TRANSPORTATION

1. Listen to a short story, “My journey to work”, and take note of vocabulary related to the
topic of transportation. Then, use your notes to retell the story to your partner.

2. Underline collocations and phrasal verbs on the topic of transportation in the transcript.

3. Complete the information from the boxes below about comparative and superlative
adjectives.

Usage One-syllable Two-syllable Adjective with

adjective adjective which two or more
ends in -y syllables
Comparative To compare two Fast + er Noisy + ier More + reliable
things

Cars are faster than

bikes
Superlative To say which thing is the + fast + est the + noisy + t The most +
on top of a group reliable

Planes are the fastest

mode of transport

Irregular Good Bad Far

adjectives

Comparative better worse Farther

Superlative The best The worst The farthest

4. Complete the sentences below about different means of transportation with the adjectives
from the box below. You may have to change them into their comparative or superlative
form.

accessible * slow * costly * reliable * safe * private * convenient * economical * fast *

comfortable

a. I have no clue why people are so afraid to fly. It has to be the safest way to get around out
there! There are merely 10 accidents a year out there, and most of them aren’t even fatal!
b. For a student like me who wishes to set aside some money, riding a bus is most economical
option!
 c. Sometimes, biking is just way faster than driving during rush hours. One time, I had to sit
in traffic for 30 minutes, while other bikers travelled freely on their cycle lanes!
d. In major metropolitan cities, underground trains are the most convenient form of
transportation for the public.
e. There is no way of getting around that is slower than walking, and it gets tiring, too!
f. Personal vehicles like cars offer a more comfortable experience than public transportation
do.
g. If you want to get to work on time, the trains are much more reliable than buses. The tubes
are almost never late!
h. In Vietnam, most people just get on a bike to commute to work. This is far more accessible
than waiting for a bus who is never on time!
i. When travelling, I prefer budget airlines. They are way cheaper but the service is still on
par with other airlines.
j. Sitting in a bus during rush hours is by far the most uncomfortable experience in my life!
Everybody’s squashed together, and the body odor is just terrible!

5. Use the adjectives to in exercise 4 to compare different modes of transport. Make sure
you use the comparative / superlative.
In terms of convenience, flying is also more convenient than driving for long-distance travel.
You can simply board a plane, relax during the flight, and arrive at your destination without
having to worry about navigating through traffic or making frequent stops. Flying is more
convenient than driving.
However, when it comes to cost, driving is usually more economical than flying, especially
for shorter distances. You don't have to purchase expensive plane tickets or deal with
baggage fees. Driving is more economical than flying.

6. Which questions from Part 1 below require you to compare?

1. How do you travel to work / school?

2. Do you prefer public transport or private transport?
3. Is a bicycle a good means of transport?
4. Do you think people should walk more?
Now practice the questions with your TA. Focus on grammar.
1) Riding a motorbike allows me to navigate through traffic more efficiently and reach my
destination quickly, especially in the context of heavy traffic in HCM city. It's a
convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation for short distances.
2) I prefer private transport over public transport. Having my own vehicle provides me with
greater flexibility and convenience in terms of scheduling and route selection. It allows
me to tailor my travel experience according to my specific needs and preferences.
 However, I acknowledge the importance of public transport so I do consider using it
when it is more practical or efficient for certain journeys.

3) Yes, a bicycle can be a good means of transport for several reasons. Firstly, bicycles are
an environmentally friendly mode of transportation. They produce zero emissions,
helping to reduce air pollution and carbon footprint. Additionally, Cycling is a great form
of exercise that helps improve cardiovascular health and enhance overall fitness.
4) Yes, I believe that people should incorporate walking more into their daily routines.
Walking has numerous benefits for both physical and mental well-being. It is a low-
impact exercise that can improve cardiovascular health and keep people stay in good
condition. On top of that, walking outdoors in nature can have additional benefits,
connecting people with their surroundings and providing a sense of relaxation.

