Cars: Passion or Problem

Vocabulary Notes

1 van – фургон, автофургон

2 errand – поручение

3 roughly – грубо

4 availability – доступность

4 available – доступный

5 entertainment – развлечение

6 exhaust fumes – выхлопные газы

7 environmentalist – эколог

8 demand – требование

9 consequently – следовательно, в результате

10 density – плотность

11 sacrifice – жертвовать

12 gasoline-powered cars – бензиновые авто

13 current – текущий, современный, нынешний

14 registration plate – номер авто

15 to attach – прикреплять

16 exception – исключение

17 to permit – разрешать

18 to vary – меняться

19 law enforcer – сотрудник правоохранительных органов

20 chassis number – номер кузова

21 whenever – когда-либо

22 license plate – номер авто

23 format – размер, форма

24 strip – полоса

25 background – фон

26 reflective – отражающий

27 typeface – вид

28 to register – регистрировать

29 database – база данных

30 pickup – пикап

31 point out – указывать

32 pollution – загрязнение

33 fuel cell – топливные ячейки

34 damage – ущерб

35 double – двойной

36 turn – поворот, изгиб

T E X T 2A

Exercise 1. Scan the text to find answers to these questions.

1 What is a car?

2 Does the car have many applications?

3 What did the mass production of cars result in?

4 Is the car an efficient means of urban transportation?

5 What problems has the car caused?

6 How do environmentalists suggest improving transportation?

7 What fuel will the cars run on in the future?

Exercise 2. Read the text attentively to learn more about the questions the cars pose.

Cars: Passion or Problem?

Nowadays we can’t imagine our life without a car. For many people, cars are more than a convenient form of transportation: they are a source of passion and pleasure. Worldwide there are millions of passenger cars plus millions of light trucks, such as vans and pickups. People depend on the cars and trucks to travel to and from work, to run errands, to visit friends and relatives, and to take vacations. The number of cars is increasing every year all over the world. According to the latest studies, the total number of automobiles in the world will double to roughly 1.8 billion vehicles by 2030. So cars can also be a source of many problems.

In 1903, Ford Motors became the first to mass-produce cars. This made the car available to large numbers of people. It has brought people much closer to places of work, study, and entertainment. Many people also work in car-related industries: fixing cars, washing cars, advertising cars and selling car products such as stereos and cellular phones. Many Americans buy a new car every six years. In fact, there are more cars than people in the United States. In New York City, 2.5 million cars move in and out of the city each day. In this traffic, the average speed is sometimes 8.1 miles per hour. This speed could be easily reached by riding a horse instead of driving a car.

Exhaust fumes are the main source of bad air quality. Environmentalists dream of turning parking lots into parks and replacing cars with bicycles. They insist on developing public transportation and point out that it saves fuel and does not damage the environment that much. Many people around the world are unhappy with car traffic and pollution but they cannot imagine their life without driving.

In the future it will be more important than ever to harmonize the needs of mobility and environmental protection. The world’s population will continue to grow, particularly in metropolitan areas, which will become crowded with advancing urbanization. This will result in greater demand for mobility – and consequently higher traffic densities. That’s why engineers and designers should provide efficient and clean drive solutions without the need to sacrifice comfort, safety, functionality, or driving pleasure.

Still, there is an important question that must be answered: What kind of fuel will be used when gasoline is no longer available? To solve this problem, car companies in Korea, Japan, Europe, and the US develop electric cars that will not require gasoline at all.

The electric car is not a new idea. Being pollution-free, quiet and easy to start, it had a success with women in the 1900s. But gasoline-powered cars were faster and soon became much more popular. In the 1970s, when there were serious problems with the availability of oil, car companies began to plan for a future without gasoline again.

Today's new interest in the electric car is partly related to a passion for speed and new technology. In 1987 a solar-powered car won a 2,000-mile race in Australia. Air-compressed cars, fuel cell cars, flying cars are currently under development. However, the importance of cars will not decrease, no matter how they change in the future.

