through Dave's story, I will talk about his story.

Now, Dave is going to describe the stress that he experienced while he was in a lot

of traffic. Now, prepare yourself, because he's not very happy.

What a day! I left for work especially early because construction on the bridge started

overnight. I was actually kind of excited because I got a new album, and I wanted to

listen to the whole thing. Have you heard The Screaming Sisters? They're awesome.

Well, I got onto the road, and everyone was driving really slowly. At 7:30, just a mile

before the bridge, there was already a complete traffic jam. Thankfully, my car didn't break

down. I love my car, but sometimes, the engine gets really hot when the car is in bumper-to-bumper

traffic. I expected to go faster after the bridge, but the rest of the trip was filled

with stop-and-go traffic.

Right after the bridge, my album finished, so I started it again. And then I passed a

couple of vehicles that had been in an accident. Nothing big, just a fender bender.

Between the bridge and the city, I saw that police had pulled over at least two vehicles.

The drivers of those vehicles certainly weren't speeding; going over the speed limit was impossible

in that kind of traffic.

Dave used three terms to describe traffic congestion: traffic jam, bumper-to-bumper

traffic, and stop-and-go traffic. The last one, stop-and-go traffic, means that some

progress is happening, but drivers must frequently stop because of the traffic congestion. Bumper-to-bumper

traffic is even slower than stop-and-go traffic, and a traffic jam often means that there is

no movement at all.

Choose an explanation for each vocabulary term that you see at the top of the screen.

What does breaking down mean?

Thankfully, my car didn't break down. I love my car, but sometimes, the engine gets really

hot when the car is in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

The answer is c. Your vehicle stops working.

What does getting into a fender bender mean?

And then I passed a couple of vehicles that had been in an accident. Nothing big, just

a fender bender.

The answer is a. You are in an accident that causes minor damage.

What does getting pulled over mean?

Between the bridge and the city, I saw that police had pulled over at least two vehicles.

The answer is e. The police require you to move your vehicle to the side of the road.

Now, listen to the rest of Dave's story.

When I finally got to work twenty minutes late, I was too tired to do anything.

And too angry! That's right, I got a parking ticket--$150 fine. I could buy 10 more Screaming

Sisters albums with that! I parked in a reserved spot because I didn't have time to drive to

the top of the parking garage. $150! I'm just glad that I don't have to go to traffic court,

I guess.

An eight-mile trip took over an hour. What a waste of my time! I did get to listen to

my Screaming Sisters album twice. But I wish the city would do more to encourage public

transportation and bicycling. That would reduce traffic--and pollution! My company is creating

two new telecommuting jobs, and I'm definitely going to apply. I would love to work from

home. If I could telecommute, I could wake up later, and I wouldn't be so stressed out

when it's time to start working in the morning. My girlfriend says that I have road rage.

She says, I shouldn't listen to The Screaming Sisters while I drive. Whatever.

"Get in the car, and drive! drive! drive!"

Choose an explanation for each vocabulary term that you see at the top of the screen.

What does getting to work late mean?

When I finally got to work twenty minutes late, I was too tired to do anything.

The answer is e. You fail to arrive to your job on time.

What does getting a ticket mean?

That's right, I got a parking ticket--$150 fine.

The answer is a. The police tell you that you did not obey a law.

What does telecommuting mean?

If I could telecommute, I could wake up later, and I wouldn't be so stressed out when it's

time to start working in the morning.

The answer is d. You work for your company from home.

What does having road rage mean?

My girlfriend says that I have road rage. She says, I shouldn't listen to The Screaming

Sisters while I drive.

The answer is b. You get very angry while you are driving.

Check the Complete Course Guide for more practice with vocabulary for vehicle traffic.