Your car is not happy. For a week now, there is a strange noise when you stop the car. It is a low noise. It is not loud, but it is there — every time you brake.
There is also a small orange light on the dashboard. It came on a week ago, and it does not go off. You are not a mechanic. You do not know what is wrong. But you know it is time to ask for help.
So this morning you drive to the garage. A mechanic is there. You need to say what is wrong, and you want to know one thing: how much is it? You have money for a small job — but maybe not for a big one.
Warm up — talk for one minute
Do you have a car? When something breaks — a car, a phone, a washing machine — do you try to fix it, or do you ask an expert?
When a job costs a lot of money, do you ask "is it cheaper any other way?" Or do you just pay? Why?
Who's who
You
The Driver 🚗
You are not a mechanic, but you are not silly. You know the noise, and you know how much money you have. You want a fair price.
The other person
The Mechanic 🔧
They know cars very well. They are friendly and honest. If you say the problem clearly, they can help you — and find a cheaper way.
Next: learn the phrases you need in the next tab. Then see them in a real conversation. It is OK to speak slowly. It is OK to say "sorry, again please?" You do not need big words — short and clear is best.
Useful Phrases 🧰
Here are the phrases for this conversation. Read each one and say it out loud once. Choose the ones you like. Keep this page open when you practise.
The shape of this conversation
1 · At the garage2 · What is wrong3 · The price4 · Say thank you
It's a map, not a script. Real talk can skip steps or go back.
Cover it later, when you want to test yourself.
When you're the driver
🔧 At the garage
"Can you look at my car today?"
"There is a problem with my car."
🔊 What is wrong
"There is a noise when I brake."
"The engine light is on."
💷 The price
"How much is it?"
"Is there a cheaper way?"
💛 Say thank you
"That is very kind. Thank you."
"Thank you very much! Here are the keys."
When you're the mechanic
"What is wrong with it?"
"When did it start?"
"I need to look under the car."
"It will cost about two hundred pounds."
When something changes
"How long will it take?"
"Can I wait here?"
"Can I pay by card?"
When you need help
"Sorry, can you say that again, please?"
"Can you speak more slowly, please?"
"Do you mean…?"
"How do you say … in English?"
Speed round 🎯
Draw a card. Say what you would say, out loud. Then look at one answer.
Press the button to start.
Try a few more rounds with the toolkit covered. When it feels easy, you are ready.
The Conversation 💬
Read it out loud, one person each, then change. Find the phrases from your toolkit. Listen for how the driver says the problem, and how they ask about the price.
MechanicGood morning. How can I help you?
YouGood morning. Can you look at my car today? There is a problem.
MechanicOf course. What is the problem?
YouThere is a noise when I brake. It is a low noise, and it is louder now.
MechanicOK. Is there anything else?
YouYes. The engine light is on. It doesn't go off.
MechanicI see. I think it is the brakes. But I need to look, to be sure.
YouOK, thank you. How much is it?
MechanicThe brakes are about two hundred pounds. I can tell you more later.
YouThat is more than I thought. Is there a cheaper way?
MechanicYes. I can use different parts. They are good, and they cost less.
YouThat is very kind. Thank you. How long will it take?
MechanicYou can have the car this afternoon. I will call you first, before I start.
YouPerfect. Thank you very much! Here are the keys.
From memory — don't look up!
1. The driver tells the mechanic two things that are wrong. What are they?
2. The price is more than the driver thought. What does the driver say and ask?
3. How does the mechanic make the price lower?
1. There is a noise when the driver brakes (a low noise, and louder now), and the engine light is on and doesn't go off. 2. The driver says "That is more than I thought" — and then asks, "Is there a cheaper way?" 3. The mechanic uses different parts. They are good, but they cost less. And the mechanic will call first, before starting the work.
Your Turn 🎭
No script this time. You have a real talk with a real person. You have a goal.
1 · Warm up your voice 🎤
Say each sentence out loud. Use your own words in the gaps.
At the garage. Can you look at my ___?
What is wrong. There is a ___ when I ___.
The price. How much is ___?
Say thank you. That is very ___.
2 · The scene 🎬
Pick a situation. Your partner plays the other person.
Your card
Where
The situation
You have
You want
Your ruleDescribe the sound or the light clearly.
Who you're talking to
🏆 Know the problem, the price and when it will be done.
⏱ 3:00
Twist deck
🎲 Something changes
Start the scene. After a minute, draw a card. What it says just happened.
Nothing has changed yet.
3 · Swap seats 🔁
Now you are the other person. Your partner takes your old part.
Your card
WhereThe garage
Your goalLook at the car and give a fair price
Your partnerPlays the driver now
Draw another twist if you like.
4 · Afterwards ✅
Tick what you did, in either seat.
Phrases I want to use next time
Go again
⚡ Same situation, one more time
Do it again. Draw a twist before you start. Try to do it faster this time.
The Echo 🕰️
Before they made the first plane, two brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, fixed bicycles for a living. Every day they did the same thing you did today: they listened to a machine, found the noise, and worked out which part was broken.
They did not just believe what other people said. They tested everything. They built their own machine to check the numbers. They believed only what they could see for themselves.
So the next time your car makes a strange noise, don't worry. The two men who gave the world flight started in a small workshop, just like your garage — trying to work out what was wrong.
Fewer people can fix their own machines now. When you cannot check something yourself, how do you know to trust the expert and the price?
The Wright brothers tested everything and believed only what they could see. Is that a good way to live? Or do we sometimes need to trust other people?