Exercise 3. Choose the correct option to complete the sentences.

1 The major function of the car is to serve as ... .

a) a means of transportation; b) a source of entertainment; c) a source of problems.

2 The mass production of cars made the cars ... .

a) large; b) practical; c) available.

3 The New Yorkers move at approximately 8.1 mph because they ... .

a) like horse riding; b) are not in a hurry; c) stop in traffic jams.

4 Environmentalists object to ... .

a) replacing cars with bikes; b) polluting the environment; c) developing public transportation.

5 The topical question of the day is ... .

a) what fuel will replace gasoline; b) how much fuel will cost; c) when electric cars will appear.

6 Electric cars are being developed because conventional fuel will soon become ... .

a) expensive; b) unavailable; с) inefficient.

7 Electric cars lost popularity in the 1920s because they were ... .

a) pollution-free, quiet and easy to start; b) slow; c) driven by women.

8 Even if the cars totally change in the future, their importance will not... .

a) increase; b) decrease; c) change.

Exercise 4. The first cars appeared at the end of the 19^th century. Nowadays we can’t imagine our life without a car. At the same time cars cause a lot of problems. So, is a car our friend or enemy?

Read the following statements. Discuss the problem in pairs and try to reach an agreement.

Reasons to have a car	Reasons not to have a car
1 It saves our time. 2 It carries heavy materials. 3 It’s very comfortable. 4 It gives a chance to travel whenever and wherever. 5 It brings quick help (police, ambulance ...) 6 ...	1 It is very noisy. 2 It pollutes air. 3 Many people are killed or injured in car accidents. 4 It does harm to your health, because you don’t walk. 5 It causes traffic jams. 6 ...

Exercise 5. Read and dramatize the following dialogues. Work in pairs.

Riding a city bus

– Pardon me, do the buses to Three Bridges railway station stop here?

– Yes, they stop at this corner. You can take any bus except number 420.

– How often do they run?

– They are supposed to run according to the schedule that you can see over there. In fact, they don’t always run on schedule.

– What are the usual intervals between the bus arrivals?

– About 15 minutes. But you won’t have to wait any longer. A bus number 405 is coming. You can take it.

Driver

– Put 55 p in the fare box, please.

– Oh, I have only pounds. Can you change one for me?

– Didn’t you see the sign? I accept exact change only.

– Right. Let me check my pocket. Oh, luckily I have the fare without change.

– Stand back from the door. Move to the rear. Let the passengers off.

– How long will it take me to get to the railway station? I’m afraid of missing the stop.

– About 20 minutes. I can tell you when you’ve to get off.

Exercise 6. What words do you think of when you see a car? Complete the diagram below.

speed



status the car" safety



function

Now compare your diagram with others in your class.

Exercise 7. Read the text and answer the following questions.

Giles: For me the car is a part of my personality. It gives a message to other people about who I am and what I believe in. The colour and the interior features are very important. I put a lot of thought into the car I buy – it has to be me.

Michael: How do I see the car? It's just a piece of metal on four wheels. I just want it to get me from A to B, that's all. Of course if it's comfortable and safe, that's great, but I really don't care about the brand. I'm only interested in details such as the price, fuel consumption, how many seats there are, and how big the boot is.

Gertrude: The car gives me prestige. I would only buy an expensive car with a powerful engine and all the latest equipment. I have a lot of money and why shouldn't I show it? I have a beautiful house and I need an expensive car in the garage.

Pauline: Well, I have a car because I live in the country and there's no public transport. But I think cars are polluting the world. Just think of all the exhaust gases! And what do you do with a car at the end of its life? You can't recycle all of it.

Different people have different opinions about cars. Which person sees the car as:

a) a status symbol? _________________

b) a lifestyle product? _______________

c) a functional product? _____________

d) a danger to the environment? ______

Exercise 8. Complete the following sentences.

