Unit 21. Transport
LISTENING WARM-UP
Look at the pictures. In pairs, answer the following questions:• How dangerous are the roads where you live?
• How could they be made safer?
• How can children learn about road safety?
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DEVELOP YOUR LISTENING SKILLS
 Listen to these extracts from comments on road safety by four people.Each speaker is concerned about a problem. Circle the problem they areprobably talking about.Key.Speaker 1: с Speaker 2: а Speaker 3: а Speaker 4: а |
a the cost of insurance.
b the speed of traffic.
с the condition of the road.
Speaker 2 is concerned about...
a the amount of traffic.
b the lack of parking.
с the cost of petrol.
Speaker 3 is concerned about...
a children's safety.
b traffic lights.
с roadworks.
Speaker 4 is concerned about...
a drivers' skills.
b children's awareness.
с cars' facilities.
Tapescript
Speaker 4
It seems to me that they don't have all the training they need to move around town safely.
| Now listen to the complete comments. Each speaker implies thatsomebody is to blame for the situation. Match the speakers to the peoplethey blame. There is one extra letter you do not need to use. Key.1С 2A 3E 4D |
Speaker 2: ________ В car designers
Speaker 3: ________ С local council
Speaker 4: ________ D national government
E parents
Tapescript
Speaker 1
It gets worse every time it rains and it's starting to get really dangerous. The road surface needs completely replacing. There are holes everywhere and I'm worried that a car is going to come round this bend and the driver's going to lose control. I must have called a dozen times and they still haven't sent anyone round to have a look. They say there are other, more important problems. I know they have to repair all the roads around here, but it's been like this for over two years now.
Speaker 2
They come through here because they can get into the centre of town more quickly. This road wasn't built for that amount of traffic, though. It's only narrow. This is a residential area and there are children playing in the street. One of these days there'll be a serious accident, but there are things that could be done to prevent it. I've called them to come and stop drivers who are speeding, but they say they're too busy catching the real criminals. They just don't want to know. They'll be sorry one day
Speaker 3
It's just so dangerous for them in the streets, where they can get knocked down. I see them from my window. They play games in the road and cars come racing around that corner without slowing down. One girl was hit last month. Luckily, it wasn't serious, but they might not be so fortunate next time. They shouldn't be allowed to play there, really. I make sure my daughter is where I can keep my eye on her.
Speaker 4
It seems to me that they don't have all the training they need to move around town safely. All the driving instructors do is help them get through the test, and who can blame them? Well, I've taken the test, and I know that it's very easy. You can't expect people to be safe drivers when all they have to do to pass is go round a couple of corners. They should introduce new laws over the whole country to make the test harder. That way, we might have people who are better drivers.
| Listen to the complete comments again. Decide whether the following statements are true or false. Circle T for True or F for False. Key.1T 2F 3F 4F 5T 6F 7F 8F |
2 Speaker 1 thinks the problem could take two years to fix. T / F
3 Speaker 2 thinks the children should play somewhere else. T / F
4 Speaker 2 accepted an apology from someone. T / F
5 Speaker 3 thinks that the girl was fortunate. T / F
6 Speaker 3's daughter is not allowed to play in the street. T / F
7 Speaker 4 thinks that driving instructors don't drive safely. T / F
8 Speaker 4 thinks the drivers should go a different way. T / F
Tapescript
Speaker 1
It gets worse every time it rains and it's starting to get reallydangerous. The road surface needs completely replacing. There are holeseverywhere and I'm worried that a car is going to come round this bendand the driver's going to lose control. I must have called a dozen timesand they still haven't sent anyone round to have a look. They say thereare other, more important problems. I know they have to repair all theroads around here, but it's been like this for over two years now.
Speaker 2
They come through here because they can get into the centre of town morequickly. This road wasn't built for that amount of traffic, though.It's only narrow. This is a residential area and there are childrenplaying in the street. One of these days there'll be a serious accident,but there are things that could be done to prevent it. I've called themto come and stop drivers who are speeding, but they say they're toobusy catching the real criminals. They just don't want to know. They'llbe sorry one day.
