Unit 3 · Speaking Activities

Transport Problems
& Solutions

Three guided activities to help you give recommendations, expand on ideas, and deliver a full presentation on a transport problem.

Task: Give a presentation on a transport problem and suggest solutions.
S1
Give recommendations
S2
Expand on an idea
S3
Give a presentation
S1 · Key Language
Phrases for Giving Recommendations

Use these phrases when suggesting solutions to a transport problem. Click a card to mark it as used in your speech.

Recommend
I would recommend that…
"I would recommend that the government invest in public transport infrastructure."
Recommend
It would be advisable to…
"It would be advisable to reduce traffic congestion by expanding the metro system."
Recommend
One possible solution would be to…
"One possible solution would be to introduce a congestion charge in city centres."
Recommend
It is essential that… in order to…
"It is essential that we tackle air pollution in order to improve public health."
Suggest
My suggestion would be to…
"My suggestion would be to promote cycling infrastructure as a sustainable alternative."
Suggest
Authorities should consider…
"Authorities should consider investing in electric public transport vehicles."
Urge
It is vital that action is taken to…
"It is vital that action is taken to ease rush-hour congestion on major roads."
Urge
The most effective approach would be…
"The most effective approach would be a combination of better buses and fewer private cars."
S1 · Collocations
Transport Collocations to Use

These collocations will help you sound natural when talking about transport problems and recommending solutions. Click to select the ones you plan to use.

Problems
heavy traffic congestion road accidents air pollution levels lack of public transport overcrowded roads rising fuel costs
Solutions
improve public transport introduce congestion charges promote cycling infrastructure reduce carbon emissions expand the road network invest in electric vehicles
Academic & Presentation
tackle the problem of address the issue of significantly reduce have a direct impact on a sustainable solution long-term measure

0 collocations selected — aim for at least 5

S1 Speaking Task

Choose a transport problem from the list below. Spend 2 minutes giving recommendations to solve it. Use at least 3 phrases and 4 collocations.

  • 1
    Choose a transport problem topic.
  • 2
    Note down 2–3 recommendations using the key phrases.
  • 3
    Start the timer and deliver your recommendations.
  • 4
    A partner uses the checklist to give feedback.
🚗
Traffic congestion in cities
💨
Air pollution from vehicles
🚌
Poor public transport
🛣️
Dangerous roads & accidents
🚲
Lack of cycling infrastructure
🅿️
Parking problems in city centres
Delivery Timer
2-Minute Timer

Press Start when you begin your recommendations.

2:00
Peer Feedback
Listener Checklist

Tick each box as you listen to your partner.

  • Did the speaker clearly name the transport problem?
  • Did they give at least two specific recommendations?
  • Did they use phrases like "I would recommend…" or "One possible solution…"?
  • Did they support recommendations with reasons?
  • Did they use any transport collocations naturally?
  • Did they stay within the two-minute limit?
S2 · Key Language
Phrases for Expanding on an Idea

Use these expressions to develop a point with more detail, examples, or explanation. Click to mark each phrase as used.

Elaborate
What I mean by this is…
"What I mean by this is that congestion charges directly reduce the number of private cars."
Elaborate
To put it another way…
"To put it another way, fewer cars means less air pollution and safer roads."
Example
For example, … shows that…
"For example, London shows that congestion charges significantly reduce traffic."
Example
To illustrate this point…
"To illustrate this point, cities with better cycling infrastructure have lower pollution levels."
Extend
Furthermore, this would also…
"Furthermore, this would also encourage people to use public transport more regularly."
Extend
Not only that, but…
"Not only that, but investing in electric buses would also create new jobs."
Clarify
In other words…
"In other words, improving public transport is a long-term solution to overcrowded roads."
Clarify
This is significant because…
"This is significant because road accidents are one of the leading causes of death globally."
S2 · Practice
Point → Expand Practice

Read the opening statement, then practise expanding on it using the phrases above. Aim for 3–4 sentences per expansion.

