Breaking News English ESL Lesson Plan on Cycling

My 1,000 Ideas e-Book	Breaking News English HOME \| HELP MY SITE \| 000s MORE FREE LESSONS	My 1,000 Ideas e-Book

40+ activities

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS

* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA male)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(100 - 300 wpm)

* Gap-fill

Cycling is bad for the environment (5th March, 2013)

Mr Orcutt also believes cyclists should be taxed to use the roads. He said it was unfair that motorists have to pay all of the costs of building and repairing roads. He wrote: "Currently motorists are paying to use their cars on the roads…so if cars pay for the roads they are using, it only makes sense that bicyclists would also be required to pay for the roads they use when they are actually biking on them." Dale Carlson, owner of the Tech Bike Shop said Mr Orcutt's ideas were wrong. He wrote: "People who choose to ride a bicycle instead of driving a car actively reduce congestion." He added: "They save wear and tear on our roads and bridges, and reduce the [need for police] to patrol our highways."

Sources:
http://blog.cascade.org/2013/03/legislator-to-small-business-owner-bicycling-bad-for-the-environment/
http://seattlebikeblog.com/2013/03/02/state-lawmaker-says-bicycling-is-not-good-for-the-environment-should-be-taxed/

WARM-UPS

1. CYCLING: Walk around the class and talk to other students about cycling. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

cycling / road tax / increased heart rate / CO2 / greenhouse gas / polluting / driving / cyclists / unfair / motorists / repairing roads / reduce congestion / wear and tear

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. TAX: What are the reasons for and against taxing these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	For	Against
Cycling
Ice cream
Using a beach
Mobile phones
Shopping
Sport

4. ROAD TAX: Students A strongly believe there should be one; Students B strongly believe there shouldn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

5. BAD FOR THE EARTH: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the worst at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

cycling
cigarettes
Coca Cola
golf

airplanes
air conditioners
GM food
McDonald's

6. ENVIRONMENT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'environment'. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	An American environmentalist said cycling harms the environment.	T / F
b.	Ed Orcutt said cyclists should pay a tax to ride on the roads.	T / F
c.	Ed Orcutt said cycling increases CO2 in the environment.	T / F
d.	Mr Orcutt said a cyclist produces more CO2 than a car driver.	T / F
e.	Orcutt said it was fair that motorists paid road tax and cyclists didn't.	T / F
f.	A bike shop owner disagreed with Mr Orcutt's ideas.	T / F
g.	The bike shop owner said cyclists increase the number of traffic jams.	T / F
h.	The owner said more cyclists would mean more police cars on the road.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	roads	a.	damage
2.	outline	b.	producing
3.	carbon dioxide	c.	car drivers
4.	greater	d.	decrease
5.	giving off	e.	highways
6.	motorists	f.	traffic jams
7.	repairing	g.	larger
8.	congestion	h.	summarise
9.	wear and tear	i.	fixing
10.	reduce	j.	CO2

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	An American	a.	tear on our roads
2.	cyclists should pay a tax	b.	of riding a bicycle
3.	the owner of a	c.	to ride their bikes
4.	an increased heart	d.	have to pay all of the costs
5.	there's no pollution as a result	e.	sense
6.	He said it was unfair that motorists	f.	local bike shop
7.	it only makes	g.	patrol our highways
8.	bicyclists would also be	h.	lawmaker
9.	They save wear and	i.	required to pay
10.	reduce the need for police to	j.	rate and respiration

GAP FILL

An American (1) ____________ has said cycling is bad for the environment. He also said cyclists should pay a (2) ____________ to ride their bikes on the roads. Ed Orcutt, a representative from Washington State, sent an e-mail to the (3) ____________ of a local bike shop to outline his thinking. He wrote: "A cyclist has an increased heart (4) ____________ and respiration. That means that the act of riding a bike results in greater (5) ____________ of carbon dioxide from the rider. Since CO2 is…a greenhouse gas…cyclists are actually (6) ____________ when they ride." Mr Orcutt said: "You can't just say that there's no pollution as a (7) ____________ of riding a bicycle….You would be giving (8) ____________ more CO2 if you are riding a bike than driving in a car."

