Reading Practice (Improve Your FLUENCY in English)

Welcome back to JForrest English, I'm  Jennifer. And today, I have a reading  

practice lesson for you to help you improve  your pronunciation in English. This is an  

advanced reading practice and will focus on  your pronunciation but you'll also improve  

your Advanced vocabulary and grammar  at the same time. Let's get started.  

Our headline, the electric car  Revolution. Is it realistic or optimistic?

But first let's talk about Revolution. The  electric car revolution in this context,  

a revolution represents a very important  change. In the way people do things you're  

probably familiar with the tech Revolution.  The technology Revolution which very much  

changed the way people do things.  So the electric car Revolution,  

a change from gas-powered vehicles to electric  vehicles, is it realistic? Realistic mean

Not it is likely to happen.  So I'll write that likely  

to happen or optimistic. Generally optimistic  is considered a positive but in this case it's  

more of a - because they're saying, oh is  it optimistic meaning it's overly hopeful,  

overly hopeful, to be honest  I feel like they should have

Said, is it realistic or overly optimistic,  or too optimistic? Because when you add two  

in front of a word, it can make a  positive word - but in this case,  

without the overly or to, to me the word,  optimistic sounds positive. But I know based  

on the context that they actually want it to be  - too optimistic, which means it's too hopeful.

Be hopeful, for example.

you could say it's overly  optimistic to think, we'll

Live on Mars in 10 years  

so it's saying that this is too hopeful,  it's not likely, it's not realistic.

So what do you think? Do you think the electric  car Revolution, the change from gas-powered  

vehicles to electric vehicles? Is that realistic  or optimistic overly optimistic, too optimistic.  

Pull your answer in the comments put realistic or  overly too optimistic. I'd be interested to know  

what you think. Let's continue governments  and motor manufacturers. A manufacturer

Is a company that makes whatever it is  when this case is motor manufacturers  

manufacturer hours. So notice we have  this awkward double our because here  

I have manufacture manufacture. For  example, you can use this as a verb  

GM. Manufactures, fridges. So notice this, our  manufacturers, but I could also say GM is a

Manufacturer manufacturer, or manufacturer.  That's a tricky pronunciation, manufacturer.  

If you want to avoid this, you can always  say, GM manufacturers, fridges to avoid that  

governments and motor manufacturers around  

the world are throwing money and resources  into the development of electric vehicles.

It's notice the pronunciation  vehicle vehicle vehicle. Of course,  

a vehicle is a term that includes different  types of machines. With motors, for example,  

cars, Vans trucks, SUVs they are vehicles vehicles

now, when they see governments  are throwing money and resources,  

it means they're spending it  very freely, spending it freely,

Spending freely. So it implies they're spending  a lot of money. Now we do have one expression  

that is more of a negative that uses this  don't throw your money away, don't throw your  

money away. This is used to say, don't spend  your money so freely that you don't have any

Left and we common Lee include a  specific time that you would do  

this. Don't throw your money away at the  casino because when you go to a casino,  

what do people do? They throw money at the slot  machines, or they throw money at the poker table,  

which means they spend their money freely,  but if someone gives you advice and says,  

don't throw your money away. They're  advising you not to spend your money, so,

Freely.

So governments are throwing money and resources  into the development of electric vehicles. But  

can electric power really replace the internal  combustion engine. The internal combustion  

engine is just the type of engine that's used  on gas, powered vehicles. You don't really  

need to use this. You can just refer to it as a  vehicle before the middle of the century. Maybe

It can, but this is, by no means certain. So  again, if you didn't answer before, what do  

you think, can electric vehicles? Replace gas,  powered vehicles. Can electric vehicles. Replace  

the internal combustion engine, which is found on  all gas, powered vehicles. You can put realistic  

or optimistic in the comments and I have made all  the notes available in a free lesson PDF. So you

Look in the description for the link to download  this free lesson, PDF. Let's continue on  

electric vehicles. Have arrived.  Notice the use of the present,  

perfect. This is because it's a past action.  Electric vehicles are currently on the market,  

so they're not arriving in a  future context. They have arrived,  

is it past action but there's a connection  to the present that connection is now

Now, you can buy an electric vehicle, you can  replace your gas powered vehicle. Your internal  

combustion engine vehicle with an electric  vehicle. Is that a change that you're going to  

do? Are you going to replace one for the other?  So have arrived. This is the present. Perfect.

