B2 – Upper Intermediate
Driving is a rite of passage. They say it is a very important life skill. It can even represent freedom and maturity.
But during the pandemic lockdowns, one activity that was prohibited was traveling. Hence, people had to stop driving. With everything going on now, is it worth it to take lessons given that the prices of lessons and insurance could be rather steep?
Read the article on why young people are putting the brakes to learning how to drive during the pandemic.
Discussion Questions:
- What does driving mean in your life?
- How was your experience learning how to drive?
- Why are young people putting off learning to drive? Do you think you have the same problem in your country?
- What’s the importance of insurance especially for young/novice drivers?
- If you were just to learn how to drive now, would you also put it off? Why or why not?
2 replies on “Young People Put Off Driving”
1. What does driving mean in your life?
I like driving but nowadays I just take the car when I really need it. For instance, I sometimes take it when the public transport is not the best option to travel somewhere for dutty or leisure.
2. How was your experience learning how to drive?
It wasn’t bad at all! I got my theory test very quickly as I attended an intensive preparation course. Then, when I was training for my practical test, the vast majority of examiners were on strike, so I had to wait some time until I took the final exam. Thus, I had to organise my classes very carefully, so that I did not take too many classes on the meantime.
3. Why are young people putting off learning to drive? Do you think you have the same problem in your country?
As the author of the article claims, there is global uncertainty about the future, especially after the lockdown. I think young people tend to take into account the relation between price and usage of the driving license, and if they see it is really very expensive to end up not using it, they think twice before investing on it.
4. What’s the importance of insurance especially for young/novice drivers?
It is crucial for young drivers to have an insurance, as their limited experience can make them more prone to have little accidents and, in the case of an accident, their reaction may not be as fast or precise as a practised driver’s, which can result in more dangerous situations.
5. If you were just to learn how to drive now, would you also put it off? Why or why not?
When it comes to me, I would not put it off. I am very decisive and if I am dead set on getting my car license, I would not wait until a better situation comes, as I share the opinion of “not puting off untill tomorrow what you can do today”.
Well done writing your answers to this lesson’s discussion questions.
Here’s how this sentence can be revised:
Happy writing!