The CEO of Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, recently stated that customers waiting for an Uber ride should be willing to wait a few extra minutes for an electric vehicle. He emphasized that a short delay is not a significant inconvenience and can contribute to environmental benefits. Khosrowshahi highlighted the importance of governments supporting the sales of electric vehicles, particularly affordable Chinese-made options that are beneficial for the environment.
Uber is actively promoting the use of electric rides as part of its sustainability goals, aiming for all its car journeys to be conducted in zero-emission vehicles by 2040. While customers can currently select an electric vehicle when booking an Uber, the company is introducing new options for customers to express a preference for electric rides. Despite most Ubers still being petrol, diesel, or hybrid vehicles, the company is encouraging the transition to electric vehicles for a more sustainable future.
Khosrowshahi acknowledged that the shift to electric vehicles may initially impact Uber’s profit margin on rides. However, he believes that in the long run, transitioning to electric vehicles will benefit both the environment and Uber’s business. The company is also expanding its services to include more delivery options, aiming to compete with other delivery services by offering quick and convenient delivery of various products.
While recognizing the challenges related to tariffs on electric vehicles, Khosrowshahi sees Chinese-made electric vehicles as part of the solution to promoting the adoption of electric cars. He emphasized the need for government support to make electric vehicles more affordable, particularly for high-mileage drivers like Uber drivers. Khosrowshahi suggested that subsidies should be targeted at businesses and corporate fleets to encourage broader demand for electric vehicles.
In conclusion, Uber’s CEO advocates for a shift towards electric vehicles to benefit the environment and enhance the company’s sustainability efforts. By encouraging customers to choose electric rides and expanding delivery services, Uber aims to promote a more eco-friendly transportation and delivery system. Khosrowshahi emphasizes the importance of government support in making electric vehicles more accessible and affordable, particularly for high-mileage drivers and corporate fleets.
Original news source: Be prepared to wait longer for an electric taxi, says Uber boss (BBC)
🎧 Listen:
Slow
Normal
Fast
📖 Vocabulary:
| 1 | sustainability | The ability to maintain or support a process over the long term |
| 2 | transition | The process of changing from one state or condition to another |
| 3 | margin | The difference between the cost and the selling price of a product or service |
| 4 | tariffs | Taxes or duties to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports |
| 5 | subsidies | Financial assistance provided by the government to support a specific industry or business |
| 6 | corporate | Relating to a large company or group |
| 7 | fleets | A group of vehicles or ships operating together or under the same ownership |
| 8 | adoption | The act of starting to use or accept something new |
| 9 | eco-friendly | Not harmful to the environment |
| 10 | accessible | Easy to approach, reach, or use |
| 11 | affordable | Reasonably priced and within one’s financial means |
| 12 | significant | Having a noticeable or important effect |
| 13 | inconvenience | A minor problem or difficulty that causes slight annoyance |
| 14 | promoting | Encouraging or supporting the growth or development of something |
| 15 | preference | A greater liking for one alternative over others |
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Headline Creation
Instructions: Ask students to work in pairs or small groups to create a catchy headline summarizing the main idea of the article about Uber CEO promoting electric vehicles. Encourage them to be creative and concise in their headlines.
– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups: those who agree with Uber’s CEO promoting electric vehicles and those who disagree. Have students line up on opposite sides of the room based on their opinions. Then, ask individuals to share their reasons for their stance, encouraging a respectful discussion between the two groups.
– Synonym Challenge
Instructions: Provide students with key words from the article (e.g., electric vehicles, sustainability, environment) and challenge them to come up with as many synonyms as they can in a given time frame. This activity will not only reinforce vocabulary but also expand their word choice repertoire.
– Pass the Story
Instructions: Start by summarizing the article briefly. Then, have one student begin telling the story of Uber CEO’s push for electric vehicles. After a minute or so, signal for the next student to seamlessly continue the story. Keep passing the storytelling around the class, ensuring that each student adds a new detail or perspective. This activity encourages listening skills and coherence in storytelling.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Ask students to individually think about and note down their opinion on the benefits and challenges of transitioning to electric vehicles as proposed by Uber’s CEO. Then, pair them up to discuss their thoughts. Finally, bring the pairs together to share their discussions with the class, fostering a deeper understanding of different perspectives.
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. What is the CEO of Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, suggesting customers should be willing to do while waiting for an Uber ride?
2. What are Uber’s sustainability goals regarding the use of electric vehicles?
3. How is Uber planning to give customers more options to express a preference for electric rides?
4. Why does Dara Khosrowshahi believe that transitioning to electric vehicles will benefit both the environment and Uber’s business in the long run?
