Car Culture in the US - Audio 1 Worksheet

1. Listen to the extract [0:00 - 0:26]. Don’t worry about understanding everything.
While listening, try to catch:

• Words that are stressed or said more slowly – they are often important.
  
• Words that sound similar to French.
• Words or expressions you already know – use them to understand the general idea.
  
• Any of your predicted keywords – did you hear any from your list?

2. Share the words or ideas you recognized with a partner.
Try to say what the audio is mostly about (even in simple words).

Remember: understanding is not about catching every word, but connecting the clues.

3. Second Listening. Spot key ideas: What is “Car Culture”?
a. While listening, take notes on:

• What people use cars for (e.g. work, shopping…).
  
• How cities are organized around cars.
  
• When this culture started in the U.S.
  

b. In small groups, use your notes to write a simple definition of “Car Culture” in your own words (1-2 sentences).

4.  Linking the audio and the photograph studied in the Pre-Listening Worksheet (Aerial view of massive highway intersection in Los Angeles, California).
In small groups discuss:
a. What do the photo and the audio have in common?
b. How does the photo help you understand the audio?

Extract: [0:00 - 0:26]