You be the judge: my partner confronts bad drivers. Should he stop?

This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.

Would rather
Definition: Used to say that you prefer one thing or action to another.
Example: I’d rather stay at home tonight.
To swear (at someone)
Definition: To use offensive or rude language, especially when angry.
Example: He started swearing at the other driver.
To catch up (with someone)
Definition: To talk to someone you haven’t seen for a while and find out what they’ve been doing.
Example: I met Sarah for coffee to catch up.
When it comes to
Definition: Used to introduce a particular subject or situation.
Example: When it comes to driving, he is very cautious.
Could have ended badly
Definition: “Could + have + past participle” describes something that was possible in the past but did not happen. It often describes a possible negative result.
Example: We were driving too fast. It could have ended badly.
To confront (someone/something)
Definition: To deal with a person, problem, or difficult situation directly.
Example: She decided to confront him about his behaviour.
To insist
Definition: To say firmly that something must happen or that something is true.
Example: He insisted on paying for dinner.
To lose your temper
Definition: To suddenly become very angry.
Example: I lost my temper when he started shouting.
To kick off
Definition: In informal British English, to become angry and cause an argument or scene.
Example: He kicked off when they refused to give him a refund.
To get away with something
Definition: To do something wrong without being punished for it.
Example: He lied to his boss and got away with it.
Whereas
Definition: Used to show a contrast between two things.
Example: She is very outgoing, whereas her brother is quiet.
To overtake (someone/something)
Definition: To move past someone or something travelling in the same direction.
Example: I waited until it was safe to overtake the lorry.
Reckless
Definition: Dangerous or careless because you do not consider the consequences.
Example: His reckless driving put everyone at risk.
Infuriating
Definition: Extremely annoying or frustrating.
Example: It’s infuriating when people refuse to listen.
To see eye to eye
Definition: To agree with someone about something.
Example: We don’t always see eye to eye.
To be in the wrong
Definition: To be responsible for a mistake or to have behaved incorrectly.
Example: I realised I was in the wrong, so I apologised.
To overlook (something/someone)
Definition: To fail to notice something or someone.
Example: I overlooked a small mistake in the report.
To stand up for someone
Definition: To defend someone who is being treated unfairly.
Example: She stood up for her colleague when he was criticised.
If I’d wanted a confrontation, I would have got out of the car
Definition: The third conditional uses “if + had + past participle, would + have + past participle” to imagine a different past and its possible result.
Example: If I’d known about the traffic, I would have left earlier.
As though
Definition: Used to describe something that seems to be true, whether it is or not.
Example: He looked at me as though I had said something ridiculous.
To get a kick out of something
Definition: To get enjoyment or excitement from something.
Example: He gets a kick out of making people laugh.
To call (someone) out
Definition: To openly criticise someone for their behaviour.
Example: She called him out for being rude.
To go off on one
Definition: An informal British expression meaning to suddenly speak angrily or emotionally.
Example: He went off on one when I mentioned the problem.
To rein it in
Definition: To control or reduce something that has become excessive.
Example: I was getting angry, so I had to rein it in.
Mild-mannered
Definition: Calm, gentle, and not easily angered.
Example: He’s normally very mild-mannered, so I was surprised when he lost his temper.

15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

1.       What does Riya say?

2.       What does Declan say?

3.       What do the jury say?

4.       What do you say?

5.       Do you suffer from road rage?

6.       Are there cultural differences in the way people drive?

7.       Why do you believe road rage is so prevalent?

8.       Do you and your partner have the same attitude towards confrontation?

9.       Does your personality change in different circumstances?

10.     Do you have a short temper?

11.     Do you know someone who has a short temper?

12.     What should a husband do if another man swears at his wife from another car?

13.     Do you teach your kids that fighting and hitting others is always wrong?

14.     Is it possible to be too afraid of confrontation?

15.     Do you think men suffer from road rage more than women? If so, why?