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Truckers face Friday PM driving ban
Ideas and Articles by David Robinson
21th May 2008
Category: Lifestyle / Transport / Trucks
Level: Intermediate / Upper intermediate
This lesson is the copyright of www.newsflashenglish.com
|
Truckers face Friday PM driving ban
News from Slovakia recently advised that truckers in the landlocked country will soon not be able to drive on Friday afternoons between 16.00 and 20.00 - The Slovak Spectator reported. This is the result of new legislation approved in April this year by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's cabinet that will force trucks off Slovakia's main roads every Friday afternoon once the bill is passed. Police say that the new law will increase safety. While motorists will probably welcome the news truckers are incensed by the proposed new law, saying it is discrimination against them. The Association of Road Transporters (ČESMAD) said the new legislation is unlikely to bring relief to Slovakia's overburdened roads. Truck operators predict chaos. Interior Minister Robert Kalinak told the press: "At that time trucks are hindering traffic and often cause accidents, which in particular on routes into the capital completely block the roads." The country overall still lacks a proper infrastructure system. Truck drivers, who in Slovakia cannot travel on the countries roads during holidays, have hit back saying that no other European Union country imposed such year round limitations on road hauliers. ČESMAD said that the countries roads are simply not ready for truck-free Friday afternoons. The truckers argue they only make up a small proportion of the traffic on the roads so the provision will make little difference to the situation. ČESMAD added that trucks only account for about 3% of traffic accidents and modern trucks should in no way be seen as a hindrance to road traffic. Transport firms and truck operators worry that there are simply not enough parking places on Slovakia's roads between 16.00 and 20.00. "The lack of parking lots will result in collisions that will further endanger road safety," Pavol Reich general secretary of ČESMAD said adding, "The Trnava-Zvolen route is one of the most heavily used sections of road in Slovakia with 860 trucks passing between 16.00-20.00 There are only 40 stopping points along this whole route." |
START
1. TRUCKS: What do you know about trucks? Have you ever been in one? When? Where? If not, would you like to? Do they annoy you when driving? If you had the opportunity would you like to drive a truck? Go round the room swapping stories. Change partners often.
2.DICTATION: The teacher will read some of the article slowly and clearly. Students will write down what they hear. The teacher will repeat the passage slowly again. Self correct your work from page 2 - filling in spaces and correcting mistakes. Be honest with yourself on the number of errors. Advise the teacher of your total number of errors. Less than 5 is very good. 10 are acceptable. Any more is room for improvement! More than 20 - we need to do some work!
3. READING: Get students to read the passage aloud. Swap readers every paragraph.
4. VOCABULARY: Students look through the article. Underline/highlight any vocabulary you do not know. Look in dictionaries. Discuss and help each other out. The teacher will go through & explain any words or phrases you do not understand.
5. TRUCKS: Think of 4 of the biggest manufacturers of trucks. List them below. Discuss with your partner. Which is the best manufacturer and why?
| 1 | 3 |
| 2 | 4 |
6. DESIGN A TRUCK: With your partner design a truck. Draw the outside of one. Also the inside. Label your drawing. The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss and show their truck off in front of the class. Which is the best designed truck?
7. ROAD RAGE:
With your partner decide which of the following is most annoying when you are driving. List your preferences (10 = most annoying to 1 = least annoying on the roads)
| Car with caravan | Milk float |
| Lorry / Truck / Juggernaut | Small lorry |
| Tractor | Car |
| Motorbike | Sports car with mad driver |
| Sunday afternoon driver | Combine Harvester |
8. ARTICLE QUIZ: With your partner or in small groups: (1 point for each correct answer. Lose 1 point if you look at the article for help!)
Student A
1) Name the Slovak Prime Minister
2) Who is the Slovak Interior Minister?
3) What time on Fridays is the proposed truck ban?
4) What route is the most heavily used section of motorway in Slovakia?
5) How many stopping points are along it?
6) How many trucks pass along it between 16.00-20.00?
7) What do truck operators predict?
8) What does Slovakia overall still lack?