result
rate
tax
off
emissions
lawmaker
polluting
owner

Mr Orcutt also believes cyclists should be (9) ____________ to use the roads. He said it was unfair that motorists have to pay all of the costs of building and (10) ____________ roads. He wrote: "Currently motorists are paying to use their cars on the roads…so if cars pay for the roads they are (11) ____________, it only makes sense that bicyclists would also be (12) ____________ to pay for the roads they use when they are actually biking on them." Dale Carlson, owner of the Tech Bike Shop said Mr Orcutt's ideas were (13) ____________. He wrote: "People who choose to ride a bicycle instead of driving a car actively (14) ____________ congestion." He added: "They save (15) ____________ and tear on our roads and bridges, and reduce the [need for police] to (16) ____________ our highways."

wrong
wear
repairing
patrol
using
taxed
reduce
required

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	An American lawmaker has said cycling is ______.
	a. bad from the environment b. bad of the environment c. bad for the environment d. bad as the environment
2)	He also said cyclists should ______ their bikes on the roads.
	a. pay the tax to ride b. pay a tax to ride c. pay a taxi to ride d. pay a tax to rid
3)	A cyclist has an increased heart ______.
	a. ray tan respiration b. rate and reparation c. rates and respiration d. rate and respiration
4)	You can't just say that there's no pollution ______ a bicycle
	a. as a result of riding b. as the result of riding c. as a result from riding d. as a result if riding
5)	You would ______ CO2 if you are riding a bike than driving in a car.
	a. be giving on more b. be giving off more c. be giving over more d. be giving up more
6)	He said it was unfair that motorists have to pay ______
	a. all of the cost b. all of the coasts c. all of the cots d. all of the costs
7)	it ______ that bicyclists would also be required to pay for the roads
	a. only makes cents b. only make sense c. only makes sense d. only makes senses
8)	People who choose to ride a bicycle instead of driving a car ______
	a. actively reduce congestion b. active reduce congestion c. activate reduce congestion d. actively reduces congestion
9)	They save ______ on our ______
	a. tear and wear / roads and bridges b. wear and tear / bridges and roads c. tear and wear / bridges and roads d. wear and tear / roads and bridges
10)	______ police to patrol our highways
	a. reduces the need for b. reduce the needs for c. reduce the need for d. reduce the needy for

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

An American lawmaker has said cycling (1) _____________________ environment. He also said cyclists (2) __________________ ride their bikes on the roads. Ed Orcutt, a representative from Washington State, sent an e-mail to the owner of a local bike shop to (3) ________________. He wrote: "A cyclist has an increased heart (4) ________________. That means that the act of riding a bike results in greater emissions of carbon dioxide from the rider. Since CO2 is…a greenhouse gas…cyclists (5) ________________ when they ride." Mr Orcutt said: "You can't just say that there's no pollution as a result of riding a bicycle….You would (6) ________________ CO2 if you are riding a bike than driving in a car."

Mr Orcutt also believes cyclists should (7) __________________ roads. He said it was unfair that motorists (8) ________________ the costs of building and repairing roads. He wrote: "Currently motorists are paying to use their cars on the roads…(9) ________________ the roads they are using, it only makes sense that bicyclists would also (10) __________________ the roads they use when they are actually biking on them." Dale Carlson, owner of the Tech Bike Shop said Mr Orcutt's ideas were wrong. He wrote: "People who choose to ride a bicycle instead of driving a car (11) __________________." He added: "They save wear and tear on our roads and bridges, and reduce the [need for police] (12) ____________________."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Who said cycling was bad for the environment?
2.	To whom did the guy send an e-mail?
3.	What did the guy say increased because of riding a bike?
4.	What did the guy say CO2 was?
5.	What did he say about riding a bicycle and driving a car?
6.	What did the guy want to tax cyclists for?
7.	What do motorists have to pay for?
8.	Who is Dale Carlson?
9.	What do bike riders help reduce?
10.	How do cyclists help roads and bridges?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What is Ed Orcutt's job	6.	Who currently has to pay for building roads?
	a) a cyclist b) a lawmaker c) an environmentalist d) a bike shop owner		a) car drivers b) the White House c) taxpayers d) cyclists
2.	Why did Ed Orcutt write an e-mail?	7.	Who is Dale Carlson?
	a) to ask for bicycled to be banned in the city b) to complain about a dangerous cyclist c) to ask about the price of a Tour de France bike d) to summarise his thoughts		a) mayor of a town b) a politician c) a bike shop owner d) a champion cyclist
3.	A cyclist has an increased heart rate and _______.	8.	What did Mr Carlson say cyclists actively reduce?
	a) respiration b) expiration c) exhalation d) relaxation		a) traffic problems b) the need for bicycles c) health problems d) blisters on the feet
4.	What did Ed Orcutt say cyclists do when they ride?	9.	What did Mr Carlson say cyclists save?
	a) dispute b) commute c) pollute d) compute		a) damage to bridges and roads b) petrol c) thousands of dollars d) lives
5.	What did Ed Orcutt say cyclists give off when they ride?	10.	What did Mr Carlson say cyclists reduce the need for?
	a) BO b) CO2 c) NO2 d) C3PO		a) cycling shorts b) 4WD cars c) highways d) police patrols

