DIRECTIONS: Read the dialogues below in English, then translate them and read them in your primary language (if needed). You’re encouraged to read these dialogues with your teacher, tutor, colleagues, family, and friends to practice and improve your American English even further.
Topic: Speeding Ticket
Dialogue 1
Emma: What’s the matter? Is everything okay, Daniel?
Daniel: No, it’s not. I just got a speeding ticket on the highway. I was going 80 miles per hour in a 65 zone.
Emma: Oh no! That’s terrible news.
Daniel: Yeah, the Officer said he had to give me a fine for breaking the law and putting other drivers at risk by driving too fast.
Emma: Can you contest the ticket?
Daniel: I don’t think so. The Officer gave me the ticket and took my driver’s license. He said that this is something that happens every day here, on this particular road.
Emma: Let’s see… It says here that if you want to dispute the ticket, you have 30 days from the date of issuance to appeal or request more information regarding the violation.
Daniel: That sounds like a lot of hassle.
Emma: At least there’s an option, and we can calculate how much the fine will cost before paying anything. Don’t worry, Daniel. We’ll get through this together.
Dialogue 2
Julia: Can you believe I got pulled over today, Max?
Max: No way! What happened?
Julia: The officer said I was going 75 miles per hour on the highway.
Max: That’s fast. Didn’t you notice your speed?
Julia: Honestly, no. I was just in a hurry to get to work.
Max: Did he give you a speeding ticket, then?
Julia: Yeah, unfortunately. It’s not something I can ignore.
Max: How much is it for? A hundred bucks?
Julia: Try two hundred. And that’s not even the worst part.
Max: Oh no, what else?
Julia: My insurance premiums will go up too now.
Max: Ouch. Well, at least you weren’t hurt and didn’t cause an accident.
Julia: Yeah, true. Lesson learned, though. Slow down and drive carefully from now on!
Max: Wise advice. Better safe than sorry.