Here is Level 2, Lesson 29: “Where There’s Smoke…” adapted from VOA Learning English.

1. Listen, read, translate if needed, and practice along with the audio player and dialogue below.

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!

Emergency Language

Today, you learned important language to use for fire emergencies. Study and remember them. How many can you remember?

Helpful Language	Helpful Phrases
emergency exit/s evacuation plan firefighter fire extinguisher fire truck firehouse fire station fire department fire drill/s catch fire / catch on fire	Install fire alarms. I smell smoke. Do you smell smoke? There’s a fire! Call the fire department! The building is on fire! Stop, drop and roll.

2. Watch Lesson 29: “Where There’s Smoke…” American English video lesson.

3. Take Lesson 29: “Where There’s Smoke…” quiz to check your American English knowledge. Click here to take the quiz.

4. Answer the following question in the comments section below:

Write a guide to emergencies for your family. Use what you learned in the lesson about evacuation, supplies and fire safety to explain to your family. Draw a map of your home showing exits or the location of the fire extinguishers.