1 The ________ and the ___________ features are very important. I put a lot of thought into the car I buy – it has to be me.

2 Of course if it’s comfortable and safe, that’s great, but I really don’t care about the _________. I’m only interested in details such as the price, fuel consumption, how many seats there are, and how big the ________ is.

3 The car gives me prestige. I would only buy an expensive car with a powerful _________ and all the latest ________.

4 I live in the country and there’s no public __________. But I think cars are polluting the world. Just think of all the ________ gases!

Exercise 9. Here are some of the factors people consider when buying a car. Match the factors (1–7) with the definitions (a–g).

1 price	a) the amount of money you get when you sell your car
2 resale value	b) how much petrol or diesel the car uses
3 size	c) when customers always buy their cars from the same manufacturer
4 interior features	d) the amount of money you pay when you buy a car
5 fuel consumption	e) the car’s capacity to go fast and accelerate quickly
6 performance	f) how big the car is
7 brand loyalty	g) items inside the car

Exercise 10. Work with a partner to find cars which fit the descriptions. Use words from the box.

Convertible coupe estate(car) hatchback pick up saloon sports car limousine SUV (sports utility vehicle)

Which car (s)...

1) has/have lots of room for passengers?

2) is/are good for driving on bad roads?

3) is/are not suitable for large families?

4) is/are perfect for hot, sunny weather?

5) has/have low fuel consumption?

6) is/are ideal for small parking spaces?

7) has/have only one passenger seat?

8) is/are good for transporting things.

Exercise 11. Act out the following dialogue. Work in pairs.

Buying a Car

Salesman:	I see you're interested in this model.
John:	Yes, we're looking for a car for our son. He's just passed his test.
Alison:	We want a car with good safety features that's also economical.
Salesman:	Well, you're right, this car would be ideal for your son. It's fully equipped with driver and passenger airbags and has a very good result in crash tests.
John:	And lateral airbags?
Salesman:	No, I'm afraid not.
Alison:	What about fuel consumption?
Salesman:	It depends on the engine. Do you want a diesel or a petrol engine? The diesel is more expensive, but more economical.
John:	I don't think my son will drive long distances so we'll go for the petrol engine.
Salesman:	Then I would recommend the 4 cylinder petrol engine. It has a fuel consumption of 40 miles per gallon, that's approximately 6 litres per one hundred kilometres. And its top speed is 140 mph.
Alison:	This company has a good name for quality, doesn't it? I like their cars.
Salesman:	That's right. You can't go wrong with this one. And a good brand image is important when you want to sell your car. The resale value is still very high after three years. Now would you like to sit in the car and have a closer look at the interior?
John:	What does the price include?
Salesman:	A CD-autochanger comes as standard and we are also giving away a free satellite navigation system.
Alison:	I'm not sure about this steering wheel, or the leather seats.
Salesman:	That's the sports version. I'm sure your son would like them, but they do cost extra. Now, we can go through all the options together. Have you thought about the colour?

Read the text and do the following exercises.

T E X T 2В

REGISTRATION PLATES

Vehicle registration plates are plastic or metal identification plates attached to vehicles. Most governments around the world require registration plates to be fixed to both the front and the back of the vehicle with the exception of motorbikes, which are permitted to have a single plate at the back of the vehicle. The colour and style of the plates will vary depending on where the vehicle is registered and under what category (e. g. private, commercial, etc.).

Registration plates allow law enforcers to check information kept on national databases which describe the vehicle: the make, model, colour, year of manufacture, engine size, etc., as well as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), also known as the chassis number, and the name and address of the vehicle’s registered owner. In some countries, the vehicle registration plate stays with the car when it is sold, in other countries, the registration plate can be moved from one car to another. This means that whenever you buy a car, you always have to register it again (not just change the name of the owner) even if the car has had a previous owner.

