Roadside assistance

Breakdown cover is a service that provides assistance to motorists whose vehicles have broken down and need urgent help. In most areas, the service is provided by commercial service providers, with an annual fee to purchase the service. In some areas, there is a government-sponsored monopoly, and the service may come in the form of an insurance policy with premiums, instead of a member subscription fee. In Europe, it is popularly available via each country's national automobile membership association. Many automobile manufacturers offer roadside assistance for their customers, sometimes for free for some period after the purchase of a new vehicle.

United Kingdom AA roadside assistance

The term breakdown cover is most common in the United Kingdom, elsewhere, it may also be referred to as emergency roadside repair or roadside assistance. When communication technology and availability made it practical, a network of emergency phone boxes by the roadside was introduced in some countries. In recent years, the widespread ownership of mobile phones has supplanted the need for an emergency phone network.

Breakdown cover may include jump starting an automobile, towing a vehicle, helping to change a flat tire, providing a small amount of fuel when a vehicle runs out of it, pulling out a vehicle that is stuck in snow or helping people who are locked out of their cars.

Roadside assistance:Good morning!

Woman: Good morning is this the AA?

Roadside assistance: Yes, madam. You are speaking to George. How can I help?

Woman: Well, I hope you can. My car has just broken down on the M20 at junction 12. I’m on the hard shoulder of the motor way and my car just will not start.

Roadside assistance: Don’t worry! We can have someone with you in less than twenty minutes. Can I take some details please?

Woman: Yes.

Roadside assistance: Can you tell me the car registration number and the make of car, please?

Woman: Yes, it is a Renault Espace and the registration number is LM 01 MFP.

Roadside assistance: Thank you.  I will call an engineer now to come and get you on your way.

Woman: Oh, thank you so much.

GOING TO THE GARAGE

When damages to a vehicle happen, the car mechanic is responsible for finding out what the problem is and making sure the repairs get done. Keeping a vehicle in good shape for as long as possible is very important, so maintenance of cars and light trucks is another huge part of the car mechanic’s job. Proper maintenance also prevents further damage. Routine maintenance is performed on all parts of the vehicle, including the engine, transmission, brakes and electrical system. Inspections are also part a mechanic's job. People bring in their vehicles for inspection at regular intervals throughout the year. Businesses also bring in their company vehicle for regular inspection. The purpose of inspection is to make sure all the parts are in good working order and not becoming worn out or faulty.

Mechanics use several different types of tools: hand tools, power tools, computer diagnostic tools and machine tools. Car mechanics regularly use pneumatic wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers,welders and grinders.

Mechanic: I have some bad news for you about your car.
Woman: Oh, no! I thought there may be something wrong. It's not been driving very well.
Mechanic: Yes, we have found one or two things that will need fixing before you can take it away today.
Woman: Well, I need the car today because I have to pick the children up from school later.
Mechanic: Well, we need to change two tyres on the front and your brakes will need replacing.

Woman: Oh dear! How much is this going to cost?
Mechanic: Well, with parts and labour costs you are looking at about £214.
Woman: Well, if it must be done, please go ahead. When should I pay?
Mechanic: You can pay when you collect the car. We will have it ready in about two hours, so if you can come back later it will be ready.
Woman: Ok, shall I come back about 3 o'clock?
Mechanic: Yes, that will be fine.

WINTER HOLIDAYS IN HUNGARY

6 December, Saint Nicholas Day

The tradition of Saint Nicholas Day, usually on 6 December, is a festival for children in many countries in Europe related to surviving legends of the saint, and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts. The American Santa Claus, as well as the Anglo-Canadian and British Father Christmas, derive from these legends. "Santa Claus" is itself derived from the Dutch Sinterklaas.

