VOA Level 2 - Lesson 29 : Where There's Smoke...

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/lets-learn-english-level-2-lesson-29/4423736.html

Summary

Anna becomes a fire safety monitor. But will she do a good job? And when will she use her skills?

Conversation

PENELOPE: Hey, Anna. What are you reading?

ANNA: I’m reading about fire safety. Ms. Weaver named me fire safety monitor.

PENELOPE: But the only time we have a fire emergency is when someone burns a piece of toast.

ANNA: That is true. But fire safety is very serious – very serious. If there is a fire emergency, I have to help everyone out of the building.

PENELOPE: Well then, if I were you, I’d learn as much as possible.

ANNA: You’re right. And I know just who to call!

PROF. BOT: Hmm, I wonder where Anna’s going. Today we are reviewing conditionals and learning helpful language for emergencies.

PROF. BOT: If Anna studies hard, she’ll be a great fire safety monitor! That’s a conditional. It uses “if” to show that something is true only when something else is true.

PROF. BOT: Let’s find out where Anna is going. And if you want to learn fire emergency language, keep watching!

(Two firefighters welcome Anna to their firehouse.)

ANNA: Hi, Firefighter Jones.

FIREFIGHTER JONES: Hey, how are you, Anna?

ANNA: I’m well, thanks. How are you? Hi, Firefighter Hatcher.

FIREFIGHTER HATCHER: Hi, Anna. How are you?

ANNA: I’m well, thanks.

FF H: Welcome to our firehouse.

ANNA: Thank you.

FF H: Come on in.

ANNA: Thanks.

FF H: This is where the firefighters eat. This is where we rest. This is where we exercise. This is where the firetrucks are parked and maintained.

ANNA: This place is beautiful.

FF H: You know, the firehouse is a firefighter’s second home.

ANNA: Firefighter Jones, Firefighter Hatcher: Can you tell me some ways to prepare for a fire emergency?

FF H: Sure, Anna. There’s one really important thing you can do: Install a fire alarm.Test it monthly and make sure the batteries are fully charged.

ANNA: Let’s talk about those emergency exits.

FF J: In your home, office and schools, know where your emergency exits are located.

ANNA: What about fire extinguishers?

FF J: Everyone should know how to use a fire extinguisher. Have one handy and practice using it.

ANNA: What if we need to get out?

FF J: You should have an evacuation plan. And practice getting out safely with fire drills. 

ANNA: If I am in a building and it’s on fire, should I use the elevator?

FF H: No. Always use the stairs.

ANNA: What other safety tips should I know?

FF J: Stay low. Smoke rises. The air is clearer close to the ground.

ANNA: Stay low. Anything else?

FF H: If you touch a door and it’s hot, don’t open it. There might be a fire on the other side.

ANNA: What do I do if my clothes catch on fire?

FF H: Do not run. If you run, the fire will burn faster. You must stop, drop and roll.

ANNA: Thanks so much! I’ve learned a lot. And I can’t wait to share this information with others.

FF H: Thanks for coming, Anna.

FF J: It’s been a pleasure meeting you.

(Anna is back at the office talking to Penelope.)

PENELOPE: So, Anna, how was the visit to the fire station?

ANNA: I learned a lot! And firefighters have a very difficult job.

PENELOPE: Do you smell smoke?

ANNA: No. So, like I was saying, I learned how to …

PENELOPE: Anna, I smell smoke.

ANNA: If you smell smoke, call the fire department!

(Anna begins to evacuate her coworkers.)

ANNA: If you smell smoke, get out of the building. Come on people, we have a fire emergency! Leave your things and evacuate calmly and quickly. Very good. Very good.

ANNA: We have a fire emergency. No, take the stairs Let’s get out. Let’s get out safely.

(Anna and coworkers stand outside of the building.)

ANNA: We got out in less than 6 minutes! Good job, people! Wait. Where’s Pete?

PENELOPE: I know where he is. I’ll go get him.

ANNA: No! Never go back into a burning building! The fire department is coming. Stay calm, Pete. Help is on the way! Help is on the way!

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​New Words

alarm – n. a device that makes a loud sound as a warning or signal
catch on fire – v. to begin to burn
clearer – adj. not blocked by anything (comparative form of clear)
close – adj. near in space
door – n. a movable piece of wood, glass, or metal that swings or slides open and shut so that people can enter or leave a room, building or vehicle
emergency – n. an unexpected and usually dangerous situation that calls for immediate action
evacuation – n. the action of leaving or removing someone from a dangerous place
exit – n. something, such as a door, that is used as a way to leave a place
fire drill – n. an activity in which people practice leaving a place quickly so that they will know what to do if there is a fire
fire department –​ n. an organization for preventing and putting out fires​
fire extinguisher – n. a metal container filled with chemicals that is used to put out a fire
fire department -- the department of a local authority in charge of preventing and fighting fires
firehouse – n. a building in which the members of a fire department and the equipment used to put out fires are located
fire station – n. another word for firehouse
handy – adj. near or close
install – v. to make a machine or service ready to be used in a certain place
low – adv. at or to a low place or level
open – v. to move a door or window so that an opening is no longer covered
maintain – v. to keep something in good condition by making repairs or correcting problems
monitor – n. a person who has the job of checking or watching some activity or behavior
rise – v. to move upward
safety – n. freedom from harm or danger
smoke – n. the cloud of black, gray, or white gases and dust that is produced by burning something
stay – v. to continue to be in a specified state, condition, or position

touch – v. to put your hand, fingers, et cetera on something or someone