Speaker 3
It's just so dangerous for them in the streets, where they can getknocked down. I see them from my window. They play games in the road andcars come racing around that corner without slowing down. One girl washit last month. Luckily, it wasn't serious, but they might not be sofortunate next time. They shouldn't be allowed to play there, really. Imake sure my daughter is where I can keep my eye on her.
Speaker 4
It seems to me that they don't have all the training they need to movearound town safely. All the driving instructors do is help them getthrough the test, and who can blame them? Well, I've taken the test, andI know that it's very easy. You can't expect people to be safe driverswhen all they have to do to pass is go round a couple of corners. Theyshould introduce new laws over the whole country to make the testharder. That way, we might have people who are better drivers.
In pairs, check whether you agree on the answers to В and С. Discuss why you chose those answers. If necessary, listen again.
| Listen to these statements taken from an advertisement for a new formof transport, the Solomobile. For each statement, choose the sentencebelow which best expresses what we can deduce about the Solomobile. Key.1a 2a 3b | |
 | |
a The Solomobile uses another form of energy.
b The Solomobile uses less petrol than a car.
Statement 2
a The Solomobile doesn't run on wheels.
b The Solomobile doesn't need any brakes.
Statement 3
a The Solomobile is designed for this country.
b The Solomobile is new in this country.
Tapescript
Statement 1 Soon, you'll be able to completely forget about the cost of petrol.
Statement 2 There's no need for ugly roads any more with the Solomobile.
Statement 3 The Solomobile is taking off around the world, and you could be the first in your street to own one!
| Now listen to the whole advertisement and check your answers to E. |
Soon, traffic jams will be a thing of the past. The Solomobile lets you go right over them! Soon, you'll be able to completely forget about the cost of petrol. The Solomobile simply uses electricity from your home to recharge its batteries. Soon, you'll be free to go where you want to, when you want to. It's coming, and it's going to be big. It's the most fun you can have around town! There's no need for ugly roads any more with the Solomobile. Simply step onto your Solomobile and you'll be lifted six inches into the air! The Solomobile floats above the ground, giving you a smoother, more comfortable ride. With speeds of up to fifteen kilometres per hour, you'll be there in no time! The Solomobile is taking off around the world, and you could be the first in your street to own one! Now in this country for the first time, the Solomobile will make you the envy of your friends. Whether you need to get to school before the first bell, or you need to be at your desk before your boss gets in, the Solomobile will keep you one step ahead of the rest. Call 07325-SOLOMOBILE now for more details on how you can take part in the transport revolution.
| Listen again and decide what the advertisement implies about the following statements. Circle T for True and F for False. Key.1F 2T 3T 4F 5T |
2 You'll have to pay for the energy the Solomobile uses. T / F
3 At the moment, we don't have complete freedom to travel. T / F
4 The Solomobile is designed for long journeys. T / F
5 People of different ages will find the Solomobile useful. T / F
Tapescript
Soon, traffic jams will be a thing of the past. The Solomobile lets yougo right over them! Soon, you'll be able to completely forget about thecost of petrol. The Solomobile simply uses electricity from your home torecharge its batteries. Soon, you'll be free to go where you want to,when you want to. It's coming, and it's going to be big. It's the mostfun you can have around town! There's no need for ugly roads any morewith the Solomobile. Simply step onto your Solomobile and you'll belifted six inches into the air! The Solomobile floats above the ground,giving you a smoother, more comfortable ride. With speeds of up tofifteen kilometres per hour, you'll be there in no time! The Solomobileis taking off around the world, and you could be the first in yourstreet to own one! Now in this country for the first time, theSolomobile will make you the envy of your friends. Whether you need toget to school before the first bell, or you need to be at your deskbefore your boss gets in, the Solomobile will keep you one step ahead ofthe rest. Call 07325-SOLOMOBILE now for more details on how you cantake part in the transport revolution.
