I’m here to pick up the car

Alexandre CalaçaAlexandre Calaça
9 min read

Table of contents

Introduction

In this dialog, Ashley is a customer who arrives at a car rental agency to pick up a vehicle she reserved online. She is greeted by James, the car rental agent, who helps her through the process.

Together, they discuss important details such as the rental agreement, insurance options, mileage limits, and the fuel policy. James also explains the security deposit and credit card hold, ensuring that Ashley understands everything before she leaves with the car.

This conversation highlights common interactions and vocabulary used in car rental situations, making it a great example of how to handle the process smoothly.

Dialog

Ashley:
Hi, I’m here to pick up the car I reserved online. My name’s Ashley Thompson.

James:
Hi, Ashley! I see your reservation. You’ve booked a compact car with unlimited mileage. Would you like to add full coverage insurance to your rental?

Ashley:
Yes, I’d prefer to have the full coverage.

James:
Great choice. You’ll also need to provide a security deposit, which we’ll hold on your credit card. This covers potential damages or if you forget to refuel the car.

Ashley:
Got it. What’s the fuel policy exactly?

James:
You’ll need to refuel before you drop off the car, or we’ll charge you for the fuel. Just make sure to return it with a full tank.

Ashley:
Okay, I’ll keep that in mind. How much will the deposit be?

James:
It’s a $300 security deposit, which will be refunded after we inspect the car when you return it, provided there are no issues.

Ashley:
Sounds good. When do I sign the rental agreement?

James:
I have it ready for you here. Once you sign, we’ll do a quick inspection of the car together, and then you’ll be all set!

Ashley:
Perfect, thank you!

Vocabulary

Refuel

  • Definition: To fill a vehicle's fuel tank with gas or another type of fuel.

  • Portuguese: Abastecer o carro

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. Before returning the rental car, you must refuel it to a full tank.

    2. The car ran out of gas, so I had to refuel at the nearest station.

2. Unlimited Mileage

  • Definition: A rental condition that allows the driver to travel as many miles as they want without extra charges.

  • Portuguese: Quilometragem ilimitada

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. The car rental comes with unlimited mileage, so you can drive as far as you need.

    2. I prefer rentals with unlimited mileage because I travel long distances.

3. Rental Agreement

  • Definition: A legal document outlining the terms and conditions of a car rental.

  • Portuguese: Contrato de locação

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. Before you can take the car, you must sign the rental agreement.

    2. The rental agreement includes information on insurance and fuel policies.

4. Full Coverage

  • Definition: A type of insurance that protects against most risks, including damage to the rental car and third-party liability.

  • Portuguese: Cobertura total

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. I always opt for full coverage when renting a car for peace of mind.

    2. The rental company offers full coverage, which includes damage protection and liability.

5. Fuel Policy

  • Definition: The rules set by a rental company regarding how much fuel should be in the car when it is returned.

  • Portuguese: Política de combustível

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. The fuel policy requires you to return the car with a full tank.

    2. If you don’t follow the fuel policy, you may be charged for refueling.

6. Charge

  • Definition: To ask for money as payment for a service or product.

  • Portuguese: Cobrar valor

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. They will charge a fee if you return the car late.

    2. The rental company will charge you for any damage to the car.

7. Inspect

  • Definition: To carefully examine something, often for faults or issues.

  • Portuguese: Inspecionar algo

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. The agent will inspect the car before you leave the lot.

    2. Make sure to inspect the car for any scratches before driving off.

8. Security Deposit

  • Definition: A refundable sum of money held by the rental company as collateral in case of damage or violations.

  • Portuguese: Depósito caução

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. You’ll need to provide a security deposit before you can rent the car.

    2. The security deposit will be refunded once you return the car in good condition.

9. Drop off the car

  • Definition: To return the rented car to the rental location at the end of the rental period.

  • Portuguese: Devolver o carro

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. I’ll drop off the car at the airport tomorrow morning.

    2. Don’t forget to drop off the car by 5 PM to avoid late fees.

10. Pick up the car

  • Definition: To collect the rental car from the rental company at the start of the rental period.

  • Portuguese: Pegar o carro

  • Sample Sentences:

    1. You can pick up the car at 9 AM at the downtown office.

    2. I’m here to pick up the car I reserved online.

  1. Hold on Credit Card

    • Definition: A temporary reservation of funds on a credit card that acts as a guarantee for a transaction, often for a security deposit.