And is a past action with a present consequence,  with technology, led by Tesla and all of the  

world's major car manufacturers. Remember, that  errors another chance to practice. I'll read  

that again, and all of the world's major  car manufacturers following along behind,  

when you follow along behind, it means

One car manufacturer.

Minx the change and then the other car  manufacturers start making that seem  

change. So follow along behind, we also have  a common expression with other manufacturers  

following suit following suit and it means  the same thing I do this. So then my friend  

does it as well. She follows suit electric  vehicles are now a common sight on the roads of

Most developed countries. So what about in your  country? Do you see a lot of electric vehicles  

in Canada? I see more and more electric vehicles.  I remember five years ago, it was very rare to see  

a Tesla. Now, I would say one out of ten cars  are electric vehicles. That's just a complete  

guess. I do not know if that's accurate,  but that's just based on when I'm driving.

Iving, there's one, there's one, there's  one, it's very common almost every parking  

lot. Now has electric charging stations for  electric cars to charge. So what about in  

your country? What's the situation?  Share that in the comments as well?

Yeah, it the situation in last developed  countries is rather different. Let's talk  

about this use of yet yet. This is  a conjunction and it's used to show  

a contrast. The contrast is in developed  countries. Electric cars are very common  

in less developed countries. They're not very  common, so we have a contrasting situation. I

I can combine those ideas with the word yet  it's similar to however or but however, this  

situation in less developed countries. But the  situation and less developed countries. However,  

sounds quite formal, but sounds less  formal and then yeah it sounds both  

formal and informal. It doesn't, it's more in  the middle. I would say yet the situation in

less developed countries is rather different  rather is used as an adverb to show that it's  

more different so we have in less developed  countries. The situation is different,  

it's rather different. So I'm increasing the  amount of difference between them so I could say,

I'm tired.

Or I could say I'm rather tired, when I add rather  it increases the amount that I am tired. It sounds  

stronger. The only African country to have  started the change to electric vehicles is South  

Africa and even their electric vehicles still  account for less than 0.01 percent of the total.

Total number of cars on the roads. Notice how  I said this number 0.01%. Now, when something  

accounts for something, it means it makes up  that amount for example, Spanish speakers,  

people who speak Spanish, Spanish speakers account  for 50% of my audience. I have no idea if this.

Is true said another way 50% of my audience  is Spanish speakers. I use the verb is because  

audience is a collective noun and is conjugated  as singular. So notice the sentence structure,  

you have something and then you have to account  for account is a verb. So if it's a past,  

maybe last year, Spanish speakers accounted for,

80% of my audience. So this is a verb. You  conjugate it accounted for then you have a  

number fifty percent 10% 25% and then of  and then whatever the total is in South  

America. This situation is better  with all Latin American countries,  

beginning to move towards electric vehicles,  particularly Columbia winch in 2020. How

Third of the continents Total Electric Car Fleet.  Now, if you're from South America, you probably  

realize that the author of this article spelled  Colombia wrong. This is a common mistake that  

Americans make because we have a lot of places  and companies with the spelling you Columbia but  

is pronounced the exact same way. I did not  write this article. This was not my mistake.

I've been to Colombia. I know how to  spell it Colombia Colombia is with a know,  

but the pronunciation is exactly the same but  unfortunately for people who live in Columbia,  

this is a mistake that native  speakers make quite frequently  

particularly Columbia notice particularly.  So we're highlighting Columbia.  

Here's a car example, I love  all luxury car manufacturers.