9) Name 2 other new traffic restrictions.
Student B
1) What did the police say?
2) Who hit back?
3) What are large investors opposed to?
4) Why are they opposed to it?
5) Large investors came to Slovakia in the belief... finish this sentence.
6) What do transport firms and truck operators worry about?
7) What did the Association of Road Transporters say?
8) Name the newspaper in the article.
9) When was the new legislation approved?
9. I WENT ON A TRUCK JOURNEY AND SAW...: Think of 10 things you might have seen had you been in a truck on a motorway journey on a Friday afternoon. Write them below. Compare and discuss with your partner.
| 1 | 6 |
| 2 | 7 |
| 3 | 8 |
| 4 | 9 |
| 5 | 10 |
The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.
10. UN-SCRAMBLE: Put the following into the right order:
Easy
1) chaos truck predict operators
2) a system lacks infrastructure proper Slovakia
3) are law truckers incensed new the with
4) into trucks hindering traffic are capital the
5) in the legislation was approved April new
Harder
6) only of account 3% traffic trucks for accidents
7) roads there places not enough parking on Slovakia's are
8) will more lack parking lots result in the collisions of
9) route stopping points 40 there on the only Trnava-Zvolen are
10) What did the police say?
(Answers are on page 14 - sentences adapted from article)
11. QUICK DISCUSSION: Student(s) A thinks the truckers driving ban on Friday afternoons in Slovakia is a good idea. Student(s) B thinks otherwise.
12. TRUCKS: Prepare to give the class a one-minute discussion on 'Trucks'.
13. WORD MAZE:
Try to find 13 words and phrases hidden in the maze. Look across and down.
(Answers are on the end)
| z | x | v | b | n | g | a | c | c | i | d | e | n | t | s |
| m | o | t | o | r | i | s | t | s | p | o | i | u | y | r |
| u | u | u | t | r | u | c | k | d | r | i | v | e | r | s |
| u | n | l | l | i | j | m | l | b | c | z | x | z | o | t |
| e | w | q | q | a | f | f | o | z | x | m | n | t | a | l |
| t | r | u | c | k | s | f | g | h | c | n | m | r | d | a |
| r | w | w | e | y | t | r | i | a | t | y | i | a | i | w |
| u | s | d | f | g | j | k | s | u | h | t | m | f | x | w |
| c | o | o | y | u | y | k | t | l | j | c | b | f | v | s |
| k | l | h | d | s | s | z | i | i | l | x | a | i | n | z |
| e | w | r | t | m | n | b | c | e | k | z | a | c | u | t |
| r | q | p | i | o | t | w | s | r | d | d | e | w | v | c |
| s | t | r | m | n | c | v | z | s | b | l | o | c | k | r |
| r | i | n | f | r | a | s | t | r | u | c | t | u | r | e |
| y | u | i | e | d | d | t | r | a | n | s | p | o | r | t |
14. PROS AND CONS: Thinks of 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages the truck ban on Friday afternoons in Slovakia could bring.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 |
AFTER READING / LISTENING
1. TRUE / FALSE: After reading the article guess whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F): If false, why?
