The Reading / Listening - Autobahn Speed - Level 3

Germany may put a speed limit on its world famous autobahn network of highways. The autobahn has a total length of about 12,996 kilometers. There is no speed limit on it for many types of vehicles. However, there are limits in some built-up areas, spots that are accident-prone, or roads that are under construction or undergoing repairs. On the parts of the network on which there is no limit, there is an advisory speed limit of 130 kilometers per hour (80 mph). Germany's government may now put a speed limit on all parts of the autobahn. This is because Germany has to meet fuel emission targets set by the European Union. It wants to reduce the damage done to the environment by cars that drive fast.

Many drivers in Germany are unhappy with a possible speed limit on the autobahn. They do not want the 130kph limit, even though that is normal in other EU countries. Some politicians say the proposed speed limit will never get passed in Germany's government. One politician, Ulrich Lange, said: "I don't think the suggestion of a speed limit is practical." One of Germany's best-selling newspapers Bild Zeitung disagreed with the speed limit. It wrote: "Our autobahn roads are a symbol of freedom. 'Tested on German autobahn' is a quality seal. There are enough speed limits." Germany could face big EU fines if it does not reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Autobahn Speed - Level 0,  Autobahn Speed - Level 1   or  Autobahn Speed - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.dw.com/en/will-germany-use-autobahn-speed-limits-to-cut-carbon-emissions/a-47144296
  • https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/18/climate-rules-could-put-brakes-germany-no-limit-autobahns
  • http://www.thedrive.com/news/26065/germany-considers-putting-speed-limits-on-the-entire-autobahn


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. SPEED LIMITS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about speed limits. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       speed / limit / highways / vehicles / accident / construction / network / damage / cars
       unhappy / normal / politicians / suggestion / practical / symbol / freedom / quality
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. LOWER LIMITS: Students A strongly believe all roads should have reduced speed limits; Students B strongly believe this is totally unnecessary.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CARS: How can cars be improved? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Improvement

What Different It Will Make

Engine size

 

 

Colours

 

 

Safety

 

 

Speed

 

 

Environment

 

 

Interior

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. NETWORK: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "network". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. GERMANY: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things about Germany at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Beethoven
  • Karl Marx
  • Adidas
  • Black Forest gateau
  • the autobahn
  • Porsche
  • sauerkraut
  • Grimm's Fairy Tales

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. network a. Covered by houses or other buildings.
      2. highways b. A complex system of roads, railroads, or other transportation routes.
      3. vehicles c. A thing used for transporting people or goods, especially on land, such as a car, truck, or cart.
      4. built-up d. The actions of fixing or mending something.
      5. accident-prone e. Make smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.
      6. repairs f. Main roads, especially ones connecting major towns or cities.
      7. reduce g. Tending to be involved in a greater than average number of crashes, mishaps and other unfortunate things.

    Paragraph 2

      8. possible h. A sum of money used as a penalty by a court of law.
      9. proposed i. The gas or radiation that comes out of something.
      10. politician j. A thing that represents or stands for something else.
      11. fine k. A person who is professionally involved in politics, especially as a holder of or a candidate for an elected office.
      12. practical l. An idea, plan, or method that is likely to succeed or be effective.
      13. symbol m. Able to be done.
      14. emissions n. Put forward an idea or plan for thinking about or discussion by others.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. Germany's autobahn network is over 13,000 kilometers long.     T / F
  2. There are some speed limits on parts of the autobahn.     T / F
  3. Authorities advise drivers should not drive faster than 130kph.     T / F
  4. Germany has met all EU fuel emission targets.     T / F
  5. Most drivers in Germany are happy with an autobahn speed limit.     T / F
  6. Some politicians said an autobahn speed limit would never become law.  T / F
  7. A newspaper said there weren't enough speed limits on German roads.    T / F
  8. Germany could get a big fine for not cutting greenhouse gas emissions.   T / F

