Back to Situations

Using an ATM for Cash Withdrawal

A person needs to withdraw cash from an ATM and navigates the machine's interface, enters their PIN, and selects the amount.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
John (Male)
Okay, let's get some cash out. I need about $100 for groceries.
2
Sarah (Female)
Is this ATM okay? Some of them have really high fees.
3
John (Male)
It's my bank's ATM, so there shouldn't be any fees. Alright, inserting the card now.
4
Sarah (Female)
Looks like it's asking for your PIN.
5
John (Male)
Yep, just entered it. Now, I need to select 'Withdrawal' and then the amount. Ah, there's an option for $100.
6
Sarah (Female)
Great. Don't forget your card when you're done.
7
John (Male)
Right. And the cash. It's dispensing now. Okay, here's my card, and here's the money.
8
Sarah (Female)
Perfect! That was quick and easy.

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

cash

Physical money in the form of bills and coins, not digital. Use it when talking about withdrawing money from a bank or ATM for everyday spending.

ATM

Stands for Automated Teller Machine; it's a machine where you can withdraw cash, check balances, or deposit money using your bank card. Common in banking scenarios.

fees

Charges or costs you pay for using a service, like a bank's fee for using another bank's ATM. Useful when discussing costs in financial transactions.

PIN

Personal Identification Number; a secret code you enter to access your bank account at an ATM or online. Always keep it private for security.

withdrawal

The act of taking money out of your bank account. Select this option on an ATM screen when you want cash.

inserting

Putting something into a slot or opening, like inserting your bank card into the ATM. It's a common action in machine interactions.

dispensing

The process of a machine giving out something, like an ATM dispensing cash. Use this when describing how the money comes out.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

Okay, let's get some cash out.

This is a casual suggestion to withdraw money. 'Get some cash out' is an informal idiom for withdrawing from an ATM. Useful for starting a conversation about needing money; simple present tense for immediate action.

Is this ATM okay? Some of them have really high fees.

A question checking if the machine is suitable, followed by a reason. 'Some of them' refers to ATMs in general. Practical for asking about costs before using; uses present simple for facts and 'really high' for emphasis.

It's my bank's ATM, so there shouldn't be any fees.

Explains why no charge applies, using 'so' for cause and effect. 'Shouldn't' expresses expectation. Useful in banking talks to avoid extra costs; conditional for polite certainty.

Looks like it's asking for your PIN.

Observes what the screen shows. 'Looks like' is a common way to describe appearances. Great for describing ATM steps; present continuous for ongoing action on the machine.

Now, I need to select 'Withdrawal' and then the amount.

Describes the next steps on the ATM menu. 'Select' means choose an option. Helpful for guiding through processes; uses 'need to' for necessity and sequence words like 'now' and 'then'.

Don't forget your card when you're done.

A reminder to take back the card. 'Don't forget' is imperative for advice; 'when you're done' uses future clause. Essential safety tip in ATMs; present simple in clauses for general time.

Perfect! That was quick and easy.

Expresses satisfaction after completing a task. 'Quick and easy' describes the process positively. Use after simple transactions; past simple 'was' for completed action, exclamatory for enthusiasm.