|
a. |
Truck drivers in Slovakia face a driving ban on Fridays |
T / F |
|
b. |
The new legislation was introduced by the previous government |
T / F |
|
c. |
Truckers are delighted with the new law |
T / F |
|
d. |
Truck operators predict chaos |
T / F |
|
e. |
The country still lacks a proper infrastructure system |
T / F |
|
f. |
Truck drivers in Slovakia cannot travel during holiday periods |
T / F |
|
g. |
No other European Union country has such limitations |
T / F |
|
h. |
870 trucks pass through the Trnava-Zvolen route daily |
T / F |
2. SYNONYM MATCH:
Match the following synonyms from the article:
|
a. |
Overall |
Jam |
|
b. |
Motorists |
Law |
|
c. |
Incensed |
Stopping |
|
d. |
Legislation |
Roads |
|
e. |
Overburdened |
Drivers |
|
f. |
Hindering |
Hit |
|
g. |
Routes |
Lorry companies |
|
h. |
Block |
Angered |
|
i. |
Hauliers |
Overused |
|
j. |
Collision |
Generally |
3. PHRASE MATCH:
Match the following phrases from the article:
|
a. |
truckers in the land locked country will soon |
is unlikely to bring relief |
|
b. |
This is the result of new |
probably welcome the news |
|
c. |
Police say that the new law |
and often cause accidents |
|
d. |
Motorists will |
Such year round limitations |
|
e. |
Truckers are incensed |
predict chaos |
|
f. |
Road transporters said the new legislation |
will increase safety |
|
g. |
Truck operators |
Lacks a proper infrastructure system |
|
h. |
Trucks are hindering traffic |
legislation approved in April this year |
|
i. |
The country overall still |
by the proposed new law |
|
j. |
No other European Union country imposed |
not be able to drive on Friday afternoons |
GAP FILL: READING
Put the words into the gaps in the text.|
News from Slovakia recently advised that ________ in the landlocked country will soon not be able to _____ on Friday afternoons between 16.00 and 20.00 - The Slovak Spectator reported. This is the result of new legislation approved in April this year by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's cabinet that will force trucks off Slovakia's main roads every Friday afternoon once the bill is passed. Police say that the new law will increase safety. While motorists will probably welcome the news truckers are incensed by the proposed new law, saying it is ______________ against them. The Association of Road Transporters (ČESMAD) said the new __________ is unlikely to bring relief to Slovakia's ____________ roads. Truck operators predict chaos. Interior Minister Robert Kalinak told the press: "At that time trucks are hindering _______ and often cause _________, which in particular on routes into the capital completely _____ the roads." The country overall still lacks a proper infrastructure system. |
legislation |
|
|
Truck _______, who in Slovakia cannot travel on the countries roads during holidays, have hit back saying that no other European Union country imposed such year round __________ on road ________. ČESMAD said that the countries roads are simply not ready for _____-free Friday afternoons. The truckers argue they only make up a small proportion of the traffic on the roads so the provision will make little difference to the situation. ČESMAD added that trucks only account for about 3% of traffic accidents and modern trucks should in no way be seen as a hindrance to road traffic. _________ firms and truck operators worry that there are simply not enough parking places on Slovakia's roads between 16.00 and 20.00. "The lack of parking lots will result in collisions that will further endanger ____ safety," Pavol Reich general secretary of ČESMAD said adding, "The Trnava-Zvolen route is one of the most heavily used sections of road in Slovakia with 860 ______ passing between 16.00-20.00 There are only 40 stopping points along this whole _____." |
limitations |
GAP FILL: LISTENING:
Listen and fill in the spaces.
|
Truckers face Friday PM driving ban |
|
Truck drivers, who in Slovakia cannot travel on the countries roads during holidays, have hit back saying that no other ______________________ imposed such year round limitations on road hauliers. ČESMAD said that the countries roads are simply not ready for truck-free Friday afternoons. The truckers argue they ____________________ proportion of the traffic on the roads so the provision will make little difference to the situation. ČESMAD added that trucks ______________________ 3% of traffic accidents and modern trucks should in no way be seen as a hindrance to road traffic. Transport firms and _______________ worry that there are simply not enough parking places on Slovakia's roads between 16.00 and 20.00. "The lack of parking ___________________ collisions that will further endanger road safety," Pavol Reich general secretary of ČESMAD said adding, "The Trnava-Zvolen route is one of the most heavily used sections of road in Slovakia with 860 trucks passing between 16.00-20.00 There are only 40 stopping _________________ whole route." |
DISCUSSION
STUDENT A's QUESTIONS(Do not show these to student B)
1) Did the headline make you want to read the article?
2) How often do you go home to see your family and friends?
3) How long does it take you to get home?
4) How do you get home?
5) Do you encounter any trucks when travelling home?
6) Are you for or against this truck ban on Friday afternoons in Slovakia?
7) Why should truckers be singled out? Isn't this discrimination?
8) Is road traffic increasing in Slovakia?
