Interviews

High-intermediate

Read these statements and decide whether you agree or disagree before you listen to the interview. After listening, revisit your answers to see if your opinions changed.

1. Older drivers should be required to take a driving test every year.
2. Public transportation should be free for all seniors.
3. People over the age of 80 should not be allowed to drive at all.
4. The driving age should be raised to 21 instead of 16.
5. It is safer for people to stop driving as they get older, even if they feel fine.
6. Everyone, regardless of age, should be required to take a driving test every five years.
7. Driving is one of the most dangerous activities people do daily.
8. Self-driving cars will make it unnecessary for people to stop driving as they get older.
9. Lack of public transportation makes it unfair to require elderly people to stop driving.
10. People who use smartphones while driving should automatically lose their license.

Here are some words and expressions that appear in the video:

• ability (noun): the skill or power to do something
  – His ability to drive safely has decreased with age.
  – She has the ability to learn new languages quickly.

• control (verb): to manage or direct something
  – He struggled to control the car on the icy road.
  – Parents try to control how much time their kids spend on their phones.

• careless (adjective): not paying enough attention, leading to mistakes or danger
  – The careless driver almost caused an accident.
  – She made a careless mistake on the test.

• safely (adverb): in a way that avoids danger or harm
  – He crossed the street safely at the traffic light.
  – Please drive safely in the snow.

• requirement (noun): something that is needed or necessary
  – A vision test is a requirement for getting a driver’s license.
  – The job has a requirement of at least two years of experience.

Now, watch the interview and answer the comprehension questions. You can also turn on the automatically-generated captions for the video once you start it.

Intermediate-Level Questions

1. Do you think there should be a specific age when people are no longer allowed to drive? Why or why not?
2. How do you think a regular driving test could improve road safety? Do you agree with Aubrey’s idea to have everyone retake a driving test?
3. What are the benefits and challenges of relying on public transportation instead of driving? Would you personally be willing to use public transportation more if it was available?
4. Do you believe emotions like stress or anger can affect a person’s driving ability? Have you ever noticed this in yourself or others?
5. Aubrey says “cars are evil.” Do you think cars are harmful to society, or do they offer more benefits? Explain your opinion.

Advanced-Level Questions

1. Considering the aging population in many countries, what changes should be made to policies regarding elderly drivers to balance their independence with public safety?
2. Aubrey and Randall discuss how society relies on cars due to a lack of public transportation. How do you think the government could encourage more sustainable transportation options while still addressing people’s need for mobility?
3. What are some possible social and psychological effects for an elderly person who is no longer able to drive? How could communities better support these individuals?
4. Aubrey suggests that people of all ages should periodically retake a driving test. How could this affect the public perception of driving tests and the overall culture of road safety?
5. What do you think about the role of technology (e.g., self-driving cars, advanced traffic systems) in the future of driving? How could these innovations change the way we approach driving age limits and road safety?

Activity: Students role-play a scenario where one person is a senior citizen who may be asked to stop driving, and the other is a family member or friend suggesting they take a driving test.

• Instructions: In pairs, students take turns being the senior citizen and the concerned family member, using the ideas from the interview to guide their conversation. Afterward, each pair can present their scenario to the class.
• Purpose: Kinesthetic learners benefit from physical activity and acting out real-life situations, making it easier for them to engage with the topic.

The following activities deal with related topics to give you additional language practice.

• Annoying Drivers
• Daily Annoyances
• Driving Lessons
• Driving Road Test
• Road Rage
• Texting and Driving