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Motorist

You think it's unfair that cyclists use the roads but do not pay tax. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell the cyclist (s)he must pay tax to cycle on the roads. Tell him/her that there is more CO2 from cyclists' breath than from cars, so they should cycle less.

Role B – Cyclist

You think all cars should be banned. Tell the others three reasons why. You think cycling is the healthiest transportation and everyone should cycle to save the environment. You think all society would be better if people cycled instead of drove. You think there is no such thing as "green" gasoline.

Role C – Environmentalist

You think cars are a major reason for global warming. You think people should switch from cars to bicycles. Tell the others three reasons why. You disagree with everything the motorist and oil company boss say. The oil company boss is interested in money, not the environment.

Role D – Oil company boss

You are tired of people saying cars create global warming. Tell the others three reasons why. Your company produces "green" gasoline that helps protect the environment. Cyclists who want drivers to stop driving and use a bicycle are crazy. Everyone needs a car (or two).

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'pay' and 'tax'.

pay

tax

Share your findings with your partners.

Make questions using the words you found.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

bad
owner
local
greater
actually
giving

unfair
currently
sense
required
choose
wear

CYCLING SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about cycling in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

CYCLING DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'cycling'?
c)	What do you think of cycling?
d)	Do you agree with Ed Orcutt that cycling is bad for the environment?
e)	Should cyclists cycle less to reduce CO2 emissions?
f)	What do you think cyclists think of Mr Orcutt's comments?
g)	What are the benefits of cycling?
h)	Is your town good for cyclists?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Do you think there should be a cycling tax to help pay for roads?
c)	Is it unfair that motorists pay for the building and repair of roads?
d)	What problems would be reduced if people cycled instead of drove?
e)	Are we becoming more or less of a car-driving world?
f)	Could you / your family survive without a car?
g)	How would your life / health change if you cycled everywhere?
h)	What questions would you like to ask Ed Orcutt?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

An American (1) ____ has said cycling is bad for the environment. He also said cyclists should pay a (2) ____ to ride their bikes on the roads. Ed Orcutt, a representative from Washington State, sent an e-mail to the (3) ____ of a local bike shop to outline his thinking. He wrote: "A cyclist has an increased heart rate and (4) ____. That means that the act of riding a bike results in greater emissions of carbon dioxide from the rider. Since CO2 is…a (5) ____ gas…cyclists are actually polluting when they ride." Mr Orcutt said: "You can't just say that there's no pollution as a result of riding a bicycle….You would be (6) ____ off more CO2 if you are riding a bike than driving in a car."