9) What is the solution to the increased road traffic?
10) Have you ever driven a truck?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
STUDENT A's QUESTIONS(Do not show these to student B)
1) What do you think about what you read?
2) Do you think it is a good idea to maybe ban single driver vehicles only from the roads in Slovakia on Friday afternoons between 16.00-20.00? Why/why not?
3) Would you share a car journey back home with someone you knew/didn't know?
4) What advice would you give the minister in charge of roads in Slovakia?
5) Why do you think Slovakia is so slow to improve its infrastructure?
6) Name two infrastructure improvements you would like to see introduced
7) Should the Slovak capital have a ring road?
8) Do you ever fly home?
9) Suggest two other measures to improve the free flow of traffic
10) Did you like this discussion?
LANGUAGE:
CORRECT WORD:
Choose the correct words from a-d below and write them in the article.
|
News from Slovakia recently (1)__ that truckers in the landlocked country will soon not be able to drive on (2)__ afternoons between 16.00 and 20.00 - The Slovak Spectator reported. This is the result of new legislation approved in (3)__ this year by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's cabinet that will force trucks off Slovakia's main (4)__ every Friday afternoon once the bill is passed. Police say that the new law will increase safety. (5)__ motorists will probably welcome the news (6)__ are incensed by the proposed new law, saying it is discrimination against them. The Association of Road Transporters (ČESMAD) said the new legislation is unlikely to bring relief to Slovakia's overburdened roads. Truck operators predict (7)__. Interior Minister Robert Kalinak told the press: "At that time trucks are hindering traffic and often cause accidents, which in particular on routes into the capital completely block the roads." The country overall still lacks a proper infrastructure system. |
|
Truck drivers, who in Slovakia cannot travel on the countries roads during holidays, have hit back saying that no other European Union country imposed such year round limitations on road hauliers. ČESMAD said that the countries roads are simply not ready for truck-free Friday afternoons. The truckers argue they only make up a small proportion of the traffic on the roads so the provision will make little difference to the situation. ČESMAD added that trucks only account for about 3% of traffic accidents and modern trucks should in no way be seen as a hindrance to road traffic. Transport firms and truck (8)__ worry that there are simply not enough parking places on Slovakia's roads between 16.00 and 20.00. "The (9)__ of parking lots will result in collisions that will further endanger road safety," Pavol Reich general secretary of ČESMAD said adding, "The Trnava-Zvolen route is one of the most heavily used sections of road in Slovakia with 860 trucks (10)__ between 16.00-20.00 There are only 40 (11)__ points along this (12)__ route." |
| 1. | (a) | advised | (b) | advise | (c) | advising | (d) | advises | 2. | (a) | Wednesday | (b) | Thursday | (c) | Friday | (d) | Saturday | 3. | (a) | March | (b) | April | (c) | May | (d) | June | 4. | (a) | lanes | (b) | tracks | (c) | highway | (d) | roads | 5. | (a) | then | (b) | while | (c) | other | (d) | more | 6. | (a) | truckers | (b) | motorists | (c) | hikers | (d) | bikers | 7. | (a) | stoppages | (b) | trouble | (c) | strikes | (d) | chaos | 8. | (a) | operator | (b) | lorries | (c) | operators | (d) | operating | 9. | (a) | lack | (b) | sack | (c) | rack | (d) | slack | 10. | (a) | passes | (b) | pass | (c) | passed | (d) | passing | 11. | (a) | coke | (b) | stopping | (c) | toilet | (d) | stop | 12. | (a) | hole | (b) | all | (c) | whole | (d) | one |
GRAMMAR 1: MIDWAY
Put the words into the gaps in the text.|
Truckers face Friday PM driving ban |
|
|
|
