Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. vital
    • ex. Exercise is vital for staying healthy.
  2. deteriorate
    • ex. The building will deteriorate without repairs.
  3. enforcement
    • ex. Strict enforcement of school rules keeps students safe.
  4. swerve
    • ex. The car swerved to avoid a dog that suddenly ran onto the road.
  5. a fatality
    • ex. The accident caused one fatality, making the local community very sad.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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For Tafara Muvhevhi, a driving instructor in Zimbabwe, teaching driving has changed a lot in the past 16 years. Before, his job was to help students pass their driving test. Now, his work is vital for keeping them alive on some of Africa’s most dangerous roads. Road crashes are a big problem in Zimbabwe, with accidents happening every 15 minutes and causing many injuries and deaths.

Road safety in the country has deteriorated since the 2000s. Poor road repairs, weak enforcement, and risky driving habits have made traffic more dangerous. Other drivers often pressure learners by sounding their horns or suddenly swerving into traffic. Authorities say human error causes most accidents, including phone use while walking or driving.

Zimbabwe has one of Africa’s highest road accident fatality rates, with about 30 deaths per 100,000 people. The problem reflects a wider African crisis, where road deaths are rising faster than anywhere else in the world. Experts warn that without stronger laws and safer behavior, the numbers will keep growing.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Learning to Drive

  • In Zimbabwe, other drivers often sound their horns or suddenly swerve on the road to pressure learners. What do you think about this action? Discuss.
  • What is learning to drive like in your country (ex. easy, difficult)? Discuss.
  • Do you think everyone should learn how to drive? Why or why not? Discuss.

Roads and Road Accidents

  • In Zimbabwe, poor road repairs, weak enforcement, and risky driving habits have made traffic more dangerous. How safe are the roads and traffic in your country? Discuss.
  • Are road accidents common in your area? Discuss.
  • What do you think people learning to drive should learn first to avoid accidents on the road? Discuss.