Task 1. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of cars? Write down a list of five advantages and five disadvantages.
Task 2. Read the statement in task 5 carefully. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Start planning. You can use ideas from task 1. Arrange your notes under these headings, and add more points if you need to.
1) Introduction to essay:
______________________________________________________________
2) Arguments that you agree with:
______________________________________________________________
3) Arguments that you disagree with:
______________________________________________________________
4) Your counter-arguments to the arguments that you disagree with:
______________________________________________________________
5) Summary and conclusion.
______________________________________________________________
Task 3. Look at these pairs of sentences. Use the prompts to rewrite them as one sentence.
1 A) Many people prefer to drive to work.
B) People often spend a long time sitting in traffic jams.
Many people _______________, despite the fact that _______________.
2 A) People spend large sums of money on cars.
B) Many people want to have status and privacy.
People _______________ in order to _______________.
3 A) Many people don’t believe how bad the environmental situation is.
B) Green activists don’t understand it.
Green activists _______________ that _______________.
4 A) People often prefer to use their cars.
B) Public transport is slow and uncomfortable.
_______________, with the result that _______________.
5 A) The transport situation will get worse.
B) The government could take action.
Unless _______________, _______________ worse.
Task 4. Read this part of the conclusion from a student’s essay. For each gap, choose a, an, the or – (no article) to complete the text.
For these reasons, I believe that 1____ problem is extremely complicated. This means that 2____ solution cannot be 3____ simple one. I think that 4____ heart of 5____ problem is not 6____ question of logic. Logically, everyone should stop using 7____ cars. However, our love for 8____ car is not logical. We like comfort, personal space, and so on. If you want me to leave my car, you need to offer me 9____ luxury minibus – not 10____ dirty, crowded normal bus.
Answers & Comments
Advantages of Cars:
1. Convenient and flexible mode of transportation.
2. Saves time compared to public transport.
3. Provides personal space and comfort.
4. Facilitates long-distance travel.
5. Can carry a significant amount of cargo.
Disadvantages of Cars:
1. Environmental pollution and carbon emissions.
2. Traffic congestion and time wasted in traffic jams.
3. High cost of purchase, maintenance, and fuel.
4. Traffic accidents and safety concerns.
5. Dependence on oil and vulnerability to price fluctuations.
Task 2:
1) Introduction to essay: Discussing the pros and cons of using cars in modern society.
2) Arguments that you agree with: Convenience, time-saving, personal space, long-distance travel, and cargo capacity.
3) Arguments that you disagree with: Environmental pollution, traffic congestion, high costs, accidents, and oil dependence.
4) Your counter-arguments to the arguments that you disagree with: Highlight the importance of technological advancements (electric cars), public transportation improvements, safety regulations, and shifting towards sustainable alternatives.
5) Summary and conclusion: Balancing the benefits of cars with their drawbacks, advocating for responsible car use, and exploring alternative transportation options.
Task 3:
1) Many people prefer to drive to work, despite the fact that they often spend a long time sitting in traffic jams.
2) People spend large sums of money on cars in order to have status and privacy.
3) Green activists don't understand that many people don't believe how bad the environmental situation is.
4) People often prefer to use their cars, with the result that public transport is slow and uncomfortable.
5) Unless the government could take action, the transport situation will get worse.
Task 4:
1. the
2. a
3. a
4. the
5. the
6. a
7. -
8. a
9. a
10. a