Truck drivers, who in Slovakia cannot travel on the countries roads during holidays, have hit back saying that no (1)__ European Union country imposed such year round limitations on road hauliers. ČESMAD said that the countries roads are simply not ready for truck-free Friday afternoons. The truckers argue they only make up a small proportion of the traffic on the roads so the provision will make little difference to the situation. ČESMAD added that trucks (2)__ account for about 3% of traffic accidents and modern trucks (3)__ in no way be seen as a hindrance to road traffic. Transport firms and truck operators worry that (4)__ are (5)__ not (6)__ parking places on Slovakia's roads between 16.00 and 20.00. "The lack of parking lots will result in collisions that will further endanger road safety," Pavol Reich general secretary of ČESMAD said adding, "The Trnava-Zvolen route is one of the (7)__ heavily used sections of road in Slovakia with 860 trucks passing between 16.00-20.00 There are only 40 stopping points along (8)__ whole route." |
simply |
GRAMMAR 2: EASY
Put the words into the gaps in the text.|
Truckers face Friday PM driving ban |
|
|
|
Truck drivers, who (1)__ Slovakia cannot travel on (2)__ countries roads during holidays, have hit back saying that no other European Union country imposed such year round limitations on road hauliers. ČESMAD said that the countries roads are simply not ready for truck-free Friday afternoons. The truckers argue they only make up (3)__ small proportion of the traffic (4)__ the roads so the provision will make little difference to the situation. ČESMAD added that trucks only account (5)__ about 3% of traffic accidents (6)__ modern trucks should in no way be seen as a hindrance to road traffic. Transport firms and truck operators worry that there are simply not enough parking places on Slovakia's roads between 16.00 and 20.00. "The lack of parking lots will result in collisions that will further endanger road safety," Pavol Reich general secretary of ČESMAD said adding, "The Trnava-Zvolen route is one of the most heavily used sections (7)__ road in Slovakia (8)__ 860 trucks passing between 16.00-20.00 There are only 40 stopping points along this whole route." |
for |
HOMEWORK
1. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE:
Write an article on "24 hours as a truck driver" (You may need to use the internet for this!)
(Minimum 200 words)
2. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE:
Write an article on "Traffic on Friday afternoons and Monday mornings" (You may need to use the internet for this!)
(Minimum 200 words)
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Which article was best and why?
WRITING: IN CLASS:
1. FIVE MINUTE ARTICLE:
Write an article on "24 hours as a truck driver" You have five minutes. Afterwards swap articles with your partner. Read through their article and correct any mistakes. The teacher
will select some students to read out their work.
Countdown: Every minute the teacher may say, "You have xx minutes."
2. FIVE MINUTE ARTICLE:
Write an article on "Traffic on Friday afternoons and Monday mornings" You have five minutes. Afterwards swap articles with your partner. Read through their article and correct any mistakes. The teacher will select some students to read out their work.
Countdown: Every minute the teacher may say, "You have xx minutes."
SPELLING TEST
The teacher will ask the class individually to spell the following words that are in the article:
|
1 truckers |
11 discrimination |
|
2 legislation |
12 infrastructure |
|
3 limitations |
13 hindrance |
|
4 enough |
14 transportation |
|
5 endanger |
15 restrictions |
|
6 situation |
16 manufacture |
|
7 overburdened |
17 logistics |
|
8 landlocked |
18 disruptions |
|
9 completely |
19 penalties |
|
10 transporters |
20 hauliers |
ANSWERS: 1
UN-SCRAMBLED: (adapted from article)
Easy
1) Truck operators predict chaos
2) Slovakia lacks a proper infrastructure system
3) Truckers are incensed with the new law
4) Trucks are hindering traffic into the capital
5) The new legislation was approved in April
Harder
6) Trucks account for only 3% of traffic accidents
7) There are not enough parking places on Slovakia's roads
8) The lack of parking lots will result in more collisions
9) There are only 40 stopping points on the Trnava-Zvolen route
10) Truckers in Slovakia face a driving ban on Friday afternoons
WORD MAZE
| z | x | v | b | n | g | a | c | c | i | d | e | n | t | s |
