Learn English with an ESL lesson from American English File

Check the words you already know. Marca las palabras que ya conoces. Marque as palavras que você já conhece. 이미 아는 단어에 체크하세요. Позначте слова, які ви вже знаєте.

• ☐ ☐ ☐ bike lanes n. - special paths or streets only for bikes
• ☐ ☐ ☐ obey (the rules) v. - follow (the rules)
• ☐ ☐ ☐ the pavements n. - roads for walking [ sidewalks (AmE), pavements (BrE) ]
• ☐ ☐ ☐ red lights n. - traffic lights that indicate "stop"
• ☐ ☐ ☐ going on around you exp. - happening near you

n. - noun,    v. - verb,    phv. - phrasal verb,    adj. - adjective,    exp. - expression

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1. Boris Bikes have been successful.
   True
   False
   
   
2. London is a very bike-friendly city.
   True
   False
   
   
3. There are no bike lanes in London.
   True
   False
   
   
4. Bicycles must stay on the pavements (sidewalks).
   True
   False
   
   
5. Riders always have to wear a helmet.
   True
   False
   
   
6. The man suggests wearing bright clothing.
   True
   False
   
   
7. You are prohibited from wearing headphones while you are cycling.
   True
   False
   
   
8. The man seems to like cycling in London.
   True
   False
   
   

Score:

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Directions: 1) Choose the modal that you hear and then 2) determine its meaning.

• There are some bike lanes, but often bikes, cars, and buses --- can should have to (have to) share the roads, and this can be dangerous.
  choice
  no choice
  
• So, there are a few things everyone --- can should has to (can) do to make their bike trip safer.
  rule
  option
  
• Firstly, you --- can should have to (have to) obey the rules of the road.
  choice
  no choice
  
• You --- mustn't shouldn't don't have to (mustn't) cycle on the pavements.
  rule
  advice
  
• And you --- mustn't shouldn't don't have to (mustn't) cycle through red lights.
  choice
  no choice
  
• You --- can must should (should) wear a helmet and bright clothes.
  rule
  advice
  
• You --- mustn't shouldn't don't have to (don't have to) wear a helmet to ride a bike in the U.K., but it's probably a good idea.
  choice
  no choice
  
• You really --- mustn't shouldn't don't have to (shouldn't) use your phone or wear headphones while cycling.
  rule
  advice
  

---

man / think / London / not / most / bike / friendly / city

The man thinks (that) London isn't the most bike-friendly city.

cycle / London / can / dangerous / because / car / bus / bike / often / have / share / same / road

Cycling in London can be dangerous because cars, buses, and bikes often have to share the same roads.

you / not / allow / bike / pavements / London

You are not allowed to bike on the pavements in London.

You are not allowed to ride your bike on the pavements in London.

you / not / have / wear / helmet / but / it / good / idea

You don't have to wear a helmet, but it is a good idea.

although / it / not / necessary / it / also / good / idea / wear / bright / clothes / while / cycle

Although it is not necessary, it is also a good idea to wear bright clothes while (you are) cycling.

you / should / not / use / phone / or / wear / headphone

You shouldn't use your phone or wear headphones.

despite / danger / man / still / think / biking / great / way / see / London

Despite the danger(s), the man still thinks (that) biking is a great way to see London.

Directions: Play the audio clip and try to repeat what you hear. Click "Show" to see the text.

Instrucciones: Reproduce el clip de audio e intenta repetir lo que escuchas. Haga clic en "Show" para ver el texto.

Instruções: Reproduza o clipe de áudio e tente repetir o que você ouve. Clique em "Show" para ver o texto.

지시 사항 : 오디오 클립을 재생하고 들리는 내용을 반복해 보십시오. 텍스트를 보려면 "Show" 를 클릭하십시오.

Інструкції: Увімкніть аудіокліп і спробуйте повторити те, що чуєте. Натисніть "Show", щоб побачити текст.

Unfortunately, despite the success of the Boris Bikes, London still isn't the most bike-friendly city.

But often bikes, cars, and buses have to share the roads, and this can be dangerous.

There are a few things everyone can do to make their bike trip safer.

Firstly, you have to obey the rules of the road.

You mustn't cycle on the pavements, and you mustn't cycle through red lights.

You should wear a helmet and bright clothes.

You don't have to wear a helmet to ride a bike in the U.K., but it's probably a good idea.

You really shouldn't use your phone or wear headphones while cycling.

You must be able to see and hear what is going on around you.

But if you are careful, a bike is the best way to see a city like London.

And being able to borrow one for free makes it even better.

1. After watching this video, do you want to ride a bicycle in London? Why?
2. Have you ever ridden a bike in a big city? Which cities? How was your experience?
3. What are some potential dangers of cycling in a busy city like London?
4. What rules did the man mention regarding 1) wearing helmets 2) wearing headphones 3) cycling on the pavements (sidewalks) in the video? Are these rules the same or different in your country?
5. Do you think wearing a helmet is necessary when riding a bike? Why or why not? Do you always wear a helmet when you cycle?
6. He gives some advice like wearing a helmet and wearing bright clothes. What other advice would you give for cycling in a big city?
7. Would you recommend cycling as a mode of transportation in your city? Why or why not?