7. The pictures below illustrates the most critical issues regarding transportation. Discuss
them with your partner
1) Crumbling infrastructure refers to the deteriorating condition of various physical structures
and systems, such as roads, bridges, railways. It signifies the state of disrepair and lack of
maintenance that can pose significant challenges and risks to a public safety.
2) Crowdedness in public transport refers to the situation where the number of passengers
exceeds the available capacity, leading to overcrowding. This can occur in buses, trains, trams,
and other forms of public transportation. Crowded public transport can be uncomfortable,
inconvenient, and even pose safety risks for passengers.
3) These emissions, primarily from fossil fuel combustion, contribute to air pollution and have
negative impacts on public health and the environment. Reducing vehicle emissions in public
transport is crucial to improve air quality, mitigate climate change,
8. Which form(s) of transport does each speaker (a-h) use? Is the speaker talking about a
current benefit or drawback? Ignore the gap for now
a. Parking in the city center is a nightmare but the local council is planning to introduce
a park and ride scheme next year. Car-drawback
b. My city has recently introduced special cycle lanes for us bikers, which makes the
journey so much quicker as we don't have to worry about cars or pedestrians.
Bicycles-benefits
c. It can be quite difficult and dangerous to cross the road as there are no pedestrian
walking
d. Last month I had a collision on that busy roundabout. I had to call someone out to
recover my vehicle.
car
e. Car drivers can be so selfish; they always try to overtake and rarely give you enough
room — I was knocked off once!
bicycle or walking
f. I find it very frustrating when there's a lot of congestion as I can get quite impatient.
 Bus/ train
g. The downside is it can get very crowded during the rush hour and it's difficult to get a
seat.
buses or trains.
h. It's cheap and reliable and because I'm a student, I get a subsidized fare.
buses or trains.
i. It can be quite dangerous as so many cars speed on the main road; they need to
introduce some traffic calming measures.
j. Flying can be so environmentally destructive since it does make up a significant
portion of our personal carbon footprint.

9. Complete the sentences in 2 with a word or phrase from the box. Use them only once
collision * carbon footprint * congestion * cycle lanes * overtake * park and ride * pedestrian
crossings * rush hour * subsidized * traffic calming measures

10. Read the information box below and complete sentences, a-c, so that they are true for you
In Speaking Part 3, you may be asked to compare both sides of an argument. You can do
this by using words such as although, even though, while, and but to add information
about one side of the argument, then adding information about the other side. For
example:
 While buses can be cheap, especially if you have a subsidized fare, it can be
difficult to find a seat during the rush hour.
 Although / Even though cars can transport many people at once, many drivers
try to overtake and cause collisions on the road
 Walking is often thought to be good for your health, but I think that this is not
plausible in polluted cities.

When we present both sides of an argument using these words, it is called “concession”.

a. Although ________ are usually considered to be a more convenient means of

transportation , I …

b. While it could be argued that ___________ are cheaper and accessible to the public,
I…

c. _________ are often thought to be the fastest way to travel, but in my opinion, …

11. Part 3 Practice. Focus on grammar and vocabulary.

1. How do most people travel in your country?

In vietnam, motorbikes are one of the most popular means of transportation, especially in the
context of heavy traffic. Motorcycles are smaller and more affordable compared to cars, allowing
riders to weave through traffic and find alternative routes. This agility helps them bypass
gridlocked areas and reach their destinations more quickly, making motorcycles a practical
choice in heavily congested cities.
2. What are the pros and cons of air travel?
On the positive side, one significant advantage of air travel is its speed and efficiency. Airplanes
can cover long distances in a fraction of the time it would take by other means of transportation.
This makes air travel ideal for international or long-distance journeys, allowing people to reach
their destinations quickly and efficiently.
On the other hand, one significant disadvantage is the environmental impact of air travel. Aircraft
emit greenhouse gases and contribute to carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change.
This environmental footprint has led to concerns about the sustainability of air travel and the
need for more eco-friendly alternatives.
3. Have the types of transport people use changed much over the last few decades?
Yes, the way people travel has undergone notable changes over the last few decades. One of
them is the rise of ride-sharing platforms such as Grab. These services provide not only
convenient but also cost-effective alternatives to traditional taxis and private car ownership.
Additionally, many cities have invested in improving and expanding their public transportation
networks such as buses or subway systems. This shift reflects a desire to reduce carbon
emissions and alleviate the impact of transportation on climate change.

4. What changes would you like to see in the transport system in the future?
In the future, I envision a significant transformation in the transport system where vehicles are
extensively powered by renewable energy sources. Currently, most vehicles rely on fossil fuels,
which contribute to carbon emissions and environmental degradation. By transitioning to
renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or hydrogen, we can significantly reduce the
carbon footprint of transportation and promote a more sustainable future. This shift would reduce
carbon emissions and alleviate the impact of transportation on climate change.