Joy English · Level A2 · Everyday lifejoy-english.com
A blog post: thirty days of change
Name:Date:
Read a blog post by a man who tried a month-long experiment with how he travels around his city.
My month without a car
Hello again, readers! Last month, I did an experiment: I didn't use my car for thirty days. I live in a small city, and I usually drive everywhere: to work, to the shops, even to the sports centre. My sister said I couldn't do it. I wanted to show her that she was wrong!
The first week was difficult. It rained on Monday and Tuesday, and I arrived at the office wet and unhappy. My bike was old, so I took it to a repair shop, and after that, cycling was much easier. The 6-kilometre ride to work took 25 minutes, only ten minutes longer than by car, because there is always a lot of traffic in the morning.
For the weekly shopping, I walked to the market with a big backpack. I bought less food, but I wasted less too.
By the end of the month, I felt fitter and I was sleeping better. I also saved about 120 euros on petrol and parking. The best part was that I started to notice things in my city that I never saw from my car: a small bakery, a beautiful old bridge and a park with a lake.
Will I sell my car? No, I still need it for long trips. But now I cycle to work three days a week. My sister was surprised, and next month she wants to try it too!
Understand the blog post
Read the blog post. Choose the correct answer.
- Why did Matteo start the experiment?
- Why was the first week difficult?
- How long does Matteo's ride to work take by bike?
- Cycling to work takes ten minutes longer than driving.
- How did Matteo do the weekly shopping?
- How much money did Matteo save?
- What was the best part of the experiment for Matteo?
- Is Matteo going to sell his car?
Details from the blog post
Type one word or number from the blog post.
- Matteo didn't use his car for ___ days.
- He took his old bike to a repair ___.
- His ride to work is ___ kilometres long.
- In the morning, there is always a lot of ___.
- He bought less food, but he ___ less too.
- Now he cycles to work ___ days a week.
Answer key
Understand the blog post
- b) He wanted to show his sister that she was wrong.His sister said he couldn't do it, and he wanted to show her that she was wrong.
- a) It rained, and his bike was old.It rained on Monday and Tuesday, and his old bike needed a repair.
- c) 25 minutesThe 6-kilometre ride to work took 25 minutes.
- a) TrueThe ride took 25 minutes, only ten minutes longer than by car.
- b) He walked to the market with a backpack.He walked to the market with a big backpack.
- c) About 120 eurosHe saved about 120 euros on petrol and parking.
- b) Noticing new places in his cityHe writes: The best part was that I started to notice things in my city.
- a) No, because he needs it for long trips.He writes: No, I still need it for long trips.
Details from the blog post
- thirty / 30His experiment lasted thirty days.
- shopHis bike was old, so he took it to a repair shop.
- 6 / sixHe writes about the 6-kilometre ride to work.
- trafficCars are slow in the morning because there is a lot of traffic.
- wastedHe bought less, so he also threw away less food.
- three / 3He writes: now I cycle to work three days a week.