| m | o | t | o | r | i | s | t | s | p | o | i | u | y | r |
| u | u | u | t | r | u | c | k | d | r | i | v | e | r | s |
| u | n | l | l | i | j | m | l | b | c | z | x | z | o | t |
| e | w | q | q | a | f | f | o | z | x | m | n | t | a | l |
| t | r | u | c | k | s | f | g | h | c | n | m | r | d | a |
| r | w | w | e | y | t | r | i | a | t | y | i | a | i | w |
| u | s | d | f | g | j | k | s | u | h | t | m | f | x | w |
| c | o | o | y | u | y | k | t | l | j | c | b | f | v | s |
| k | l | h | d | s | s | z | i | i | l | x | a | i | n | z |
| e | w | r | t | m | n | b | c | e | k | z | a | c | u | t |
| r | q | p | i | o | t | w | s | r | d | d | e | w | v | c |
| s | t | r | m | n | c | v | z | s | b | l | o | c | k | r |
| r | i | n | f | r | a | s | t | r | u | c | t | u | r | e |
| y | u | i | e | d | d | t | r | a | n | s | p | o | r | t |
ANSWERS: 2
TRUE / FALSE:
| a. F | b. F | c. F | d. T | e. T | f. T | g. T | h. F |
SYNONYM MATCH:
|
a. |
Overall |
Generally |
|
b. |
Motorists |
Drivers |
|
c. |
Incensed |
Angered |
|
d. |
Legislation |
Law |
|
e. |
Overburdened |
Overused |
|
f. |
Hindering |
Stopping |
|
g. |
Routes |
Roads |
|
h. |
Block |
Jam |
|
i. |
Hauliers |
Lorry companies |
|
j. |
Collision |
Hit |
PHRASE MATCH:
|
a. |
truckers in the land locked country will soon |
not be able to drive on Friday afternoons |
|
b. |
This is the result of new |
legislation approved in April this year |
|
c. |
Police say that the new law |
will increase safety |
|
d. |
Motorists will |
probably welcome the news |
|
e. |
Truckers are incensed |
by the proposed new law |
|
f. |
Road transporters said the new legislation |
is unlikely to bring relief |
|
g. |
Truck operators |
predict chaos |
|
h. |
Trucks are hindering traffic |
And often cause accidents |
|
i. |
The country overall still |
lacks a proper infrastructure system |
|
j. |
No other European Union country imposed |
such year round limitations |
GAP FILL: Truckers face Friday PM driving ban: News from Slovakia recently advised that truckers in the landlocked country will soon not be able to drive on Friday afternoons between 16.00 and 20.00 - The Slovak Spectator reported. This is the result of new legislation approved in April this year by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's cabinet that will force trucks off Slovakia's main roads every Friday afternoon once the bill is passed. Police say that the new law will increase safety. While motorists will probably welcome the news truckers are incensed by the proposed new law, saying it is discrimination against them. The Association of Road Transporters (ČESMAD) said the new legislation is unlikely to bring relief to Slovakia's overburdened roads. Truck operators predict chaos. Interior Minister Robert Kalinak told the press: "At that time trucks are hindering traffic and often cause accidents, which in particular on routes into the capital completely block the roads." The country overall still lacks a proper infrastructure system. Truck drivers, who in Slovakia cannot travel on the countries roads during holidays, have hit back saying that no other European Union country imposed such year round limitations on road hauliers. ČESMAD said that the countries roads are simply not ready for truck-free Friday afternoons. The truckers argue they only make up a small proportion of the traffic on the roads so the provision will make little difference to the situation. ČESMAD added that trucks only account for about 3% of traffic accidents and modern trucks should in no way be seen as a hindrance to road traffic. Transport firms and truck operators worry that there are simply not enough parking places on Slovakia's roads between 16.00 and 20.00. "The lack of parking lots will result in collisions that will further endanger road safety," Pavol Reich general secretary of ČESMAD said adding, "The Trnava-Zvolen route is one of the most heavily used sections of road in Slovakia with 860 trucks passing between 16.00-20.00 There are only 40 stopping points along this whole route."
LANGUAGE WORK
| 1 - a | 2 - c | 3 - b | 4 - d | 5 - b | 6 - a | 7 - d | 8 - c | 9 - a | 10 - d | 11 - b | 12 - c |