on the phone to find another one. She'll be here in less than an hour. You're a little late tonight, aren't you?

John: I had a terrible day. I had to deal with three accidents, and I gave out about a dozen tickets. The easiest was to a guy whose lights didn't work, and the toughest was a high-speed chase with a guy in a Trans Am who was going about 90 miles an hour on a mountain road. All afternoon I've been thinking about coming home, taking a hot shower, and stretching out in front of the TV all night. It sure feels good to come home and relax. What's for dinner? Did you say something about a babysitter?

Finish the dialogue.

Listening Comprehension Cloze Passage

Listen to the tape of the following passage or to your teacher. Fill in the missing words as you hear them.

happen.

Final Project

Do you think women should work in dangerous jobs like police work or the military? Prepare a persuasive speech to give to your class about why you think this should or should not be.