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A2Learning to Drive

How to 'Fill Up' Your Car with Petrol

Phrasal Verb: fill up |Grammar: Present Simple

Objective

Students learn to use the phrasal verb 'fill up' in the present simple tense when talking about getting petrol for their car.

Article

When you learn to drive, you often need to fill up your car with petrol. To fill up means to put petrol into your car's tank until it is full. Most drivers fill up their cars at petrol stations. The petrol station has a pump. You take the petrol nozzle and fill up your car carefully. Some drivers fill up their cars every week, but others do it only when the tank is low. It is important to check the petrol level regularly. The pump shows how many litres you fill up. After you fill up, you pay at the counter or the machine. Filling up your car helps you drive without stopping on the road. Many new drivers ask, 'How do I fill up?' It is easy once you learn. Just remember to turn off the engine before you fill up. Then, you fill up slowly and safely. After you finish, you put the nozzle back and close the tank. Now you are ready to drive again!

Grammar Explanation

Meaning

The phrasal verb 'fill up' means to put something into a container until it is full. In this lesson, it means putting petrol into a car's tank until it is full.

Grammar Note

The present simple tense is used to talk about habits, facts, and routines. We use it with subjects like I, you, he, she, it, we, and they. For example, 'I fill up the car every week.'

Usage Tips

  • Use 'fill up' when talking about making a container full, like a petrol tank.
  • Use the present simple for regular actions, like filling up your car often.
  • Remember to add -s or -es for he, she, it in present simple (e.g., 'She fills up the tank').

Examples

I fill up my car with petrol every Saturday.

Talking about a regular habit

He fills up the tank before a long trip.

Describing what he does usually

We fill up the car when the petrol light turns on.

Explaining a condition to fill petrol

She fills up quickly at the petrol station near her house.

Talking about a routine action

You fill up the petrol tank to avoid running out on the road.

Giving advice using present simple

Dialogue

Context: At a petrol station, a learner driver asks how to fill up the car.

A:
Excuse me, how do I fill up my car here?
B:
First, you stop next to the pump and turn off the engine.
A:
Okay, then what do I do?
B:
You take the nozzle and fill up the petrol tank carefully.
A:
Do I need to pay before or after I fill up?
B:
You usually pay after you fill up, either inside or at the machine.

Vocabulary

petrol
a liquid fuel used in cars
Example: I need to buy petrol to drive my car.
Synonym: gasoline
pump
a machine that puts petrol into a car
Example: The pump shows how much petrol you use.
Synonym: dispenser
nozzle
the part of the pump you put into the car
Example: Put the nozzle into the tank carefully.
Synonym: spout
tank
the container in a car that holds petrol
Example: The tank is almost empty, so I need to fill up.
Synonym: reservoir
engine
the part of the car that makes it move
Example: Turn off the engine before you fill up.
Synonym: motor
counter
the place where you pay inside the petrol station
Example: I pay at the counter after I fill up.
Synonym: desk
litre
a unit for measuring liquid
Example: I fill up 40 litres of petrol.
Synonym: unit
station
a place for a specific activity, here a petrol station
Example: I stop at the petrol station on my way home.
Synonym: place
light
a small lamp or signal, like the petrol light in a car
Example: The petrol light shows when you need petrol.
Synonym: signal
safe
free from danger or risk
Example: It is safe to fill up with the engine off.
Synonym: secure

Tips

  • Always turn off your car engine before you fill up to be safe.
  • Check the petrol gauge regularly to know when to fill up.
  • Don't forget to put the nozzle back after you finish filling up.

Summary

In this lesson, you learn how to use the phrasal verb 'fill up' in present simple to talk about putting petrol in a car. You also practise vocabulary related to petrol stations and how to safely fill up your car.

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