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Mixer 82 | Intermediate B1

Cars and the Future

Various people consider people will still be driving cars in 100 years.

Matthew / England
speakerI hope not. I hope if they are driving cars they are run on hydrogen or perhaps something else, electricity perhaps, but I really hope we don't use gasoline anymore.

Maiko / Japan
speakerI do think in 100 years people will be driving cars but probably not run by gasoline, but perhaps by other substances. Could be bio fuel or could be something more: nuclear energy or solar power.

Chris / England
speakerNo, I don't think so. I suppose it's projecting what  I want to do but I'm a big believer in public transport and I think as public transport systems get better and faster and more effective people will stop using their cars cause they are gonna get more expensive, so when you get into economies of scale, people are gonna realize they're gonna save money by using public transport, mass transit and things like that so in about 100 years I suppose they will not be using cars that often.

Helen / Canada
speakerYeah, I think they'll drive cars but I think the technology will be much more efficient. Hopefully we won't be using oil anymore. Hopefully we'll be using a much cleaner energy like maybe electricity or even solar powered cars would be really cool but I think that's far off in the distant future.

Thomas / United States
speakerIn a 100 years, I don't think anybody drive. I think we'll either be flying or we'll be riding on trains or boats. I don't think cars are going to last much longer.

Lyndsay / United States
speakerI think people will definitely drive cars in 100 years. I hope that the cars are more environmentally friendly. I do think that we're gonna have a gas shortage and an oil shortage and so therefore we're going to need to look for other methods to fuel a car, whether that be electricity or solar power or even vegetable oil. I don't know.

Learn Vocabulary from the Lesson!

substances

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I do think in 100 years people will be driving cars but probably not run by gasoline, but perhaps by other substances.

'Substances' are different materials or chemicals. See additional uses below:

  1. Some substances are illegal because they can be made into drugs.
  2. Machinery that goes into space has to be made with special substances that can withstand radiation.

public transport

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I think as public transport systems get better and faster and more effective people will stop using their cars.

Buses, trains, and subways are the most common forms of 'public transportation.' Here are two more examples:

  1. I love taking public transportation because I can read while I commute to work.
  2. I like taking my own car better than public transportation because I like to sing in the car.

gonna

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People are gonna realize they're gonna save money by using public transport.  

Gonna is an informal way of saying 'going to'. Here are two more uses:

  1. I’m gonna go now. I’ll be back soon.
  2. If he doesn’t start coming to work on time, he’s gonna get fired.

efficient

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I think they'll drive cars but I think the technology will be much more efficient.

When something is 'efficient,' it means that it works very well and it is very fast. When something is 'efficient' it functions in the best possible manner to complete the task it was made to do. It does not waste time, energy or money. Here are some more samples:

  1. Sending an e-mail is much more efficient than writing a letter by hand.
  2. Computers have become much smaller and more efficient in the last ten years.

shortage

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I do think we're gonna have a gas shortage and an oil shortage and so we need to look for new kind of fuel.

A 'shortage' is when there is not enough of something. Notice the sample sentences:

  1. During the water shortage, we had to shower as quickly as possible.
  2. When there are gas shortages, the prices usually go way up.

Vocabulary Quiz

substance • transport • gonna
efficient • shortage
  1. There is an oily all over the back of my jacket. Where did it come from?
  2. This city was made for people who don't have cars. The public is incredible.
  3. There is always a of ice at parties.
  4. When are we go out for coffee and catch up on life?
  5. What is the most way to get from my house to yours?
Answer the following questions about the interview.

One Minute English Video

Speakers
Mixer Video #82
Will we still have cars in 100 years?

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