5. Apart from promoting the use of electric vehicles, how is Uber planning to expand its services?
6. What challenges related to electric vehicles does Dara Khosrowshahi acknowledge, and what solution does he propose?
7. According to the article, who does Dara Khosrowshahi believe should be the target of subsidies to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles?
8. How does Uber’s CEO view the role of government support in making electric vehicles more accessible and affordable?
Go to answers ⇩
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The CEO of Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, recently stated that customers waiting for an Uber ride should be willing to wait a few extra minutes for an electric vehicle. He emphasized that a short delay is not a (1)______ inconvenience and can contribute to (2)______ benefits. Khosrowshahi highlighted the importance of (3)______ supporting the sales of electric vehicles, particularly affordable Chinese-made options that are beneficial for the environment.
Uber is actively promoting the use of electric rides as part of its sustainability goals, (4)______ for all its car journeys to be conducted in zero-emission (5)______s by 2040. While customers can currently select an electric vehicle when booking an Uber, the company is introducing new options for customers to express a preference for electric rides. Despite most (6)______ still being petrol, diesel, or hybrid vehicles, the company is encouraging the transition to electric vehicles for a more sustainable future.
Khosrowshahi acknowledged that the shift to electric vehicles may initially impact Uber’s profit margin on rides. However, he (7)______ that in the long run, transitioning to electric vehicles will (8)______ both the environment and Uber’s business. The company is also expanding its (9)______ to include more delivery options, aiming to compete with other delivery services by offering quick and convenient delivery of various (10)______.
While (11)______ the (12)______ related to tariffs on electric vehicles, Khosrowshahi sees Chinese-made electric vehicles as part of the solution to promoting the adoption of electric cars. He emphasized the need for government support to make electric vehicles more affordable, particularly for high-mileage drivers like Uber drivers. Khosrowshahi suggested that subsidies should be targeted at (13)______ and corporate fleets to encourage broader demand for electric vehicles.
In conclusion, Uber’s CEO advocates for a shift towards electric vehicles to benefit the environment and enhance the company’s sustainability efforts. By encouraging (14)______ to choose electric (15)______ and expanding delivery services, Uber aims to promote a more eco-friendly transportation and delivery system. Khosrowshahi emphasizes the importance of government support in making electric vehicles more accessible and (16)______, particularly for high-mileage drivers and corporate fleets.
Go to answers ⇩
💬 Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is your opinion on Uber’s CEO suggesting customers wait a few extra minutes for an electric vehicle?
2. How would you feel if you had to wait longer for an Uber ride in order to get an electric vehicle?
3. Do you think it’s important for companies like Uber to prioritize sustainability goals, even if it may initially impact their profit margin?
4. Why do you think Uber is aiming for all its car journeys to be conducted in zero-emission vehicles by 2040?
5. Do you like the idea of being able to express a preference for an electric ride when booking an Uber?
6. How do you think the transition to electric vehicles will benefit both the environment and Uber’s business in the long run?
7. Why do you think Uber is expanding its services to include more delivery options?
8. What challenges do you think are associated with tariffs on electric vehicles?
9. Do you believe government support is crucial in making electric vehicles more affordable and accessible?
10. Why do you think Chinese-made electric vehicles are seen as part of the solution to promoting the adoption of electric cars?
11. How do you think subsidies targeted at businesses and corporate fleets can encourage broader demand for electric vehicles?
12. What are your thoughts on the importance of government support in making electric vehicles more affordable for high-mileage drivers like Uber drivers?
13. Why do you think Uber’s CEO advocates for a shift towards electric vehicles to benefit the environment and enhance the company’s sustainability efforts?
14. How do you think promoting a more eco-friendly transportation and delivery system can impact society as a whole?
15. In your opinion, what role do you think companies like Uber play in influencing the adoption of sustainable practices in the transportation industry?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. sustainability
2. transition
3. margin
4. tariffs
5. subsidies
6. corporate
7. fleets
8. adoption
9. eco-friendly
10. accessible
11. affordable
12. significant
13. inconvenience
14. promoting
15. preference
Meanings:
(A) A group of vehicles or ships operating together or under the same ownership
(B) Taxes or duties to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports
(C) The ability to maintain or support a process over the long term
(D) Having a noticeable or important effect
(E) Relating to a large company or group
(F) Not harmful to the environment
(G) Reasonably priced and within one’s financial means
(H) Financial assistance provided by the government to support a specific industry or business
(I) Encouraging or supporting the growth or development of something
(J) Easy to approach, reach, or use
(K) A greater liking for one alternative over others
(L) A minor problem or difficulty that causes slight annoyance
(M) The process of changing from one state or condition to another
(N) The act of starting to use or accept something new
(O) The difference between the cost and the selling price of a product or service
Go to answers ⇩
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What is Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, advocating for in terms of transportation?
