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Electric Cars
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1 Reading

A Where do cars get their energy from? For most cars, the
answer is gasoline (petrol). But some cars use electricity. These cars
have special motors that get their power from large batteries. In
addition, there are some cars that have both an electric motor and a
gasoline motor. These types of cars are called hybrid cars.

B Most people tend to think of electric cars as a new invention,

but they have been around for a long time. In the late 19th and early
20th centuries electric cars were popular because the technology for petrol engines was not very
advanced. But once the petrol engine because easier to make and more powerful, these types of
engines became the most popular. Interest in Electric cars was high in the 1970s and 1980s because oil
became very expensive. Recently, electric cars have again become popular because people want cars
that pollute less.

C Electric cars are better than petrol cars in several ways. The biggest benefit is reduced pollution.
In areas where there is a high percentage of electric cars, there is less pollution. But it is important to
understand that electric cars still cause pollution. Remember that the electricity to power electric cars
has to come from somewhere, which is most likely a power station. Unless these power stations run on
solar or wind energy, they are most likely burning fossil fuels to make electricity. The second benefit of
electric cars is a reduction in the dependence on foreign oil. There are several countries, including the
United States, that don’t want to rely on oil coming from other countries to power their transportation
systems. They want the power to come from within their country, and since electric cars can run on
electricity from coal or nuclear power stations, there is less of a need to import oil.

D Despite the benefits of electric cars, there are some problems with them as well. One
disadvantage is that electric cars are more expensive than normal cars. This is mostly due to the high
cost of the batteries these cars need. Electric cars run on batteries, just like a mobile phone does. But
unlike a mobile phone, you cannot charge your electric car’s battery by plugging it into a wall. They
need to be charged in special places. Right now, there is a lack of places where people can charge the
batteries of their electric car. Another problem is that electric cars cannot travel as far as gas cars. Some
people are afraid that the battery will run out of electricity (and the car will stop) before they reach
their destination.

E Despite these problems, many people, including automobile industry experts, believe that the
percentage of electric cars will increase in the future.

© David Hughes
 www.eslreadinglessons.com

2 Understanding

1. What is this text about? 3. What is paragraph C about?

a) The future of electric cars and their role in
society.
b) How to convert a petrol car to an electric car.
c) Advantages and disadvantages of electric
cars.
2. What is paragraph B about?
a) Why we need electric cars today.
b) Electric car use in the past.
c) How to build an electric car.
d) Electric cars are a new invention.
a) Electric cars in the past and now.
b) The good things about electric cars.
c) Why governments don't like electric cars.
d) The reasons why electric cars are expensive.
4. What is paragraph D about?
a) The benefits of electric cars.
b) Some problems with electric cars.
c) Batteries in electric cars.
d) Electric cars and petrol cars.

5. True, False or Not Given? Hybrid cars are the same as electric cars.
a) True b) False c) Not Given

6. True, False or Not Given? The number of electric cars has increased 67% since the 1970s.
a) True b) False c) Not Given

7. True, False or Not Given? Before gasoline-powered engines, cars used electric power.
a) True b) False c) Not Given

8. Which is true of electric cars?
a) They cause zero pollution.
b) The actual car does pollute.
c) They cause an increase in
imported oil.
d) They were invented by a
German.
9. Why are electric cars more
expensive than petrol cars?
a) They reduce pollution.
b) They need to be charged
often.
c) You cannot drive far in them.
d) The batteries cost a lot of
money.
10. What do we know about the
future of electric cars?
a) They will get more expensive.
b) Fewer people will buy them.
c) They might become more
popular.
d) Governments will support
their use.

11. The word These refers to: a) petrol cars b) electric cars c) hybrid cars

12. The word they refers to: a) electric cars b) solar or wind energy c) power stations

13. The word them refers to: a) normal cars b) batteries c) electric cars

14. The word it refers to: a) electric car b) mobile phone c) battery

© David Hughes
 www.eslreadinglessons.com

3 Word Work

15. Which underlined word from the text means Normally done, or often done in this way?
a) hybrid c) technology e) rely on g) destination
b) tend d) benefits f) normal h) experts

16. Which underlined word from the text means Good or positive things?
a) hybrid c) technology e) rely on g) destination
b) tend d) benefits f) normal h) experts

17. Which underlined word from the text means Usual, or they way everyone does something?
a) hybrid c) technology e) rely on g) destination
b) tend d) benefits f) normal h) experts

18. Which underlined word from the text means People who know a lot about one specific thing?
a) hybrid c) technology e) rely on g) destination
b) tend d) benefits f) normal h) experts

19. Which underlined word from the text means Something made from combining parts from two
different things?
a) hybrid c) technology e) rely on g) destination
b) tend d) benefits f) normal h) experts

20. Which underlined word from the text means Equipment, and knowledge that is used from science?
For example: mobile phones, computers and cars.
a) hybrid c) technology e) rely on g) destination
b) tend d) benefits f) normal h) experts

21. Which underlined word from the text means To depend on, to need?
a) hybrid c) technology e) rely on g) destination
b) tend d) benefits f) normal h) experts

22. Which underlined word from the text means The place you are trying to get to when traveling?
a) hybrid c) technology e) rely on g) destination
b) tend d) benefits f) normal h) experts

© David Hughes
 www.eslreadinglessons.com

Answer Key

1. (c) 9. (d) 17. (f)

2. (b) 10. (c) 18. (h)
3. (b) 11. (c) 19. (a)
4. (b) 12. (c) 20. (c)
5. (b) 13. (c) 21. (e)
6. (c) 14. (c) 22. (g)
7. (a) 15. (b)
8. (b) 16. (d)

Sources:
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_car

Image:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Dortmund_iMiEV_charging.jpg/320px-
Dortmund_iMiEV_charging.jpg

© David Hughes