In Hungary children typically leave their boots on the windowsill on the evening of December 5. By next morning Nikolaus (commonly known as Mikulás in Hungary) leaves the boots filled with goodies (traditionally with candies, tangerines, walnuts, apples, dates and Santa shaped chocolate figurines), and small toys if they have been good. If they have been bad, 

Mikulás puts a bunch of golden twigs in the boot, indicating a beating is in order. (Most kids generally end up getting small gifts but also a small bunch of twigs.) There is no Mrs. Santa in Hungary, but Mikulás often comes with one or two small evil boys, called "krampusz."

24-26 December, Christmas

In Hungary the Christmas tree is decorated on Christmas Eve. In addition to the usual decorations, we also put fondant candies on and under the tree. According to the Hungarian tradition, the Christmas presents are brought by baby Jesus, although some families (who belong to other religions or atheists) follow the Santa Claus tradition, which was promoted also by the communist government that ruled until 1990.

Typical Hungarian Christmas dishes include: fish soup or bouillon, stuffed cabbage, 

roast turkey with stuffing, and the famous poppy seed or walnut rolls.

Beigli, the famous poppy seed or walnut rolls

The poppy seed or walnut roll is a traditional Hungarian pastry, mostly eaten during the winter holidays. It is basically a sweet bread, known as beigli in Hungary. During the last few decades other variants (such as chestnut, plum jam, prune, or even cocoa) have become popular, too.

Can you start next week?

The Robinsons live in Brighton, a town on the British coast. They own a small hotel. The hotel is new but already very popular among the guests who come from other parts of Britain or from abroad. Now, the Robinsons need a housekeeper to help them. Mr Robinson has an interview with an applicant for the job at the moment.

Mr Robinson: So, Miss Smith, can I ask you a few questions?
Miss Smith: Certainly.
Mr Robinson: Well Miss Smith, as you know, we are very busy at this time of the year. Can you work 6 days a week?
Miss Smith: Yes. I’m single, I have no family, so I can work 6 days a week.
Mr Robinson: That’s great!    
Miss Smith: I can do the cleaning; I can do the washing and the ironing.
Mr Robinson: … and can you use the washing machine and the dishwasher?
Miss Smith: Of course! I can use any kind of electrical appliances.
Mr Robinson: Perfect! And Miss Smith, can you cook as well?
Miss Smith: To tell the truth, I can do any kind of housework but unfortunately I can’t cook.
Mr Robinson: OK, it doesn’t really matter. I’m just curious. And Miss Smith, we have two dogs. Can you take the dogs for a walk in the mornings?
Miss Smith: That’s not a problem, I like animals. I have two cats at home.
Mr Robinson: Thank you Miss Smith. I think you are the person we need. I have a final question. Can you start tomorrow?
Miss Smith: I’m very sorry, but I can’t start tomorrow, but I can start on Monday. Is that all right for you?
Mr Robinson: Oh, absolutely. It is not a problem if you can’t start tomorrow. You can start on Monday.
Miss Smith: Thank You Mrs Robinson.
Mr Robinson:Thank You Miss Smith. See you on Monday at 7.00 am!

 to do the washing

 to hoover the carpets

 to do the washing up/to do the dishes

 to do the cleaning

 to do the ironing

 to do the gardening

 to mop the floor

 to water the plants

 to sweep the floor

 to mow the grass

Interview for a housekeeper’s job

House Owner: Good morning! Thank you for coming today. Have you applied for the housekeeper position?

Lady: Good morning, Sir. Yes, I saw the vacancy advertised in the paper.

House Owner:Well, we are looking for a housekeeper to work 6 days a week with Sundays off. The job includes doing some cleaning around the house as well as some washing, ironing and preparing meals.

Lady:That sounds great. Is this a live in position?

House Owner:Yes, we will provide you with a room and also your meals. The day starts at 8am with an hour lunch break and the working day ends at 5pm. Do you have any references?

Lady:Yes, here they are. I have a reference from my last employer and also a reference from the college where I got my certificate.

House Owner:They look good, when can you start?

Lady: I can start straight away!

First Day at Work

Maid: Good morning, Sir

House owner: Good morning Miss Carpenter.