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

  1. network
  2. spots
  3. repairs
  4. targets
  5. damage
  6. possible
  7. normal
  8. practical
  9. freedom
  10. reduce
  1. workable
  2. goals
  3. potential
  4. system
  5. cut
  6. fixing
  7. independence
  8. harm
  9. usual
  10. places

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

  1. its world famous autobahn network
  2. There is no speed limit on it for
  3. spots that are accident-
  4. roads that are under construction or
  5. Germany has to meet fuel
  6. even though that is normal in
  7. the proposed speed limit will
  8. One of Germany's best-
  9. Our autobahn roads are a
  10. reduce its greenhouse
  1. symbol of freedom
  2. undergoing repairs
  3. never get passed
  4. prone
  5. gas emissions
  6. of highways
  7. selling newspapers
  8. emission targets
  9. other EU countries
  10. many types of vehicles

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
prone
government
famous
done
types
length
meet
advisory

Germany may put a speed limit on its world (1) ____________ autobahn network of highways. The autobahn has a total (2) ____________ of about 12,996 kilometers. There is no speed limit on it for many (3) ____________ of vehicles. However, there are limits in some built-up areas, spots that are accident- (4) ____________, or roads that are under construction or undergoing repairs. On the parts of the network on which there is no limit, there is an (5) ____________ speed limit of 130 kilometers per hour (80 mph). Germany's (6) ____________ may now put a speed limit on all parts of the autobahn. This is because Germany has to (7) ____________ fuel emission targets set by the European Union. It wants to reduce the damage (8) ____________ to the environment by cars that drive fast.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
passed
practical
possible
quality
politician
fines
normal
symbol

Many drivers in Germany are unhappy with a (9) ____________ speed limit on the autobahn. They do not want the 130kph limit, even though that is (10) ____________ in other EU countries. Some politicians say the proposed speed limit will never get (11) ____________ in Germany's government. One (12) ____________, Ulrich Lange, said: "I don't think the suggestion of a speed limit is (13) ____________." One of Germany's best-selling newspapers Bild Zeitung disagreed with the speed limit. It wrote: "Our autobahn roads are a (14) ____________ of freedom. 'Tested on German autobahn' is a (15) ____________ seal. There are enough speed limits." Germany could face big EU (16) ____________ if it does not reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Germany may put a speed limit on its world famous autobahn ______
     a.  nest work of highways
     b.  next work of highways
     c.  net work of highways
     d.  network of highways
2)  However, there are limits in some built-up areas, spots that are ______
     a.  accident-prove
     b.  accident-prone
     c.  accident-drone
     d.  accident-prune
3)  On the parts of the network on which there is no limit, there is an ______ limit
     a.  advise airy speed
     b.  advisory speed
     c.  advised a real speed
     d.  advise a real speed
4)  This is because Germany has to meet fuel emission ______
     a.  targets set
     b.  targets sweat
     c.  targets spelt
     d.  targets seat
5)  It wants to reduce the damage done to the environment by cars ______
     a.  what drove fast
     b.  that drove fast
     c.  what drive fast
     d.  that drive fast

6)  They do not want the 130kph limit, even though ______
     a.  that is normally
     b.  that is norm all
     c.  that is normal
     d.  that is norm mall
7)  I don't think the suggestion of a speed ______
     a.  limit this practical
     b.  limits is practical
     c.  limit is practically
     d.  limit is practical
8)  It wrote: "Our autobahn roads are a ______."
     a.  symbolic of freedom
     b.  symbol of freedom
     c.  symbol off freedom
     d.  symbols of freedom
9)  'Tested on German autobahn' is a ______
     a.  qualify seal
     b.  quality seals
     c.  quality seal
     d.  qualify sealed
10)  Germany could face big EU fines if it does not reduce its greenhouse ______
     a.  gasses emissions
     b.  gas emissions
     c.  gust emissions
     d.  grass emissions

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Germany may put a speed limit (1) ___________________ famous autobahn network of highways. The autobahn has (2) ___________________ of about 12,996 kilometers. There is no speed limit on it for many types of vehicles. However, there are (3) ___________________ built-up areas, spots that are accident-prone, or roads (4) ___________________ construction or undergoing repairs. On the parts of the network on which there is no limit, there is an advisory speed limit of 130 kilometers per hour (80 mph). Germany's government may now put a speed limit (5) ___________________ of the autobahn. This is because Germany has to meet fuel emission targets set by the European Union. It wants to (6) ___________________ done to the environment by cars that drive fast.

