Reading workshop: International transport

1. Identifying key information

Based on the information presented in the article, answer the following questions:

1. What’s the articles’ main idea?

a. There are many ways to transport goods.

b. Transport is very important in international trade.

c. There are several factors companies need to consider when deciding on what type of
transport to use

d. Depending on the mode of transport, companies can be more efficient and save
money.

2. According to the article, what are some of the factors a company needs to take
into account when choosing the method of transport to deliver their goods?

a. Business type and expertise

b. Sending cost and type of goods

c. Type and value of goods, sending cost, destination, and risk of transportation

d. Weather conditions and customers’ requirements

3. What mode of transport allows companies to transport large quantities at a low

cost?

a. Rail transport

b. Air transport

c. Road transport

d. Sea transport
4. What method of transport is more flexible in terms of routes and timetables?

a. Rail transport

b. Air transport

c. Road transport

d. Sea transport

5. What methods of transport require companies to spend more money on further

transportation costs to take goods to their final destination?

a. Rail transport and sea transport

b. Air transport and road transport

c. Road transport

d. Sea transport, air transport and rail transport

6. When is it necessary to complete a dangerous goods declaration?

a. When the goods are being transported to countries located in Europe, North Africa or
the Middle East.

b. When the goods are being transported by rail.

c. When the goods that are being transported have a UN dangerous goods code.

d. When the goods are being transported with no insurance.

2. Finding similar words

The following wordlist contains words from the article on methods of international
transport. For each word find a word with the same or similar meaning (synonym).

Word Synonym

Trade Market

Ensure Secure

Efficient Effective

Requirement Request

Quick Agile

Risk Endanger

Send Ship

Customer Client

Suitable Appropriate

Delay Detain

Deliver Dispatch

Currency Legal tender

Insurance Protection

3. Find the missing words

Choose the option that better completes the following passage:

When __________ freight internationally, it’s ______ to choose the appropriate

mode of transportation to _______your products arrive on time and at the right
cost. Your _______ to ship by land, sea, or air depends on a careful evaluation of
business ______ and a __________ of the benefits each method affords. Picking
the best possible mode of transportation is ________to export success.
a. Selling / irrelevant / ensure / decision / costs / comparison / noncritical

b. Transporting / important / ensure / decision / needs / comparison /critical

c. Transporting / irrelevant / support / comparison / needs / assessment /critical

d. Selling / relevant / ensure / decision / needs / comparison / critical

4. Summarizing ideas visually

Based on the article, make a concept map or mind map with information related to
modes of transport. Remember to complete the diagram by writing on it only main ideas
and key information from the reading passage that deals with methods of international
transport.
5. Matching headings

Headings are short sentences that summarize the information in a paragraph. You have
to pick the one that best summarizes the information in the following paragraphs. Match
each paragraph in the reading text to one heading. Be careful, there are always more
headings than paragraphs.

Headings

 Legal requirements needed to carry goods by road

 Rail transport uses
 Means of transportation
 Factors that influence company’s decision on which type of transport to use
 Rail transport benefits
 Difficulties of transporting goods by rail

Paragraph 1: Factors that influence company’s decision on which type of transport to

use

Road, sea, rail and air are four ways of import and export. As a first step the company
has to consider all part of their project, firstly, it is important what has to be distributed
including size, weight and which type of goods. For example, for the transportation of
foods or fruits, speed is important and it’s important to choose the shortest and quickest
way. Sending cost is another element very important and depends on the agency.
Destination, countries’ law, value of goods, risk of transport are other elements to be
considered and depend on company, country of destination and customers’
requirements. So who wants to deal with international transportation has to balance
quality, cost, time and conditions.

Paragraph 2: Difficulties of transporting goods by rail

Risks for rail transport:

• Routes and timetables available can be inflexible, especially in remote regions

• can be more expensive than road transport

• Mechanical failure or industrial action can disrupt services

• Further transportation may be needed from a rail depot to the final destination,
increasing costs and affecting delivery schedules

Paragraph 3: Legal requirements needed to carry goods by road

The international transport of dangerous goods by road is subject to international

legislation, in particular the European Agreement on the International Carriage of
Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). Drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous goods must
hold an ADR training certificate in handling dangerous goods. All commercial vehicles
that carry dangerous goods must pass the ADR test, and some of them need to be built
with special standards.
Paragraph 4: Rail transport benefits

Rail transport is a cost-effective and efficient way to move goods. It offers the following
advantages: fast rail network throughout Europe. It is environmentally friendly compared
with other transport systems.

6. Making comparisons

Based on the article on methods of international transport complete the following

comparison chart by listing the advantages and disadvantages of each mode of
transportation.

Air transport See transport Road Rail transport

transport

- Quick deliver - Large volumes at - Low cost -Cost-effective

low cost way to move
- Better security -Safe and goods
-Shipping private
Advantages - Be used for a wide range containers can also delivery -Environmentally
of goods be used for further friendly
transportation by -Extensive
road or rail road
networks

- Higher costs - Shipping can be -Long -Can be more

slower distances expensive than
- Delay or cancellation of - Port duties and means more road transport
flights taxes time
Disadvantages - Subject to fuel -Mechanical
- Taxes to be paid in each and currency -Delays by failures can
airport surcharges traffic disrupt services

-Risk of -In remote

goods being regions routes
damaged can be inflexible