Cambridge B1 Preliminary
B1 Preliminary - Reading Multiple Choice Exercise 14
Read the text and then for each question, choose which of the four possible answers is best. Think also about why the other three answers are not possible.
The Week I Left My Car At Home
Cynthia Douglas, a resident of San Francisco in California, decided to try something new for a week. She wanted to leave her car at home and see if she could manage with just walking and catching the bus.
On the first day, Cynthia felt a bit odd leaving her car in the driveway. She was used to jumping in and driving to work. She would listen to the radio and feel warm, protected from San Francisco's famous chilly foggy weather. But she put on her walking shoes and set off. It took a bit longer to get to work, but Cynthia enjoyed the fresh air.
On day two, Cynthia decided to catch the bus to meet a friend for lunch. She had to check the bus times and plan ahead, but she found it was easier than she thought. And she didn't have to worry about finding a parking spot!
By the third day, Cynthia was getting used to her new routine. She found she had extra time to read or listen to music while on the bus. And she enjoyed the daily walks, noticing things in her neighbourhood she had never seen before from her car. On day four, it rained. Cynthia had to take an umbrella and wear her rain boots. But she still managed to get where she needed to go.
By the end of the week, Cynthia was surprised by her own experience. She had thought it would be difficult, but it wasn't as hard as she expected. She enjoyed the walks and the time on the bus. She met new people and saw new things. She had conversations with people who she never would have met driving in her car.
Cynthia also realised that she was saving money on petrol. And she felt good about doing something positive for the environment. She even feels fitter and healthier. Cynthia isn't going to give up her car completely. But she has decided to try and use it less often. She found that walking and taking the bus can be a good alternative. And it can even be fun!
So, the next time you are thinking about jumping in your car, why not consider walking or catching the bus? You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it!