Many drivers in Germany are unhappy (7) ___________________ speed limit on the autobahn. They do not want the 130kph limit, even though that is (8) ___________________ EU countries. Some politicians say the proposed speed limit will never (9) ___________________ Germany's government. One politician, Ulrich Lange, said: "I don't think (10) ___________________ a speed limit is practical." One of Germany's best-selling newspapers Bild Zeitung disagreed with the speed limit. It wrote: "Our autobahn roads (11) ___________________ of freedom. 'Tested on German autobahn' is a quality seal. There are enough speed limits." Germany could face big EU fines if it does (12) ___________________ greenhouse gas emissions.

Comprehension questions

  1. How long is the autobahn in total?
  2. In what kind of areas are there speed limits on the autobahn?
  3. What is the advisory speed in kph on the autobahn?
  4. Who set the emission targets that Germany has to meet?
  5. What does Germany want to reduce damaging?
  6. How do many drivers feel about a possible speed limit?
  7. What do some politicians say about the proposed speed limit?
  8. What did Ulrich Lange say about the speed limit?
  9. What did a newspaper say autobahns were a symbol of?
  10. What might Germany get if it doesn't reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How long is the autobahn in total?
a) 12,966 kilometers
b) 12,696 kilometers
c) 12,999 kilometers
d) 12,996 kilometers
2) In what kind of areas are there speed limits on the autobahn?
a) congested areas
b) built-up areas
c) curves
d) tunnels
3) What is the advisory speed in kph on the autobahn?
a) 150kph
b) 120kph
c) 140kph
d) 130kph
4) Who set the emission targets that Germany has to meet?
a) the WWF
b) the WTO
c) the EU
d) the IMF
5) What does Germany want to reduce damaging?
a) driver confidence
b) the economy
c) roads
d) the environment

6) How do many drivers feel about a possible speed limit?
a) angry
b) satisfied
c) unhappy
d) please
7) What do some politicians say about the proposed speed limit?
a) it will never get passed
b) it's necessary
c) they want to talk more
d) a lot
8) What did Ulrich Lange say about the speed limit?
a) it will create accidents
b) it's too high
c) it's impractical
d) it's too low
9) What did a newspaper say autobahns were a symbol of?
a) Germany
b) freedom
c) speed
d) excitement
10) What might Germany get if it doesn't reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
a) a big fine
b) hurt
c) more cars
d) polluted

Role play

Role  A – The Autobahn
You think the autobahn is the best German thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Black Forest gateau, Adidas or Grimm's Fairy Tales.

Role  B – Black Forest Gateau
You think Black Forest gateau is the best German thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): the autobahn, Adidas or Grimm's Fairy Tales.

Role  C – Adidas
You think Adidas is the best German thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Black Forest gateau, the autobahn or Grimm's Fairy Tales.

Role  D – Grimm's Fairy Tales
You think Grimm's Fairy Tales are the best German thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Black Forest gateau, Adidas or the autobahn.

After reading / listening

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

'speed'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'limit'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • unhappy
    • though
    • suggestion
    • disagreed
    • seal
    • fines
    • famous
    • types
    • spots
    • which
    • because
    • reduce

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic 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.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Germany thinking about speed limit on autobahn