I included this just so you can practice  that pronunciation. I love all luxury  

car manufacturers particularly Audi so  I'm highlighting Audi I'm giving more  

attention to Audi even though all the luxury  car manufacturers are represented. So all South  

American countries are represented but Colombia  with an O is highlighted because they said

Ticularly Columbia which in 2020, had a third  of the continents Total Electric Car Fleet.  

Let's take a look at Fleet. This  is a noun and it's specifically  

used with vehicles. Our company has a  fleet of 200 luxury Vehicles. A fleet  

simply represents the total number  of vehicles controlled by a company.

Any. Now, it could also be controlled by the  

organization. The Army has a fleet  of Tanks a fleet of planes as well,  

so it's the total number of Tanks or planes  that the army or government controls.

Let's continue on in Russia, the wealthy are  investing in imported electric vehicles. So  

you invest in something you could say and  hopefully you will if you agree with me,  

it's a wise decision to invest  in improving your English skills.  

You're investing in improving your  English skills, right now, you're in

Investing your time your attention. It's  a wise decision to invest in. Notice my  

preposition in invest in now, you  invest in something, you can say,  

invest in your English skills, but you  can also invest in doing something. So,  

in this case, you need a verb and that verb  needs to be an ing verb, invest in improving.

Roofing your English skills in Russia.  The wealthy are investing in importing,  

electric cars. But no electric cars are yet  manufactured locally. So here we have the  

Ed. So let's focus on the pronunciation.  I have my are manufactured and then I add  

a soft D manufactured, manufactured  are yet, manufactured locally in this

Case yet does not represent a contrast, it  doesn't represent however or but like we  

saw before in this case, yet represents until  now. And we frequently use yet with the - and  

we commonly use this with the present perfect. I  haven't bought an electric vehicle yet, so this.

Until now until now, but it's in the present  perfect because it's possible for me to buy  

an electric vehicle. So I could add, I  haven't bought an electric vehicle yet,  

but I plan on buying one next year.  So notice I use but to add that  

contrast. I haven't. I'm buying one.  I haven't bought one. I'm buying one.

So there's a contrast and I combine those two  sentences together with the conjunction yet. And  

remember, in this case, yet does not mean, but it  means until now while in India, the government is  

promoting the purchase of electric vehicles. With  tax exemptions, when you're exempt from something,  

the verb exempt, it means you are not  subject to it. You don't have to do it.

So if there is a policy that everyone needs to  

buy a certain shirt for work, a black shirt for  work but you're exempt from that policy. So all  

of your co-workers need to buy a black shirt,  but you can wear a purple shirt or a white shirt  

because you're exempt. Now, if you have a tax  exemption, it means you don't have to pay certain

taxes and other incentive and incentive is  something Financial or some other benefit  

to try to encourage you to do something  that would be an incentive. So maybe the  

incentive is that you get a rebate back. A  rebate is money back so if you paid 30,000  

dollars for the car, maybe you get five  thousand dollars back. So that would be an

An incentive a rebate. So that's  money back after a purchase.

Let's continue. So, electric cars have  arrived, remember our present, perfect,  

and their share of the market is increasing  almost worldwide. So again in your country,  

have you seen the share of electric vehicles in  the market increase over the years? Does this  

mean therefore that the world is on track to phase  out the use of gas driven vehicles in less than

Thirty years, if you're on track  or on track to do something,  

it means you're progressing towards your goal at  the expected rate. So let's say your goal is to

Buy an electric vehicle by 2025. So,  to do that, you need to save money,  

okay? So every month you save one  thousand dollars, this is your goal.

And one year later, two years later, after  starting this goal, you can say, I'm on track to  

achieve my goal or I'm on track to  buy the electric vehicle by 2020,  

or you can simply say, I'm on track. I'm  on track. So, if someone asked you, oh,  

how's how's your progress? Are you getting closer  to that electric vehicle? You can say, yes.

Yep. I'm on track. I'm on track. You're  progressing towards your goal at the  

expected rate. So does that mean therefore that  the world is on track to phase out the use of gas  

driven vehicles in less than 30 years? So this  is the goal to phase out, gas driven Vehicles,  

the internal combustion engine in less  than 30 years. So what does phase out?

