4000 Essential English Words 2 » Unit 30: The Taxi Driver

Word List
  • appeal [əˈpiːl] v.
    To appeal to someone is to be interesting or attractive to them.
    → Sleeping all day appeals to me, but I have to go to school.
  • assume [əˈsjuːm] v.
    To assume something is to think that it is true, even with no proof.
    → I assume you are both familiar with this plan.
  • borrow [ˈbɔ(:)roʊ] v.
    To borrow something is to take it and then give it back later.
    → Can I borrow a pencil to use today? I’ll give it back to you tomorrow.
  • client [ˈklaɪənt] n.
    A client is a person or business that pays another to do a service.
    → She has many clients who enjoy coming to her salon.
  • downtown [ˈdaʊnˈtaʊn] n.
    The downtown is the center of most cities.
    → The downtown is filled with many tall buildings.
  • dull [dʌl] adj.
    If something is dull, it is not exciting.
    → The movie was very dull. I fell asleep watching it.
  • embarrass [ɪmˈbærəs] v.
    To embarrass someone is to make them feel ashamed or foolish.
    → He was embarrassed when he couldn’t remember her name.
  • fare [fɛər] n.
    A fare is an amount of money paid to use a bus, train, or taxi.
    → Since he is a senior, my grandfather pays a low fare for the bus.
  • former [ˈfɔːrmər] adj.
    Former describes something that used to be but is not any more.
    → The hotel, a former castle, was built over 200 years ago.
  • formula [ˈfɔːrmjələ] n.
    A formula is a set mathematical way or method of solving a problem.
    → I learned a new formula that may help us with our problem.
  • found [faund] v.
    To found a company or organization means to start it.
    → The pilgrims founded one of the first colonies in the United States.
  • invest [ɪnˈvest] v.
    To invest means to use money in a way that will bring a profit later.
    → I invested money in a new building that should bring me a profit.
  • loan [loun] n.
    A loan is the act of lending something, usually money.
    → I got a loan from the bank.
  • practical [ˈpræktɪkəl] adj.
    If something is practical, it is useful in normal life.
    → Learning English is practical; you can use it in many places.
  • quarter [ˈkwɔːrtər] n.
    A quarter is 25 cents.
    → He paid a quarter for the candy.
  • salary [ˈsælərɪ] n.
    A salary is how much money a person makes at his or her job.
    → He got a new job with a better salary.
  • scholarship [ˈskɒlə:rʃɪp] n.
    A scholarship is money given to one so they can go to school.
    → I got a scholarship to help me pay for university.
  • temporary [ˈtempərərɪ] adj.
    If something is temporary, it exists for a short time.
    → This car is only temporary; I’ll get a new one soon.
  • treasure [ˈtreʒə:r] n.
    A treasure is a collection of valuable things, especially jewels or gold.
    → They became very rich when they found the buried treasure.
  • urge [əːrdʒ] v.
    To urge someone is to try very hard to get them to do something.
    → He urged them to believe his story.
Exercise 1

Choose the right definition for the given word.

  1. salary
    • a. a system of beliefs
    • b. to lend something and get back later
    • c. the money one makes at a job
    • d. the center of a town
  2. former
    • a. in the past
    • b. existing for a short time
    • c. to establish something
    • d. a system of beliefs
  3. formula
    • a. to believe without proof
    • b. to try to get someone to act
    • c. a mathematical rule
    • d. money for school
  4. practical
    • a. the way it used to be
    • b. useful
    • c. to complain
    • d. a valuable collection
  5. borrow
    • a. to be wanted
    • b. to take for a short time
    • c. a system of beliefs
    • d. to make a person feel stupid
  6. assume
    • a. to believe without proof
    • b. useful
    • c. 25 cents
    • d. boring
  7. downtown
    • a. a group of letter or numbers
    • b. the money you make at a job
    • c. food with a lot of sugar
    • d. the center of a city
  8. dull
    • a. boring
    • b. to believe without proof
    • c. to take for a short time
    • d. to give but receive back later
  9. treasure
    • a. money for school
    • b. to encourage
    • c. a valuable collection
    • d. the center of a town
  10. temporary
    • a. a small amount of money
    • b. to establish
    • c. existing for a short time
    • d. to give but get back later
Exercise 2

Check (V) the one that suits the blank naturally.