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'speed'?
    3. What do you know about the autobahn?
    4. What are the roads like in your country?
    5. Why do people like driving fast?
    6. What speed limits should there be on our roads?
    7. How safe are roads in your country
    8. Is 130kph too fast or too slow?
    9. What is your country doing to cut greenhouse gases?
    10. What do you think of driving?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'limit'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What are the benefits of not having a speed limit?
    5. Are there any bad things about speed limits?
    6. Are autobahns a "symbol of freedom"?
    7. What other German things are high quality?
    8. What is your favourite road, and why?
    9. How much should countries get fined for greenhouse gases?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the autobahn boss?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Germany may put a speed limit on its world famous autobahn network of highways. The autobahn has a (1) ____ length of about 12,996 kilometers. There is no speed limit (2) ____ it for many types of vehicles. However, there are limits in some (3) ____ areas, spots that are accident-prone, or roads that are (4) ____ construction or undergoing repairs. On the parts of the network on which there is no limit, there is an (5) ____ speed limit of 130 kilometers per hour (80 mph). Germany's government may now put a speed limit on all parts of the autobahn. This is because Germany has to meet fuel emission targets (6) ____ by the European Union. It wants to reduce the damage done to the environment by cars that drive fast.

    Many drivers in Germany are unhappy (7) ____ a possible speed limit on the autobahn. They do not want the 130kph limit, even though that is (8) ____ in other EU countries. Some politicians say the proposed speed limit will never get (9) ____ in Germany's government. One politician, Ulrich Lange, said: "I don't think the suggestion of a speed limit is practical." One of Germany's best-(10) ____ newspapers Bild Zeitung disagreed with the speed limit. It wrote: "Our autobahn roads are a (11) ____ of freedom. 'Tested on German autobahn' is a quality seal. There are enough speed limits." Germany could face big EU fines if it does not reduce (12) ____ greenhouse gas emissions.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     totality     (b)     total     (c)     totals     (d)     totally    
    2. (a)     up     (b)     on     (c)     at     (d)     of    
    3. (a)     butter-up     (b)     belt up     (c)     brush up     (d)     built-up    
    4. (a)     over     (b)     under     (c)     around     (d)     through    
    5. (a)     advice     (b)     advisory     (c)     advises     (d)     advised    
    6. (a)     let     (b)     bet     (c)     set     (d)     met    
    7. (a)     for     (b)     on     (c)     with     (d)     as    
    8. (a)     normally     (b)     normalize     (c)     normal     (d)     norm    
    9. (a)     pursed     (b)     past     (c)     parsed     (d)     passed    
    10. (a)     sold     (b)     sells     (c)     sell     (d)     selling    
    11. (a)     symbol     (b)     cymbal     (c)     symbolism     (d)     sandal    
    12. (a)     their     (b)     that     (c)     its     (d)     these

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. its world famous autobahn rwntkoe of highways
    2. a total gnlhte of about 12,996 kilometers
    3. spots that are niadccet-prone
    4. undergoing srperai
    5. there is an ryvdsaoi speed limit
    6. It wants to reduce the aemdga

    Paragraph 2

    1. that is nrolma in other EU countries
    2. the seopodrp speed limit
    3. the nssgeuigot of a speed limit
    4. a bmylos of freedom
    5. a uiyaltq seal
    6. greenhouse gas snsmesiio

    Put the text back together

    (...)  want the 130kph limit, even though that is normal in other EU countries. Some politicians say the proposed speed limit will never
    (...)  Many drivers in Germany are unhappy with a possible speed limit on the autobahn. They do not
    (...)  there is no limit, there is an advisory speed limit of 130 kilometers per hour (80 mph). Germany's government may now put
    (...)  prone, or roads that are under construction or undergoing repairs. On the parts of the network on which
    (...)  highways. The autobahn has a total length of about 12,996 kilometers. There is no speed
    (...)  symbol of freedom. 'Tested on German autobahn' is a quality seal. There are
    (...)  limit on it for many types of vehicles. However, there are limits in some built-up areas, spots that are accident-
    (...)  of a speed limit is practical." One of Germany's best-selling newspapers Bild Zeitung disagreed
    (  1  ) Germany may put a speed limit on its world famous autobahn network of
    (...)  a speed limit on all parts of the autobahn. This is because Germany has to meet fuel emission targets set
    (...)  with the speed limit. It wrote: "Our autobahn roads are a
    (...)  by the European Union. It wants to reduce the damage done to the environment by cars that drive fast.
    (...)  enough speed limits." Germany could face big EU fines if it does not reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
    (...)  get passed in Germany's government. One politician, Ulrich Lange, said: "I don't think the suggestion