Out mean, phase-out is a phrasal verb.  That means to gradually reduce something.

Until it is no longer used. So of course,  we're not going to go from driving,  

gas powered vehicles today and tomorrow  not driving gas-powered Vehicles. That's  

not realistic. Obviously. So what are  we going to do? Every year? We can  

increase the number of electric vehicles  on the market and decrease. The number of

Gas powered vehicles. So right  now, gas powered electric, but soon  

is going to change, right? And eventually  gas powered, vehicles are not going to exist  

because they have been so gradually  reduced until they're no longer used,  

that's to phase out. So do you think is realistic  to phase out the use of gas driven vehicles?

In 30 years. So, 30 years from today  gas-powered Vehicles, don't exist.  

Do you think that's possible? You can share that  in the comments as well. Now, that's the goal. So  

are they on track to achieve this goal? I don't  know. And does it mean that electric vehicles are  

the sustainable solution to our transport  needs for the second half of the century?

Unfortunately, oh, unfortunately, I'm using this  word as an adverb to deliver disappointing news,  

because this sounds really positive especially  given the cost of gas every day. The cost of gas  

is going up and up and the environmental  damage caused by gas powered vehicles.

Yes, it seems very positive that were  phasing out, gas, powered vehicles,  

and phasing in electric vehicles.  But this article uses, unfortunately,  

to deliver disappointing news because people  want this to happen. Well, some people,  

unfortunately, to the disappointment of some  people, notice how I changed some people,  

because if you just say, people want this  to happen, it sounds like everybody wants.

To happen. But I'm sure there are some  people who want to continue driving,  

gas, powered vehicles, some people who  don't want to use electric vehicles,  

right? So that's why we have to use some  people. Otherwise it sounds like all people.  

The answer to both of these questions has to  be no. And that's the end of the article so  

we don't know why the answer is. No.  But remember both of these questions

So what are the questions? The first  question is, are we on track to phase  

out the use of gas driven, vehicles, and our  electric vehicles. This is Saint sustainable  

solution to our transport means those are the  two questions. Very interesting discussion  

questions. So you're more than welcome to  share your thoughts in the comment section.  

Now, what I'll do is, I will read this  article from start to finish and this

I'm you can focus on my pronunciation,  

the electric car Revolution. Is it realistic or  optimistic governments, and motor manufacturers  

around the world are throwing money and  resources into the development of electric  

vehicles. But can electric power really replace  the internal combustion engine before the middle  

of the century, maybe it can but this is by no  means certain electric vehicles have arrived.

And with technology led by Tesla and all  of the world's major car manufacturers.  

Following along behind electric vehicles,  are now a common sight on the roads of  

most developed countries. Yet the situation in  less developed countries is rather different.  

The only African country to have started  the change to electric vehicles is South  

Africa and even their electric vehicles still  account for less than 0.01 percent of the total.

All number of cars on the roads in South  America. The situation is better with all  

Latin American countries. Beginning  the move towards electric vehicles,  

particularly Colombia, which in 2020. Had a  third of the continents Total Electric Car  

Fleet in Russia. The wealthy are investing  in imported electric cars. But no electric  

cars are yet, manufactured locally. While  in India, the government is promoting the

Us of electric vehicles, with tax exemptions and  other incentives. So, electric cars have arrived  

and their share of the market is increasing  almost worldwide. Does this mean therefore that  

the world is on track to phase out the use of gas  driven vehicles in less than 30 years and doesn't  

mean that electric vehicles are the sustainable  solution to our transport needs for the second  

half of the century? Unfortunately,  to the disappointment of some people.

The answer to both of these questions has  to be no. Did you enjoy this lesson? Well,  

then make sure you subscribe because I  create lessons like this every single  

week and you can also get this free speaking  guide where I share six tips on how to speak  

English fluently and confidently, you  can download it right here and in the  

description below and why don't you get  started with your next lesson right now?