In pairs, discuss your answers to G. Did you agree about what wasbeing implied? Explain why you chose your answers. What do you think ofthe idea of the Solomobile?
| Listen to the advertisement again. As you listen, decide whether youagree or disagree with the following statements. When you have listened,discuss your opinions. Give reasons. |
2 We will have vehicles that fly in the near future. Agree / Disagree
3 The Solomobile would be fun. Agree / Disagree
4 The Solomobile would replace cars. Agree / Disagree
5 Cars are the biggest threat to the environment. Agree / Disagree
Tapescript
Soon, traffic jams will be a thing of the past. The Solomobile lets yougo right over them! Soon, you'll be able to completely forget about thecost of petrol. The Solomobile simply uses electricity from your home torecharge its batteries. Soon, you'll be free to go where you want to,when you want to. It's coming, and it's going to be big. It's the mostfun you can have around town! There's no need for ugly roads any morewith the Solomobile. Simply step onto your Solomobile and you'll belifted six inches into the air! The Solomobile floats above the ground,giving you a smoother, more comfortable ride. With speeds of up tofifteen kilometres per hour, you'll be there in no time! The Solomobileis taking off around the world, and you could be the first in yourstreet to own one! Now in this country for the first time, theSolomobile will make you the envy of your friends. Whether you need toget to school before the first bell, or you need to be at your deskbefore your boss gets in, the Solomobile will keep you one step ahead ofthe rest. Call 07325-SOLOMOBILE now for more details on how you cantake part in the transport revolution.
WORDPERFECT
Read these sentences and then use the words in bold to complete the sentences below.
Key.1 coach
2 hydrofoil
3 toll
4 motorway
5 break down
6 roadworks
7 diversion
8 ferry
9 drink-driving
10 council
Note: You may wish to point out to students that 'My car broke down yesterday' and 'I broke down yesterday' mean the same thing.
• The council is the local government, usually responsible for roads, schools and local services.
• They're mending the road into town, so we'll have to go another way to avoid the roadworks.
• I hope the car doesn't break down on the way to work like it did yesterday.
• We should take the motorway if we're going to drive so far.
• The government have started a major advertising campaign to deal with the problem of drink-driving.
• A coach is a large bus that usually runs between towns and cities.
• You have to stop and pay a toll on some major roads as a kind of tax.
• A hydrofoil is a passenger boat that goes quite fast and is lifted up by a kind of underwater wing.
• Let's take the ferry to the next island and spend a few days there.
• There's been an accident so the police have created a diversion onto another road and we have to turn left.
1 The train only runs twice a day, so I suggest we take the _______________ and then get a taxi.
2 It might be more expensive than the ferry, but the _______________ is much quicker.
3 Could you look in my bag to see if there's any money? We'll have to pay a _______________ soon if we stay on this road.
4 Two people were injured earlier today in an accident on the _______________ just outside Manchester.
5 If I _______________ one more time, I'm selling this car and getting a new one.
6 There'll be delays on the M5 for the whole of next week due to _______________.
7 We'll have to go the long way to Grandma's house as there's a _______________ on the main road because of an accident.
8 The _______________ might be slower than the hydrofoil, but it's certainly cheaper,
9 Did you hear about Darren's dad? He was arrested for _______________ and might go to prison.
10 I think the local _______________ is responsible for making sure the roads are in good condition.
PRACTISE YOUR LISTENING SKILLS
Listening know-how
• Выполняя задание J, помните, что неправильные варианты ответов частодаются для того, чтобы внести вас в заблуждение. Не выбирайте вариантответа только потому, что в нем встретились слова, которые вы слышали втексте.
• Выполняя задание K, прочитайте предложение целиком послезаполнения пропуска. Ваш ответ должен логически и грамматическивстраиваться в контекст.
| You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1-8, choose the best answer, А, В or C. Key.1С 2B 3B 4C 5B 6A 7B 8A |
A He wasn't really prepared for the journey.
В He didn't cccm to care about the passengers.
С He blamed somebody else for the problem.