(a) Customers waiting for Uber rides to be willing to wait for electric vehicles
(b) Customers to only choose petrol vehicles for Uber rides
(c) Customers to only choose diesel vehicles for Uber rides
(d) Customers to not use Uber for transportation
2. What is Uber’s goal for all its car journeys by 2040?
(a) To be conducted in petrol vehicles
(b) To be conducted in diesel vehicles
(c) To be conducted in hybrid vehicles
(d) To be conducted in zero-emission vehicles
3. What does Uber currently offer customers when booking a ride?
(a) The option to select an electric vehicle
(b) The option to select a petrol vehicle
(c) The option to select a diesel vehicle
(d) The option to select a hybrid vehicle
4. What is Uber doing to encourage the transition to electric vehicles?
(a) Removing all petrol vehicles from their fleet
(b) Introducing new options for customers to express a preference for electric rides
(c) Only offering diesel vehicles for rides
(d) Not promoting electric vehicles at all
5. What does Dara Khosrowshahi believe will benefit both the environment and Uber’s business in the long run?
(a) Continuing to use petrol vehicles
(b) Increasing the use of diesel vehicles
(c) Transitioning to electric vehicles
(d) Not changing the current vehicle options
6. How does Uber plan to compete with other delivery services?
(a) By only delivering products during specific hours
(b) By not expanding their delivery options
(c) By offering quick and convenient delivery of various products
(d) By increasing delivery times for customers
7. What does Khosrowshahi suggest regarding subsidies for electric vehicles?
(a) They should not be given to anyone
(b) They should be targeted at businesses and corporate fleets
(c) They should only be given to individual drivers
(d) They should be given to all drivers equally
8. What is the main focus of Uber’s CEO in promoting the adoption of electric cars?
(a) Encouraging the use of petrol vehicles
(b) Discouraging the use of diesel vehicles
(c) Ignoring the environmental impact of transportation
(d) Making electric vehicles more accessible and affordable
Go to answers ⇩
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. Customers currently do not have the option to select an electric vehicle when booking an Uber ride.
2. Khosrowshahi suggests that subsidies for electric vehicles should not be targeted at businesses and corporate fleets to encourage broader demand.
3. Uber is discontinuing new options for customers to express a preference for electric rides.
4. Dara Khosrowshahi sees Chinese-made electric vehicles as part of the solution to promoting the adoption of electric cars.
5. Dara Khosrowshahi, the CEO of Uber, believes that customers should be willing to wait a few extra minutes for an electric vehicle ride.
6. Uber is expanding its services to include more delivery options to compete with other delivery services.
7. Uber acknowledges that transitioning to electric vehicles may initially impact its profit margin on rides.
8. Uber aims to have all its car journeys conducted in emission vehicles by 2040.
Go to answers ⇩
📝 Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. What are the environmental benefits of customers choosing to wait a few extra minutes for an electric vehicle when using Uber?
2. How does Uber plan to achieve its goal of having all car journeys conducted in zero-emission vehicles by 2040?
3. What challenges does Uber’s CEO acknowledge in transitioning to electric vehicles, and how does he believe this shift will benefit both the environment and Uber’s business in the long run?
4. How is Uber expanding its services beyond ridesharing to include more delivery options, and what is the company’s goal in this expansion?
5. According to the article, why does Uber’s CEO believe that government support is crucial in making electric vehicles more affordable and accessible, especially for high-mileage drivers and corporate fleets?
✅ Answers
🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What is the CEO of Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, suggesting customers should be willing to do while waiting for an Uber ride?
Customers waiting for an Uber ride should be willing to wait a few extra minutes for an electric vehicle.
2. What are Uber’s sustainability goals regarding the use of electric vehicles?
Uber aims for all its car journeys to be conducted in zero-emission vehicles by 2040.
3. How is Uber planning to give customers more options to express a preference for electric rides?
Uber is introducing new options for customers to express a preference for electric rides in addition to being able to select an electric vehicle when booking an Uber.
4. Why does Dara Khosrowshahi believe that transitioning to electric vehicles will benefit both the environment and Uber’s business in the long run?
