Owning a car
1. A private car is a convenient mode of
transportation. More comfortable seats,
ventilation and technologies help people
to feel better compared to other
methods, like a bicycle or a public bus.
2. Users have more secure privacy
compared to using public transportation.
3. Increase job opportunities because
more workers involved in working in car
companies or as drivers, reducing
unemployment rate.
4. Local state has more budgets, paid by
car owners’taxes, to renew the roads.
Annually, car drivers have to pay
hundreds of euros for renewing car
insurance, licence, road tax.
5. Industries developed as car industries
developed. Increased use of private
cars, more car companies raise their
technology, leading other industries to
be developed too.
6. People have absolute freedom on
deciding the schedule and roads to
reach their destination.
7. A private car owner can utilise his time
but it is very tough to do so on a public
bus.
8. In a car, a person does not have to
worry about the dust, noise and fumes
present in the road while in public
transportation it is not always possible
to avoid those.
9. Saves commuters time and can reach
destination quickly than would be
required in a public bus.
1. Owning a car is expensive and
requires additional costs to maintain
and repair it.
2. Cars have increased the level of air
and noise pollution in cities, causing
more humans to suffer from
respiratory, heart diseases, or
cancers.
3. City travellers have to spend longer
hours in traffic jams. More private
cars, cause the density of traffic to
increase ponger time in the traffic
load.
4. As the number of private cars
increased, more people have been
injured or died by accidents.
5. Private car is more expensive than
public transportation. Paying money
for road tax, renewing of licence,
insurance.
6. Fossil fuels are consumed as cars
increase, future generations will face
a shortage.
7. The governmental expense is raised
dramatically. Building and
maintenance of more highways for
more cars, hire more police force,
the local government have to
consider a larger budget.
8. The average health of car users has
decreased as they do not do any
physical movement.
9. Consumption of fuels is contributing
to the rise if global warming and
affecting the ozone layer.
10. Car owners need to worry about
safety and parking places for cars.
Firstly, decide whether you are for or against owning a car and make your own list. Then
look at the given list. Find a partner and start a role play or a discussion on the topic.
Expressing opinion and discussing

EXPRESSING OPINION That’s not exactly what I was trying to say.

Personal:
In my opinion...
In my experience...
Speaking for myself... PROTESTING RUDELY
Personally, I think... You’re not listening, are you?
I (strongly) believe that... Did you hear a word I said?
I really feel that... Can you understand what I say?
If you ask me... But who said that?
What I mean is...
What I’m trying to say is that... DISAGREEING POLITELY
General: I see, but that’s different.
Some people say that... Sorry, I don’t agree with you.
Many/Most people think/believe that... I don’t see it that way.
Everybody knows that... That’s not entirely true.
The thing is that... That’s partly true but...
The point is that... I see your point but...
I’m sorry to disagree with you but...
ASKING FOR AN OPINION Yes, but don’t you think...?
What’s your idea (on...)? I think that’s not the same thing at all.
What do you think about it? On the contrary...
Do you agree with that? Well, I’m not so sure about that.
Is that what you think? Sorry, I think that’s wrong.
Have you got an opinion about it? Yeah, but the problem is that...
How do you feel about it? Well, I think it’s not as simple as that.
Do you have anything to say about it?
And you? What do you think? DISAGREEING IN A RUDE WAY (colloquial)
Is that right? Are you crazy or what?
AGREEING You must be kidding, right?
Of course I can’t believe you’re saying that.
You’re absolutely right No way!
Yes, I agree. I can’t buy that.
I think so too. You can’t be serious.
That’s a (very) good point. How can you even say that?
Oh yes, that’s right. I think you’re totally wrong.
Exactly. Oh, come on, where’s your logic?
I don’t think so either. That doesn’t make any sense.
That’s true. Absolutely wrong.
That’s just what I was thinking. That’s totally B.S. (=bullshit)
I couldn’t agree more.
That’s exactly what I think. AGREEING STRONGLY (colloquial)
I think you’re right. Oh yea, you said it.
I hear you. But of course!
Yes, me too / me neither. Now you’re talking.
Yes, yes, that’s the point!
PROTESTING POLITELY I totally agree with you
That’s not what I mean/said. You’re so very right!
No, what I’m trying to say is that... You’re reading my mind.
You got me wrong.
I’m probably not making myself very clear.