2 You hear a man talking about his job. Where does he work?
A on a ferry
В at a port
С in a travel agent's
3 You hear part of a radio programme on the subject of transport. What is the problem being discussed?
A the pollution caused by cars
В the lack of places lo park
С the danger of speeding motorists
4 Listen to this couple talking about a museum they are planning to visit. What do they disagree on?
A how interesting it would be
В how much time they will have there
С how long it will take to get there
5 You overhear a woman talking to an air hostess. What does the woman want her to do?
A speak to another passenger
В help her with a piece of equipment
С give something to her
6 Listen to this woman talking about a documentary she has just seen. What does she think about the programme?
A It ignored the main problem.
В It blamed the wrong people.
С It used the wrong figures.
7 You overhear this man on his phone on the train. Where is the person he is speaking to?
A in a car
В at home
С on a train
8 You hear part of a radio play. Why is the woman annoyed with the man?
A He won't drive her somewhere.
В He can't remember something.
С He doesn't know how to do something.
Tapescript
1
It was the oldest coach you've ever seen. I couldn't believe it when the driver turned up. He was very apologetic, but it was the only one available, apparently. Something to do with his manager making a double booking. At least, that's what he said. We set off and there was no air conditioning, and this was in the middle of summer. He opened the windows, but it didn't help. It was a long way, as well. I thought we were going to get lost at one point, but it was some kind of short cut that the driver had found on the map. In the end, we were half an hour early. [repeated]2
In this line of work, you see, you have to be very careful because you're dealing with people's lives every day. The public expect to be able to turn up, get on the hydrofoil, or ferry, or whatever and set off. It's a lot more complicated than just buying a ticket and getting on, though. There are safety checks and all kinds of paperwork to be done before we can give the okay for a captain to leave. It's our responsibility, after all, to ensure that the people who come through here get the standard of service they want at an acceptable level of risk. [repeated]3
... and it is the policies of this current government which are to blame. As with the attempt to lower the speed limit on motorways, the Prime Minister has shown again that he just doesn't have the power to get things done. Unless he can deal effectively with this relatively simple matter of providing enough spaces, he has no hope of tackling the wider problems of motoring, like pollution. Construction has to start immediately across the country and we have to start approving schemes for building areas underneath city centres or we'll very quickly find ourselves ... [repeated]4
Woman Oh, it sounds lovely! Listen: 'Let our displays of the history of the railways take you back in time to the days of luxury trains.'Man I've always wanted to know more about that era. When are we supposed to be visiting your mother?
Woman Er... Friday. What's today? Tuesday. We could drive up on Thursday morning, visit the museum in the afternoon and stay overnight in a hotel. Then we could go on to Mother's on Friday morning.
Man Mmm. Would that give us enough time?
Woman Well, if we set off early enough, we'd have a few hours to look round the museum.
Man It's not that. I can't leave until ten on Thursday. It's five hours to get there, don't forget.
Woman The way you drive it is. Four with me behind the wheel. Don't worry. It'll be fine, [repeated]
5
Sorry, but it's just that... well, I've been trying for ten minutes and I can't seem to, you know... the man in front is snoring rather loudly and it makes it very difficult for me to ... if I could just turn it up then ...I don't mean you should disturb him, or anything, but ... how he sleeps through it himself I have no idea because if it was me ... it's this part here that doesn't seem to ... maybe it'd be better if... no, that can't be how... is it? [repeated]6
Scandal on Rails it was called. All about the privatization of the rail industry and what a disaster it's been. There was a lot of accusations and finger pointing. Most of them seemed to deserve it from what I know about the situation. Some incredible statistics, most of them coming from the government itself. Didn't mention the recent accidents around London, though. That would have been my first question. What are they going to do about that? Still, I bet it made a few powerful people feel a bit uncomfortable, [repeated]7
John, it's Roger... What noise? ... Oh, I'm on the train, yes, that's right. Don't be surprised if I disappear into a tunnel. Where are you? ... Well, at least you won't be disappearing, then. Listen, have you got the takeover figures with you? ... In the car? Okay, listen. Go and get them and call me back in ten minutes. We really need to go through them before I meet the managers ... About another hour, I suppose ... Okay. I'll speak to you later. Bye. [repeated]8
Woman Well, really!Man Sorry. I know it's inconvenient, but Rita just asked me and it's in the opposite direction ...
Woman I see. So that's how highly you value our friendship, is it?
