miércoles, 8 de enero de 2014

Talking point: Means of transport

Today's talking point deals with means of transport in general, although we'll be focusing on taxis and the bicycle.

Before you get together with the members of your conversation group, go over the questions below so that you can work out vocabulary issues beforehand and ideas flow more easily when you meet up with your friends.
  • What is the best means of transport to get around a big city?(by tram, by bus, by car, by bicycle, by underground, by motorbike, by taxi, on foot)
  • And for tourists and visitors?
  • Which do you usually use? Which do you never use?
  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the means of transport above. You can mention the following: saving time and money + respect for the environment + good for your health + safety
  • Have you ever taken a taxi?
  • Do you think they are expensive or good value?
  • When was the last time you took one?
  • Did you talk to the driver? What about?
  • What reputation do taxi drivers have in your city/country?
  • What was the taxi like?
  • Have you ever taken a taxi in a foreign country?
  • What different parts of a bike can you name?
  • What are the problems/advantages of using a bike to get around a city?
  • Can you explain the bike-hire scheme of your city?
  • What rules do/should cyclists follow?
  • What changes would be needed where you live to make cycling a practical form of transport?
 To gain further insight into the problems of riding a bike in a city you can read the BBC article Readers' radical solutions to protect cyclists.