Word power

● Word power

Step 1: Brainstorming

Boys and girls, in this section we’ll learn words and expressions related to transport. First let’s look at some pictures.

Do you know what we call these roads in English? First you can guess and write down your answer, then read the passage in Part A on page 54 to check your answer right or wrong.

Step 2: Vocabulary learning

1. Now let’s check your understanding of the passage.

T: What are very small roads called in English?

S: Lanes or paths.

T: What are roads where cars can go very fast called?

S: Motorways in Britain, freeways or expressways in the USA.

T: What kinds of roads are called flyovers?

S: Roads that go over other roads.

T: What kinds of roads are called underpasses?

S: Roads that go through a tunnel.

T: What do people call the area where many roads link up?

S: An intersection or a junction.

T: What is a toll road?

S: It is one where people need to pay to use the road.

T: What is spaghetti? Why do people call the network of roads near Birmingham “Spaghetti Junction”?

S: Spaghetti is a kind of noodles in the shape of long thin sticks. The network of roads near Birmingham is made up of many intersections and flyovers, which looks like strings of spaghetti.

T: What is a street?

S: A road with sidewalks in a city or town.

T: what is an avenue?

S: A wide road lined with trees on each side.

T: What is called a way?

S: A passage from one place to another.

2. Part B.

Well done, everyone! Now let’s come to Part B. Zhao Ning has categorized the different ways that we can travel in a flow chart. Look at the chart she has made. Make sure you know the meaning of each word. After you finish reading, I’ll ask you some questions.

Who has ever traveled by light railway or underground? What was it like? Do you like traveling by light railway or underground? Why or why not?

Have you ever traveled by coach/ by aeroplane/ by ferry/ by ship? How do you like it?

If you are traveling to Nanjing, what means of transport will you choose?

If you want to go London, which means is the best choice?

3. Part C

Read the passage in Part C, which is an introduction to a transport project. You should complete the introduction with the words you’ve learnt in Parts A and B. Several minutes later, I’ll check your answers.

Step 3: vocabulary extension

Do you know any other words or phrases related to transport besides what you have already learnt in Part A and B? For Example:

T: What must we do before we go somewhere by train or by plane?

S: We must book a ticket beforehand.

T: Where will you go to buy the ticket?

S: The ticket office.

T: What must we do before we get on the train or plane?

S: Make clear about your train or plane number and your seat number.

T: Before we get off, what shall we do?

S: We must make clear about our destination and take all the package with us.

T: What do we call the person who is traveling by train or plane?

S: passenger.

T: What do we call the person who sells bus ticket?

S: A conductor.

T: If you want to travel to a foreign country, what must you have?

S: A passport.

Good. You know these things very well. Now let’s come to Part D and fill in the box. You can present more words and phrases related to the correct categories.

Step 4: Consolidation exercises:

1. Match the words related to transport in Column I with their definitions in Column II.

              I                                                                            II

1) lane              ______              a      a boat or ship for taking passengers and often

 vehicles across an area of water, especially as a regular service

2) coach           ______              b     a public road, especially an important road that joins

cities or towns together.

3) ferry            ______              c     a vehicle designed for air travel, which has wings and

one or more engines    

4) underground  ______          d    a road or path that goes under something such as a

busy road, allowing vehicles or people to go from one side to the other

5) flyover                ______              e      a bridge that carries a road or railway over another

road.

6) railway         ______              f      a place where things, especially roads or railways,

come together

7) highway       ______              g     a narrow road in the countryside or in a town.

8) underpass      ______            h     a long motor vehicle with comfortable seats, used to

take groups of people on journeys

9) junction        ______            i      the metal tracks on which trains run.

10) aeroplane     ______            j      a railway system in which electric trains travel along

passages below ground.

2. Complete the sentences with proper words or phrases in the box below. Changes the form where necessary.

1)    Americans usually say “____________”, but British people say “motorways”.

2)    It is so exciting to drive a ____________ on the lake.

3)    He is a kind ____________ and he always gives his passengers help in time.

4)    Many people are eager to go to the concert, so you’d better ____________.

5)    Annie is going to Shanghai to visit her uncle and she’ll stay there for three weeks. So she just bought a ____________.

6)    Many years ago, when people were traveling on the underground, they could never imagine there would be ____________.

7)    It’s a ____________. You need to pay some money to pass.

8)    Many refugees(难民) have arrived at the border without ____________.

9)    If you want to be back tomorrow, I think you need to buy a ____________.

10)  Since you don’t know when the next train arrives, why not ____________?

3. Read the passage about public transport in Shanghai and decide which statements are true (T) and which are false (F). Correct the statements that are false. 

A more efficient public transport network desired

Shanghai has seen great improvement of local public transport over the past decade. However, traffic jam is still an often occurrence (发生的事情) in local people's daily lives. Local people demand for a more efficient public transport network.

Ten years ago, local people had no choice but to take the bus. During the winter of 1991, passengers flew on city buses averaged around 16 million per day. Since then, huge developments in the city's public transport infrastructure (基础设施) have been made. Three urban (城市的) rail lines stretching a total of more than 70 kilometers have been built, providing convenient light rail and subway services for the public. And the total length of city roads has doubled with the construction of elevated (提高的) ring roads and a series of cross-river links.

However, with more people buying newly developed properties along the urban rail lines, the city's subway and light rail has become increasingly crowded. Moreover, the number of vehicles on the city's roads has skyrocketed (急剧上升) five times the figure a decade ago.

Transport authorities in Shanghai say measures will be strengthened to improve public transport in the new year to ease traffic conditions. Recently, a new regulation prohibited (禁止) all vehicles coming from outside Shanghai, learner drivers and taxis without passengers from using the city's elevated highways during rush hours. And, officials are currently cracking down on all illegal parking lots.

Meanwhile, city government is planning new transport infrastructure projects to meet the demands of the city's growing population. Authorities say a number of key transport projects including the magnetic levitation train and the Lupu Bridge are expected to be completed next year and will hopefully relieve the city's current traffic pressures.

1) Nowadays residents in Shanghai are satisfied with the public transport system.

2) Ten years ago residents can only took buses in Shanghai.

3) Transport authorities in Shanghai are taking measures to meet the demands of the local residents.

4) If you are driving from Nanjing to Shanghai, you are not allowed to use the city’s elevated highways.

Step 5: Homework:

1. Parts B1 and B2 on page 127 of the Workbook.

2. Prepare the Part Grammar and Usage.