He believes that transitioning to electric vehicles will benefit both the environment and Uber’s business in the long run despite initial impacts on profit margins, as it aligns with sustainability goals and promotes a more eco-friendly transportation system.
5. Apart from promoting the use of electric vehicles, how is Uber planning to expand its services?
Uber is expanding its services to include more delivery options to compete with other delivery services by offering quick and convenient delivery of various products.
6. What challenges related to electric vehicles does Dara Khosrowshahi acknowledge, and what solution does he propose?
Khosrowshahi acknowledges challenges related to tariffs on electric vehicles and proposes Chinese-made electric vehicles as part of the solution to promoting their adoption.
7. According to the article, who does Dara Khosrowshahi believe should be the target of subsidies to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles?
Dara Khosrowshahi believes that subsidies should be targeted at businesses and corporate fleets to encourage broader demand for electric vehicles, particularly for high-mileage drivers like Uber drivers.
8. How does Uber’s CEO view the role of government support in making electric vehicles more accessible and affordable?
Khosrowshahi emphasizes the importance of government support in making electric vehicles more accessible and affordable, particularly for high-mileage drivers and corporate fleets, to promote the adoption of electric cars.
Go back to questions ⇧
🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) significant
(2) environmental
(3) governments
(4) aiming
(5) vehicle
(6) Ubers
(7) believes
(8) benefit
(9) services
(10) products
(11) recognizing
(12) challenges
(13) businesses
(14) customers
(15) rides
(16) affordable
Go back to questions ⇧
📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. sustainability
Answer: (C) The ability to maintain or support a process over the long term
2. transition
Answer: (M) The process of changing from one state or condition to another
3. margin
Answer: (O) The difference between the cost and the selling price of a product or service
4. tariffs
Answer: (B) Taxes or duties to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports
5. subsidies
Answer: (H) Financial assistance provided by the government to support a specific industry or business
6. corporate
Answer: (E) Relating to a large company or group
7. fleets
Answer: (A) A group of vehicles or ships operating together or under the same ownership
8. adoption
Answer: (N) The act of starting to use or accept something new
9. eco-friendly
Answer: (F) Not harmful to the environment
10. accessible
Answer: (J) Easy to approach, reach, or use
11. affordable
Answer: (G) Reasonably priced and within one’s financial means
12. significant
Answer: (D) Having a noticeable or important effect
13. inconvenience
Answer: (L) A minor problem or difficulty that causes slight annoyance
14. promoting
Answer: (I) Encouraging or supporting the growth or development of something
15. preference
Answer: (K) A greater liking for one alternative over others
Go back to questions ⇧
🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What is Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, advocating for in terms of transportation?
Answer: (a) Customers waiting for Uber rides to be willing to wait for electric vehicles
2. What is Uber’s goal for all its car journeys by 2040?
Answer: (d) To be conducted in zero-emission vehicles
3. What does Uber currently offer customers when booking a ride?
Answer: (a) The option to select an electric vehicle
4. What is Uber doing to encourage the transition to electric vehicles?
Answer: (b) Introducing new options for customers to express a preference for electric rides
5. What does Dara Khosrowshahi believe will benefit both the environment and Uber’s business in the long run?
Answer: (c) Transitioning to electric vehicles
6. How does Uber plan to compete with other delivery services?
Answer: (c) By offering quick and convenient delivery of various products
7. What does Khosrowshahi suggest regarding subsidies for electric vehicles?
Answer: (b) They should be targeted at businesses and corporate fleets
8. What is the main focus of Uber’s CEO in promoting the adoption of electric cars?
Answer: (d) Making electric vehicles more accessible and affordable
Go back to questions ⇧
🕵️✅ True or False Answers:
1. Customers currently do not have the option to select an electric vehicle when booking an Uber ride. (Answer: False)
2. Khosrowshahi suggests that subsidies for electric vehicles should not be targeted at businesses and corporate fleets to encourage broader demand. (Answer: False)
3. Uber is discontinuing new options for customers to express a preference for electric rides. (Answer: False)
4. Dara Khosrowshahi sees Chinese-made electric vehicles as part of the solution to promoting the adoption of electric cars. (Answer: True)
5. Dara Khosrowshahi, the CEO of Uber, believes that customers should be willing to wait a few extra minutes for an electric vehicle ride. (Answer: True)
6. Uber is expanding its services to include more delivery options to compete with other delivery services. (Answer: True)
7. Uber acknowledges that transitioning to electric vehicles may initially impact its profit margin on rides. (Answer: True)
8. Uber aims to have all its car journeys conducted in emission vehicles by 2040. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧
