METU/SFL Spring 2024

DBE
Reading Practice 1 (Outside)
201 GROUP
(Answer Key)
Eco Escapes: Cycling Holidays
1 Are you worried about the amount of pollution that you cause when you go on holiday? Both public
transport and cars can cause pollution in places with a lot of tourists. Travelling by plane, train, or bus
also causes pollution. Some people are not happy about this, so they are choosing a different type of
holiday these days. Cycling holidays are greener than holidays by car, train or plane, and you get a lot
of good exercise, too. With cycling holidays, you can have a break and see different places, and you
can keep fit at the same time.
2 ________________________________________________________________________________
There are different ways of organizing a cycling holiday. You can go alone if you want, but sometimes,
groups of people plan their trip together before they go, and this often makes the holiday more fun.
You can also book a holiday with a tour company. The company organizes the trip before you go so
that you have no worries. On this type of holiday, you also have the chance to make friends with the
other people on the trip.
3 ________________________________________________________________________________
There are different types of cycling holiday. Serious cyclists sometimes want to travel a long distance
every day, because for them, the enjoyment of cycling fast is part of the fun of the holiday. Other
people prefer to see the scenery and look around the places they pass through, so they are happy to
travel more slowly. You can decide the distance you want to go every day, and most holiday
companies offer a lot of different trips for different types of customers.
4 _________________________________________________________________________________
Many people on cycling holidays choose this type of holiday because they enjoy cycling. If you aren’t a
regular cyclist, or if you only rode a bike when you were a child, then you should do some training
before your trip. You don’t need to be very strong and well-built to ride a bike, but you should be
healthy. Cycling in places with a lot of hills, such as Scotland, will give you a good workout. But if that
sounds too difficult, you should choose an area like East Anglia, with flat roads.
5 _________________________________________________________________________________
There are also a lot of options for places to sleep while you are on your trip. For instance, some people
prefer a 'center-based' cycling holiday. In these holidays, you return to the same hotel every evening
and have a good meal and a shower. Others prefer to follow a long route and sleep in a different place
each night. They sometimes carry a tent with them so that they can camp.
6 _________________________________________________________________________________
Clearly, it is not a good idea to cycle with a lot of luggage. Holiday companies sometimes send your
suitcases to your next destination in order to make sure that they are waiting there for you when you
arrive in the evening. This means that you need to carry only a few things with you every day. It’s a
good idea to have some different types of clothing because the weather can change very quickly. It’s
also very important to take a good map or GPS, and an emergency repair kit for your bike.
7 _________________________________________________________________________________
Some cycling holidays are more expensive than others. If you want to cycle in another country, then
you have to travel there before you can start cycling, and that may be expensive. However, camping is
a good way to spend less money on your cycling holiday. Generally speaking, you can find a cycling
holiday to suit any budget.

1
A. Match the questions a - g with the paragraphs 2-7. There is one extra question.
a) Where do I sleep on a cycling holiday?
b) What should I take with me when I’m cycling?
c) Are cycling holidays expensive?
d) Who organizes cycling holidays?
e) How fit should I be?
f) Can I use my own bike?
g) How far can I cycle?

B. What do the following words in the text refer to?

1. ‘this’ in Para. 2 refers to the fact that people _____.
a) go on a cycling holiday alone
b) plan their trip with a group of friends
c) book a holiday with a tour company
2. ‘there’ in Para. 7 refers to: to another / a / the company

C. Guess the meaning of the following word in the text.

1. The word ‘destination’ in Para. 6 probably means _____.
a) resting-place
b) flight
c) speed

D. Answer the following questions according to the text.

1. Write two advantages of cycling holidays according to the first paragraph.
Any two:
Cycling holidays / They are greener (than holidays by car, train or plane / ordinary holidays).
You get (a lot of good) exercise / keep fit.
You can have a break and see different places.

2. What two options are there for sleeping on your cycling trip?
In any order:
a) (stay(ing) / sleep(ing) in a) hotel
return(ing) to the same hotel each / every evening

b) (sleep(ing) in a) tent
sleep(ing) in a different place each / every night

3. Write one thing you should carry with you on a cycling trip.
Any of the following:
(Some) different types of clothing
(A) good map / GPS
(An)(emergency) repair kit (for your bike)

2
E. Complete the sentences according to the information in paragraphs 3 and 4.
Paragraph 3
Serious cyclists enjoy (1) cycling fast on their holiday, so they travel (2) a long distance every day. Other
people go more slowly because they want to (3) see the scenery and (4) look around the places they pass
through.

Paragraph 4
You should (5) do some training before your trip if you aren’t fit or if you don’t ride a bike very often. You
should be (6a) healthy if you want to ride a bike, but you don’t have to be (6b) (very) strong. If you don’t
want to have a workout, ride in a place with flat roads, such as (7) East Anglia.