    Put the words in the right order

    1. world   limit   famous   on   A   its   autobahn   .   speed
    2. in   built-up   areas   .   are   some   limits   There
    3. 130kph   .   is   There   speed   an   of   limit   advisory
    4. fuel   Germany   has   meet   to   targets   .   emission
    5. reduce   the   damage   wants   to   done   .   It
    6. do   not   130kph   the   want   They   limit   .
    7. get   The   never   passed   .   proposed   will   limit   speed
    8. suggestion   is   practical   .   of   a   limit   The   speed
    9. of   a   roads   freedom   .   symbol   Our   are   autobahn
    10. It   its   greenhouse   gas   not   does   emissions   .   reduce

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Germany may put a speed limit on its world / worldly famous autobahn network of highways. The autobahn has a total long / length of about 12,996 kilometers. There is no speed limit on / in it for many types of vehicles. However, there are limits / limit in some built-up areas, spots that are accident-prone, or roads that are under / over construction or undergoing repairs. On the parts of the network on what / which there is no limit, there is an advisory / advises speed limit of 130 kilometers per hour (80 mph). Germany's government may now put a speed limit on all parts of the autobahn. This is because / although Germany has to meet fuel emission targets set / let by the European Union. It wants to reduce the damage did / done to the environment by cars that drive fast.

    Many drivers in Germany are unhappy with a possibly / possible speed limit on the autobahn. They do not want the 130kph limit, even throughout / though that is normal in other EU countries. Some politicians / politics say the proposed speed limit will never get / got passed in Germany's government. One politician, Ulrich Lange, said: "I don't think the suggestion / suggest of a speed limit is practical." One of Germany's best-selling newspapers Bild Zeitung disagreed / disagree with the speed limit. It wrote: "Our autobahn roads are a cymbal / symbol of freedom. 'Tested on German autobahn' is a quality peal / seal. There are enough speed limits." Germany could face big EU fined / fines if it does not reduce that / its greenhouse gas emissions.

    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)

    G_r m_n y m_y p_t _ s p__ d l_m_t _n _t s w_r l d f_m__ s __ t_b_h n n_t w_r k _f h_g h w_y s . T h_ __ t_b_h n h_s _ t_t_l l_n g t h _f _b__ t 1 2 , 9 9 6 k_l_m_t_r s . T h_r_ _s n_ s p__ d l_m_t _n _t f_r m_n y t y p_s _f v_h_c l_s . H_w_v_r , t h_r_ _r_ l_m_t s _n s_m_ b__ l t -_p _r__ s , s p_t s t h_t _r_ _c c_d_n t - p r_n_, _r r__ d s t h_t _r_ _n d_r c_n s t r_c t__ n _r _n d_r g__ n g r_p__ r s . O n t h_ p_r t s _f t h_ n_t w_r k _n w h_c h t h_r_ _s n_ l_m_t , t h_r_ _s _n _d v_s_r y s p__ d l_m_t _f 1 3 0 k_l_m_t_r s p_r h__ r ( 8 0 m p h ) . G_r m_n y ' s g_v_r n m_n t m_y n_w p_t _ s p__ d l_m_t _n _l l p_r t s _f t h_ __ t_b_h n . T h_s _s b_c__ s_ G_r m_n y h_s t_ m__ t f__ l _m_s s__ n t_r g_t s s_t b y t h_ E_r_p__ n U n__ n . I t w_n t s t_ r_d_c_ t h_ d_m_g_ d_n_ t_ t h_ _n v_r_n m_n t b y c_r s t h_t d r_v_ f_s t .