Maid: Can you show me where you keep the cleaning supplies I’ll need, please?

House owner: Yes, of course. We keep the cleaning equipment in the laundry room, next to the kitchen. You will find cloths and dusters and the vacuum cleaner in there.

Maid: Where do I take the rubbish?

House owner: You empty the rubbish into the bin over there. It is emptied once a week.

Maid: And the linen?

House owner: The linen for making up the beds is kept in the cupboard at the top of the stairs. The sheets and bed covers should be changed once a week.

Maid: Thank you, Sir.

House owner: If you have any more questions, do not hesitate to ask me!

Have you applies for the housekeeper position?  Ön jelentkezett a bejárónői állásra?
I saw the vacancy advertised in the paper.  - Az újságban láttam a meghirdetett állást.
Is this a live in position? - Ez egy bentlakásos állás?
We will provide you with a room and also you meals.  - Szobát és étkezést biztosítunk Önnek.
Do you have any references? - Vannak referenciái?
I can start straight away! - Azonnal tudok kezdeni.
Can you show me where you keep the cleaning supplies I’ll need, please? -Meg tudná kérem mutatni, hogy hol tartják a takarító felszereléseket?
Where do I take the rubbish? - Hova viszem ki a szemetet?
It is emptied once a week.  - Hetente egyszer ürítik ki.
Bed covers should be changed once a week.  - Az ágytakarókat heti egyszer kell kicserélni.
If you have any more questions, do not hesitate to ask me!  - Ha lenne még kérdése, ne habozzon feltenni őket nekem!

Traditional Christmas Pudding Recipe

Pudding ingredients: 

• 50g butter 
• 50g plain flour

• Half a teaspoon of mixed spice
• 75g white breadcrumbs

• 100g soft dark brown sugar
• 150g sultanas
• 75g raisins
• 50g dates
• 50g cherries
• 125g currants
• 25g coarsely chopped peel  
• grated rind and juice of half lemon
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoon treacle

• 1 tablespoon golden syrup
• 50ml orange juice
• 50ml apple juice

Preparation: 
Sieve  all the dry ingredients together and mix well. Stir in  all remaining  ingredients until completely mixed. Lightly grease  a half litre pudding basin  and fill with the mixture. Cover with cling film and make a slit in the top to allow steam to escape. Cook on microwave high for 10 minutes. Allow to stand for 10 minutes after cooking. Sprinkle with brandy and serve.

THE FUTURE 3.

FUTURE SIMPLE 

1.

Present Continuous as Future: minden el van tervezve és le is van szervezve, beírtad a naptárba, hacsak nem jön közbe valami rajtunk kívülálló dolog, akkor be fog következni biztosan.

Két szóval: ’planned’ (eltervezett) és ’arranged’ (leszervezett)

Going to: eldöntötted, el határoztad, hogy mit fogsz csinálni, a szóban forgó cselekvés tehát egy terv, egy szándék, de még nincs leszervezve, tehát nem biztos, hogy a terv meg is valósul majd.

Egy szóval: csak ’planned ’ (eltervezett)

A Future Simple pedig olyan cselekvésekre, eseményekre vonatkozik, amiket nem terveztünk el előre, ebből kifolyólag le se szerveztük. A beszéd pillanatában találjuk ki, döntjük el, hogy mit fogunk csinálni, mi lesz.

Present Continuous:  
I’m playing tennis next Friday. – Teniszezni fogok jövő pénteken.

Going to:       
I’m going to play tennis next Friday. – Teniszezni fogok pénteken.

Future Simple:
I will play tennis next Friday! – teniszezni fogok pénteken. 

’What will you have, Sir?’ ’I’ll have chicken.’– ‘Mit fog enni uram?’ ‘Csirkét fogok enni.’                                              

2.

A következő esetekben is ezt kell használnod:
1.           ha ajánlatot teszel:
That bag looks heavy. I’ll help you. – Nehéznek tűnik a táskád. Majd én segítek neked!

