MOTORBIKES

Nivel: intermedio/avanzado

PART TWO

7. Certainly it can be depressing to contemplate the accident statistics relating to motorbikes but most people enjoy their experience without having any accidents.

One excellent thing about bikers is that they have a sense of community, a camaraderie that is not common among motorists (it is common among truckers).

MOTORCYCLE HELP

If a biker has a roadside breakdown and looks a bit helpless, another biker will probably stop to give assistance. In a city or in the suburbs this could occur within ten minutes of the breakdown.

Harley Davidson Electra Glide in Blue…..110cc pocket bike

Although this is not a common practice among motorists in most places, it does happen in ‘wilderness’ areas.

For example, the road through the Mojave Desert in California is a modern highway, with gas stations and the usual amenities, although they are far apart.

8. But it really is a desert and it can be dangerous, if only because of the strong sun and high temperature.

So, if a motorist breaks down on that highway and raises his hood, the next driver coming along will stop to ask if they can help.

This is a very impressive custom and presumably something like it exists in most of the less populated areas of the world. To put it simply, this kind of aid is absolutely essential in the wilderness.

9. But motorbike users do not need to be in a desert to offer the hand of friendship; this is a welcome, and admirable, feature of motorcycle culture.

In the desert this kind of help is about safety, even survival, but in the cities that risk is not high and a breakdown is not really a threat to safety. In the  world of motorbikes it is a gesture of humanity.

MOTORBIKES ARE MORE RELIABLE NOW

10. It must be said that motorcycles nowadays don’t break down very often; modern motorbikes are more reliable and safer than they have ever been, with technology contributing to improvements in the design of tires and brakes.

Balance is often overlooked, but it is critical to motorcycle safety and it has been improved in recent years. In addition, the bright colors of modern bikes improve visibility.

This is extremely important for the rider of a motorbike: to be seen is to be safe.

AKT Carguero

11. There is one thing that all bikers can do to improve their safety, and that is to switch on their headlight every time they switch on their engine, day or night – every time.

MOTORBIKES ARE HARDER TO SEE

Remember that for much of the time the motorist or trucker must rely on rear view mirrors and that a motorcycle does not present a very big image.

Nothing catches the eye better than the artificial gleam of a headlight, whether it is approaching a car or following it.

The majority of motorbike riders do not seem to use daytime headlights in this way. Why not? Are they trying to save wear and tear on their batteries and bulbs? If so, there could be no more foolish ‘economy’.

QUESTIONS:

10. para. 7: Please give another word or phrase for ‘contemplate’.

11. para. 7: Only one of these statements is FALSE:

a) Motorbike riders have a strong feeling of unity.

b) Truckers have no sense of community.

c) Bikers stop to offer assistance.

d) The road through the Mojave Desert has gas stations.1

12. para. 8: What two things make the Mojave Desert dangerous,  according to this article?

13. para. 8: For what reason will ‘the next driver’ stop?

14.  para. 8: What adjective does the writer use to describe ‘custom’?

15. para. 8: What is ‘absolutely essential’ in the wilderness?

16. para. 9: Only one of the following statements is TRUE:

a) Motorcycle owners are prohibited on desert roads.

b) Assistance is concerned with safety and survival.

c) Cities do not allow survival.

d) The motorbike is a symbol of humanity.

17. para. 10: What specifically does the writer say has advanced the design of tires and brakes?

18. para. 10: In the opinion of the writer, what exactly improves visibility?

19. para. 11: What catches the eye better than artificial light?

20. para. 11: Only one of the following statements is TRUE:

a) Motorbike riders don’t eat hamburgers.

b) Usually the older bikers use their headlights.

c) It appears that most bikers do not use daytime headlights.

d) Motorbikes do not have batteries or bulbs.

Palabras, frases claves:

10. think of, consider, study.

11. b)

12. strong sun and high temperature.

13. to offer help/assistance.

14. (very) impressive

15. ‘this kind of help.’

16. b)

17. technology

18. bright colors of motorbikes,

19. ‘Nothing’

20. c)

Motos Pt. 1