PRE-READING:

Look at the title and predict the main ideas of the article. Then, write down three wh-questions about the text.

Ex: Why is Ferrari not making electric cars?

WHILE READING:

Set a time limit to read this article. An average reader can read at the speed of 250 words per minute. Note down your reading speed regularly to check your progress.

SKIMMING:

Within the time limit, read and summarize the main ideas of the paragraphs in your own words. Do not worry about unfamiliar vocabulary.

SUPERCAR MAKER FERRARI SAYS ‘NO’ TO MAKING ELECTRIC CARS

The chairman of Ferrari says he does not believe in electric cars and that his company will never make one.

Luca di Montezemolo's comments will anger many who say electric cars offer the only environmentally-friendly future for the industry.

He said: "I don't feel they represent an important step forward for [fighting] pollution, CO2 and the environment."

He said instead that the company was working on other alternatives.

"We are working very, very hard on the hybrid Ferrari," he said.

"This should be the future and I hope in a couple of years you'll see it."

Despite a slow take up of electric motor technology the car industry has over recent years begun to invest heavily in it.

Nissan is one of the big manufacturers to commit to the idea with its Leaf design one of the first to go into mass production.

German car maker BMW is among the latest to announce its plans.

It recently unveiled two new models which will launch its new electric motoring division BMWi.

The i3 is an all-electric small city car, while the i8, a powerful sports car, combines an electric motor with a three-cylinder combustion engine.

Despite dismissing a fully electric model di Montezemolo says he is ready to embrace any technology that will make Ferraris more efficient.

"We have improved fuel consumption 30% and we are working day and night in this direction," he said.

"[Also] the Kers (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) that we are using in Formula 1 is an innovation that we will put in our cars very soon."

Word count: 269 words

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/14571994

SCANNING:

Use your notes to identify where you can find the answers to the questions you made in the pre-reading stage.

POST-READING:

Glossary:

Pay attention to how the word is combined with other words in context. Do not learn the meaning of the word without sentences. Vietnamese should be the last resort after you have tried all the learning strategies.

• Working on (other alternatives) = finding other options or choices (Tìm kiếm giải pháp/lựa chọn khác)

• Hybrid = a car that uses two power sources (usually petrol and electricity) (Xe lai)

• Take-up = the rate at which people accept something that is offered or made available to them (Mức độ chấp nhận)

• Big manufacturer = a large car maker or company that makes cars (Nhà sản xuất xe hơi lớn)

• Mass production = creating in large quantities or numbers (Sản xuất hàng loạt)

• To unveil (v.) = to show, to reveal, to disclose (Tiết lộ, công bố)

• A three-cylinder combustion engine = a motor for a car that runs on three cylinders (Động cơ nổ 3 xy-lanh)

• To dismiss = to ignore, to not pay attention to (Lờ đi, gạt bỏ đi)

• Fuel consumption = the level of use of car fuel (Lượng tiêu thụ nhiên liệu) • An innovation (n.) = something new or created (Sự cải tiến)

Grammar:

Read the text again. Notice the forms of adjectives used in some of the sentences. Can you complete the comparative and superlative forms of the following examples?

Discussion: Ask and answer the following questions with a study partner. Freely share your opinions.

1. Do you agree with Luca di Montezemolo’s decision not to make electric cars? Why or why not?

2. How can electric vehicles help protect the environment?

3. What other ways are there to protect the environment?

ANSWERS:

  This material is provided by the Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).