An automobile is a wheeled vehicle that carries its own motor. Different types of automobiles include cars, buses, trucks, and vans, with cars being the most popular by far. The term is derived from Greek
Some Quotations about Cars:
– The car has become… an article of dress without which we feel uncertain, unclad, and incomplete. – Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media, 1964
– When a man opens a car door for his wife, it’s either a new car or a new wife. – author unknown
– Never lend your car to anyone to whom you have given birth. – Erma Bombeck (20th century), U.S. humorist and author.
Commonly used expressions containing the word ‘car’:
car – an automobile
armoured car – an armour-plated truck with strong doors and locks used to transport money or valuables
car chase – a scene involving one or more automobiles being pursued by other vehicles
car theft – stealing of automobiles, buses, motorcycles, trucks, and the like
baggage car – a railway car where passengers’ bags are carried
buffet car – a passenger car where food is served in transit, dining car, diner
bumper car – a small low-powered electrically powered vehicle driven on a special platform where there are many others to be dodged; UK also known dodgem
cable car – a car designed to operate on a cableway or cable railway.
car bomb – a bomb placed in a car and wired to explode when the ignition is started or by remote control or by a timing device
car boot sale – an outdoor sale at which people sell things from the trunk of their car
car ferry – a ferry that transports motor vehicles
car park – parking area, parking lot
car phone – a cellular telephone that is permanently installed and integrated into the wiring of a motor vehicle. May be either a hands-free or a hand-held model.
car pool – a small group of car drivers who arrange to take turns driving while the others are passengers
car wash – a facility used to clean the exterior and sometimes the interior of automobiles.
company car – a car owned by a company or other organization which is used by an employee for his or her work
estate car – a car that has a long body and rear door with space behind rear seat, station wagon
sedan car – limousine, saloon
patrol car – a car in which policemen cruise the streets; equipped with radiotelephonic communications to headquarters; squad car; police car
racing car – a fast car that competes in races
sleeping car – a railroad car having accommodations for sleeping
sports car – a small low car with a high-powered engine; usually seats two persons
stock car – a car kept in dealers’ stock for regular sales
vintage car – An old motor car, specifically one built between 1919 and 1930.
Now we put new vocabulary into context, so you can see how you might use these terms yourself. The expressions are in boldface in the text.
Auto service centre offers car maintenance, brakes service, auto repair service and automobile tires.
If your train has a baggage car, check all the articles that you will not need during the journey.
A buffet car is a passenger car of a train where snacks and drinks can be bought at a counter and consumed. Typically it is not allowed to consume brought-along food and drinks in this car.
Bumper car rides are designed so that the cars can collide without much danger to the riders. Each car has a large rubber bumper all around it.
The tragedy occurred when a helicopter accidentally dropped a massive concrete block weighing 750 kg onto a cable car in Austria’s mountainous Tyrol region, killing three of the five people in it.
Car boot sales often attract traders selling off stolen goods. If you are suspicious, note the seller’s vehicle number and contact the nearest police station. Handling stolen goods can attract greater penalties than the theft.
Taking a car ferry from the UK or Scandinavia to northern Germany is a leisurely travel option.
A car wash will keep your car clean with a minimum of time and effort.
A company car is a car provided by your employer which you may use privately and for business.
A station wagon (US and Australian usage) or estate car (UK usage) is a normal sedan car with an extended rear cargo area.
It is usually agreed that a German, Carl Benz, built the first motor car in 1885.
It was a tricycle with a petrol motor at the rear.
Aerodynamic efficiency is the goal of all race car designers. It is the most important element in developing a competitive race car.
The sleeping car or sleeper is a railroad car with sleeping facilities.
Practise vocabulary:
