English Learning Content: At the Bank
Dialogue
Alice: Oh, hi Bob! Fancy seeing you here. I’m trying to deposit some money.
Bob: Alice! What a surprise! You look a bit lost, though. Is everything okay?
Alice: Well, I need to deposit money, but this machine looks like a robot from the future.
Bob: (chuckles) That’s the ATM, Alice. For depositing, you usually need to go inside or use the deposit function if it has one.
Alice: Inside? But there’s a huge line! Can’t I just throw the money into that slot? (points to a random slot)
Bob: (laughs loudly) No, Alice, please don’t! That’s probably for mail. We need to get a deposit slip or use the teller.
Alice: A deposit slip? Is it a secret handshake for the money?
Bob: (shaking his head, smiling) Not exactly. It’s a small paper form. You write your account number and the amount. Come on, I’ll show you.
Alice: Okay, Mr. Banking Expert. Lead the way! Is it in that pile of pens?
Bob: (sighs dramatically) No, it’s usually near the counter. Ah, here we go. See?
Alice: Oh! It’s so small. My handwriting is terrible. What if they can’t read “fifty dollars”?
Bob: They’ll figure it out. Just write clearly. And make sure your account number is correct.
Alice: Okay, okay. Done! Now, do I give it to the robot or the person with the nice smile?
Bob: The person with the nice smile, Alice. That’s the bank teller.
Alice: Thank goodness! She looks much friendlier than the money-eating robot. Thanks, Bob! You saved me from a banking disaster!
Bob: Any time, Alice. Now, how about we get out of this financial jungle and grab some coffee?
Alice: Sounds like a brilliant plan! My brain needs a break from numbers.
Current Situation
Going to the bank is a common activity for many people. Banks are places where you can keep your money safe, manage your finances, and get financial help.
When you go to a bank, you might need to:
- Deposit money: Put money into your account.
- Withdraw money: Take money out of your account.
- Check your balance: Find out how much money is in your account.
- Open an account: Start a new bank account (like a savings or checking account).
- Talk to a bank teller: A person who works at the bank and helps customers with their transactions.
- Use an ATM: An Automated Teller Machine, a machine where you can do basic bank tasks like withdrawing cash or checking your balance without talking to a person.
Knowing these basic terms and procedures can make your visit to the bank much easier!
Key Phrases
- Deposit money: To put money into your bank account.
- Example: “I need to deposit money into my savings account.”
- Withdraw money: To take money out of your bank account.
- Example: “I want to withdraw money for the weekend.”
- ATM (Automated Teller Machine): A machine used to do basic banking tasks.
- Example: “I usually use the ATM to get cash.”
- Bank teller: A person who works at the bank and helps customers.
- Example: “The bank teller helped me with my transaction.”
- Account number: A unique number that identifies your bank account.
- Example: “Don’t forget to write your account number on the deposit slip.”
- Deposit slip: A small paper form you fill out to deposit money.
- Example: “Can I have a deposit slip, please?”
- Open an account: To start a new bank account.
- Example: “I want to open a new account for my business.”
- Check balance: To find out how much money is in your account.
- Example: “I need to check my balance before I go shopping.”
Grammar Points
- “Need to” + verb:
We use “need to” to express necessity or something you have to do.
- Example: “I need to deposit money.” (It’s necessary for me to do this.)
- Example: “You need to get a deposit slip.” (You must do this.)
- Imperatives (Commands/Instructions):
We use the base form of the verb to give commands, instructions, or advice. There is no subject (like “you”).
- Example: “Write clearly.” (Instruction)
- Example: “Come on.” (Encouragement/Command)
- Example: “Make sure your account number is correct.” (Instruction/Advice)
- Simple Present Tense:
Used for habitual actions, facts, or things that are generally true.
- Example: “That is the ATM.” (A fact)
- Example: “She looks friendly.” (A general observation)
- Example: “You usually need to go inside.” (A general procedure)
- Question Words (What, Where, How):
Used to ask for specific information.
- What: Asks about a thing or action. Example: “What do I do?”
- Where: Asks about a place. Example: “Where is the deposit slip?”
- How: Asks about the manner or method. Example: “How about we get coffee?”
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Use the correct phrase from the box: deposit money, ATM, bank teller, account number, withdraw money
- I need to ______ to pay my rent.
- You can get cash from the ______ 24 hours a day.
- Please write your ______ on the form.
- The ______ helped me open a new account.
- I want to ______ into my savings account.
Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Word
Circle or underline the best word to complete the sentence.
- I need to (deposit / withdraw) $500 from my savings to pay bills.
- Can I have a (deposit slip / account number) to put money in?
- The (ATM / teller) is a person who works at the bank.
- I want to (open / close) an account.
Exercise 3: Make a Sentence
Use “I need to…” or “Can I…” with the given words to make a sentence.
- (check / balance)
- (withdraw / cash)
- (open / account)
- (find / ATM)
Answers
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
- withdraw money
- ATM
- account number
- bank teller
- deposit money
Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Word
- withdraw
- deposit slip
- teller
- open
Exercise 3: Make a Sentence (Possible answers)
- I need to check my balance.
- Can I withdraw some cash?
- I need to open an account.
- Can I find an ATM? (or I need to find an ATM.)
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