2.            ha egyetértesz valamiben:
’I need my English book.’ ’I’ll give itt o you this afternoon.’ – ’Szükségem van az angol könyvemre.’ ’Odaadom ma délután.’

3.            igéreteknél:
’Thanks for lending me the money. I'll pay you back on Friday.’ ’ I won't tell anyone what happened.’ – Köszönöm, hogy kölcsönadtad a pénzt. Vissza fogom fizetni pénteken. Nem fogom elmondani senkinek, hogy mi történt!

4.            a következőkkel is Future Simple-t használunk általában:

probably: I’ll probably be there at midnight. – Éjfélre valószínüleg ott leszek.
expect:  I expect she’ll come earlier tonight. – Úgy számítom, hogy ma este korábban fog jönni.
(I'm) sure/(I'm) not sure: Don’t worry! I’m sure you’ll pass the exam. – Ne aggódj! Biztos vagyok benne, hogy átmész a vizsgán!
(I) think/(I) don't think: I think Sarah will split up with Mark. – Azt hiszem Sarah szakítani fog Markkal.
I wonder: I wonder what will happen here. – Szeretném tudni mi fog itt történni.

THE FUTURE 2.

GOING TO

A ’going to’ tulajdonképpen a ’go’ Present Continuous-ban ragozva, majd utána egy főnévi igenév (to do something), amit jövő idő kifejezésére használunk.

Élő beszédben a ’going to’ helyett sokszor a ’gonna’-t használják. Írásban ritkábban jelenik meg, akkor is főleg az amerikai angolban. Ne felejtsd el, hogy mind a ’going to’ , mind a ’gonna’ előtt van egy megfelelő számban és személyben ragozott ’to be’ !

I’m going to have something to eat.- Eszem valamit.
I’m gonna have something to eat. - Eszem valamit.

1.
     

A ’going to’-t olyan esetekben kell használni, amikor a cselekvés vagy esemény csak ELTERVEZETT (planned). Tehát még nincs lefixálva, ezért csak egy tervről, egy szándékról van szó. 

I’m going to play tennis next Friday. - Teniszezni fogok pénteken.

 

A mondatban benne van az, hogy ez egy terv, te teniszezni szándékozol, de nem szervezted még le ez a programot. 

Present Continuous as Future: minden el van tervezve és le is van szervezve, beírtad a naptárba, hacsak nem jön közbe valami rajtunk kívülálló dolog, akkor be fog következni biztosan.

Going to: eldöntötted, elhatároztad, hogy mit fogsz csinálni, a szóban forgó cselekvés tehát egy terv, egy szándék, de még nincs leszervezve, tehát nem biztos, hogy a terv meg is valósul majd.

2.

 

Samuel is going to have a cup of coffee. – Samuel kávét készül inni.

Abban az esetben is a ’to be going to’ szerkezetet kell használni, ha egy adott jelenbeli szituációból arra következtethetünk, hogy egy esemény be fog hamarosan következni. 

It’s going to rain.- Mindjárt esni fog. 

The boxer is going to knock down his opponent in a minute.– A bokszoló mindjárt kiüti ellenfelét. 

3.

I’m gonna fix the fence. – Megyek, és megjavítom a kerítést.

Ha az a jövőbeli cselekvés, amiről szó van nem is annyira jövő, mint jelen, már szinte el is kezdődött.

THE FUTURE 1.

PRESENT SIMPLE FOR THE FUTURE

A Present Simpe-t olyan jövőbeli események leírására használjuk, amelyek egy program, menetrend, időbeosztás vagy órarend részei, tehát jövőre nézve – nem a beszélő által – meghatározott, előre lefixált kezdési és befejezési időpontjai vannak.

The train leaves Liverpool at 11.30 am. - A vonat 11.30-kor (fog) elindulni Liverpool-ból.
When does the exhibition open? - Mikor nyit a kiállítás?
When does the film start? - Mikor kezdődik a film?

