Cultural notes

If all goes well while you're in the States, you will not have to contend with such an unpleasant situation. However, sometimes there will be the unavoidable accident and encounter with the police. It is best to remain calm, to explain who you are and where you're from, and to show any documentation that is requested.

If you've rented a car, be sure that you are familiar with the insurance options. You may or may not be insured by your agency at home while driving in the U.S. It is best to look into this before you leave your home. If you do request additional insurance coverage from the rental agency, you may end up paying $10-15 more per day.

Action

1ST MOTORIST: What the hell do you think you're doing?

2ND. MOTORIST: Sorry, I didn't see your turn signal until it was too late to stop.

1ST MOTORIST (turning to you): Hey, did you see what happened?

YOU: Yes, I think so. Why?

1ST MOTORIST: I'm going to call the police. You can tell them what you saw. This jerk ran right in to me. Look at my bumper! It'll cost $1,000 to fix.

2ND MOTORIST: Calm down. It was just one of those things. I have insurance.

YOU: I really don't want to get involved. I'm from out of town.

NARRATOR: A police officer arrives to investigate the accident.

NARRATOR (Cont'd.): The two motorists explain what happened. The officer turns to you.

OFFICER: You're a witness, right? Can I have your name, address, and phone number?

YOU: Yes, I saw what happened. Here's my passport. I'm not an American citizen. I've come to Chicago on business.

YOU (Cont'd.): Here's a contact number if you need to get in touch.

NARRATOR: You give the officer the name, address, and phone number of a friend of your aunt whom you're supposed to look up while you're in Chicago.

Lesson 22 «An Invitation to Dinner»

Vocabulary

again (adv.)

baseball (noun)

"Baseball" is referred to as the "all American game" and "America's greatest pastime."

became, we (to become, past)

bouquet (noun)

come in (inf., to come in)

delightful (adj.)

doorbell (noun)

Field Museum of Natural History (prop. noun)

A well-known museum of natural history in Chicago.

flowers (noun, pl.)

fresh-cut (adj.)

good evening (salutation)

A formal, extremely polite way to greet someone in the evening.

greets, she (to greet)

Another way to express the idea "she greets you" is to say "she says hello to you," "she says good evening to you," etc.

harsh (adj.)

In this context, "harsh" refers to severely "cold" and "snowy."

inexpensive (adj.)

A more common word for "inexpensive" is "cheap." To say that something is "really cheap" can imply that it is not well-made. To call someone "cheap," a "cheapskate," or a "cheapo" is an insult made to a "miserly" person.

make yourself at home! (imp., id. exp.)

meet (inf., to meet)

"Meet" in the dialogue is in reference to "making someone's acquaintance" or "becoming acquainted with" someone. "Meet" can also convey the idea "to encounter."

Mrs. (noun)

North Side (prop. noun)

The North Side is a fashionable area of Chicago along Lake Michigan.

offers, she (to offer)

ring, you (to ring)

Shedd Aquarium (prop. noun)

An aquarium near downtown Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan.

sun (noun)

People who enjoy being outdoors in the sun are often called "sun worshipers." Nowadays, people are more and more sensible about "tanning," "catching rays," and "laying out" in the sun. You'll find a great assortment of "suntan lotions" and "sunscreens" that will help protect your skin from "ultra violet rays" that can cause "sunburn."

temperatures (noun, pl.)

told, she (to tell, past)

warmer (adj., comp.)

were, you (to be, past)

winters (noun, pl.)

Most often a noun, the verb "to winter" does exit. One can "winter" (as in, "Jeff winters in Arizona."). One can even "summer" (as in "Denise summers in Maine."). One cannot, however, "spring" or "fall" anywhere (unless you're talking about "springing" to your feet, or "falling" to the ground).

won't (contr., "will not")

"Won't" in front of a subject (usually "you") and a verb is a polite way to make a request, as in "Won't you stay a little longer?"

Wrigley Field (prop. noun)

Wrigley Field is home to the Chicago Cubs baseball team. "Comiskey Park" the other Major League Baseball stadium, is home to the "White Sox."

Story

After you find an inexpensive motel, you reread the instructions for your Chicago stay. Again, there is a list of museums and sights to see, including Wrigley Field (your aunt loved baseball), the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Shedd Aquarium. You're also supposed to call your aunt's friends, the Joneses'. You call and Mrs. Jones invites you to dinner at their home on the North Side. You arrive that evening for dinner. You ring the doorbell and Mrs. Jones greets you.