Motorcycles

Intro

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

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• cruiser
• dirt bike
• full-on
• hog

• rebellious
• Harley Davidson
• gang
• moped

• rock
• lax

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

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It seems pretty obvious that motorcycles are more dangerous than cars. In fact, in the U.S., motorcycle riders are more than four times more likely to have a fatal accident than people who drive car. So why is it that motorcycles continue to be a popular form of transportation?

One reason might be that in American culture, motorcycles are seen as cool and rebellious. The stereotypical image of a badass is someone who rides a big Harley Davidson, wears lots of leather, and belongs to a motorcycle gang like the Hell’s Angels. But motorcycles mean different things to different people, and they may not be seen as rebellious in every country.

As a child, Ella lived in Thailand and often rode a motorcycle with her parents. Find out if she thinks it’s a good idea for Dale to get a motorcycle.

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.

Dale

Ella

Dale:  You know what I really, really want to do? Like, really soon?

Ella:  What?

Dale:  Ride a motorcycle.

Ella:  Really? It seems kinda dangerous, you know?

Dale:  Not really. Actually, I used to have a [def ]moped[/def] when I was a kid. I used to have a moped again when I was an adult. And I thought it was extremely fun. But I’ve just never had the chance to do the motorcycle thing. What about you? Have you ridden a motorcycle?

Ella:  I did. In Thailand where I grew up, you know, the rules are quite different from the United States. They’re a little more lax on safety. And so I’d ride in the middle between my parents. And then I got in a car…not a car accident, but I got in an accident because the chain on the motorcycle cut through my leg.

Dale:  Was it like a sports bike or a cruiser?

Ella:  It was more like one of those tiny…it was a motorcycle but it was a small one. It’s not like quite a dirt bike but not full-on Harley. Right in the middle.

Dale:  Not like one of those hogs. Have you seen those hogs down the street, like the American…I think I want that one.

Ella:  That one? I can see you rocking that.

Dale:  Do you think it’s more of a cultural symbol though, I mean do you think…

Ella:  If you think Harleys, of course you think Americans. But then if you think just regular motorcycles for transportation, I kinda think of the rest of the world.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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