Getting Around: Travel and Transportation
Transport, or transportation, is how people, animals, and goods move from one place to another.
It's super important for how we live, work, and play. Think about it: without transportation, we
couldn't get to school, visit family, or even get food to the grocery store!
There are different ways to travel, called modes of transport. These include air, land (like roads
and trains), water, and even pipelines. Each mode has its own set of things it needs to work, like
roads, railways, airports, or seaports. These are all part of what's called transport infrastructure.
Think of transport infrastructure as the foundation that allows travel to happen. It includes things
like roads, train tracks, airports, and even fuel stations. These things help people and goods move
safely and efficiently. Good transport systems are really important for a country's economy. They
help businesses grow, create jobs, and connect people to important things like healthcare and
education.
But in many poorer countries, transportation isn't so great. Many people live far away from good
roads, which makes it hard to get to jobs, schools, or hospitals. Also, traffic accidents are a big
problem, especially in developing countries. It's important to make transportation safer and more
accessible for everyone.
Another big issue is pollution. Planes, trains, and automobiles all release harmful gases into the air.
In fact, transportation is responsible for a large chunk of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. If
we don't do anything about it, this problem could get much worse in the future. That's why it's
important to find cleaner ways to travel, like using electric cars or public transportation.
Tourism, or traveling for fun, also relies heavily on transportation. Tourists need ways to get to
their destinations, whether it's a plane, train, bus, or car. In fact, good transportation can actually
make a place more attractive to tourists. For example, cities with good public transportation, like
subways and buses, make it easier for tourists to get around and see the sights.
Many countries are investing in their transport infrastructure to boost their economies and make
travel easier. For example, some countries are building high-speed trains to connect cities and
make it faster to travel between them. Others are improving their ports to make it easier to ship
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goods around the world. Investing in transportation is a smart way to help a country grow and
prosper.
Summary
Transportation is how people and things move from place to place, and it's important for our
lives.
Good transportation systems help countries grow their economies and connect people to
important services.
Transportation can cause pollution, so it's important to find cleaner ways to travel.
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Vocabulary
Review key vocabulary words from the reading.
Transport
noun
The process of moving people or goods from one place to another.
The school bus provides transport for students who live far from school.
modes of transport
noun phrase
Different ways or methods used for traveling or moving goods.
Cars, trains, and airplanes are all different modes of transport.
transport infrastructure
noun
The basic facilities and systems needed for transportation, like roads and airports.
The city is improving its transport infrastructure by building new highways and bridges.
economy
noun
The system of how money is made and used within a country or area.
A strong economy means more jobs and better opportunities for people.
accessible
adjective
Easy to reach or use.
The new library is accessible to everyone because it has ramps for wheelchairs.
greenhouse gas emissions
noun phrase
Gases released into the air that trap heat and contribute to climate change.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars is important for protecting the environment.
Tourism
noun
The business of providing services to tourists, or people who are traveling for pleasure.
Tourism brings a lot of money to the town because many people visit the beach every summer.
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Multiple Choice Questions
Answer the following multiple choice questions about the reading.
Which of the following is NOT considered a mode of transport mentioned in the passage?
A. Water
B. Land
C. Air
D. Walking
According to the passage, what is a significant problem related to transportation in many
poorer countries?
A. Many people live far from good roads
B. Low traffic accident rates
C. Excessive investment in transport infrastructure
D. High availability of electric cars
According to the passage, what is one way countries are improving transport infrastructure
to boost their economies?
A. Building high-speed trains
B. Reducing the amount of public transportation
C. Decreasing the number of airports
D. Discouraging tourism
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Short Answer Questions
Answer the following short answer questions about the reading.
Explain how transportation infrastructure acts as a foundation for travel, providing at least
two specific examples from the passage.
Describe the connection between tourism and transportation, and explain how good
transportation can positively impact a tourist destination.
Identify a major environmental concern associated with transportation and suggest a
solution mentioned in the passage to address this issue.
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Think Pair Share
Instructions: Read and answer the question independently. Compare your answer with your partners. Work
together to prepare what you will share.
After reading about the importance of transportation, can you think of a time
when transportation (or lack thereof) significantly impacted your day or plans?
How did it make you feel, and what did you learn from that experience?
I think...
Before talking to your partner,
answer the question using what
you learned from the reading and
your own background knowledge.
My partner thinks...
Take notes on your partners
response. How is it different from
yours? How is it the same?
We will share...
Decide together what you will
share aloud with others.
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Compare and Contrast
Instructions: Take notes on the two topics in the boxes provided.
Notes on Topic A Notes on Topic B
Instructions: Compare the two topics, be sure to include the following vocabulary in a way that
shows you understand the meaning of each word.
Vocabulary
Transport modes of transport economy accessible
The process of transport infrastructure The system of how Easy to reach or
moving people or Different ways or The basic facilities money is made and use.
goods from one methods used for and systems used within a
place to another. traveling or moving needed for country or area.
goods. transportation, like
roads and airports.
Unique to Topic A Similarities Unique to Topic B
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