Renting a Car

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Renting a Car

Intermediate

Exercise 1

Vocabulary

rental car

Noun

ˈrɛntl kɑːr

a car that one rents for a short period of time

I picked up a rental car at the airport.

international driving permit

Noun

ˌɪntərˈnæʃʌnl ˈdraɪvɪŋ ˈpɜːrmɪt

a driver's licence that enables one to drive abroad

Can I drive a car with this international driving permit? // Sure, sir.

right-hand drive car

Noun

raɪt hænd draɪv kɑːr

a car with the steering wheel on the right side

If there is a right-hand drive car, that would be perfect.

left-hand drive car

Noun

left hænd draɪv kɑːr

a car with the steering wheel on the left side

I'm afraid to say, but we only have left-hand drive cars.

unlimited mileage

Noun

ənˈlɪmɪtɪd ˈmaɪlɪʤ

the option of driving a rental car for as long and far as needed without paying additional fees

It includes unlimited mileage and full insurance.

Exercise 2

Useful Expressions

I’d like to rent a car.

Do you have any available cars?

What size/kind of car would you like?

Here’s the price list.

What does this price cover?

Can I drive a car with this international driving permit?

Exercise 3

Dialogue Practice

Read the dialogue aloud with your tutor.

Matt wants to rent a car at the airport. He is at the car rental counter.
	Matt Hi. Do you have any available cars? I'd like to rent one.
	Clerk Certainly. Do you have a reservation?
	Matt No, I don't.
	Clerk No problem, sir. We have several cars available. What size car would you like?
	Matt A small car would be fine. I'm traveling by myself.
	Clerk Okay. We have one small car available. It costs $70 per day.
The clerk shows Matt a picture of the car that is available for rent.
	Matt What does this price cover?
	Clerk It covers the car rental fee and insurance.
	Matt Does the price cover fuel as well?
	Clerk No, it doesn't. You will need to fill up the fuel tank before you return the car.
	Matt Alright. And just one more question. Can I drive a car with this international driving permit?
	Clerk Of course you can, sir.
	Matt Okay, thanks. I’ll rent it for a week.
	Clerk Thank you very much. Please, fill out this form. I will arrange for the car to be here shortly.
	Matt Alright, thanks.

Exercise 4

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks to complete the dialogue.

Andrei wants to rent a car at the airport. He goes to the car rental counter.
	Andrei Good morning. Can I arrange for a car rental here?
	Clerk Certainly, how long do you want to (1) a car for?
	Andrei I (2) like to hire it for four days, starting tomorrow.
	Clerk Okay. What kind of car would you like?
	Andrei A small one. If there is a right-hand drive car, that would be perfect.
	Clerk I’m afraid we only have left-hand (3) cars.
	Andrei That's okay. So, what kind of cars do you have available?
	Clerk Would a Toyota Yaris be alright?
	Andrei That sounds fine. How (4) would it cost?
	Clerk It will be 50 dollars per day.
	Andrei What does that price (5)?
	Clerk It includes unlimited mileage and full (6).
	Andrei Perfect. I'll take it.
	Clerk Great, I just need to (7) out this form. Just a moment.
	Andrei Sure. Here’s my passport and my international driver’s (8).
	Clerk Thank you. How will you be paying for the car?
	Andrei Do you take Visa?
	Clerk Yes, of course.
	Andrei Here you go.
	Clerk Thank you.

Choose answers from the options below that fit in blanks 1 to 8

Answer Pool (Questions 1-8)

hire/rent
much
cover/include
insurance
drive
would
licence
fill

Exercise 5

Role Play

Role-play the following situation with your tutor.

Situation

You want to rent a comfortable car for your family for 5 days. Ask about the available cars, price, and coverage. Your teacher will be a rent-a-car clerk.

Exercise 6

Discussion

Have you ever rented a car abroad? Please share your experience.

Do you think it's difficult to switch from left-hand drive cars to right-hand drive cars and vice versa? Why? Why not?

What was your most memorable driving experience?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of hiring a car compared with using other means of transportation?

What kind of a car would you choose, if you were to rent a car?