Mr Orcutt also believes cyclists should be taxed to use the roads. He said it was (7) ____ that motorists have to pay all of the costs of building and repairing roads. He wrote: "Currently (8) ____ are paying to use their cars on the roads…so if cars pay for the roads they are (9) ____, it only makes sense that bicyclists would also be required to pay for the roads they use when they are actually (10) ____ on them." Dale Carlson, owner of the Tech Bike Shop said Mr Orcutt's ideas were wrong. He wrote: "People who choose to ride a bicycle instead (11) ____ driving a car actively reduce congestion." He added: "They save wear and (12) ____ on our roads and bridges, and reduce the [need for police] to patrol our highways."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	lawman	(b)	lawyer	(c)	lawnmower	(d)	lawmaker
2.	(a)	taxing	(b)	taxes	(c)	taxi	(d)	tax
3.	(a)	owns	(b)	owner	(c)	owning	(d)	own
4.	(a)	desperation	(b)	perspiration	(c)	respiration	(d)	relaxation
5.	(a)	greenish	(b)	Greenland	(c)	greenhouse	(d)	greenie
6.	(a)	giving	(b)	taking	(c)	moving	(d)	doing
7.	(a)	fair	(b)	unfair	(c)	unfairly	(d)	fairly
8.	(a)	motorists	(b)	motors	(c)	motored	(d)	motorist
9.	(a)	useful	(b)	using	(c)	usable	(d)	used
10.	(a)	bicycles	(b)	biker	(c)	biking	(d)	cyclists
11.	(a)	for	(b)	from	(c)	of	(d)	as
12.	(a)	bear	(b)	fear	(c)	pear	(d)	tear

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	An American amealrwk
2.	lscyitcs should pay a tax
3.	greater isimssneo
4.	CO2 is a eerusnoghe gas
5.	poiulglnt when they ride
6.	as a rteusl of riding a bicycle
Paragraph 2
7.	sotismort have to pay all of the costs
8.	narrigipe roads
9.	be erueirqd to pay
10.	adnitse of driving
11.	actively reduce togienscno
12.	loptar our highways

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	that motorists have to pay all of the costs of building and repairing roads. He wrote: "Currently motorists
( )	and respiration. That means that the act of riding a bike results in greater emissions of carbon
( 1 )	An American lawmaker has said cycling is bad for the environment. He also said cyclists should pay a
( )	congestion." He added: "They save wear and tear on our roads and bridges, and reduce the [need for police] to patrol our highways."
( )	dioxide from the rider. Since CO2 is…a greenhouse gas…cyclists are actually polluting when they
( )	to the owner of a local bike shop to outline his thinking. He wrote: "A cyclist has an increased heart rate
( )	You would be giving off more CO2 if you are riding a bike than driving in a car."
( )	biking on them." Dale Carlson, owner of the Tech Bike Shop said Mr Orcutt's ideas were
( )	are paying to use their cars on the roads…so if cars pay for the roads they are using, it only makes
( )	ride." Mr Orcutt said: "You can't just say that there's no pollution as a result of riding a bicycle….
( )	tax to ride their bikes on the roads. Ed Orcutt, a representative from Washington State, sent an e-mail
( )	wrong. He wrote: "People who choose to ride a bicycle instead of driving a car actively reduce
( )	Mr Orcutt also believes cyclists should be taxed to use the roads. He said it was unfair
( )	sense that bicyclists would also be required to pay for the roads they use when they are actually

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	to pay on ride a Cyclists the their tax should roads bikes.
2.	of Riding results emissions bike greater CO2 a in.
3.	Cyclists ride they when polluting actually are.
4.	of riding a bicycle There's no pollution as a result.
5.	off more CO2 if you are riding a bike Giving.
6.	motorists was costs all have unfair of to that It the pay.
7.	Currently use motorists their are cars paying to.
8.	required to pay for the roads Cyclists would also be.
9.	bridges They save wear and tear on our roads and.
10.	to highways the police our Reduce for patrol need.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

An American lawmaker / lawman has said cycling is bad for the environment. He also said cyclists should raise / pay a tax to ride their bikes on the roads. Ed Orcutt, a representative from Washington State, sent an e-mail to the owner / owned of a local bike shop to outline / outfit his thinking. He wrote: "A cyclist has an increased heart rate and desperation / respiration. That means that the act of / for riding a bike results in greater emissions / emits of carbon dioxide from the rider. Since CO2 is…a greenhouse gas…cyclists are actually / actual polluting when they ride." Mr Orcutt said: "You can't just say that there's no pollution as a result / cause of riding a bicycle….You would be given / giving off more CO2 if you are riding a bike than driving in a car."

