Listening 2 — Wheels to Work (two tracks)

Two parts — listen to both

This listening is split into two presentations in your book. Listen to both Part 1 and Part 2 (Track 3.6 and Track 3.7) before you start the discussion and questions. Part 1 explains problems for cyclists; Part 2 suggests solutions. The activities below use both tracks.

Before You Listen

Listen to both tracks first, then continue

Listen to the audio in your Listening and Speaking book.

Unlock 3 – Unit 3 - Listening 2

Part 1 — Track 3.6: “Wheels to Work” — why cycling to work can be hard (safety, storage, convenience).
Part 2 — Track 3.7: possible solutions (fines, cycle lanes, parking garages, buses with cycle racks).

Discussion Questions

Discuss with a partner or group. Use both tracks (3.6 and 3.7).

🚴 Part 1 — problems (Track 3.6)

•What is the goal of “Wheels to Work,” and why might cycling to work be good?
•What three main issues does the speaker say make cycling to work difficult?
•Why do some people fear cycling during rush hour? What does she say about drivers and cycle lanes?

💡 Part 2 — solutions (Track 3.7)

•How could police fines and better cycle lanes improve safety?
•How could parking garages help with bicycle storage?
•How might cycle racks on buses help people who live far away or don’t want to ride in bad weather?

💭 Your city

•Which problem in the talk matches your area best? Which solution would you support first?

Multiple Choice Quiz

Choose the best answer. Questions use both Track 3.6 and Track 3.7.

1. What is the name of the group holding this meeting?

Cars to Work Wheels to Work Buses First Green Garages

2. According to the speaker, the biggest issue for people who want to cycle to work is ______.

Safety — many people are scared it is too dangerous The price of bus tickets Lack of podcasts about cycling Too many cycle lanes everywhere

3. The speaker says cars sometimes drive in the cycle lanes in order to ______.

Pass other cars Park legally for free Teach cyclists how to ride Charge electric bicycles

4. As a “storage” problem, many people worry that if they leave a bicycle outside at work, it might ______.

Get stolen, get wet in the rain, or get damaged over time Automatically become a bus Shrink in size Only work on weekends

5. Which of these does she mention as a “convenience” problem?

Living far from work, working late (cycling home in the dark), or not wanting to cycle in the rain Too many free parking spaces at every office Cycle lanes that are too wide Police giving too many fines to cyclists

6. To improve safety, she suggests that police officers should ______ drivers who drive in a cycle lane illegally.

Give big fines to Give free petrol to Ignore completely Ask to wash their cars

7. She wants ______ cycle lanes so more bicycles can pass at the same time.

Wider Narrower Fewer Invisible

8. For storage, she suggests that city parking garages should ______.

Create special parking sections for bicycles Ban all bicycles forever Remove all roofs Only allow buses inside

9. She suggests putting cycle racks ______.

On the outside of buses Inside every bicycle wheel only Under the ocean On police officers’ hats

10. With racks on buses, people who live far from work could ______.

Cycle part of the way and take public transport the rest of the way Never use roads again Only cycle during storms Sell their bicycles to the city

Quiz Results

Fill in the Blanks

Use words from the list (order shuffled). Answers come from both tracks.

convenience • racks • storage • fines • Wheels
narrow • rush • wider • garages • safety

1. The group is called ______ to Work.

2. The biggest issue she discusses is ______ — many people are scared to cycle.

3. There is a lot of traffic during ______ hour when most people drive to or from work.

4. Many of the cycle lanes we have are too ______.

5. A second issue is ______ — people need a safe place for bicycles at work.

6. A third problem is ______ — for example, living far from work or cycling in the dark or rain.

7. Police officers should give big ______ to drivers who break the law by driving in a cycle lane.

8. She’d like to see ______ cycle lanes so more bicycles can pass at the same time.

9. City parking ______ ought to create special parking sections for bicycles.

10. We could put cycle ______ on the outside of buses.

Results

True or False

Based on the listening (both parts).

1. The speaker welcomes people to the first meeting of Wheels to Work.

True False

2. She says some of the busiest streets already have wide cycle lanes for cyclists.

True False

3. She believes parking garages should create special sections so bicycles stay safe and dry while people work.

True False

4. She says riding home during a storm is a pleasant experience.

True False

5. She wants to add cycle lanes to busy streets that don’t have them yet.

True False