Lesson 15 «Renting a Car»

Vocabulary

available (adj.)

Chevrolet Caprice (prop. noun)

compact (adj.)

couple (noun)

In "You still have a couple of days..." "Few" can be used interchangeably with "couple" (as in "You still have a few days..."). A "couple" can also refer to two people.

drive (inf., to drive)

Here are some expressions related to cars and to driving: "brakes," "steering wheel," "door(s)," "window(s)," "trunk," "windshield," "accelerator," "antenna," "seat(s)," "seatbelt," "rearview mirror," "sideview mirror," "lights," "headlight," "tail lights," "left turn signal," "right turn signal," etc.

drop off (inf., to drop off)

One can "drop off" both persons and things.

economy (noun)

Another way to express "good fuel economy" is with the expression "good gas mileage."

fill it up (inf., to fill [the tank] up)

flat rate (noun)

fuel (noun as adj.)

full (adj.)

The opposite of a "full tank" is an "empty tank." The verb associated with an empty tank is "to run out of gas." (E.g.: "Yesterday, I ran out of gas on my way to work.")

gas station (noun)

journey (noun)

leg (noun)

In the context of the Story, the narrator speaks of "the first leg of your American journey." "Leg," in this case, does not refer to a body part, but rather to a "part" or "segment" of one's journey.

luxury (adj.)

mid-sized (adj.)

mileage (noun as adj.)

Monday (noun)

nationwide (adv.)

In the United States, this means "from coast to coast."

odds and ends (id. exp.)

"Odds and ends" refers to those "incidental" items that, although minor, are necessary for a trip. "Odds and ends" can also refer to "scraps" and "remnants."

offer (noun)

Synonyms include "proposal," "suggestion," and "recommendation."

plan (noun)

regular (adj.)

room (noun)

"Room" in this context refers to "space."

safety (noun)

start off, you (to start off)

subcompact (adj.)

take your neighbor up on (inf., to take someone up on...)

The idiomatic expression "to take someone up on" means "to accept someone's invitation, suggestion or recommendation" to do something, to go somewhere. (E.g.: "I took them up on their offer to drive me to the airport.")

tank (noun)

unlimited (adj.)

weekend (noun)

Here are some messages that you may encounter on traffic signs in the U.S.: "Yield Right of Way," "Stop," "Slow," "Caution," "One Way," "Do not Pass," "Railroad Crossing," etc.

Story

The weekend is over and it's Monday. You still have a couple of days before you leave for Washington, D.C. on the first leg of your American journey. There are still a few odds and ends that you need for your trip. You decide to take your neighbor up on her offer and do some shopping at the department store where she works. You also need to rent a car. You go to the car rental agency near the mall.

Cultural notes

Renting a car is a good idea if you want to travel extensively in the U.S. Driving provides a feel for a country that you cannot acquire by traveling on train or plane. Also, driving offers flexibility - you can stop and start when you feel like it.

If you shop around, you can get tremendous bargains when renting a car. Most major companies offer special weekend and seven-day discounts. Greatest savings are to be had with an unlimited mileage plan. Even though distances are greater in the U.S. than in most countries, gas is less expensive, so you will not ruin your travel budget by driving.

A final note: most car rental agencies require that you be 21 or more to drive, have a valid license, and that you have a major credit card.

Action

YOU: I'd like to rent a car for several weeks.

RENTAL AGENT: Do you have a reservation?

YOU: No, I don't.

RENTAL AGENT: All right, I'll see what we have available. Would you like a subcompact, compact, mid-sized, or luxury car?

YOU: I don't need much room, just good fuel economy and safety. What do you recommend?

RENTAL AGENT: I have a Chevrolet Caprice ready. Would that be all right?

YOU: Fine. How much does it cost?

RENTAL AGENT: Well, if you're renting for a week or more, I would recommend our unlimited mileage plan.

YOU: How does it work?

RENTAL AGENT: You pay a flat rate for the week and you can drive as much as you want. You can also drop off the car at any of our agencies nationwide. You'll start off with a full tank of gas. Try to fill it up just before you drop off the car, because we charge more than a regular gas station.

YOU: OK, I'll take it. Where do I sign?

Washington DC

Washington DC, the capital of the United States of America, is a city of symbols.

The Capitol building is where the United States Congress meets. The White House is the home of the president. The Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials were built to honor two of The United State’s greatest presidents. The Washington Monument, begun in 1848, is a tribute to George Washington, the country’s first president.

Washington is also a city of institutions: the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Library of Congress. The Supreme Court Building houses the highest court in the land

The city is one of the United States’ greatest tourist attractions with its many parks and museums.

The National Zoological Park, created in 1887, exhibits more than 4000 wild animals, and is also a major research facility. The Smithsonian Institution, founded in 1846, is the largest complex of museums in the world. The National Air and Space museum has more than 9 million visitors each year, making it Washington’s most popular museum.

Washington DC is also a city of art. It is home to the Hirschhorn and Freer museums, as well as the Corcoran Gallery of Art. You will also enjoy touring the National Gallery of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and dozens of other fine art institutions

The Folger Shakespeare Library has the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s work.

Washington is also a city filled with memorials to the nation's proud military history. Visitors can pay their respects to the nation’s fallen heroes at the intensely moving Vietnam War Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, and the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Nearby Alexandria, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, dates from the early 1700’s. The Old Town quarter of Alexandria features historical homes and elegant shops.

Georgetown is one of Washington’s favorite spots. There, you can visit Embassy Row, stroll down by the Old C & O tow canal, eat at Georgetown’s many fine restaurants, and walk it’s tree-lined streets.

And don’t forget to visit Mount Vernon, George Washington’s historic, stately home.

Visiting Washington D.C., the capital of the United States, will be one of your most memorable stopping places in America.