Mr Orcutt also believes / beliefs cyclists should be taxed to use the roads. He said it was unfairly / unfair that motorists have to pay all of the costs of building and repairing / fixed roads. He wrote: "Currently / Currency motorists are paving / paying to use their cars on the roads…so if cars pay for the roads they are using, it only makes cents / sense that bicyclists would also be required / requires to pay for the roads they use when they are actually biking on / of them." Dale Carlson, owner of the Tech Bike Shop said Mr Orcutt's ideas were wrong / wronged. He wrote: "People who choose to ride a bicycle instead of driving a car actively reduce congestion." He added: "They save wear and tear / worn on our roads and bridges, and reduce the [need for police] to patrol our highways."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

_n _m_r_c_n l_wm_k_r h_s s__d cycl_ng _s b_d f_r th_ _nv_r_nm_nt. H_ _ls_ s__d cycl_sts sh__ld p_y _ t_x t_ r_d_ th__r b_k_s _n th_ r__ds. _d _rc_tt, _ r_pr_s_nt_t_v_ fr_m W_sh_ngt_n St_t_, s_nt _n _-m__l t_ th_ _wn_r _f _ l_c_l b_k_ sh_p t_ __tl_n_ h_s th_nk_ng. H_ wr_t_: "_ cycl_st h_s _n _ncr__s_d h__rt r_t_ _nd r_sp_r_t__n. Th_t m__ns th_t th_ _ct _f r_d_ng _ b_k_ r_s_lts _n gr__t_r _m_ss__ns _f c_rb_n d__x_d_ fr_m th_ r_d_r. S_nc_ C_2 _s…_ gr__nh__s_ g_s…cycl_sts _r_ _ct__lly p_ll_t_ng wh_n th_y r_d_." Mr _rc_tt s__d: "Y__ c_n't j_st s_y th_t th_r_'s n_ p_ll_t__n _s _ r_s_lt _f r_d_ng _ b_cycl_….Y__ w__ld b_ g_v_ng _ff m_r_ C_2 _f y__ _r_ r_d_ng _ b_k_ th_n dr_v_ng _n _ c_r."

Mr _rc_tt _ls_ b_l__v_s cycl_sts sh__ld b_ t_x_d t_ _s_ th_ r__ds. H_ s__d _t w_s _nf__r th_t m_t_r_sts h_v_ t_ p_y _ll _f th_ c_sts _f b__ld_ng _nd r_p__r_ng r__ds. H_ wr_t_: "C_rr_ntly m_t_r_sts _r_ p_y_ng t_ _s_ th__r c_rs _n th_ r__ds…s_ _f c_rs p_y f_r th_ r__ds th_y _r_ _s_ng, _t _nly m_k_s s_ns_ th_t b_cycl_sts w__ld _ls_ b_ r_q__r_d t_ p_y f_r th_ r__ds th_y _s_ wh_n th_y _r_ _ct__lly b_k_ng _n th_m." D_l_ C_rls_n, _wn_r _f th_ T_ch B_k_ Sh_p s__d Mr _rc_tt's _d__s w_r_ wr_ng. H_ wr_t_: "P__pl_ wh_ ch__s_ t_ r_d_ _ b_cycl_ _nst__d _f dr_v_ng _ c_r _ct_v_ly r_d_c_ c_ng_st__n." H_ _dd_d: "Th_y s_v_ w__r _nd t__r _n __r r__ds _nd br_dg_s, _nd r_d_c_ th_ [n__d f_r p_l_c_] t_ p_tr_l __r h_ghw_ys."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

an american lawmaker has said cycling is bad for the environment he also said cyclists should pay a tax to ride their bikes on the roads ed orcutt a representative from washington state sent an e-mail to the owner of a local bike shop to outline his thinking he wrote "a cyclist has an increased heart rate and respiration that means that the act of riding a bike results in greater emissions of carbon dioxide from the rider since co2 is…a greenhouse gas…cyclists are actually polluting when they ride" mr orcutt said "you can't just say that there's no pollution as a result of riding a bicycle…you would be giving off more co2 if you are riding a bike than driving in a car"

