A Traffic Jam
Describe a time when you were caught in a traffic jam.
You should say:
when it happened
where it happened
how you passed the time while waiting
and explain how you felt when you were in that traffic jam.
我遇到了塞车! I was tied up/held up in traffic.
早晚上下班时间,大都市freeway的车速比一般道路还要慢,无数车辆拥上来,造成bumper-to-bumper traffic(车的保险杆相互碰撞的交通状况),这时的车速叫snail-paced traffic(蜗牛步行的交通);或者干脆slows to a halt(动弹不得).这种塞车现象可以叫做traffic jam或traffic congestion;更严重的交通状况称为gridlock(严重塞车,僵局)
素材库 Where&When it happened?
I was caught in a traffic jam and showed up late to a movie.
I was stuck in a traffic jam on the way home from work. I listened to my favorite singer‘s album almost two whole times.
One day I was tied up in a traffic jam on my way to an appointment in City Center. I got increasingly frustrated sitting there as my mind started replaying all the mistakes I made last week.
素材库 how you passed the time while waiting?
I like waiting, even in traffic jams. It gives me a chance to listen the wonderful variety of radio programming available. Watching other drivers in the jam and wondering what their cell phone conversations are about is also entertaining. Come to think of it, waiting is sometimes better than not waiting. I usually roll down the windows, turn my music up, bob my head side to side, and belt out. At least I’m entertaining to the other poor folks stuck in the jam with me.
I listen to the radio, make phone calls to my girlfriend or clients or family. If it‘s stopped, I do news paper word puzzles.
I usually channel surf the radio, comparing different traffic reports. When I get bored with that, I check out the drivers next to me and imagine what their life story is all about!
Part 3
what cause traffic jams everybody leaving at the same time and heading the same direction
Lots and lots of cars. Lot and lots of people who sit in the traffic jams and never learn that they are a major cause and insist on taking the same jammed roads at the same damned time. Poorly designed roads allow people to do stupid things in traffic that cause accidents. Stupid people who do stupid things in traffic regardless of the road design.
3. Do you think the problem of traffic congestion will be eased in the future or will it become worse?
population is increasing, children are growing up to teenagers and teenagers are growing up to adults, they get older they drive. People are relying on cars too much, this problem will become more and more serious.
4. What would you suggest as possible solutions to the problem of congested traffic?
1. reeducate all drivers, especially PUV drivers. strictly disapprove licenses of those who will fail exams.
2. make PUV drivers salaried employees, not paid based on the number of passengers.
3. instill road courtesy.
4. government should have an efficient flood control program.
5. computerize traffic lights.
6. instill discipline for both drivers and traffic enforcers.
7. improve road conditions.
1. Widen roads, build more skyways.
2. Build more overpass/underpass for pedestrians
3. Restrict buses, jeepneys and tricycles from highways or main roads.
4. Strictly enforce traffic rules and regulations
5. Mandatory driving tests to all driver’s license applicants
6. Traffic policemen should know how to drive before they are eligible to direct traffic.
