Academic English for International Exams

Course Book

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Read the following passage. Then try to make notes of the key facts.

Many metropolises today face a severe problem in terms of air pollution and overcrowded streets, roadways, and bridges. One powerful public policy tool that can remedy this problem is called congestion pricing, In short, congestion pricing is a system by which motorists pay a fee to use certain roads, bridges, and tunnels during peak times of the day. In other words, a motorist who wants to use a busy street during rush hour will now have to pay a fee to do so. There are three advantages to this policy.

First, congestion pricing gets more people to use public transportation. By raising the cost of using the roadways, individuals are encouraged not to drive. Instead, they are encouraged to find alternative means of transportation such as mass transit (trains, buses, subways), biking, and walking. Getting more individuals to give up driving and start using public transportation will thereby reduce air pollution from vehicle emissions.

Second, congestion pricing, by taking more cars off the roadways, means faster commuting times for everyone. Drivers that decide to pay for the right to drive during peak periods will face less traffic and can reduce the time spent in their daily commute. Similarly, with less overall congestion, buses will also be able to reach their destinations more quickly.

Third, congestion pricing is essentially an equitable solution that will benefit the majority. This policy will only punish those who choose to pollute the air. By increasing the cost to pollute, more people will choose not to; therefore, everyone will benefit with cleaner air.

metropolis – city overcrowded – a larger quantity of people than is wanted

remedy – to solve

congestion – the state of being crowded with people or vehicles

motorist – the driver of a motor vehicle

thereby – because of; by means of

emission – a substance that is sent out into the air

equitable – fair for all people involved

Reading:

Now look at the note diagram and fill in the missing information from your notes.

Main idea: There are three advantages of using to control pollution and congestion.
Key point 1: It will make more people use because they will not want to drive.
Key point 2: It will make faster for everyone by taking cars off the road.
Key point 3: It will benefit because it only punishes people who .
Answer may vary
  1. Main idea: congestion pricing
  2. Key point 1: public transportation
  3. Key point 2: commuting times
  4. Key point 3: many people, pollute the air

Improve your notes if necessary. Try to summarize the text using your notes.

Reading:

Predict how the listening passage may contrast with the reading.

policy – a plan or set of rules made by an organization or company

advantage – a benefit of something

extensive – large in size or scope

polluter – a person or thing that causes pollution

proponent – a person that supports a set of ideas

implement – to begin to use the ideas in a plan

penalize – to punish someone

affordable – inexpensive

Now listen to a lecture related to the topic in A. Make notes while listening.

Listening

Fill in the blanks of the note diagram below with keywords or key phrases used in the lecture.

Main idea: Congestion pricing is not the for reducing congestion and pollution.
Key point 1: It may not make public transportation because many public transportation systems are not good enough.
Key point 2: It will not result in faster because buses will be too crowded.
Key point 3: It will not benefit because many people do not have any other choice.
Answer may vary
  1. Main idea: best solution
  2. Key point 1: people use
  3. Key point 2: commute times
  4. Key point 3: everybody

Summarize the contents of the lecture expanding the diagram above and using your notes.

View the transcript

M: Many people talk about congestion pricing as the best solution to the problems of overcrowding and pollution in our cities. Well, while the policy has its advantages, by itself it is not the best solution and does not live up to its promises. Let me explain why.

First of all, congestion pricing will not necessarily encourage more people to use public transportation.

This is because, in many cities, the public transportation systems are not extensive enough to meet increased demand. In other words, buses and subways don't go to every neighborhood, and that means that even if you don't want to drive your car, you have no choice because there's no public transportation in your neighborhood. That's a problem. A second point I would like to make is that congestion pricing will not automatically result in faster commutes like proponents say it will. It doesn't mean that you can get to and from work in less time. This may be true for some people, but more than likely, once your city implements congestion pricing, you will actually spend more time going to and from work, Why? Well, because, as more people use public transportation, trains and buses get more crowded. That means you wait longer before you can even get on the bus or train.

Third, congestion pricing will not benefit everyone. It's not that simple. Sure, some people will choose to drive to work because it is more convenient. And congestion pricing will certainly tax those individuals for driving. But what about the individuals who have no other choice? Many workers cannot afford to live in the city or near public transportation lines because housing in those areas is too expensive. Those individuals must drive to work, and many of them are from poor neighborhoods and have low-paying jobs. Congestion pricing will penalize them – force them to pay a much larger part of their budget for transportation and pollution. That is simply not a fair policy, and it certainly doesn't benefit everyone. A better policy would be to expand public transportation, to build affordable housing closer to jobs, and to encourage businesses to allow more employees to work from home. Those are more effective long-term solutions that would get more cars off the streets and reduce pollution.

Listening:

Review your notes from both the reading and the lecture. Pay attention to the main ideas and supporting details. Paraphrasing the information from your notes, complete the following outline:

Introduction:

Main topic:
Main idea of the reading passage:
Main idea of the lecture:

Body:

Key point 1:
Supporting information from the reading passage: Supporting information from the lecture:
Key point 2:
Supporting information from the reading passage: Supporting information from the lecture:
Key point 3:
Supporting information from the reading passage: Supporting information from the lecture:

Conclusion:

Summary:
Answer may vary

Introduction:

  1. Main topic: Is congestion pricing a good way to reduce pollution and congestion?
  2. Main idea of the reading passage: There are three advantages to using congestion pricing.
  3. Main idea of the lecture: Congestion pricing is not the best solution.

Body:

  1. Key point 1: What is the impact of congestion pricing on public transportation?
    Supporting information from the reading passage: It will make more people use public transportation because people will not want to drive.
    Supporting information from the lecture: It may not make more people use public transportation because many public transportation systems are not good enough.
  2. Key point 2: What is the impact of congestion pricing on commuting times?
    Supporting information from the reading passage: It will make commuting faster for everyone by taking more cars off the road.
    Supporting information from the lecture: It will not result in faster commuting times because buses will be too crowded.
  3. Key point 3: How many people will benefit from congestion pricing?
    Supporting information from the reading passage: It will benefit as many people as possible because it only punishes people who pollute the air.
    Supporting information from the lecture: It will not benefit everyone because many people do not.

Conclusion:

  1. Summary: The reading says congestion pricing is good, but the lecture disagrees.

Use the main ideas and details from D to complete the passage. Include information from both the reading and the lecture.

The lecture and the passage both discuss congestion pricing, a policy that 1. people for driving during busy times of the day. While the passage says that congestion pricing is 2., the lecturer argues that it is not a good idea.

According to the passage, the policy 3. people to use public transportation instead of cars, which will lead to less 4.. The lecturer points out that in some cities, buses do not go to all neighborhoods. As a result, many people will not be able to get around. Next, the passage claims that it makes travel 5. because it 6. traffic. However, the lecturer 7. that commute times will increase. Lastly, the passage states that congestion pricing is 8. and beneficial to everybody. The lecturer shows that the policy puts additional 9. stress on drivers who do not have a lot of extra money.

There are many issues surrounding congestion pricing. The lecture and passage both 10. some of the issues.

Answer may vary
  1. 1. charges
  2. 2. helpful
  3. 3. encourages
  4. 4. pollution
  5. 5. faster
  6. 6. eliminates
  7. 7. predicts
  8. 8. fair
  9. 9. financial
  10. 10. present