ESL Podcast 202 - At the Gas Station

gas prices - the amount of money you pay to buy one gallon of gasoline, the fuel put into cars to make them run

A lot of people are choosing not to go on vacation this summer because gas prices are too high.

through the roof - very high; higher than people thought possible

I read that during World War II, many people couldn't buy meat because prices were through the roof.

gas station - a place that sells gasoline, the fuel that makes cars run

This gas station sells gasoline, and also drinks and snacks.

to fill up - to put something in a space until the space is full

Could you hand me those empty bottles so I can fill them up with water?

tank - a container or an object, usually made of metal, that holds large amounts of liquids or gas

Those large round containers over there are the city's water tanks.

full-service - a part of a gas station where a gas station employee puts gasoline into your car and takes your money for payment

I like to use the full-service option when it's raining so I won't get wet.

self-service - getting gasoline and making payment at a gas station on your own, without the help of a gas station employee

It costs less to buy gas using self-service than full-service at most gas stations.

pump - the machine at a gas station where you buy gas

Can you help me with this? I don't think this pump is working.

out of order - not working; broken

We were in the bathroom so long because three out of the four sinks were out of order.

pay inside - being required to go into the gas station building or store to pay for the gas you buy

She was sure she was going to be late for work if she had to pay inside for gas.

pay at the pump - to pay for gasoline by using a bank card or credit card at the pump, or the machine that gives gas

Some of the independent gas stations don't have the option to pay at the pump.

to swipe - to slide; to move your credit card through a machine quickly to make a payment

After the clerk told me the total amount for my purchases, I swiped my credit card through the machine.

cap - a removable top to a container to keep things from spilling or falling out

After pouring a glass of orange juice, he didn't put the cap back on correctly and juice spilled everywhere.

grade - a score given to something to show its level or quality

My father only eats at restaurants that get a grade of A from the state health department.

unleaded gas - a type of gasoline; the most common type of gasoline sold at gas stations in the U.S.

I told him to be sure to buy unleaded gas because any other type may hurt the car's engine.

nozzle - the smallest part of the end of a hose, tube, or pipe

Be careful! I think you just broke the nozzle off the garden hose.

to top off - to add to something that is already full

She planned to top off the five-course meal with three different kinds of cake.

receipt - a piece of paper that shows the items someone bought and the price

She told me that I couldn't return the shoes I bought last week without the original receipt.

squeegee - something used to clean windows; a T-shaped object with a strip of sponge on one side to clean and a piece of rubber on the other side to wipe the water off windows

After cleaning them with some soap and a squeegee, the windows looked brand new.