Please Get Rid of that Smell
Look at these pictures. What is the story about?
Now read quickly to get the main idea.
BALTIMORE, MD, USA1 It’s winter. Barbara Pridgen, 43, is
driving her car. 2When she turns on the heater, there’s a
terrible smell in her car. 3 It gets worse and worse. She
can’t stand it! 4 She takes the car to the repair shop.
“What’s the matter with my car?” she asks. “Can
you get rid of this smell?” 5The mechanic takes a
look at the engine. He examines the heating system.
6Then Barbara screams. She loses it. The mechanic
pulls out a big, fat, dead python!
New idioms and expressions
get rid of something* ………………….. remove something
turn something on* ………………. start a machine or the flow
of electricity, water, etc.
get worse and worse …………………….. become very bad
can’t stand something …………………..dislike something very much
What’s the matter (with something or someone)? take a look (at something) …………
…….What’s wrong (with something or someone)?
lose it …………………………………. become too excited: lose on’s
self control
Words in parentheses () can occur with the idiom, but don’t have to.
3. Read the Story
Now read the story carefully. Pay special attention to the idioms so that
you’re ready for Exercise 4.
4. Complete the Idiom
Cover page 2. Look at each definition below and then complete the idiom.
a. look at quickly = take a look at.
b. start a machine = turn __ __
c. dislike very much = can’t __ __ __ __ __
d. What’s wrong? = What’s the__ __ __ __ __ __ ?
e. become very bad = get worse and __ __ __ __ __
f. become very excited = lose __ __
5. Tell the Story
Cover the story and look at the pictures above. Tell the story using
as many idioms as you can.
a. First, work with the whole class to retell the story.
b. Then tell the story to a partner or small group.
6. Answer the Questions
About the story……………………………………………………………..
a. Why does Barbara turn on her heater?
b. What happens when she turns it on?
c. Does Barbara like the smell?
d. What does she want the mechanic to do?
e. What does the mechanic take a look at?
f. Why does Barbara lose it?
g. Why do you think the snake was in the heater?
About you ……………………………………………………………………….
h. What makes you lose it?
i. What things do you turn on in your house every day?
j. What are some smells or foods that you can’t stand?
k. Think about the problems in your community, native country,
or in the world. Which ones are getting worse and worse?
What can you do about them?
7. Write About Yourself
Complete the sentences, writing something true about yourself.
a. I want to get rid of my _______________________________.
b. I can’t stand _______________________________________.
c. I often turn on______________________ because_________.
Exercise Answers:
4) a. at b. on c. stand d. matter e. worse f. it
8) See Appendix B, page 77
9)1. turn on 2. can’t stand 3. Take a look at 4. are getting worse and worse 5. get rid of
