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Gettin' Around

Gettin' Around

Date: Jul 06 2007

Themes: Travel

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

With pollution and oil prices both rising, a lot of people who used to drive around town are finding new ways to get around. It’s really easy to travel short distances on foot or by bike, and some places have buses and trains to take you where you need to go. As good as they are for the environment, buses and trains can be a hassle too. Listen to Marni and Mason talk about public transportation.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Marni

Mason

Mason

Marni:  So I rode the bus down here.

Mason:  Did you? I rode my bike.

Marni:  Well, there you go, alternative transportation.

Mason:  Yay environment!

Marni:  Woo! Well, I’m all for it. But I also find that public transportation living a city such as Portland that has one of the best public transportation systems in the country.

Mason:  Do we really?

Marni:  Yes! It’s consistently voted one of the best in the country.

Mason:  It doesn’t feel that way.

Marni:  Well, you go to other cities and it kind of does, which is sad to say.

Mason:  The only time I use public transportation is when I travel, and I always feel like foreign transportation is so much better than anything we’ve got stateside.

Marni:  Well, it’s the infrastructure. Our country is so massive and we weren’t really built for public transportation, whereas in Europe or wherever you’re going it’s smaller countries, better connected.

Mason:  You think?

Marni:  I really think that’s a big part of it. But I have to say I think I our light rail system here I think is really well designed.

Mason:  It’s good. It doesn’t go enough places, but to that point, I love subways. Every city that has an underground or above-ground rail transportation, I’d take it all the time.

 

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Discussion

Marni mentions that Portland has one of the best public transportation systems in the United States, but Mason finds that hard to believe. He says that when he travels, public transit in other countries always seems to be better. Marni says that some other countries might have an easier time because they’re smaller. American cities are often very spread out, which makes it hard to have a good bus or train system. Mason thinks that Portland’s light rail trains don’t go enough places, but he and Marni agree that rail transportation (either subway or light rail) is a good way to get around.

How’s the public transportation system in your city? Do you use it? What do you wish was different about it?

 

Comments

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Ahshan

Ahshan

China

in the city where i am living the public transportation systerm only offer buses to chose,it means you have no chooses except buses,it does not have a alternative trasportation.

11:13 PM May 16 2010 |

B3 gozdetaymaz

Turkey

    I think this transportation is very useful and interseting.But it is slowly.Also, İstanbul is very crowded so it is not comfortable for me.

08:07 AM Apr 06 2010 |

B3 emine

Turkey

We use this system only to climb Pierreloti in my city.I think this system isn't for me because it is too slow.There is no traffic but it can't go fast.If it go faster,it will be more useful for people.I must also say,this transportation is really environment.

06:45 AM Apr 06 2010 |

B3 Latife

Turkey

I think if we had this public transportation, it would be useful for all of us. Why we have this transportation system? It is really useful.Innocent

08:53 PM Apr 05 2010 |

B3-OzKaN

B3-OzKaN

Turkey

I think this transportation system is wonderful. But it has a few disadvantage. For example it can not carry more people. And I think it is very slow. However this system is useful for people who are not in a hurry. And it is very perfect for seeing good view. Finally it is like our telpher in Eyüp but it can not use for transportation.

08:30 PM Apr 05 2010 |

B3seboistanbul

Turkey

I think it is very funny and comfortable.But it is not necessary for Turkey or other countries.Because it is very small and narrow.I think this guitarist very necessary every vehicle.Because he has got very relaxing voice.

07:58 PM Apr 05 2010 |

B3bengisu

Turkey

I wish we had this transportation because we've crowded population.specially İstanbul!

06:57 PM Apr 05 2010 |

B3ANIL

Turkey

I think it is not good for transportation because many people can not move with it. Also, Turkey's population too much. İf u use this transportation,u have to produce many tram. İt is not economic.On the other hand, they are so slowly. We can not solve trafic problems like this. They have just  a advantage and it is environment.We know all tram are environment. So, tram like that is unnecessary.

06:43 PM Apr 05 2010 |

B3ANIL

Turkey

I think it is not good for transportation because many people can not move with it. Also, Turkey's population too much. İf u use this transportation,u have to produce many tram. İt is not economic.On the other hand, they are so slowly. We can not solve trafic problems like this. They have just  a advantage and it is environment.We know all tram are environment. So, tram like that is unnecessary.

06:43 PM Apr 05 2010 |

b3merveustun

Turkey

This is so interesting and funny.I wish we had public trasportation like that.The scenery is really fantastic when you in it.There is no traffic so you don't wait for hours.I really like it.

04:21 PM Apr 05 2010 |

b3meltem

b3meltem

Turkey

thats great ali woowww:D:D

05:38 PM Apr 04 2010 |

B3alidagidir

Turkey

I found this system really well,but we don't have it.If we had this public transportation,it would be great for us!Firstly,Transportation could be easier and people could arrive fastly where they want to go.Then,traffic problems can be reduce.In my opinion,every country should have this system!=)

11:26 AM Apr 04 2010 |

b3meltem

b3meltem

Turkey

really interesting.unfortunately my country hasnt got this public transportation system.Frown

07:33 PM Apr 03 2010 |

miffoo

miffoo

Slovakia

cool:)

11:49 AM Jan 24 2009 |

heik

heik

Mexico

I always ride my bike to get the place I want to go. I really want to conserve the planet green.. It’s my big concern.

10:46 PM Aug 08 2008 |

Dafi

Dafi

Malaysia

yeah i have use it many times,i use the bus public transportation its wasn't good i don't like to use it cause its was so cramped.what i wish the difference about it is i wish the bus here have air conditioner and not cramped. hehe

04:14 PM Jun 15 2008 |

SueLennon

Brazil

great

09:59 PM Jul 07 2007 |

abdeeq

abdeeq

Somalia

It’s Good.

12:19 PM Jul 07 2007 |

laura2005

laura2005

United States

I love to visit Asia every summer.

01:37 AM Jul 06 2007 |

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