  1. The lawyer is very busy because __________.
    • ____ a. she has many clients
    • ____ b. she makes a good salary
  2. I want to make more money, so __________.
    • ____ a. I will invest some of my money
    • ____ b. I assume that I did
  3. I didn’t like the book; __________.
    • ____ a. it was only temporary
    • ____ b. it was very dull
  4. This math problem is hard, __________.
    • ____ a. and I wish I had a formula
    • ____ b. so I need a scholarship
  5. I don’t need more money. __________.
    • ____ a. I will found a bakery
    • ____ b. I have enough cash
Exercise 3

Fill in the blanks with the correct words from the word bank.

WORD BLANK
urge borrow practical
downtown appeal  
  1. If something is ___________, you can use it often.
  2. You can ___________ my hat, but you have to give it back to me.
  3. I like living ___________; it is an exciting place.
  4. I ___________ you to save money; you might need it later.
  5. Does flying ___________ to you? I’ve always wanted to try it.
Answer Key
Exercise 1
  1. c
  2. a
  3. c
  4. b
  5. b
  6. a
  7. d
  8. a
  9. c
  10. c
Exercise 2
  1. a
  2. a
  3. b
  4. a
  5. b
Exercise 3
  1. practical
  2. borrow
  3. downtown
  4. urge
  5. appeal
Answer Key
The Taxi Driver

Peter’s job was driving a taxi downtown. He made a small salary. But he liked his job because it wasn’t dull. Every day, he saw new things that appealed to him. Peter was practical about the future. “Maybe I can get a scholarship to college,” he thought. “I could learn mathematical formulas and get a job at a bank. I could help clients invest their money.”

Peter stopped to pick up a passenger. “Where to?” he asked.

“Go to the Fourth Street Bank. And don’t talk to me. I’ve had a rough day,” the man said. Peter was angry, but he had a peaceful philosophy. When they stopped, the man’s fare came to $10.25. He put his hands in his pockets. “I can’t find my wallet!” he said. “I can’t pay the fare!”

Peter said, “Maybe I’ll give you a temporary loan. You can borrow ten dollars and a quarter from me.”

The man was embarrassed, saying, “I was mean to you, but now I want to help you. I founded this bank. I want to give you one thousand dollars.”

That much money was like a treasure to Peter. The man urged him to take the money, but he didn’t.

“You’re an honest person,” the man said. “I assumed you would take it. I want you to work for me.”

The next day, Peter started his job at the bank. He was happy to be done with his former job.

Reading Comprehension

Answer the questions.

  1. What is this story about?
    • a. How a poor taxi driver got a new job by being kind
    • b. Why a dull job with a high salary appeals to people
    • c. How to get a scholarship to go to college
    • d. Why it is important not to borrow money
  2. What does Peter do downtown?
    • a. He drives a taxi.
    • b. He studies math formulas.
    • c. He grumbles about his job.
    • d. He drives people around for a quarter.
  3. Why does the man give Peter a job?
    • a. He assumes that Peter is practical.
    • b. He didn’t want to give Peter a treasure.
    • c. Peter showed that he was honest.
    • d. Peter loaned him twenty five cents.
  4. Why does Peter like his job?
    • a. He invested a lot of money in it.
    • b. It is only a temporary job.
    • c. He can embarrass other people by being rude.
    • d. It is never dull and he meets many people.
  5. What does the man urge Peter to do?
    _____________
Answer Key
Answer Key
Reading Comprehension
  1. a
  2. a
  3. c
  4. d
  5. He urged Peter to take the money.
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