Buenos Aires Bicycle lanes

  LEVEL: Pre-Intermediate +

AGE: Adults

Link to online video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6q9siaDGuI

BEFORE YOU WATCH

·         Look at the title and the picture. What do you know about this topic?

·         What are the advantages/ disadvantages of having the bike lanes?

AFTER YOU WATCH

Watching for main ideas

·         Is there any of the points you’ve discussed mentioned in the video? Which one?

Watching for details

·         Do you need to have a bike to use the new bike lanes?

·         Are people accustomed to this change?  Why? Why not?

·         Do all the sidewalks have bike lanes?

·         What are the disadvantages of it?

·         Why does the city government think this is a good idea?

DISCUSS

·         Do you think the bike lanes are a good idea? Why? Why not?

FOCUS ON LANGUAGE

A. Fill in the blanks with: a lot / many / some / few / enough

1.      The government decided to build ___________ bike lanes because there are _________of cars in the city.

2.      Not all sidewalks have bike lanes, just a ___________ of them.

3.      The government doesn’t have _____________bikes for everyone.

4.      There are ___________people who agree with this project and others who disagree.

B. Use the cues below to make sentences using the following structure and adjectives. The first one has been done as an example:

 

Example: It’s important to wear a helmet if you ride your bike in the city center.

 It is + adj + (not) to inf

          important

           good

         necessary

         convenient

          urgent

·         Wear a helmet

·         Build more bike lanes

·         Solve the problem of pollutions in the city center

·         Have special lanes for bikes

·         Get accustomed to the bike lanes

·         Breathe some fresh air

 

C. Focus on linkers: Circle the linking word that fits best.

1. There are more and more bike lanes in Buenos Aires. However/ In fact/That’s why/ Besides not everyone agrees with them.

2. The bike lanes help people to breathe fresh air. However/ In fact/ That’s why/ Besides they bring other benefits.

3. Not all sidewalks have bike lanes.  However/ In fact/That’s why/ Besides, just a few of them.

4. There are many bikes available for people to use. However/ In fact/That’s why/ Besides, most people go to work by car.

5. The government wants to reduce traffic and pollution. However/ In fact/That’s why/ Besides, they have built the bike lanes.

D. Focus on Verb patterns (V+ to inf): Complete the following ideas

1. The government decided ………………………………………………………………………

2.You can rent a bike. However, most people prefer ……………………………………………

3.The government plans ……………………………………………………………………….

4. If you go to work by bike, you need ……………….……………………………………….

5. Most drivers hate ……………………………………………………………………………