Unit 17 Avoiding gridlock
Reading
1 Smashing Stereotypes
Reading
2 Avoiding Gridlock
R1 Smashing Stereotypes

If you are to write an essay
titled Smashing Stereotypes,
how will structure your article?
First present the stereotypes,
and then provide evidence,
usually from studies, against
the stereotypes.
R1 Smashing Stereotypes

Scan the first paragraph and
point out what the stereotype is.
Women drivers are more likely
to be involved in accidents.
In other words, gender is the
most important factor in the
accident risk.
R1 Smashing Stereotypes

Then what are the other factors
contributing to accident risks?
age, driving experience,
weather, speed, alcohol, etc.
R1 Smashing Stereotypes

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Scan the text and circle the key
words or sentences of each
paragraph.
A study
Insurance premiums
Age the biggest factor
Bend accidents
Driving in the dark
R1 Smashing Stereotypes
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Distance they keep from others
Higher speeds
Drinking alcohol
Driver fatigue
Andrew’s opinion
NB All other factors are discussed in
relation to gender and age.
R1 Smashing Stereotypes


Task 1－Simple answers
Task approach:
1.
2.
3.

Examine the questions.
Skim and locate the information.
NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.
Keys:
1 (they seek/to gain) independence
2 women (drivers) 3 age 4 55
R1 Smashing Stereotypes


Task 2－Classification
Task approach:
1.
2.
3.

Questions are not listed in order
of text information.
Examine questions for key words.
Skim to find parallel expressions.
Keys:
5B
6A
6C
8A
9B
R1 Smashing Stereotypes


Task 3－T/F/DNS
Task approach:
1.
2.
3.

Examine questions for key words.
Look for parallel expressions.
Decide True, false or DNS.
Keys:
10 T 11 T 12 F 13 T 14 DNS 15 F
R2 Avoiding Gridlock

Answer the questions before
reading:
1.
What is gridlock?
2.
What causes gridlock?
3.
How can gridlock be avoided?
R2 Avoiding Gridlock

The general text pattern is
A. cause-effect
B. problem-solution
C. general-specific
.
R2 Avoiding Gridlock

Let’s predict how the text goes:
1.
(What is gridlock?)
2.
How did the problem come into being?
3.
What are the effects?
4.
What are possible solutions?
5.
What about the prospect of its
solution?
R2 Avoiding Gridlock


Task 2－Matching
Task approach:
1.
2.
3.

Study examples in the text.
Examine questions for key words.
Skim to find parallel expressions.
Keys:
1G
2B
3I
4F
5D
R2 Avoiding Gridlock


Task 3－Sentence completion
Task approach:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Questions appear in the same
order as the text information.
Examine questions for key words.
Skim to find parallel expressions.
Ensure your answers fit logically
and grammatically.
Keys:
6E
7G
8F
9B
10 D
R2 Avoiding Gridlock


Task 4－Diagram completion
Task approach:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Pay attention to the directions.
Analyze the diagram structure.
Examine questions for key words.
Skim to find parallel expressions.
Keys:
11 Global car fleet 12 cars
13 Nearly a million 14 a watershed
15 air pollution
Homework
Practice test
Academic Reading
On the Ex-books