Man Look. Maybe I can get Joel to give you a lift. I can't remember if he came in his car or not.
Woman That is by the by. If you knew how to treat a lady, you'd make sure I got home safely.
Man It's just impossible, and I do wish you wouldn't rely on ...
Woman Never mind. I shall make alternative arrangements. [repeated]
| You will hear a man being interviewed for an opinion survey aboutpublic transport. For questions 9-18, fill in the questionnaire. Key.9 teacher 10 5/five times a/per week 11 dirty buses 12 (the) cost 13 buses (are) on time 14 (monthly) bus pass 15 lots of tourists 16 long way from (the) centre 17 more jobs (locally) 18 environmental damage Note: 11 & 12 and 13 & 14 may be in either order |
Occupation? ______________________9
How often uses public transport? ______________________10
Any complaints? ______________________11 and ______________________12
Any positive aspects of service? ______________________13 and ______________________14
New Park and Ride Scheme
North car park advantage: ______________________15
disadvantage: ______________________16
South car park advantage: ______________________17
disadvantage: ______________________18
Tapescript
Interviewer Excuse me, Sir, do you have a moment?
Man Well, yes, I suppose so. How long is it going to take?
Interviewer Just a couple of minutes. It's about transport facilities in the local area. Could I ask what occupation you're in?
Man Well, I was a computer programmer for nearly fifteen years, but I left a couple of years ago and retrained as a teacher, so you'd better put that.
Interviewer Do you use public transport, at all?
Man Yes, as a matter of fact I do.
Interviewer Would that be every day, less than three times a week, or not even that often?
Man Well, I don't have a car, so I do rely on buses quite a bit. There's the library in the town centre and there's going shopping. I'd say it's probably something like five times a week.
Interviewer Would you say there were any problems with the routes you take?
Man Now you mention it, there are one or two things that
could be better. Nobody wants to travel on dirty buses, and sometimes they look like they haven't been cleaned for months. And then there's the cost. It seems like the fare goes up every couple of months, for no good reason.
Interviewer Are there any aspects of the service which you believe work well?
Man You don't want to be waiting for too long when you
have to get to work. The buses are on time, which is a big improvement. I remember when you couldn't be sure whether the 501 would turn up or not. The monthly bus pass is another good thing. I don't have to worry about change now because I can just buy my pass once a month and keep it in my wallet.
Interviewer Now, I don't know if you've heard of the new park and ride scheme we're thinking of setting up. The idea is that visitors stop at large car parks on the edge of the town and a special bus service takes them into the town centre.
Man Sounds like a good idea.
Interviewer Two locations are being considered for the car park. The first is in the north and the second in the south. Which of those would you prefer?
Man Well, when you say the north, I suppose you mean in
the area around Upton. That's logical from one point of view because there are lots of tourists coming that way. There might be a problem, though, with it being a long way from the centre. I can't see people wanting to spend half an hour on a bus to do a bit of shopping.
Interviewer And the site in the south? That would be in the Riverside area.
Man You can see how it would help local development. The people in that area have needed something for a long time. One positive point is that it would probably create more jobs locally. The downside is that the building work would probably cause a lot of environmental damage. Riverside is a beautiful area and you're talking about building a great big car park, not to mention bus shelters and things like that.
Interviewer Thank you for your time.
Man Not at all.
'As I drove past, I saw Frances crossing the road, and then lost sight of her.'
'I heard two women talking about an accident on the bus, but I had to get off at the next stop.'
These people saw or heard all / part of the action they are talking about.
'I'm sure Mary was on the ferry because I saw her get on'.
'I heard John play an Oasis song on his guitar and it was wonderful.'
These people saw or heard all / part of the action they are talking about.
Complete the rule:
When see or hear are followed by ________________, it usually means that the speaker only saw or heard part of an action.
When they are followed by ________________, it usually means that the speaker say or heard all of the action.
Listen to these statements. For each one, decide whether the speaker saw or heard part or all of the action by circling the correct option.
| Statement 1 a all b part | Statement 1 a all b part | Statement 1 a all b part | Statement 1 a all b part | Statement 1 a all b part |
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