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Forbes
Pre-Reading Questions:
- Do you ride a taxi when you travel? Why or why not?
- What public transportation do you like the most? Why?
Vocabulary:
- launch /lawnch/
[verb] to begin something such as a plan or introduce something new such as a product
The new clothing line will launch a fashion show for the latest European trends.
- chassis /CHAS-ee/
[noun] the frame of a vehicle, usually including the wheels and engine, onto which the metal covering is fixed
The students presented a sample chassis of their solar car invention to the university’s student government.
- capable /KEY-puh-buhl/
[adjective] able to do things effectively and skilfully, and to achieve results
She got promoted because she is capable of doing whatever the manager tells her to do.
- factor /FAK-ter/
[noun] a fact or situation that influences the result of something
Aggressive behavior is one of the risk factors of juvenile delinquency.
- ideal /ahy-DEE-uhl/
[adjective] perfect, or the best possible
My ideal birthday party is to celebrate it with my whole family.
- tie-up /TAHY-uhp/
[noun] a connection or agreement that joins two things or organizations
The tie-up of Top-rank car companies with car show organizers aims to raise funds for the typhoon victims.
Taxicab is one of the most typical modes of transportation around the world. With that said, they are taking it to the next level as flying taxis ready to take off. In May 2019, a German company launches a jet engine taxi called Lilium which had its first testing chassis flight in Munich.
This electric vehicle is capable to connect cities through landing pads with a speed of 300kph. The company did not disclose the exact fare amount of the flying taxi, it states that it would be comparable with the usual cabs. The German company aims that the commuters could access the Uber app to book a taxi flight.
The trials of the flying taxi have begun in Dallas and Los Angeles City. And now, Uber had chosen the third city for the trial. According to Susan Anderson of Uber, because of demographic factors innovative culture and technology, Melbourne became an ideal air path. From Westfield Shopping Center, the trial flight will land on Melbourne’s international airport. It is expected that the travel time would only take 10 minutes by a flying taxi compared to a land taxi that usually travels for 25 minutes.
“Today we are taking another huge step towards making urban air mobility a reality. We dream of a world where anyone can fly wherever they want, whenever they want.”, co-founder of Lilium Daniel Wiegand stated. Uber, Boeing, and Rolls are among the companies that made a tie-up with Lilium to make the flying cars ready for take-off in 2025.
Comprehension Questions:
- When did the German company launch a jet-powered car?
- Why Melbourne Australia become a perfect location for flying car trials?
- According to the article, what is flying car capable of?
- What did the co-founder of Lilium state?
- Based on the article, what do the companies expect to happen in 2025?
Discussion Questions:
- What can you say about flying taxis?
- In your own opinion, how much should be the fare amount of the flying taxi?
- What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of flying taxi?
- Please give your thoughts on Daniel Wiegand’s statement.
- What is your worst experience in a taxicab? Tell me more about it.
[verb] to begin something such as a plan or introduce something new such as a product
The new clothing line will launch a fashion show for the latest European trends.
[noun] the frame of a vehicle, usually including the wheels and engine, onto which the metal covering is fixed
The students presented a sample chassis of their solar car invention to the university’s student government.
[adjective] able to do things effectively and skilfully, and to achieve results
She got promoted because she is capable of doing whatever the manager tells her to do.
[noun] a fact or situation that influences the result of something
Aggressive behavior is one of the risk factors of juvenile delinquency.
[adjective] perfect, or the best possible
My ideal birthday party is to celebrate it with my whole family.
[noun] a connection or agreement that joins two things or organizations
The tie-up of Top-rank car companies with car show organizers aims to raise funds for the typhoon victims.
This electric vehicle is capable to connect cities through landing pads with a speed of 300kph. The company did not disclose the exact fare amount of the flying taxi, it states that it would be comparable with the usual cabs. The German company aims that the commuters could access the Uber app to book a taxi flight.
The trials of the flying taxi have begun in Dallas and Los Angeles City. And now, Uber had chosen the third city for the trial. According to Susan Anderson of Uber, because of demographic factors innovative culture and technology, Melbourne became an ideal air path. From Westfield Shopping Center, the trial flight will land on Melbourne’s international airport. It is expected that the travel time would only take 10 minutes by a flying taxi compared to a land taxi that usually travels for 25 minutes.
“Today we are taking another huge step towards making urban air mobility a reality. We dream of a world where anyone can fly wherever they want, whenever they want.”, co-founder of Lilium Daniel Wiegand stated. Uber, Boeing, and Rolls are among the companies that made a tie-up with Lilium to make the flying cars ready for take-off in 2025.