    M_n y d r_v_r s _n G_r m_n y _r_ _n h_p p y w_t h _ p_s s_b l_ s p__ d l_m_t _n t h_ __ t_b_h n . T h_y d_ n_t w_n t t h_ 1 3 0 k p h l_m_t , _v_n t h__ g h t h_t _s n_r m_l _n _t h_r E U c__ n t r__ s . S_m_ p_l_t_c__ n s s_y t h_ p r_p_s_d s p__ d l_m_t w_l l n_v_r g_t p_s s_d _n G_r m_n y ' s g_v_r n m_n t . O n_ p_l_t_c__ n , U l r_c h L_n g_, s__ d : " I d_n ' t t h_n k t h_ s_g g_s t__ n _f _ s p__ d l_m_t _s p r_c t_c_l . " O n_ _f G_r m_n y ' s b_s t - s_l l_n g n_w s p_p_r s B_l d Z__ t_n g d_s_g r__ d w_t h t h_ s p__ d l_m_t . I t w r_t_: " O_r __ t_b_h n r__ d s _r_ _ s y m b_l _f f r__ d_m . ' T_s t_d _n G_r m_n __ t_b_h n ' _s _ q__ l_t y s__ l . T h_r_ _r_ _n__ g h s p__ d l_m_t s . " G_r m_n y c__ l d f_c_ b_g E U f_n_s _f _t d__ s n_t r_d_c_ _t s g r__ n h__ s_ g_s _m_s s__ n s .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    germany may put a speed limit on its world famous autobahn network of highways the autobahn has a total length of about 12996 kilometers there is no speed limit on it for many types of vehicles however there are limits in some builtup areas spots that are accidentprone or roads that are under construction or undergoing repairs on the parts of the network on which there is no limit there is an advisory speed limit of 130 kilometers per hour 80 mph germanys government may now put a speed limit on all parts of the autobahn this is because germany has to meet fuel emission targets set by the european union it wants to reduce the damage done to the environment by cars that drive fast

    many drivers in germany are unhappy with a possible speed limit on the autobahn they do not want the 130kph limit even though that is normal in other eu countries some politicians say the proposed speed limit will never get passed in germanys government one politician ulrich lange said i dont think the suggestion of a speed limit is practical one of germanys bestselling newspapers bild zeitung disagreed with the speed limit it wrote our autobahn roads are a symbol of freedom tested on german autobahn is a quality seal there are enough speed limits germany could face big eu fines if it does not reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Germanymayputaspeedlimitonitsworldfamousautobahnnetworkofh
    ighways.Theautobahnhasatotallengthofabout12,996kilometers.Th
    ereisnospeedlimitonitformanytypesofvehicles.However,thereareli
    mitsinsomebuilt-upareas,spotsthatareaccident-prone,orroadsth
    atareunderconstructionorundergoingrepairs.Onthepartsofthenetw
    orkonwhichthereisnolimit,thereisanadvisoryspeedlimitof130kilome
    tersperhour(80mph).Germany'sgovernmentmaynowputaspeedlimi
    tonallpartsoftheautobahn.ThisisbecauseGermanyhastomeetfuelem
    issiontargetssetbytheEuropeanUnion.Itwantstoreducethedamaged
    onetotheenvironmentbycarsthatdrivefast.ManydriversinGermanya
    reunhappywithapossiblespeedlimitontheautobahn.Theydonotwantt
    he130kphlimit,eventhoughthatisnormalinotherEUcountries.Somep
    oliticianssaytheproposedspeedlimitwillnevergetpassedinGermany's
    government.Onepolitician,UlrichLange,said:"Idon'tthinkthesugges
    tionofaspeedlimitispractical."OneofGermany'sbest-sellingnewspap
    ersBildZeitungdisagreedwiththespeedlimit.Itwrote:"Ourautobahnr
    oadsareasymboloffreedom.'TestedonGermanautobahn'isaqualityse
    al.Thereareenoughspeedlimits."GermanycouldfacebigEUfinesifitdo
    esnotreduceitsgreenhousegasemissions.

    Free writing

    Write about autobahn speed limit for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Speed limits should be lower on all the world's roads. Discuss.

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    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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. SPEED LIMITS: Make a poster about speed limits. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. AUTOBAHN: Write a magazine article about speed limits on the autobahn and other roads. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    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 an expert on speed limits. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on speed limits. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

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    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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