Statement A
"Traffic congestion is a serious problem in many cities."
Expand: What causes it? What are the effects? Give an example city. Suggest one solution.
Statement B
"Investing in public transport is one of the best solutions."
Expand: Why is it effective? How does it reduce congestion? Give a real-world example.
Statement C
"Air pollution from vehicles has a direct impact on public health."
Expand: Who is affected? How serious is the issue? What long-term measures could help?
Statement D
"Cycling infrastructure is a sustainable solution to urban transport problems."
Expand: What are the benefits? What needs to be built? Which cities are good models?

S2 Speaking Task

Your partner gives you a statement about a transport problem. Expand on the idea for 90 seconds using at least 3 expansion phrases. Then swap roles.

  • 1
    Partner A: read one of the statements above.
  • 2
    Partner B: expand on it for 90 seconds using the key phrases.
  • 3
    Use examples, reasons, and collocations to develop your idea.
  • 4
    Swap roles and use a different statement.
Delivery Timer
90-Second Timer

Press Start when you begin expanding your idea.

1:30
Peer Feedback
Listener Checklist

Tick each box as you listen to your partner.

  • Did the speaker go beyond the original statement with new ideas?
  • Did they use phrases like "What I mean by this is…" or "To illustrate…"?
  • Did they give at least one specific example?
  • Did the expansion flow logically and stay on topic?
  • Did they use transport collocations naturally?
  • Did they fill the 90-second time without reading from notes?
S3 · Key Language
Phrases for Giving a Presentation

Use these signposting phrases to open, organise, and close your presentation confidently. Click to mark each as used.

Opening
Today I would like to talk about…
"Today I would like to talk about traffic congestion and how we can solve it."
Opening
I will begin by… and then move on to…
"I will begin by describing the problem and then move on to suggesting solutions."
Problem
One of the main problems is that…
"One of the main problems is that heavy traffic congestion causes serious air pollution."
Problem
This is a significant issue because…
"This is a significant issue because overcrowded roads lead to rising fuel costs and delays."
Solution
Turning now to solutions…
"Turning now to solutions, I would recommend investing in electric public transport."
Solution
Another effective measure would be…
"Another effective measure would be to promote cycling infrastructure across the city."
Closing
To summarise, I have discussed…
"To summarise, I have discussed the problem of congestion and two possible solutions."
Closing
In conclusion, it is clear that…
"In conclusion, it is clear that urgent action is needed to tackle transport problems."
S3 · Structure
Presentation Structure

Follow this five-part structure to organise your 3-minute presentation clearly and confidently.

Part 01
Introduction
Greet the audience. State your topic and what you will cover.
30 sec
Part 02
Describe the Problem
Name the transport problem. Explain what causes it and why it matters.
45 sec
Part 03
Solution 1
Give your first recommendation. Expand with a reason or example.
35 sec
Part 04
Solution 2
Give a second recommendation. Use a different phrase from Solution 1.
35 sec
Part 05
Conclusion
Summarise the problem and solutions. End with a strong final statement.
35 sec
Choose Your Topic
Pick a Transport Problem

Select one topic for your 3-minute presentation.

🚗
Traffic congestion in cities
💨
Air pollution from vehicles
🚌
Poor public transport
🛣️
Dangerous roads & accidents
🚲
Lack of cycling infrastructure
🅿️
Parking problems in city centres

S3 Speaking Task

Choose a transport problem. Prepare for 3 minutes, then deliver a full 3-minute presentation using the structure and phrases above.

  • 1
    Choose your topic and spend 3 minutes making notes.
  • 2
    Plan your talk using the 5-part structure above.
  • 3
    Include at least 5 key phrases and 5 transport collocations.
  • 4
    Start the timer and deliver your presentation confidently.
Delivery Timer
3-Minute Timer

Press Start when you begin your presentation.

3:00
Peer Feedback
Listener Checklist

Tick each box as you listen to your partner's presentation.

  • Did the speaker introduce the topic clearly at the start?
  • Was the transport problem described with causes and effects?
  • Were at least two solutions recommended?
  • Did they expand on ideas with examples or reasons?
  • Did they use presentation phrases like "Turning now to…" or "In conclusion…"?
  • Did they use transport collocations naturally throughout?
  • Was the presentation well-structured and easy to follow?
  • Did they stay within the three-minute time limit?