mr orcutt also believes cyclists should be taxed to use the roads he said it was unfair that motorists have to pay all of the costs of building and repairing roads he wrote "currently motorists are paying to use their cars on the roads…so if cars pay for the roads they are using it only makes sense that bicyclists would also be required to pay for the roads they use when they are actually biking on them" dale carlson owner of the tech bike shop said mr orcutt's ideas were wrong he wrote "people who choose to ride a bicycle instead of driving a car actively reduce congestion" he added "they save wear and tear on our roads and bridges and reduce the [need for police] to patrol our highways"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AnAmericanlawmakerhassaidcyclingisbadfortheenvironment.Healsosaidcyclists
shouldpayataxtoridetheirbikesontheroads.EdOrcutt,arepresentativefrom
WashingtonState,sentane-mailtotheownerofalocalbikeshoptooutline
histhinking.Hewrote:"Acyclisthasanincreasedheartrateandrespiration.That
meansthattheactofridingabikeresultsingreateremissionsofcarbondioxidefrom
therider.SinceCO2is…agreenhousegas…cyclistsareactuallypollutingwhenthey
ride."MrOrcuttsaid:"Youcan'tjustsaythatthere'snopollutionasaresultofridinga
bicycle….YouwouldbegivingoffmoreCO2ifyouareridingabikethandrivinginacar.
"MrOrcuttalsobelievescyclistsshouldbetaxedtousetheroads.Hesaiditwasunfair
thatmotoristshavetopayallofthecostsofbuildingandrepairingroads.Hewrote:
"Currentlymotoristsarepayingtousetheircarsontheroads…soifcarspayfortheroads
theyareusing,itonlymakessensethatbicyclistswouldalsoberequiredtopayforthe
roadstheyusewhentheyareactuallybikingonthem."DaleCarlson,owneroftheTech
BikeShopsaidMrOrcutt'sideaswerewrong.Hewrote:"Peoplewhochoosetoridea
bicycleinsteadofdrivingacaractivelyreducecongestion."Headded:"Theysavewear
andtearonourroadsandbridges,andreducethe[needforpolice]topatrolour
highways."

FREE WRITING

Write about cycling for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Car drivers have to pay tax to use the roads, so cyclists must pay road tax too. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about cycling. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. CYCLING: Make a poster about cycling. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. TAX: Write a magazine article about a cycling tax. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to a cyclist. Ask him/her three questions about a cycling tax. Give him/her three of you opinions on it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	roads	a.	highways
2.	outline	b.	summarise
3.	carbon dioxide	c.	CO2
4.	greater	d.	larger
5.	giving off	e.	producing
6.	motorists	f.	car drivers
7.	repairing	g.	fixing
8.	congestion	h.	traffic jams
9.	wear and tear	i.	damage
10.	reduce	j.	decrease

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	An American lawmaker (called Ed Orcutt)
2.	To the owner of a local bike shop
3.	Heart rate, respiration and CO2
4.	A greenhouse gas
5.	You would give off more CO2 riding a bike
6.	For using the roads
7.	All the costs of building and repairing roads
8.	Owner of the Tech Bike Shop
9.	Traffic congestion / police patrols
10.	They save wear and tear (damage) to them

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

10.

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Thank You

Breaking News English

* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI
lesson (PDF)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA male)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Listen & spell

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(100 - 300 wpm)

* Text jumble 15

* Text jumble 24

* No spaces

* Text Jumble

* Grammar gap-fill

* Articles gap-fill

* Prepositions

* Word order

* Consonants

* Vowels

* Missing letters

* Initials only

* No letters

* Word pairs

* Missing words

* Gap-fill

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

Breaking News English

* 26-page lesson (40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI lesson (PDF)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA male)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Listen & spell

* Dictation - (10 sentences)

* Speed Reading (100 - 300 wpm)

* Text jumble 15

* Text jumble 24

* No spaces

* Text Jumble

* Grammar gap-fill

* Articles gap-fill

* Prepositions

* Word order

* Consonants

* Vowels

* Missing letters

* Initials only

* No letters

* Word pairs

* Missing words

* Gap-fill

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI
lesson (PDF)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(100 - 300 wpm)