| Level | Topic | Speakers | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficult | Car Accidents | Man – Woman – Teenage Girl | 02:18 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
What are some of the major factors that lead to car accidents and what can be done to deal with these causes? What possible injuries can occur in such accidents? Who would you contact if you had to file accident claims or other requests for medical assistance?
- Most car accidents can be prevented with better attention and care.
- Speed limits should be lower in all cities to improve safety.
- Using a phone while driving should result in a very high fine.
- Some people drive too slowly and still cause accidents.
- Driving at night is more dangerous than during the day.
- Self-driving cars will make roads safer in the future.
- New drivers should have more training before getting a license.
- Seat belts should always be required, even in the back seat.
- Pedestrians often cause accidents by not following traffic rules.
- Traffic cameras help reduce dangerous driving.
Idioms
“crash course” = a course in which you learn the material in a very short time period
“She took a driving crash course before she went on vacation.”
“black ice” = a coating of ice on the road that is nearly invisible to drivers
“Be careful as you drive home tonight because there are sure to be patches of black ice on the highways.”
Listening Exercise
A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.
Vocabulary Practice
Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:
Post-Listening Exercise
What are some factors or situations that lead to car accidents (for example, texting and driving)? Are there laws in your country that prohibit certain driving behaviors? What are the penalties for violating these laws?
Online Investigation
Car accidents are often a part of life, and getting the right car insurance should be part of owning a vehicle. Choose a type of car in which you are interested. Then, select two car insurance companies and compare insurance rates for each. Which company seems to provide the best coverage and the best price? Do the companies provide cheaper rates for good students? Do the rates go up for younger drivers?