Bad Wife · Episode 4 · Self-study practice

The new car, the bad credit score and the gym problem

Watch again in small scenes, tap vocabulary support, notice useful chunks, and practise American English pronunciation. No writing — just watch, click, listen and repeat.

▶ Open full episodeStart practice

How to use this practice

Do the main path first. Watch small parts, click the exercises, listen to useful phrases, and check the key only at the end.

Tip: listen to each phrase twice: first normal speed, then slow speed. Say it aloud once.

1. Episode 4 · quick recall

Click the ideas from Episode 4. More than one answer is correct.

Derek is worried because...
The mechanic says...
Mia is upset because...
At the end, Derek...
Quick story summary

Derek is worried about money after remodeling the bathroom. The mechanic takes the old car after Derek agrees to sell it, so Mia demands a new car. Derek buys one with a high interest rate, then finds Mia with Brandon from the gym.

2. Watch again · scene shortcuts

Use the shortcuts to review the story in small parts.

0:15

Bathroom + money

Derek says the bathroom looks better, but he still has to pay for it. Mia wants him to forget the money and think about the Bahamas.

Open scene
1:40

The mechanic

The mechanic says the engine is old. Fixing the car costs $500, but he offers to buy the car for $350.

Open scene
2:58

Where is our car?

Derek tells Mia he sold the car. Mia is angry and wants a new car.

Open scene
4:02

Uber Luxe + gym

Mia takes an expensive Uber to the gym and has an uncomfortable conversation with Brandon.

Open scene
5:39

At the dealership

Derek tries to buy a car, but his credit score is bad and the interest rate is 15%.

Open scene
6:55

The surprise car

Derek sees Mia with Brandon, thinks she is cheating, then gives her the new car.

Open scene

3. Preview vocabulary · tap if you need help

These words make the story easier. Click for meaning and use Play / Slow / Pause to hear the word.

word 1

save some money

Meaning: spend less and keep more money
In the episode: “We need to save some money now.”
word 2

pay for this

Meaning: give money for something you bought or used
In the episode: “I need to pay for this.”
word 3

cash

Meaning: physical money; bills or coins
In the episode: “Do you have some cash?”
word 4

mechanic

Meaning: a person who fixes cars
In the episode: “The mechanic is coming to fix my car.”
word 5

engine

Meaning: the part of a car that makes it move
In the episode: “Your engine is really old.”
word 6

documents

Meaning: official papers
In the episode: “I need the car documents.”
word 7

sell my car

Meaning: give your car to someone and receive money
In the episode: “I sold the car.”
word 8

dealership

Meaning: a place where people buy cars
In the episode: “Go to the dealership and get a new car.”
word 9

secondhand

Meaning: not new; used before by another person
In the episode: “Are you looking for a new car or secondhand?”
word 10

brand-new

Meaning: completely new
In the episode: “I want a brand-new car.”
word 11

afford it

Meaning: have enough money to buy or pay for something
In the episode: “I can't afford it.”
word 12

credit score

Meaning: a number that shows if banks think you are good with money
In the episode: “You don't have a good credit score.”
word 13

interest rate

Meaning: extra money you pay when you borrow money
In the episode: “The interest rate is 15%.”
word 14

give me a lift

Meaning: take me somewhere by car
In the episode: “He was going to give me a lift.”
word 15

trunk

Meaning: the space in the back of a car
In the episode: “Where is your bike? In the trunk.”

4. Story quiz · click the best answer

Choose the best answer. You can watch the scene again if you need to.

1. Why is Derek worried at the beginning?
2. How much does the mechanic want to fix the car?
3. Why does Derek sell the car?
4. Why is Mia upset after Derek sells the car?
5. What interest rate does Derek accept at the dealership?
6. What does Derek buy for Mia?

5. Chunk Bingo · what did you hear?

Click only the phrases you remember from the episode.

Score: 0 / 18 useful chunks found
Goal: not perfection. The goal is to notice useful chunks and hear them again in the episode.