In the EUROPEAN UNION, vehicles have white or yellow license plates. The format is the same for all vehicles. There is blue strip on the left of the plate. On the blue strip is the EU symbol of 12 yellow stars and the country code of the state in which the vehicle was registered. The letters on the plate are black and the background is white or reflective yellow.

The typeface for registration plates in Germany is a special one. It is designed to be very difficult to change: for example, it is impossible to change the O to a Q, or the P to an R. It is very easy for a radar or license-plate reading machine to read this typeface. However, it is more difficult for the human eye to read it because the letters are so narrow.

The international radio telephony alphabet is widely used internationally by the armed forces, in civil aviation, for communication between air traffic controllers to pilots, and by the UK police.

A Alpha G Golf M Mike S Sierra Y Yankee

B Bravo H Hotel N November T Tango Z Zulu

C Charlie I India O Oscar U Uniform

D Delta J Juliet P Papa V Victor

E Echo K Kilo Q Quebec W Whiskey

F Foxtrot L Lima R Romeo X X-Ray

Exercise 1.

1 Find a different expression for “registration plate”.

2 Find a word which means “the size and style of printed letters”.

3 Which of these is NOT a correct format for an EU registration plate?

a) blue background, black letters;

b) yellow background, black letters;

c) white background, black letters;

4 Why are German license plates special?

Exercise 2. Work in pairs. Take it in turns to choose a vehicle and say the registration plate to your partner.

Exercise 3. Read the following conversations and complete the vehicle description.

	Vehicle 1	Vehicle 2	Vehicle 3
Make and model:
Colour:
Licence plate number
Registered in:
Registered to:

1

A: Golf-X-Ray 3 to 411.

B: 411 Receiving. Go ahead Golf-X-Ray 3.

A: Vehicle check request – a silver grey Volkswagen van. I think the model is Transporter, registration Sierra Alpha 53, Tango, November, Papa.

B: Affirmative Golf-X-Ray 3, silver grey Volkswagen Transporter, Sierra, Alpha, 5,3, Tango, November, Papa. Stand by.

411 to Golf-X-Ray 3, I have result on your vehicle for you Golf-X-Ray 3.

A: Golf-X-Ray 3: Go ahead.

B: The vehicle is registered in Scotland and was reported stolen last year. The registration owner of the vehicle is a Mr Adam Kennedy of 31 Aberdale Road, Glasgow.

2

C: Adam 12, Code 11. I need to identify a vehicle.

D: Affirmative, Adam 12. Go ahead.

C: Vehicle is a bronze Mercedes Benz, Model CL 600. The registration plate looks foreign, but there’s dirt on it and there’s something at the end I can’t see... I’ll give you what I can. Alpha 689, Mike Hotel and ... I think that’s 177.

D: Read back, Adam 12. Vehicle identity request is bronze Mercedes Benz, Model CL 600, Alpha 689 Mike Hotel, 177.

... I have a result showing on screen already. Vehicle is registered in Moscow in Russia to Yelena Borisovna Tatova.

3

E: Dieter Adler.

F: This is Commissar Aslan Cetin from the Istanbul police here. I am calling about the vehicle check on the Suzuki.

E: Thank you for getting back to me, Commissar. Was there anything on your database?

F: Yes. It’s very interesting... You confirm that the vehicle you found with the drugs was a black Suzuki cruiser MI800R motorcycle? Registered in Turkey?

E: That’s correct.

F: Can you confirm the registration number?

E: 34 TTM 74 ...er 34 Tango, Tango Malta, 7, 4.

F: That is what is so interesting. According to our database that vehicle is not a motorcycle but an Istanbul taxi, registered to a Mr Kerem Erbakan, an Istanbul taxi driver.

Exercise 4. Read and dramatize the following dialogues. Work in pairs.

