Car Rental - Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab

Level	Topic	Speakers	Length
Intermediate	Budget Car Rentals	Man – Man	03:22

Blue car. There is a hand holding car keys in the foreground.

Pre-Listening Exercise

What are your major considerations when deciding on renting a specific car? How careful do you look for budget car rentals?

Agree or Disagree? Let’s Spark Some Conversation!

These statements are designed to get everyone thinking, moving, and talking! The goal is to explore ideas, share opinions, and get ready for the next part of the lesson.

In a face-to-face classroom: Read each statement aloud. If you agree, move to one side of the room; if you disagree, move to the other. Talk with your group—why do you feel that way? Then, pair students with members of the other group and have students explain their reasons. Rotate partners for more practice.
In an online classroom: Use polls, emojis, or the chat box in your online platform to show your opinion. Then, join the conversation as a group or in breakout rooms. What do others think? Do you agree or disagree with them?
For independent learners: Read each statement and think about your opinion. Then say your answer out loud and explain your reason, as if you’re talking to a classmate. This helps you get ready to speak and join real conversations in English. Consider recording your ideas and check your progress.

Renting a car is cheaper than using taxis or ride apps on a trip.
Car rental companies add too many hidden fees.
It is safer to rent a car than to rely on public transportation in a new city.
Renting a car gives travelers more freedom than joining a tour group.
Rental cars should always include full insurance in the price.
Electric cars should be the standard option for rentals.
People under 25 should be allowed to rent cars without extra fees.
Returning a car with a full tank of gas is a fair rule.
Car rental is better for family travel than taking buses or trains.
Renting a car for a day is more trouble than it is worth.

Idioms

“catch one’s eye” = attract one’s attention
“She was planning on renting a compact car, but a nice sports car caught her eye, and she left the parking lot with it.”

“pay through the nose” = pay a great deal for something, sacrifice for
“You’ll pay through the nose to rent a car during the holiday season.”

Listening Exercise

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

B. Listen to the conversation again as you read the Quiz Script.

See Listening Script

Vocabulary Practice

Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:

Mixed-Up Sentence | Multiple-Choice Questions | Gap-fill Exercise | Sentence and Vocabulary Matching

Post-Listening Exercise

What factors are important to you when renting a car or other vehicle? Rank these items in order of importance and then discuss your ideas with a partner.

Online Investigation

Imagine that you want to rent an economy car for three days during a trip to California. You don’t need car insurance, but you need a car that has unlimited miles. Search for two or three car rental agencies and compare them to see which company will give you the best deal. Consider cost, car features, and mileage as part of your research. Discuss your findings with a partner.