6. Collocation Builder · choose the natural phrase

Choose the word that naturally goes with the phrase.

1. We need to ___ some money.
2. I still need to ___ for this.
3. The mechanic is coming to ___ my car.
4. I had to ___ the car.
5. I’m ___ an Uber to go to the gym.
6. Go to the ___ and get a new car.
7. I can’t ___ it.
8. He was going to ___ me a lift.
9. The bike is in the ___.

7. Character opinions · click and react

Practice understanding the characters’ actions and useful opinion language.

Mia says Derek only talks about money, but Derek still needs to pay for the bathroom.
The mechanic offers $350 for the car, then refuses to give it back.
Mia says, “How am I supposed to live without a car?”
Brandon keeps insisting that Mia should go out with him.
Derek accepts a 15% interest rate because Mia wants a new car.
Mia says Derek should start cycling so he does not lose his job.

8. Useful language · click, listen and repeat

Click the phrase, listen at normal speed, listen slowly, and repeat aloud once.

reaction
Are you for real?

You are surprised or annoyed.

warning
Don’t you dare cancel this trip.

A strong warning: do not do it.

money
I can’t afford it.

I don’t have enough money.

complaint
How am I supposed to live without a car?

A dramatic complaint.

offer
I can only pay $350.

A limit in a negotiation.

trust
You have to trust your wife.

A relationship argument.

9. Pronunciation Arcade · Play / Slow / Pause

Listen, repeat, then try again slowly.

cash
mechanic
engine
documents
dealership
secondhand
brand-new
afford it
credit score
interest rate
don't you dare
You must be joking.
give me a lift
in the trunk
trust your wife

10. Final review · choose the useful sentence

Choose the sentence that sounds more natural.

1. Natural upgrade for: It costed $115,000.
2. Natural upgrade for: How’s it? Is it a big problem?
3. Natural upgrade for: Don't you dare coming in here.
4. Natural upgrade for: I ordered Uber Luxe.
5. Natural upgrade for: I will make a surprise to her.
6. Natural upgrade for: You are too young.

11. Scene guide · key lines

This is a short scene guide with important lines from the episode. Use it to review vocabulary without reading a long transcript.

Scene 1 · Bathroom + money

Derek says the bathroom is better now.

He needs to save money and pay for it.

Mia says he only worries about money.

Scene 2 · Mechanic

The engine is old.

The mechanic can fix it for $500.

He offers to buy the car for $350.

Scene 3 · No car

Derek tells Mia he sold the car.

Mia says she cannot live without a car.

She tells Derek to get her a new car.

Scene 4 · Gym

Mia orders an Uber Luxe.

Brandon tries to flirt with her.

Mia says she will report him to gym management.

Scene 5 · Dealership

Derek wants a brand-new car but cannot afford it.

The salesperson says Derek has a bad credit score.

The interest rate is 15%.

Scene 6 · The new car

Derek sees Mia with Brandon.

He gives Mia the new car.

Mia tells Derek to start cycling because the bike is in the trunk.

Full transcript: use this only after the exercises if you want to check the exact story details.

Scene 1 · Bathroom + money

Derek: Honey, this is a nice bathroom. The bathroom is much better now.
Mia: Yes, the bathroom has more space. It was a good decision. I made a good choice.
Derek: We need to save some money now. I still need to pay for this. It cost $115,000.
Mia: Derek, you only talk about money. You only worry about money. Forget the money.
Derek: But honey, I need to pay for this. I need to work to pay for this.
Mia: I don’t care. I’m not worried. I have too many things to think about. Next week we’re going to the Bahamas. I don’t want to get stressed.
Derek: Maybe it’s better if we cancel it. I don’t think I have money to pay for it.
Mia: Don't you dare cancel this trip. I’ve been waiting for it for so long.
Derek: The mechanic is coming to fix my car. Do you have some cash?
Mia: I don’t have any. I’m not your bank. I’m not your ATM machine.
Derek: Can I join you?
Mia: Don’t you dare come in here. I’m almost done.