Sea or Air

Susan:	Are you looking forward to your trip to Canada, Julie?
Julie:	I can’t wait to see Canada, Susan, but I’m scared stiff of the JOURNEY. My husband insists on flying, but I want to sail. Planes make me nervous.
Susan:	There’s nothing to be frightened of. How many planes fly across the Atlantic every day?
Julie:	I’ve no idea. Hundreds, I suppose.
Susan:	And how often do you hear of a crash? ... once or twice a year?
Julie:	Yes, but aeroplanes fly so high and fast that once is enough.
Susan:	Look, there are more road casualties per day than air deaths per year. Air transport is really safe compared with road transport.
Julie:	I’d still prefer to go by sea. Ships may not travel fast but at least you can relax. I’d love a trip on a luxury liner like the Queen Elizabeth II.
Susan:	It’s fine if you are a good sailor, but have you ever travelled far in a rough sea?
Julie:	No. I’ve only been in a boat once. I sailed down the River Thames on a sightseeing tour … but in any case I’d rather be sea sick than dead.

National Express

Val:	Hello? Rob, is that you? Oh, hello…
Rob:	Hello. Val, I’m arriving at Heathrow at 9. 30 and I don’t know how to …
Val:	Yes, yes. You take the coach, National Express, outside Terminal 3 – I think it’s a bus stop …
Rob:	I didn’t understand. Can you speak more slowly, please?
Val: Rob:	OK. You take the National Express coach for Cambridge, outside Terminal … I didn’t hear what you said … Sorry?
Val:	Right. National Express – Cambridge, outside Terminal … Three, terminal 3.
Rob:	Yes, yes. Terminal 3.
Val:	The trip takes about two hours. When you get off the coach, you … you cross the road and you’ll see a taxi rank. Ask the …
Rob:	Sorry – did you say opposite the stop there’s a taxi rank?
Val:	Yes, opposite the coach stop. Yes, you cross the road. Take a taxi to Sawston – it’ll take about ten minutes.
Rob:	Right. OK. So, coach to Cambridge – from Terminal 3 – then a taxi opposite. Is that right?
Val:	Yes, that’s right. See you soon – safe journey. Bye.
Rob:	Bye.

Read the following text and comment on it.

T E X T 2C

Men vs. Women: Who Are Safer Drivers?

Those condescending jokes about female drivers seem to have vanished. Nowadays women appear to have a positive image of themselves as safer drivers than men, according to a recent poll (опрос). In a survey done for insurer MetLife, 51 % of women said their gender drives more safely.

The evidence is on their side: Men are 3.4 times more likely than women to get a ticket for reckless driving and 3.1 times as likely to be cited for drunk driving. "Women are on average less aggressive and more law-abiding drivers – attributes that lead to fewer accidents the study says. Not that guys have completely caught on. Of the men surveyed by MetLife, only 39 % claimed male drivers were safer – but 35 % of men didn't know which gender to pick. The findings did back men up on one point: automotive knowledge. The poll showed that more men are familiar with current safety equipment such as electronic stability control, which helps prevent rollover accidents.

Why auto safety matters? Men are paying for their unsafe behavior. Insurance company underwriters focus on what classes of drivers have the lowest dollar amounts of claims – and for now, that include women. As a result, auto insurance rates are lower for women in most states of the U.S. A study by the web site Insweb showed that overall, women pay about 9 % less for auto insurance than men. Men fare particularly badly when the statistics get deadly serious. More than 11,900 male drivers died in U.S. traffic accidents in 2009, compared with just under 4,900 women drivers, according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Based on miles traveled, men died at a rate of 2.5 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, vs. 1.7 deaths for women. Those rates skyrocket for teenage drivers to 9.2 deaths per 100 million miles for males 16 to 19 years old and 5.3 deaths for female of the same age.

The advantage women have had by avoiding aggressive driving may be eroding among teenagers – largely because of distractions while driving. Increasing numbers of teenage female drivers had been involved in accidents or had near misses because of distracted driving with mobile phones, music players and other causes.

Exercise 1. Test «Are you a good driver?»

