Lesson 29: Where There's Smoke...
Let's Learn English - Level 2
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!
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
Let’s review! You’ll remember conditionals from Lessons 12 and Lesson 13 . Conditionals show that something is true only when something else is true.
TYPE 1 conditionals have a real event, and a result that probably will happen.
| Sentence Form | Examples |
| If + present tense verb ... will-future verb. | “If you run, the fire will burn faster.” |
| If + present tense verb … modal + simple verb. | “If you are in a building that is on fire, you must not use the elevator.” |
| If + present tense verb … simple verb without subject (imperative) | “If you smell smoke, call the fire department!” |
TYPE 2 conditionals have an improbable event and its probable result. These conditionals are not based on real situations.
| Sentence Form | Examples |
| If + past tense verb ...would + simple verb. | “If I were you, I’d want to learn as much as possible.” |
| If + past tense verb…would + present continuous. | If people didn’t burn toast, the fire alarm would not be ringing so often. |
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 | Install fire alarms. |
Now, You Try It
Test yourself on what you learned!
- What do we call a person who fights fires?
- What's the name of the place where this person lives and works?
- What are some things you can do to prepare for a fire?
- What do we call practicing safely leaving a building?
- If you smell smoke, what should you do?
- If you see a fire, what are some things you might say?
- If your clothes catch on fire, what do you do?
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