Scene 2 · Mechanic + car

Derek: How is my car? Is it a big problem?
Mechanic: Your engine is not good. Your engine is really old. I can fix it for $500.
Derek: It’s a lot of money. It’s too much money. I don’t have all this money.
Mechanic: This is the price. If you want, I can buy your car.
Derek: How much do you pay?
Mechanic: $350.
Derek: But that is very low.
Mechanic: That is what I can pay you. I can only pay $350.
Derek: Okay, I will sell you my car. You can take my car.
Mechanic: Here is the money. I need the car documents.
Derek: Take your money back, sir. I don’t want to sell my car.
Mechanic: It’s too late now. I don’t want the money. I want the car. Give me the documents or I’ll call the police.
Derek: Here are all the documents.
Mechanic: It’s been a pleasure doing business with you.

Scene 3 · No car

Mia: Derek, where is our car? Where is the car?
Derek: I sold the car. I had to sell it.
Mia: Why did you do that? Why did you sell the car?
Derek: It was expensive to fix it. I don’t have the money for it.
Mia: How am I going to the gym now?
Derek: By bicycle. You can use the bike.
Mia: You must be joking. You have to be joking. I’m not cycling to the gym. It’s hot. I will burn my skin. I don’t like cycling. You have to buy a new car. We need a new car. I want a new car.
Derek: But I don’t have money.
Mia: I’m taking an Uber to go to the gym. I cannot accept this situation. How am I supposed to live without a car? Go get me a new car.

Scene 4 · Gym + Brandon

Derek: That’s a very expensive Uber.
Mia: I ordered an Uber Luxe. Go to the dealership and get a new car.
Mia: Stop looking at me. Stop checking me out. I will record everything and put it on the internet.
Brandon: You can record. You can put it on the internet. I don’t care. I don’t mind. We have to go out. We need to go out together.
Mia: I’m not going out with you. You’re too young. I’m a married woman.
Brandon: I know I’m better than your husband. I’m better than him. You can choose me.
Mia: You don’t know what you’re talking about. I will report you to the gym management.
Brandon: You can do anything. You can report me. But come with me. Let’s go together.

Scene 5 · Dealership

Salesperson: Are you looking for a new car or secondhand?
Derek: I want a brand-new car, but I can’t afford it.
Salesperson: Let me show you what we have in our showroom. These are our best cars, the most exclusive cars you will find in Charleston.
Derek: They’re really nice, but I can’t afford them. They are too expensive.
Salesperson: Okay, I see. Now let me show you the other cars we have. These are the cars I believe you can afford.
Derek: I don’t have money for this, but my wife needs a new car. I want the light blue one. I will take that one.
Salesperson: Mr. Smith, I need to tell you: you don’t have a good credit score. I can sell you that car, but the interest rate is 15%.
Derek: That’s a lot, but I will buy it. My wife wants a new car. I will surprise her. Let me write you a check.

Scene 6 · The surprise car

Derek: Are you stupid? Are you drunk? You almost hit us!
Mia: Calm down, Brandon. This is my husband.
Derek: Mia, what are you doing with him?
Mia: Brandon works at the gym. He’s a personal trainer. He was going to give me a lift. He has a car. He was going to take me home. You don’t want me to take Uber.
Derek: Okay, Brandon, you can go now. I’m sorry, babe. I thought you were cheating on me.
Mia: How can you think that? This is crazy. You have to trust your wife.
Derek: I bought you a new car. I came to give it to you.
Mia: That’s good. It’s a cheap car, but good. It’s not an expensive car. Where is your bike?
Derek: In the trunk.
Mia: You’d better start cycling then. I don’t want you to lose your job. Next week we’re going to the Bahamas. Okay, I’m going home. Have a good day at work.
Derek: Thanks for the car? Okay, honey. See you at home.

Answer key

Check only after you try.

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Bad Wife · Episode 4 · Click-only video practice