T a s k. Which of the adjectives in the Word Box can describe people, which can describe cars, which can describe both?

Fill in the table.

Lively; curious; spontaneous; efficient; nervous; comfortable; proud; independent; cautious; popular; creative; reliable; optimistic; passionate; irritating; moody; safe

People	Cars	Both
lively	......	......
......	......	......

Exercise 2. Read this article about astrology and cars. Which sign (a–l) do you think describe you? Why? Then look at the key below and find out which description goes with which sign of the zodiac. Did you choose the right description? Do you agree with the description of you? Сan you find any description that fit people you know?

a) You want a different car for every day of the week, from a cheap car to a Rolls Royce – it depends on your mood. (Some people say you’re moody!)

b) You like a car with style and elegance – with somewhere to put your caviar and champagne!

It also has to be reliable and comfortable.

c) You are very lively. You want to live life in the fast lane. Your ideal car is a Porsche or a Lamborghini. You make passengers nervous – your friends and family probably prefer to take the bus.

d) You’re proud and independent, but you’d love to have a chauffeur. You drive a luxury car (in your dreams, at least). You worry about whether the bar is full – and where to put the music system.

e) You love privacy and mystery. Your car has tinted windows – so you can see out but no-one can see in. In other areas of your life you’re passionate and you love drama but surprisingly, you drive cautiously.

f) You don’t want a car – you want a cupboard on wheels. Somewhere to put your cassettes, sandwiches, maps and a world atlas – you’re terrified of getting lost. You are curious too – you’d like a car with a periscope so you can see what the other drivers are doing.

g) You’re a creative person. You think the practical things in life are boring. You use the mirrors to look at yourself – not to see possible dangers on the road. You choose your car because of the colour. You’re not the most popular driver on the road!

h) You’re a spontaneous person so you never plan things. Your fantasy car is a two-seater sports car with an ejector seat for irritating passengers.

i) You’re optimistic and full of big ideas. You love speed and excitement. If you’re rich, you probably have a car with a jet engine. How many cars have you crashed? Slow down!

j) You need a safe car like a Volvo. You’re usually quiet and calm, but in a car you shout at everyone who irritates you. Your language can get so strong that it’s better (and safer!) if no-one can hear you.

k) Your ideal car is probably a BMW or a Mercedes. If you don’t own one of these cars, it’s probably because you think you can’t afford it – but go on, live a little! You want your car to be reliable – but you also like a bit of status!

l) You’re very independent person. You don’t like rules and regulations. You think red lights stop signs and No Entry signs are for other drivers, not you. You love to be different – and you never wear a seat belt!

Key: a = Libra; b = Taurus; c = Aries; d = Leo; e = Cancer; f = Scorpio; g = Pisces; h = Gemini; i = Sagittarius; j = Virgo; k = Capricorn; l = Aquarius.

Exercise 3. Read and dramatize the following dialogues. Work in pairs.

* * *

A:	Is the ambulance coming? There are two people trapped in the car over there. They can’t get out.
B:	OK, I’m coming. Lopez, can you start dealing with the witnesses and the seal off? Can you hear me?
C:	Yes, I can hear you. Please help me.
B:	What’s your name?
C:	Marco.
B:	OK Marco, the ambulance is on its way and will be here very soon. Are you injured? Does anything hurt?
C:	My leg hurts. I can’t move it. I think it’s broken.
B:	Don’t move, Marco. It’s very important to keep still. The ambulance is on its way. Don’t worry, we’ll get you out of there, soon. Is there another person with you?
C:	There is my friend – she is unconscious.
B:	Is she breathing normally? Can you see?
C:	She is breathing. But there is a lot of blood.
B:	Is she still bleeding, Marco? Where’s the blood coming from?
C:	She is bleeding from a cut on her head.
B:	If I pass you something Marco, can you put it on the cut on her head. We need to try to stop the bleeding.

Exercise 4. Use the correct form of the verbs given in brackets. Learn the dialogue.