Általában a következő igék szoktak előfordulni a Present Simple jövő időként való alkalmazásakor: start, begin, finish, open, close, leave, arrive - ha ezek órarendre, menetrendre vagy műsorok, programok idejére vonatkoznak.

When are you leaving tomorrow? - Mikor indulsz holnap? (Present Continuous, mert nem menetrendre kérdez, hanem a te lefixált cselekvésed pontos idejére)

DE:

When does the train leave?(simple, mert menetrendre kérdezek!) - Mikor indul a vonat?

PRESENT CONTINUOUS FOR THE FUTURE
 

A Present Continuous-t jövő időként olyan cselekvéseknél használjuk, amelyeket meg terveztél, és meg is szerveztél, lefixáltad, beírtad a naptárba, tehát megvan, hogy mikor fog bekövetkezni (van benne egy jövő időre utaló időhatározó),  Minden körülmény adott ahhoz, hogy ez ne csak egy terv, hanem egy lefixált esemény legyen.

I’m playing tennis next Friday. - Jövő pénteken teniszezni fogok.

•           teniszezni akarok pénteken
•           van teniszpartnerem
•           lefoglaltam már a pályát
•           van ütőm és labdám meg teniszszerkóm
•           talán még teniszezni is tudok ...

I'm working next week. - Dolgozom jövő héten. (tuti, pl. nem tudok veletek menni Balatonra)

Are you working next week? -  Dolgozol jövő héten?

Tehát ha a jövő egy konkrét időpontjára vagy kíváncsi, akkor is így kérdezz, mivel azt akarod tudni, hogy van e fix programja az adott időpontban!

EXTENDING YOUR STAY

Receptionist: Reception. Good morning. How can I help you?
Woman: Good morning. My name’s Amanda Cook. I’m calling form room 317. I wonder if I can extend my stay for two more nights.
Receptionist: Just a moment, please, madam. All right. I´ll extend your reservation until Wednesday.
Woman: When do I have to check out?
Receptionist: You have to check out till noon. Would you like me to arrange you an airport-transfer for Wednesday?
Woman: No, thank you. I’ll get a taxi.
Receptionist: Anything else, madam?
Woman: Oh, yes. There are no clean towels in my room. Could you please have them changed?
Receptionist: Certainly. I’ll send a maid up to your room right away.
Woman: … and one more thing. Can I ask for an extra blanket?
Receptionist: Certainly.
Woman: Thank you very much.
Receptionist: All right, madam. Enjoy your stay.
Amanda Cook: Thank you.
Receptionist: You´re welcome.

 How can I help you? – Miben segíthetek?
I’m calling from … . - A …-ból/-ből telefonálok.
I wonder if I can extend my stay. – Szeretném tudni, hogy meghosszabbíthatom-e a tartózkodásomat.
Just a moment, please. – Egy pillanatot kérek.
I’ll extend your reservation until … .   – Meghosszabbítom a foglalását …-ig.
When do I have to check out? – Mikor kell kijelentkeznem?
You have to check out till … . - …-ig kell kijelentkeznie.
Would you like me to arrange you … ? – Szeretné, ha intéznék Önnek …?
I’ll get a taxi.   – Fogok majd egy taxit.
There is/are no … in my room. – Nincs … a szobámban.
Could you have it/them changed? – Ki tudná cseréltetni?
I’ll send a maid up to your room right away. – Felküldök egy szobalányt azonnal a szobájába.
Can I ask for an extra … ? – Kérhetnék még egy …?
Certainly. – Természetesen.
Enjoy your stay! – Kellemes itt tartózkodást!
You’re welcome. – Szívesen.

 to call – hív, telefonál
I wonder if … - Szeretném tudni, hogy …
to extend – meghosszabbít, kiterjeszt
to check in – bejelentkezik
to check out – kijelentkezik
to arrange – szervez, elrendez, intéz
towel – törölköző
to have something changed – kicseréltetni valamit
maid – szobalány
right away – azonnal
blanket/pillow/sheet/duvet – takaró/párna/lepedő/paplan