    • Portuguese: Bloqueio no cartão

    • Sample Sentences:

      1. The rental company will place a hold on your credit card for the security deposit.

      2. There was a $300 hold on my credit card during the rental period, which was released after I returned the car.

Exercises

Story

Role play

Hold on Credit CardPick up the carDrop off the car
Security DepositInspectCharge
Fuel PolicyFull CoverageRental Agreement
Unlimited MileageRefuel

Homework

Reading comprehension

  1. What type of car did Ashley reserve, and what feature does it include regarding mileage?

  2. What insurance option does Ashley choose for her rental, and why might she have chosen this option?

  3. What does James explain about the fuel policy for the rental car?

  4. How much is the security deposit that James mentions, and what is its purpose?

  5. What step does Ashley need to complete before she can take the car, according to James?

Fill-in-the-blanks

Complete the sentences using the words/expressions from the box below:

[Pick up the car, drop off the car, rental agreement, hold on credit card, full coverage, unlimited mileage, refuel, security deposit, charge, fuel policy, inspect]

  1. Ashley arrived at the rental location to __________ she reserved online.

  2. James informs Ashley that her reservation includes __________, meaning she can drive as much as she needs without extra costs.

  3. Ashley decides to add __________ to her rental for extra protection against damages.

  4. Before taking the car, Ashley needs to sign the __________ that outlines the terms and conditions of the rental.

  5. James explains that the rental company will place a temporary __________ to cover potential damages or fuel charges.

  6. Ashley is informed about the __________, which requires her to return the car with a full tank of gas.

  7. If Ashley doesn't return the car with a full tank, the company will __________ her for refueling.

  8. James tells Ashley that she will need to __________ the car by 5 PM on the day of return.

  9. The rental company requires a __________, which will be refunded if there are no damages or fuel violations.

  10. Before Ashley leaves the rental lot, James will __________ the car for any existing damages.

  11. Ashley understands that she needs to __________ the car before returning it to avoid any extra charges.

Produce

Create Your Own Dialog

Instructions:
Using the 11 new words/expressions you’ve learned, create a dialog between a customer and a car rental agent. Be sure to include at least 8 of the words/expressions in your conversation.

Here’s a guide to help you structure the dialog:

  1. Greet the agent and mention that you have a reservation to pick up a car.

  2. Ask about the type of car you are renting and any additional features (like mileage or insurance).

  3. Discuss payment details, including any security deposit or hold on your credit card.

  4. Ask about the rental agreement and sign it.

  5. Clarify the fuel policy and how you should return the car (refuel, etc.).

  6. Arrange the drop-off time and location.

  7. Conclude the conversation and thank the agent.

[Pick up the car, drop off the car, rental agreement, hold on credit card, full coverage, unlimited mileage, refuel, security deposit, charge, fuel policy, inspect]

Partner Role Play

Instructions:
For this exercise, you will practice using the vocabulary related to renting a car by acting out a role-play scenario. You will need a partner for this activity, where one person will play the customer and the other person will play the car rental agent.

Steps:

  1. Review the 11 key words/expressions:
    (Pick up the car, drop off the car, rental agreement, hold on credit card, full coverage, unlimited mileage, refuel, security deposit, charge, fuel policy, inspect)

  2. Create a role-play scenario:

    • One person will pretend to be the customer who is renting a car.

    • The other person will play the car rental agent who helps with the process.

  3. Plan the conversation:
    Use at least 8 of the new vocabulary words. Be sure to cover the following points in your dialog:

    • Making a reservation

    • Adding insurance

    • Discussing the fuel policy and the mileage

    • Signing the rental agreement

    • Explaining the security deposit and credit card hold

    • Arranging the pick-up and drop-off times

  4. Write your conversation down before practicing it orally.

  5. Perform your role play with your partner, practicing pronunciation and fluency. If possible, record your conversation and listen to it to identify areas for improvement.

Personal experience

Writing a Rental Experience

Instructions:
For this homework assignment, you will write a short story about your experience renting a car. Imagine you are either the customer or the car rental agent, and describe the entire process using the 11 new vocabulary words.

Steps:

  1. Write a story (150-200 words) about renting a car. You can either:

    • Describe your experience as the customer renting a car.

    • Or write from the perspective of the car rental agent helping a customer.

  2. Use at least 8 of the new vocabulary words in your story. These words include:

    • Pick up the car, drop off the car, rental agreement, hold on credit card, full coverage, unlimited mileage, refuel, security deposit, charge, fuel policy, inspect.

  3. Focus on the process:

    • Start with making the reservation or arriving at the rental location.

    • Mention any insurance, deposit, or mileage discussions.

    • Describe how you signed the rental agreement and understood the fuel policy.

    • Conclude with dropping off the car and any final checks.

Example Outline:

  • Beginning: You arrive to pick up the car you reserved.

  • Middle: You discuss insurance options, the fuel policy, and place a hold on your credit card for the security deposit.

  • End: You drive and return the car, making sure to refuel before dropping it off.

Deliverable:
Submit your written story. Make sure to underline or highlight the vocabulary words you’ve used. Reflect on how the vocabulary helped you explain the process clearly.

Done

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Written by

Alexandre Calaça
Alexandre Calaça

I'm a passionate software developer.